Chapter 37: Ft. Launderdale to Miami Beach

Log 37
Ft. Lauderdale to Miami Beach
6:55 am
Monday, April10, 2000
Miami Beach Marina

As you can see by the location above, we moved the boat further south. We had a great day yesterday. Here are some highlights…………..

· Up fairly early to a beautiful day. Although it was windy, and predicted to continue that way.
· Seeing all that sun got me excited, and we agreed after we get some work done, we would pick out a marina in Miami, and head there for the night.
· Left the marina about noon, and joined the Intracoastal just outside Pier 66. We were at the 1065 mile marker, and our marina was at the 1089, so we had 24 miles to go. It was bright, and sunny but 15 to 25 mph winds out of the north. The good news was we were heading almost directly south, so we were never really bothered by the wind. (until we got to the slip, that is)
· The 24 miles south of Ft. Lauderdale is a combination of narrow man made cuts, natural rivers, and wide open lakes. It is different in some ways because you instantly notice the difference in wealth. There are some beautiful homes, but very different from Ft. Lauderdale. The marinas are also very different. Not bad, but more like we are used to seeing back home.
· After about a 3 hour cruise, we arrived in the Miami area. I missed my turn for the marina, because it was down a long canal called the “Government Cut”, and I mistook it for the ship channel. Which it turns out it was. It was a 3 mile long channel, leading from Miami to the Atlantic, and all along the whole length were ships. 5 of them being cruise ships. Neat sight, and pictures to come.
· When we arrived at our marina the wind had still not died down yet. It was blowing a pretty steady 15 mph, and gusting. We knew it would be a tricky docking, and we were right. I would try to describe it, but I can’t. Let’s just say, no one panicked, and nothing got damaged. It was far from pretty, but as one guy told Deb, “you did a hell of a job, for just 2 people”.
· While I spent a long time,(well I did watch the last 43 laps of the Nascar race), trying to figure out the best way to tie the boat, Deb washed off all of the salt. (it amazing how much gets on the boat, and how much time you need to spend cleaning it off) While we were doing all of this we kept hearing music, and something like an auctioneer up at the marina, so once finished, we headed up to see what was going on. Deb always loves to get a Pina Colata, so once we accomplished this ($7.50……before tip) we found out there was a US Bill Fishing Tournament going on. ($100,000 in prize money) The place was a zoo! People everywhere. Loud people everywhere. So we headed back to the boat to relax.
· Back at the boat, we relaxed with our cocktails, and Deb made a Pizza. She has made these on a regular basis, and they turn out great. The convection oven on the boat works great, and since it works similar to the one we used in England, Deb has figured it out.
· Did you ever feel like that the wind you were feeling late in the day could last all night? I did, and it did. Before the night was over, I used almost every rope on the boat. (I just counted them. 10) I was up a couple of times to add a rope, and do some adjusting. Deb………she slept on the couch. She tells me that after 20 years of marriage that this is only the second time she has done that (while I was home), and I don’t remember the first time. The problem was the wind was moving the boat so much, that the ropes were straining, and they would creak. She hates that, so she went to sleep in the salon, where it was less noisy. She’s not awake yet, but I look forward to hearing about how much sleep she got.

This morning as I write this it is 70 degrees, still windy, and it’s looks to be mostly cloudy. I can’t turn on the weather channel, because Deb is sleeping next to the TV, so I’ll have to wait to find out what the day will be like.

Today we head back north. (It’s almost sad to think this is as far south as we will get on the GCT) The plan is to talk to Detroit, and see if they recommend anything further on these engines. (which is why I stayed an extra day, hoping we would get everything done, and I wouldn’t have to come back until May 11th ) By the way, the engines ran great yesterday. They ran just like they do when I am on a river back home, so I’m thinking that the reason I thought they had less power on the sea trial, was because of the bad sea conditions. Bottom line is I think our problem is fixed. All under warranty.

Well I must close now. It is still too early to leave, but the ship store opens at 8 am, and you never know what they might have……….that I don’t have.

BK.