Trawler Punches on the IntraCoastal Waterway

This morning it really was the weather that feels like south Florida. A clear and warm morning. We had a nice run down the Indian River form Ft Pierce to Stuart. At the intersection of the ICW and Okeechobee we turned into the St Lucie River and headed 9 miles to our condo at Circle Bay Yacht Club. We had called ahead and there was plenty of help on the docks to help us tie up. The afternoon was spent cleaning the boat and moving supplies from the boat to condo. The boat did very well on the trip, but the refrigerator is not running well and may need attention before the return trip. In the next day or so I'll post some statistics from the complete trip.
Today's stats: Location Circle Bay Yacht Club, Stuart, FL. ICW MM 985, Okeechobee Waterway MM 9, Time traveled 3.78 hrs, distance 31.74 miles, average speed 9.15 mph

We dodged a big line of storms last night. They moved through Orlando and one contained a tornado. All we saw at the anchorage in Melbourne was some wind. The morning was cloudly, but with light winds and it soon became sunny. Winds slowly picked up into the low teen as mid-day approached. There was less big boat traffic today and we made very good time down the Indian River, past Vero Beach and on to the City Marina in Ft Pierce. It was time to fuel again so the boat will have nearly full tanks after we arrive in Stuart. The price here was higher than we paid earlier, but prices for fuel are always higher in south Florida. We paid $2.549 for diesel.
Tonight we will stay at the City Marina in Ft Pierce. The now have free Wi-Fi here and it is one of the few marinas on the iCW that do. Most marinas have turned over their Wi-Fi to other companies and they charge from $8.99 to $11.99 per day to use the service. The service here is both reliable and free!!!!!
Today's Stats: Location - Ft Pierce City Marina, ICW MM 965.9, distance traveled 52.64 miles, time 5.83 hrs, average speed 9.03 mph

Pelicans on the Docks at Ft Pierce City Marina:

The morning started warm, calm and cloudly in the upper 60's. As we left light drizzle started. Only about 4 miles from Titusville we passed 5 or 6 boats waiting for the NASA Addison point Bridge to open. The bridge was down, but we were able to fit under ( needed 22 1/2 feet had 27 feet ). The bridge would remain down for another couple of hours, but a least it held up the big powerboats. Today's run is almost in a straight line down the Indian River. There is little current of tide, so we made good speed over the ground. There were some rain showers and winds for a time were over 10 mph giving a 1 foot chop on the river.
We decided to anchor in the lee of the Eau Gallie Causeway near Melbourne. Winds are predicted to shift SW and then W overnight and this spot is protected from both of those directions. There are 3 other sailboats with us here. We are now just 2 days away from Stuart where the boat will spend the winter.
Today's Stats: Location Eau Gallie Causeway, FL ICW MM 914.1, time travelled 4.38 hrs, distance 36.65 miles, average speed 8.38 mph

The winds came up early in the morning in the anchorage at Daytona Beach. Our anchor was really holding tight and it took some effort to get it up even with the mechanical windlass. Once underway we were happy that the Main Street Bridge was working. I checked the tide board and it showed 22 1/2 feet available which is exactly what we need to clear. I prefer a little extra so went through with the other boats. Today's run took us down the open waters of Mosquito Lagoon and into the start of the indian River. As always, you can see the Shuttle Assembly building for much of the trip in this section of Florida. Temperatures today stayed in the 70's and winds were from the East 15-20 mph.
After we arrives at the Titusville marina I was washing the boat and a Manatee came to drink from the deck drains. We had dinner at Dixie Crossroads Restaurant which is famous for its broiled Rock shrimp. These shrimp are split and broiled like lobster and really do taste like lobster. Its worth a stop if you are in the area.
Today's Stats: Location Titusville Marina, FL, ICW MM 878, distance 49.86 miles, time 5.86 hrs, average speed 8.52 mph

Manatee Waiting for a Drink Next to Boat:

