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Old 11-04-2021, 10:32 AM   #27
PhilPB
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City: West Palm Beach
Vessel Name: Sun Dog
Vessel Model: Mainship 34
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 668
Just finished the trip from Naples to West Palm

Hello All. Here is our update on the maiden voyage and Florida crossing.



Day 1: Our trip started on a Sunday when we went from Naples to Ft Myers. The Gulf knocked us around quite a bit and we were spent from the approx 4 hr run in windy & choppy water. We spent the first night at the Ft Myers Municipal Marina. It was a great stay and fueled up as well as having pump out. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We walked 2 blocks to downtown and had a great dinner at Ford's Garage.


Day 2: Cruised to Clewiston and stayed at Roland Martins. The lock for the marina stays operable until 8pm and they only monitor chan 16. We were met at the Marina dock by Cap'n Sam with a fedora feathered cap, he lives on his boat and when he hears you coming he greets you. He helped us dock and hookup, gave us the low down on and we settled in. Had a fantastic dinner at the restaurant and a good night's rest.


Day 3: Fueled up and decided on taking Route 2 around the Lake. Well marked, great cruise until we ended up at the swing bridge at Slims Fish Camp where the operator wasn't there. The Fish Camp gal who runs the store answered our calls to the bridge to tell us the swing bridge operator had an emergency and would be gone for an hour or so. She invited us to tie up at their dock and she put on a fresh pot of coffee for us, amazingly nice of her. We hung out in the bait shop/store and chatted with her and the customers that came in, such a nice time and everyone was so inviting. Since we lost a bit over an hour I didn't think we'd make it to the

St. Lucie lock. We cruised route 2 and had a flock of seagulls following us quite a bit of the time and then made it to Port Mayaca Lock. Called the operator and we were in the lock rather quickly. Our cruise down the St Lucie went well and we made it to the St Lucie lock at 4:20, just in time. Started to call marina's in the Stuart area and found a spot at the Safe Harbor Yacht Club. Showered, ate dinner and we passed out.


Day 4: Fueled up and started out trek to the intracoastal waterway and we overheated so had to drop anchor and texted with the mechanic we used in Naples. He suggested opening up the radiator cap and look at the level (empty!). Waited for the engine to cool down and added about 2.5 gal of water. I checked the oil for a milky look and was happy to only see black so hopefully our heat exchanger is the culprit. Made the trip at 170f down to our slip (30-40ish miles).


Awesome trip and we made it unscathed. This was the admirals first time on a vessel, other than a cruise ship or a children's camp daysailer many years ago. We were both impressed with my docking skills on a single screw, no thruster boat....stern in at our slip too!


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