jwnall
Moderator Emeritus
I am into the 6th day of this trip, singlehanding a 1973 Gulfstar 36 from Stuart, Florida (on the East coast of Florida) and heading toward my final destination of St. Marks, Florida, in the panhandle. Started out last Wednesday (October 3rd), taking the Okeechobee Waterway across the Florida peninsula. Got as far as Lake Okeechobee on Wednesday, and anchored out of the channel and just off the shore (about 300 yards). A light east wind was forecast, and I figured that it would be a pleasant night. Wasn't, though. Rolled a lot.
Next day got as far as Denaud, and anchored a bit beyond that in the Calahoochie River which is quite wide with deep water pretty much up to the bank. A pleasant night.
Next day stopped to refuel at Fort Myers, and then proceeded on down the Waterway to Useppa Island, where there is a very good anchorage. Lots of sailboats anchored there, and they were running back and forth in their dinghies and making friends. I felt like an outsider, with my trawler, which is ironic considering that I had a sailboat for 17 years.
Next day (Saturday) out into the Gulf of Mexico at Charlotte Harbor, and proceeded north about 3 miles offshore. Lots and lots of crab traps in the water, and my autopilot seems to want to unerringly head directly for one everytime it gets a chance! Also thousands and thousands of small fish (pin fish?) floating on the surface of the water. Had hoped to anchor in the Manatee River for the night, but it got too late, so anchored in the Gulf just off Anna Marie Island, near the southern entrance to Tampa Bay. Rolled a bit. I need to buy some rocker stoppers!
Next day (Sunday) got up early and headed for Clearwater. Just before the outer channel marker, the port engine overheated very badly, and I limped in to the Clearwater Municipal Marina on one engine. Lots of smoke in the salon, lots of greasy soot all over everything. Not fun.
Monday morning called a "mobile mechanic" and he came out and looked at things. Shift cable for port engine will not work, but the transmission works OK when shift cable is disconnected. Strainer looks OK. I dove the bottom and nothing blocking the raw water intake. Impeller looks OK, although he is going to replace the impellers on both engines just on general principles. Hose from engine to exhaust has big hole in it.
Not sure why I do all this. Perhaps it is kind of like beating your head against the wall, in that it just feels so doggoned good when you stop!
John
Next day got as far as Denaud, and anchored a bit beyond that in the Calahoochie River which is quite wide with deep water pretty much up to the bank. A pleasant night.
Next day stopped to refuel at Fort Myers, and then proceeded on down the Waterway to Useppa Island, where there is a very good anchorage. Lots of sailboats anchored there, and they were running back and forth in their dinghies and making friends. I felt like an outsider, with my trawler, which is ironic considering that I had a sailboat for 17 years.
Next day (Saturday) out into the Gulf of Mexico at Charlotte Harbor, and proceeded north about 3 miles offshore. Lots and lots of crab traps in the water, and my autopilot seems to want to unerringly head directly for one everytime it gets a chance! Also thousands and thousands of small fish (pin fish?) floating on the surface of the water. Had hoped to anchor in the Manatee River for the night, but it got too late, so anchored in the Gulf just off Anna Marie Island, near the southern entrance to Tampa Bay. Rolled a bit. I need to buy some rocker stoppers!
Next day (Sunday) got up early and headed for Clearwater. Just before the outer channel marker, the port engine overheated very badly, and I limped in to the Clearwater Municipal Marina on one engine. Lots of smoke in the salon, lots of greasy soot all over everything. Not fun.
Monday morning called a "mobile mechanic" and he came out and looked at things. Shift cable for port engine will not work, but the transmission works OK when shift cable is disconnected. Strainer looks OK. I dove the bottom and nothing blocking the raw water intake. Impeller looks OK, although he is going to replace the impellers on both engines just on general principles. Hose from engine to exhaust has big hole in it.
Not sure why I do all this. Perhaps it is kind of like beating your head against the wall, in that it just feels so doggoned good when you stop!
John