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.
Monday, April 10, 2000
Sunday, April 09, 2000
Chapter 36: The Final Sea Trial
6:45 am
Sunday, April 09, 2000
Pier 66 Marina
Between the weather channel, and your e-mails, it seems this is the place to be. 68 degrees now, and the forecast calls for lots of sun, and upper 70’s to the lower 80’s.
I’m siting here this morning, having a cup of coffee while I write this, and looking out at the intracoastal. It’s a great sight, (even though it is still dark) to sit here, and look at all of the boats heading out for a day of fishing, or heading for points unknown. The “points unknown” is truly amazing. These boats come from, and are headed to, everywhere. I think we’re on a big trip, but this is just routine for some of these folks. It’s exciting to hear all of the stories.
Yesterday was a pretty good day. Our mechanic (Pastor) showed up at about 7 am, with another mechanic in tow. After a quick check of his equipment, we went out to the Atlantic. (by the way, one of the reasons we are staying here at Pier 66 is because it is so close to the ocean. From our slip we can be in the ocean in 5 minutes) Once we rounded the bend, and got a look at the Atlantic, it didn’t look too bad. The swells looked to be 1 foot, or so.
Wrong! In fact the swells were so bumpy that the table in our salon fell again, and this time it didn’t break the base, but it did break another hinge. I can’t believe we let that happen again. That’s the last time.
Engine wise, we have good, and bad news. The good news is the port engine runs fine. All of the diagnostic equipment showed that everything was normal. The bad news is it still smoked more that I thought it should, and I didn’t feel it had the power it used to. Although I will say that I’m used to running in a calm river, not an angry Atlantic. Pastor says everything is ok, but we still we need to clean the “aftercooler”. So my plan is to do that, and we should be good to go north.
The rest of the day yesterday was spent doing some clean up, and minor repairs. Deb got some groceries, and started to plan for our return on May 11th. The last couple of visits we have had to totally empty the refrigerator, because the boat would be out of the water, without electric. This time, even if we have some more work done, the boat will stay in the water, so we can start to stock up.
I cleaned the boat, and the dinghy, and by the time all of that was done, it was time for a dinghy ride. (always one of our favorite things to do) The ride was fun, as usual, but cut short because that cold front that has brought all of the bad weather everywhere, finally made it to south Florida. The front brought with it strong winds, and rain. So we made it back to the boat just “after” the rain started.
Pork chops on the grill……..Overboard, on the TV, and we made it an early night.
Like I said, a good day.
What’s up for today? I’m not sure. I still need to get in that engine room, and clean. When we had the bottom done, a lot of dust, and dirt got in there, as well as dirt from having the mechanics work on the engines, so it’s a mess, and that bothers me. But if the day is as nice as they predict I may have a problem staying in that engine room.
What I do know is that I need to end this log. The sun is bright now, and I can’t keep my mind on writing this. I need to get out there, with a fresh cup of coffee, and walk the docks. I’m sure there is someone with a great boating story that I need to hear.
I hope all of you have a great day…………..
BK.
Sunday, April 09, 2000
Pier 66 Marina
Between the weather channel, and your e-mails, it seems this is the place to be. 68 degrees now, and the forecast calls for lots of sun, and upper 70’s to the lower 80’s.
I’m siting here this morning, having a cup of coffee while I write this, and looking out at the intracoastal. It’s a great sight, (even though it is still dark) to sit here, and look at all of the boats heading out for a day of fishing, or heading for points unknown. The “points unknown” is truly amazing. These boats come from, and are headed to, everywhere. I think we’re on a big trip, but this is just routine for some of these folks. It’s exciting to hear all of the stories.
Yesterday was a pretty good day. Our mechanic (Pastor) showed up at about 7 am, with another mechanic in tow. After a quick check of his equipment, we went out to the Atlantic. (by the way, one of the reasons we are staying here at Pier 66 is because it is so close to the ocean. From our slip we can be in the ocean in 5 minutes) Once we rounded the bend, and got a look at the Atlantic, it didn’t look too bad. The swells looked to be 1 foot, or so.
Wrong! In fact the swells were so bumpy that the table in our salon fell again, and this time it didn’t break the base, but it did break another hinge. I can’t believe we let that happen again. That’s the last time.
Engine wise, we have good, and bad news. The good news is the port engine runs fine. All of the diagnostic equipment showed that everything was normal. The bad news is it still smoked more that I thought it should, and I didn’t feel it had the power it used to. Although I will say that I’m used to running in a calm river, not an angry Atlantic. Pastor says everything is ok, but we still we need to clean the “aftercooler”. So my plan is to do that, and we should be good to go north.
The rest of the day yesterday was spent doing some clean up, and minor repairs. Deb got some groceries, and started to plan for our return on May 11th. The last couple of visits we have had to totally empty the refrigerator, because the boat would be out of the water, without electric. This time, even if we have some more work done, the boat will stay in the water, so we can start to stock up.
I cleaned the boat, and the dinghy, and by the time all of that was done, it was time for a dinghy ride. (always one of our favorite things to do) The ride was fun, as usual, but cut short because that cold front that has brought all of the bad weather everywhere, finally made it to south Florida. The front brought with it strong winds, and rain. So we made it back to the boat just “after” the rain started.
Pork chops on the grill……..Overboard, on the TV, and we made it an early night.
Like I said, a good day.
What’s up for today? I’m not sure. I still need to get in that engine room, and clean. When we had the bottom done, a lot of dust, and dirt got in there, as well as dirt from having the mechanics work on the engines, so it’s a mess, and that bothers me. But if the day is as nice as they predict I may have a problem staying in that engine room.
What I do know is that I need to end this log. The sun is bright now, and I can’t keep my mind on writing this. I need to get out there, with a fresh cup of coffee, and walk the docks. I’m sure there is someone with a great boating story that I need to hear.
I hope all of you have a great day…………..
BK.
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