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Old 04-07-2015, 10:05 AM   #1
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Second trip on our "new to us" boat...

My son and I just finished up the second-ever trip on our Island Packet PY cruiser. The first trip I did solo from the National Liquidator dock in Fort Lauderdale to Indiantown Marina, but my eldest son (a HS senior) joined me on this second trip from Indiantown Marina to Sneed Island Boatworks.

The first day we made it from Indiantown Marina to FFs dock right before the Ortona lock. We left Indiantown at first light, and the lock that I was worried about at the entrance to the lake was open, so we cruised right through to a flat calm Lake Okeechobee. Easy trip. 55nm. Here's is the route shown on Garmin Bluechart.

Attachment 38957

The next morning we left early and made it through the Ortona lock at 7:30am-- we were the only boat in the lock. There was some turbulence on this first-ever lock for us, but it wasn't bad. It was a very interesting experience figuring out the lines, but Larry (Healhustler) had shown me the ropes (pun intended) earlier, so I sort of knew what to do. The cruise from the Ortona lock to Tarpon Point Marina was very picturesque, with lots of open land and a few mostly modest houses. Very relaxing. We pulled into Tarpon Point Marina around 3:30 (new docks, $108 for the night &#128563, and backed into a very narrow slip without hitting anything, showered and went to Pincher's restaurant on the Harbour to eat and watch Michigan State get blown out by Duke. Here's the route-- 46.3nm
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The third leg of the trip was less relaxing. We left Tarpon Point Marina at first light and I got confused by the channel markers and bumped the bottom. There was a fishing boat coming down the channel as I was flailing around, and they politely told me that I was not in the channel.I felt the keel dragging so I gave my giant 110hp Yanmar 😁 some throttle and was able to get back in the channel. Felt pretty stupid but I guess it had to happen eventually. This area from Cape Coral to Sarasota was the busiest waterway I've ever been on. It was the Saterday before Easter so maybe that was at it was so crowded, but I lost count of the number of times I was waked by huge cruisers going the perfect "huge wake speed", and they were not shy about coming very close and then cutting in front of me. I was only radioed twice to let me know they were passing by a couple of sport fishers and they slowed down-- everyone else just came on past me. This was my first experience of being waked all day long so it was a little stressful. This was our longest leg of the trip at almost 70 miles, and it took us a full 10 hours because of all the boat traffic, bridges, dodging huge wakes, no wake zone's etc. We pulled into Marina jacks at 5:30 on Easter Subday, and that place was really rocking with a blues band out on the patio. Talk about a swanky place! We docked next to a giant yacht named "Determination"
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We hit the very nice showers at the marina, and ate at a great little place name The Cottage in the area called the Village. That area was also rocking with partiers and maybe Spring Breakers. Nice scenery. Here's the route. 68.5nm.
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The next morning we had a short hop over to Sneed Island Boat Works. They are going to look at a blister issue that might be covered under the Island Packet 10 year hull warranty, and also try to find out where my black water leak is coming from. I will gladly pay someone to do that. The route:Click image for larger version

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We had a great trip, but it was definitely more of a delivery IMO. We didn't have much time to do anything else. 10 hours was a long day for me. When my wife joins me I need to make sure we slow down and enjoy it more.
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Old 04-07-2015, 10:11 AM   #2
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Greetings,
Mr. cd. Great travelogue! I'm NOT jealous but it took me 2 years to run aground. Talk about beginner's luck...Hey, you're still alive and still afloat. It's all good.
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Old 04-07-2015, 10:15 AM   #3
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Some random trip pics

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Lake Okeechobee.

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Driving with the remote Oliver installed. Thanks Oliver! It's fun to drive from the hot tub...

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Dock FF built himself.

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Always something interesting to see

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Felt bad for this guy. He was in his dingy, looking down, maybe thinking "shit, now what?" Not much water outside the ICW in lots of spots.

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Oliver's next boat...
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Old 04-07-2015, 10:42 AM   #4
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Nice pics. Glad the remote is working well.

That's a 62, nice boat but not our style. This is our next one.
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Old 04-07-2015, 03:47 PM   #5
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Thanks for sharing the trip with us! Brings back fond memories. Too bad you were in a hurry, there are some nice places to explore on that Ft Myers to Sarasota leg, though Easter weekend is obviously a crowded and difficult time to enjoy it. Like the old saw goes, the worst thing you can have on a boat is a schedule! Hope you enjoy the rest of your journey and look forward to future reports!
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Old 04-07-2015, 05:15 PM   #6
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Nice pics. Glad the remote is working well.

That's a 62, nice boat but not our style. This is our next one.
Attachment 38976

Yeah. That looks better. I'll buy your old one when you are done with it. 😁

So how was your Easter trip? Did you see Roy at GTC?
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Old 04-07-2015, 05:37 PM   #7
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Welcome to the club Cardude, I soft grounded and self rescued my first real trip. 2nd and 3rd trips too Seemed to have gotten it out of my system now so all is good.
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Old 04-07-2015, 05:42 PM   #8
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Yeah. That looks better. I'll buy your old one when you are done with it. 😁

So how was your Easter trip? Did you see Roy at GTC?

We didn't check out the marina. So far so good. Tomorrow we're going to make a 20 hour run to west end for the night then home.
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Old 04-07-2015, 06:22 PM   #9
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Dude, don't feel to bad about touching bottom there. The areas sounds like near mile 0 GICW. That stretch is known as the miserable mile because side setting tides will push a slow boat around. The channels and markers with two junctions are confusing to the unfamiliar. I have seen a big Hatteras sports fisherman sitting out of the water on a shoal.

Altogether I think you did very well. You should be in good hands at Sneed Island.
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Old 04-07-2015, 07:17 PM   #10
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Great trip report, 'dude! Great that you were able to do it with your son. That fwd seating area really does look like a hot tub! What a great place to steer from.
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Old 04-08-2015, 08:13 AM   #11
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Great pics, thanks for sharing.
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Old 04-12-2015, 07:41 PM   #12
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Very cool indeed, on a lot of levels.
Look forward to other reports on your travels.


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Old 04-12-2015, 08:23 PM   #13
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Thanks for all the comments on the trip! We had a blast, and it all went fairly smoothly.

Once I get my battery issue and my new sewage leak issue and my fridge issue fixed up I'll be set (and ready for the next issue &#128514 !
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Old 04-12-2015, 08:30 PM   #14
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(and ready for the next issue &#128514 !

Now that's the spirit!
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Old 04-13-2015, 11:02 AM   #15
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Thanks for sharing
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