Mae-C: Storm Dog's adventure

Glenn!

Now you understand the reason for an air conditioner. I always thought it was to be cool but the real benefit is being able to close up tight to hinder those pests, be they mosquitoes or horse flies or any other flying critter. Once on Lake Dexter off of the St.Johns we had 6 billion bugs swarm the boat, I kid you NOT! Not to mention it also sucks the moisture out of the interior of the boat hindering pesky odors especially during long trips when things tend to get ripe.

Anyway, it was a nice visit and satisfying to render service to a fellow Brat cruising through our area. Looking forward to updates as you continue your journey......

James

P.S. My apologies to all the Mississippi boaters who I thought hailed from Michigan. And those from Michigan that I now realize are not Canadians! LOL
 
Outdoorsygal, thanks for your kind good wishes and traveling fortune!

I need to correct an omission in my trip journal.

When I made it to Norfolk area, Steve of Osprey put up with me for 2 nights and let me stay at his dock. He not only ferried me all over so I could get boat parts and consumables, but invited me into his home for a meal and libation and let me use his shower! Steve is a storehouse of knowledge on boats, sailing and the sea. He gave me much great advice to increase my fun and skill at seamanship. He provided shelter and a friendly face when I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the undertaking of this journey having little boating experience when I began.

Thanks again, Steve!
 
Well Friday I made good time coming North around St Pete. and past Tarpon Springs. I ran out of intercoastal waterway so I plotted a course to Crystal River around 52 miles to the north. Ran well with light chop 15-20 mph. As I made it to the mouth of the river I was checking for the channel to stay in when I hit a submerged rock. The impact bent the prop and I found out later it also bent the prop shaft. I limped to up river to King Bay to find a slip for the night but all was close down. I anchored out just off the bay near a bunch of sailboats. The next day I went to the Pete's Pier marina for fuel and to find there were no slips available. Then I looked up the on site mechanic at A&B Custom Performance Marine. He said he would pull the prop and shaft Tuesday and sent it for repairs getting it back Thursday, installing the parts and presumably I could be on the water Friday. I told him of my journey and said I have no place to stay with limited funds. He told me he had a slip behind his shop and that I could stay there. He even hooked me up with shore power and got a key for the shower from the marina. His name is Artie and is a great guy that cares about people. Now I'm standing by for the work to start.
 
Storm Dog,

So relieved you found safe refuge. Despite the setback, you have made tremendous progress. Your success sounds like the result of your ability to think on the fly and your resourcefulness. You must be a problem solver by nature. Continued best wishes and sending more waves of safe travel mojo.
 
Teresa....

Being a boater forces you to be a problem solver, if not by nature, by necessity, LOL, Fortunately, Glenn is finding out that other boaters are helpful by nature and that good things happen to good people.

Glenn....

Man, did you luck out. Granted the damage is unfortunate but you found a safe place, right at the repair shop. Not bad for a transient boater with no local resources. I trust the repair will go smoothly and timely. Here's to hoping the weather gods cooperate for your crossing to Carabelle.....You'll be telling the story of this trip for years to come. Thanks for sharing and keep the updates coming.

Fair winds,
James
 
Glenn
Bummer, Ouch!
We hope the repair cost will be less than a Boat Unit.

Teresa,
A Boat Unit is $1,000, and almost anything that goes wrong on a boat will cost a Boat Unit (or 5) to fix.

Welcome aboard!
Less if you can work on your own boat...
John
 
Storm Dog crossed the Gulf of Mexico from Crystal River to Carabelle and should be anchored or tied up for the night in Apalachicola. Congratulations to Glen. The rest of the trip, mostly in the Gulf Coast ICW, is going to be much easier than the first 2000 miles!
 
John...
You are absolutely correct! He has a Suzuki and it’s the reason I’m about to repower with Mercury’s, once I sell my vintage Honda’s that is.

James
 
I didn't anchor at A-cola as there were too many pots out. I should have squeezed in though. I went as far as St Joe and didn't like any anchorages, so stayed at the free dock at White city. Was good. Got some free fish from folks that caught too much. Need gas at the end of canal have only 1/4 tank. Then on to Panama City.

The travel day was long, 214 miles. The gulf crossing was long, (140 miles) with manageable seas. I averaged 18 mph. Starting early is essential. Happy the wind and waves were with me. Thanks for everyone's tips, advice, and tracking!
 