We had a delightful evening as guests of Liz & Jim Dupes in Palm Coast. There was good-natured sharing of boating stories ( why else do we boat but to have the stories to tell... ), libations and laughter. Liz and Jim also started off our morning with coffee and hot sweet muffins. We had only a short run today down to Daytona Beach. Just as we departed we had some rain and the day was a combination of sun and clouds getting into the upper 70's. Unlike most of the trip today many faster powerboats passed us. Most slowed to pass us, but a few were problems. Just after we anchored in Daytona Beach one of the drawbridges had an electrical failure. There were 20 or so boats waiting while they fixed the bridge. After about 1 1/2 hours the bridge opened any everyone went on their way. Winds were light when we started today, but in the afternoon again picked up into the low teens from the East.
Today's Stats: Location Seabreeze, Daytona Beach, ICW MM 828, time traveled 3.38 hours, distance, 28.31 miles, average speed 8.38 mph

It was still blowing 15 plus MPH of wind at sunrise. We debated if to go or stay another night, but Sunday's forecast was for just as much wind as today so we decided to go. With the help of 3 on the dock we made it out of our slip and found that once in the ICW conditions were nice with only a light chop. This of course did not agree with the official forecast of rough inland waterway conditions. Temperatures ranged from 60 to the mid 70's. There was much more traffic on the ICW. We passed many sailboats, all were sailing taking advantage of the NE winds behind them. We were also passed by quite a few powerboats, many over 45 feet. The extra traffic was probably due to yesterday's bad conditions. Today we passed St Augustine. At the inlet we could see the breaking 6-8 foot surf from the rough offshore conditions. The famous Bridge of Lions is being rebuilt. Next to the old bridge is a temporary drawbridge that carries traffic. The work is expected to take 2 or 3 years.
Tonight we are staying at the dock of fellow Marine Trawler Owners Association ( MTOA ) members.
Today's Stats: Location Palm Coast, FL, ICW MM 803, distance travelled 55.65 miles, time 6.75 hours, average speed 8.24 mph

We had left ourselves the option of going on to St Augustine if winds slacked-off. It did not happen. All day we have had N-NW and now NE winds well over 20-25 mph. It is now sunny but getting a little cooler ( low 60's ). In the morning we waled about two blocks to Wal-Mart for a few supplies and then to the local supermarket, Publix for the last groceries we will need until we get to our destination in Stuart. We also stopped and had a "fast food" fix. I washed the boat in the afternoon. With the winds I decided to dress in foul weather gear and that kept me dry.
We are still planning to move a little down the ICW tomorrow if winds drop as forecast.
Today's Stats: Location Palm Cove Marina, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Today was the 5th day of great weather with again light winds, clear skies and 61 degrees at sunrise. We decided to go longer today to give us more options if the high winds forecast really happened. The day's run took us down the last of the Georgia marshes, past the Submarine Base at King's Bay, Georgia on across the St Mary's River into Florida. We has a falling tide and crossed a few sections with only 7 or so feet of water. Waterway traffic was still light, passing just a handful of sailboats and being passed by just a few large powerboats. We stopped around noon in Fernandina Beach, Florida to get fuel at a commercial dock. The price was $2.279 / gal which is good for Florida. The challenge was we were at low tide and it was a long way up to the top of the dock designed for large vessels.
Tonight we are at a marina in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Depending on winds we may or may not take tomorrow off. There are two large boats on the outside of the dock and the will make great wind breaks for the coming NW winds!!
Today's Stats: Location Palm Coast Marina, Jacksonville Beach, FL, ICW MM 747, distance travelled 77.82 miles, time 9.25 hrs, average speed 8.41 mph

Today started again as nice as it can be on the water. We passed a few sailboats and 2 powerboats passed us. The day was between the creeks and marshes with sailboat masts looking like they were moving above the grass. Winds were very light which made crossing the open sounds facing the ocean easy. Tonight we are anchored near Fort Frederica National Monument where in 1736 James Oglethorpe established a fort that helped extend English rule to southern Georgia. The weather for the next days is unsettled and this could be our last night anchored for a few days.
Today's Stats: Location Fort Frederica, GA, ICW MM 670, time travelled 6.38 hrs, distance 57.33 miles, average speed 8.99 mph

Fort Federica Anchorage