Dec 10-11: Into the Gulf

Dec 9:

After a quick grocery run to Publix for some greens, cold cuts and bagels, I weighed anchor at around 9:00 this morning and motored north into the Gulf of Mexico via Northwest Channel. Alana is steering for Marco Island where I’m hoping to pick up some steady northeasterly winds late tonight or tomorrow. There is no wind at the moment, but after tonight things look promising. Were I not a little behind schedule I would probably have waited for the easterlies in Key West, saving gas (and noise), but as it is going to be nip and tuck getting to Pensacola in time to drive up to Ohio for Christmas, I am forging on.

There were dozens of “boats” in Key West that appeared not to have moved in years, and likely were incapable of ever again sailing or motoring if they had to. One has to imaging that it is those very bums that inspired the state of Florida to try cracking down on cruisers with all sorts of anchoring regulations. I’d bet any amount of money that those boats neither go out three miles to pump sewage or make use of the city’s pump-out facilities. I guess they are beneficiaries of Key West’s live-and-let-live approach to most matters.

Dec 10:

The winds arrived with a bang at around 10:00 last night. Alana was motoring along on autopilot as I drifted in and out of consciousness in the cockpit, when she suddenly healed (I had the main sail up for stability) before the 16-knot winds. I unfurled the genoa and was soon swishing along with the lee rail buried. This lasted a few minutes before I had to reef the sails in order to continue safely north in the gusty winds which built to around 24 knots.

Last night was another sleep-free night, the strong winds and numerous fishing vessels requiring my full attention. The moon didn’t come up until the wee hours, so for the most part, it was a dark and stormy night.

Upon anchoring in the lee of Sanibel Island, I discovered that a couple of hatches had not been dogged down as tight as they should have been. I had some salty mess to clean up before enjoying a nice hot shower and a nap.

I plan to remain anchored until morning by which time the boisterous winds should have mellowed, and then make progress toward Pensacola for 24-48 hours.