Glen, Sorry I got behind for a while, (near a month), but back with you now and you are making good time. Sorry about that bump, but glad it's all better now. Stay safe as you continue. Thanks again for sharing and keeping it interesting.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
hardee":2zlscgxr said:
Glen, Sorry I got behind for a while, (near a month), but back with you now and you are making good time. Sorry about that bump, but glad it's all better now. Stay safe as you continue. Thanks again for sharing and keeping it interesting.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
Click to expand...

No problem, Harvey.

I went 81 miles today and anchored at Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge. I needed to anchor in the breeze, keeps the felt temps lower and biting boogers be banished! When I went to bed last night, the temp inside was 81. No need for sheets. I use a Salt bag, which is a sleeping bag liner made of 100% cotton. Can also be used as a summer weight bag. Didn't need it last night. I need to experiment more with my fan! Plus I have cell coverage, something missing alot in forested areas. I went through the "Grand Canyon" part of the ICW, where they cut down about 20-30 ft of the ground to make the water at the correct level. Then with tall trees, the effect is canyon-like.

Glenn
 
Hi Glenn!
You haven't opened my last PM from Sat PM, but now you are past all that x Hurlburt Marina and Spectre Island anchorage.

Hope to see you tomorrow at Sherman Cove if you continue to trounce the "50 max cruising miles per day" rule.

Welcome to central daylight time!

Safe Travels!

John and Eileen
228 257 6937
 
Hi John,

I'm confused about which marina you're at. Bayou Grande, Sherman Cove, McCree cove. I'm unfamiliar with the area.Looking forward to meeting!

Glenn
 
Sherman Cove marina, tiny entrance through a demolished bridge at R8. Slow to idle and hug the red bouys on entering the narrow cut. No speed limit in the cut, crazy.
John
 
Storm Dog":220k9d5f said:
hardee":220k9d5f said:
Glen, Sorry I got behind for a while, (near a month), but back with you now and you are making good time. Sorry about that bump, but glad it's all better now. Stay safe as you continue. Thanks again for sharing and keeping it interesting.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
Click to expand...

No problem, Harvey.

I went 81 miles today and anchored at Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge. I needed to anchor in the breeze, keeps the felt temps lower and biting boogers be banished! When I went to bed last night, the temp inside was 81. No need for sheets. I use a Salt bag, which is a sleeping bag liner made of 100% cotton. Can also be used as a summer weight bag. Didn't need it last night. I need to experiment more with my fan! Plus I have cell coverage, something missing alot in forested areas. I went through the "Grand Canyon" part of the ICW, where they cut down about 20-30 ft of the ground to make the water at the correct level. Then with tall trees, the effect is canyon-like.

Glenn
Click to expand...

Glenn, I would be dying in all that heat. Certainly understand anchoring in the breeze. I use a bag type system too, a Fleece liner, inside a sleeping bag. Works most of the time. Sometimes I add a fleece blanket on top, and wrap it around under as well. I can use the liner on it's own, and if it is warm enough, that works. Nice thing is that it is easily washable.

Stay safe and tell John "Howdy" from the upper left side.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

Stay Cool
Desktop_Picture.thumb.jpg
 
Storm Dog posted in a PM that he arrived at his Biloxi goal safe and sound around 3PM yesterday, a bit tired but happy.

He is a very modest and mellow fellow (unlike me), so he will fit right in the C-Brats community (unlike me).

He is looking for a used trailer for his CD25, so PM him if you have any leads.

He wants one so he can trailer back up to the Hudson River and DO IT AGAIN, only FASTER!

Just Kidding!

We hope he posts his Best and Worst experiences, and what worked and did not for his impressive journey.

And a hat tip to his wife, who allowed him to do this without Her. It all worked out.

Best boating wishes for them both! Congratulations are in order for this skipper who did half the loop in a CD25 without it being a Looper Dream Boat for a 1% couple with a 45 ft boat who planned it for 3 years before actually starting it!

Hats off to ... Glenn and spouse!

John and Eileen
 
First off -- John, what makes you think you don't fit in here :shock: From this side it sounds/looks like you fit like a glove. (Always enjoy your posts.)

And glad to hear Glenn made it in OK. WOW, what a quick trip, and accomplished it in a new to him boat. Hope we get to hear some expansion on his trip.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

0_CD_Cover_SlpyC_with_Classics_MBSP_2009_288.thumb.jpg
 
Quick trip? He did almost half the "Great Loop" in about 6 weeks! ! ! I hope that when all settles down, he will put together the "story" and photos. I talked or texted with him almost every night--and there are a lot of fun details.

Hats off to Glenn.
 
Back
Top