Looping with the Chequamegon Ark

Salty Sam's pirate ship. On our way out of Ft Meyers Beach We ran out in the gulf to just South of Naples and then got on the ICW - very shallow and not able to get up on plane much all day. We basically idled along try to keep from running aground.  Engine temperature gauges decided to quit working but everything ran smoothly. Nebo route shows where we turned back after churning up sand. Looking like a weather window to the Dry Tortugas 5/28. Relaxing by the Marco Island Marina pool.  

We had the Volvo tech on board for 90 minutes and he checked and cleaned several things that I was unaware of so we are in a better place for the run across the Gulf to the Tortugas. No wifi here the last 2 days in Fort Meyers Beach. We are docked next to another Silverton and the guy - Mark could pronounce Chequamegon - turns out he went to Northland 1977-78 school year -small world - keep him in your prayers he is battling cancer. We hope to head to Marco Island today and waiting for a weather window to the Dry Tortugas from there - hopefully 5/27. One of the 10 connectors I struggled to get apart to check and clean to kick the gremlin off the boat. Our Nebo track to Sarasota. Downtown Sarasota. A bit of corrosion on the shifting relays. Ditto. 2 cleaned and 1 to go. Marina Jack looking at downtown. Dinner boat like a large Al and Alma's. Heading out through the unmarked Big Sarasota Pass - said local knowledge only with lots of bad stories but we talked to enough boaters and got...

We decided to stay on the intercoastal and with the overcast skies and wind we set out for Sarasota. You can get up on plane in the Bay's and idle along when it narrows or small boats are close by. A lot of activity even with the overcast sky. About 5 miles of visibility to start the day. Lots of bridges but all of them with enough clearance for us to pass under. Zero zoning - giant mansions next to tiny cabins. This place had a great water park and docks for large boats. Finally have the Nebo thing dialed in - the blue sections of the trip were where the electronic gremlin shut down our port engine control. When my work-around quit working it was pray we can get going and make the marina before dark. Lots of wiggling connections and checking wiring finally got us back up with both motors and into Marina Jack's before closing. Nice marina in downtown Sarasota. Since I haven't been able to get 2 of the connectors open to inspect and clean we are waiting to see if we can get ...

 YankeeTown was a quaint spot with great people. Long run in the channel to the river and then a winding run up to the marina but fresh diesel and a quiet spot for the night. Saw our first gators and lots of big tarpon rolling next to the Ark. Weather looked good until 2 PM today so we decided to head out into the gulf and drag some lures on our way. Thunderstorms hit about 10:30 and made for an interesting day. Electronic gremlins  got back on the boat yesterday and clearly present again today at the usual worst time. Gator. The Madeline is docked at the end of our pier in Mar Marina Tarpon Springs. Look close but don't get cross eyed. River on the way out of YankeeTown. Pretty tree lined river just narrow and curvy. YankeeTown marina. The shrimp boats leave the dock just before dark and get back just before dawn - working fish town marina.

We  rolled out of Carabelle just after sunrise for 120 mile run across the Gulf. Beautiful day for a cruise. During the planning phase of our loop we thought we would likely idle along and optimize fuel efficiency. We have found that our default setting is a bit above idle and we enjoy open water on plane. We ended up running 145 miles for the day and tied up in a little fishing village 3.6 miles up a little river. Coming into Yankee Town was a 13 mile snake trail of a channel. Nuke at the mouth of the Withacoochee River. Capt and First Mate. Beautiful sunrise as we headed SouthEast out of Carabelle. Lots of houses on stilts on Dog Island.

Forrest and Bubba's shrimp boat came by on the Gulf. Great day for a cruise 1-2 foot waves and sunny all day. Cut in between St Georges Island and Dog Island. Saw military fighter jets, dolphin, turtles and a big military vessel followed us out into the gulf today. Fished for an hour but nothing biting today. Pulled into the Moorings in Carabelle - nice marina diesel at $5.80/gal. Let's go Brandon!  

Home for the Ark for the last 12 days. We got to enjoy a crawfish boil with Fred and Tara on the drive back to Minny! Made it home in time for Lamont and Addie's graduation party! Super proud of Lamont graduating from St John's! Proud of both the Johnny and the Benny! Grandma time with Luna. Grandpa time with Arwen. Just in time to enjoy some of the asparagus from our  garden. With a lot of help from my friends we got the dock in and stabilized. Turns out Arwen likes venison bacon. Thanks John Felix! Last sunset from Emerald Harbor - looks like good weather tomorrow so we are heading to Carabelle and then hopefully to the West coast of Florida on Thursday.