Challenges of SE FLA

We've decided to head for the Florida Keys, continuing on the ICW through the most densely populated part of the state. The weather has been dicey. It's been challenging but rewarding, in a way. One of the best tools to deal with the challenges has been a credit card. Here are the details :

 

On Monday we left Manatee Pocket, near Stuart FL, and had an easy 25 mile run down the ICW. We needed to replenish some supplies, and upcoming weather looked bad (the 'Polar Vortex' would yield colder temps and strong N winds), so we pulled into Old Port Cove Marina in North Palm Beach for a 2 night stay. This is a very deluxe and well run marina. On Tuesday they gave us a ride to a nearby Publix for grocery shopping. We then enjoyed lunch at their restaurant, and we watched the screaming N winds and periodic rain from our protected slip. Very civilized.

 

We had a tricky time getting out of the slip on Wednesday due to strong NE winds, and those winds and periodic rain kept things interesting as we travelled further south. This was a day of dealing with drawbridges. The ICW divides the densely populated beach areas here from the mainland, so there are many bridges, probably averaging one every 2 miles or so. They all operate on schedules, opening every half hour or so, sometimes on the quarter hours. If you cruise at 5-6 knots they sort of synchronize so you don't have to wait too long. Thus it makes no sense to hurry. We communicate with the bridge tenders on VHF channel 9, which is full of chatter from boats ahead of us and behind us.

 

Wednesday's 30 mile run left us dropping the hook in the NE corner of Lake Boca Raton, a wide spot in the ICW surrounded by condos. The NE winds were screaming at 30 mph so we were glad for the relative protection. We were able to dinghy back up the ICW a bit to a park where we could walk the pooches.

 

Thursday was our big run to Miami. This longish 38 mile run had loads of drawbridges, and both sides of the ICW had luxury homes with sea walls, so any boat wakes bounce back and forth forever. It was lucky that it was a weekday with sketchy weather so there weren't too many other boats, plus the many manatee zones kept boat speeds down. Even at our stately 6 knots I was startled to notice a manatee right in the channel center, about 50 ft. ahead. The manatee dove, and I quickly took Spray out of gear, and we coasted by without incident.

 

Another near miss : I am reading that sections of Palm Beach County (just north of where we were) had some serious wind and rain on Thursday, with 20 inches (!!!) of rain and very high winds seen in some areas we had traveled through on Wednesday. Lucky for us that we didn't wait another day at that comfortable marina.

 

Thursday afternoon we arrived at Miami and turned left to follow the Venetian Causeway to Miami Beach, where we dropped anchor near Belle Isle. There was a dinghy dock there, next to a police station and a park for the dogs. The winds died down and we had a balmy (high 70s) evening. We hung out there Friday morning, walking around the South Beach area some. After lunch aboard Spray we made a short 9 mile cruise Bach to Miami, then south to Coconut Grove, on the west shore of Biscayne Bay, where we now hang in the city mooring field. Renting a mooring here entitles us to shoreside showers (yay!) and water taxi service between Spray and shore. The mooring field is rather exposed which provides a nice breeze to keep us cool, but its a bit bouncy too. Here's a shot of the mooring field :

We plan on 2 nights here at Coconut Grove. We'll visit some dog parks today to reward the pooches for all of the boat traveling they have had to endure lately. Tomorrow (Sunday) we have moderate N winds predicted which will be perfect to push us down Biscayne Bay and into the Keys proper. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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