We only spent one night at Marco Island. We pushed off early as we have 80+ miles to go to our next stop. It was a nice day but a bit windy. We had 3-4-foot waves bouncing us around first thing. So, we motored up to cut through the waves. Boner hated the start of the ride. He turned a few shades of green but eventually settled into a comfy position and did not move for 5 hours. After a few hours, the waves settled down to 1-2-foot waves.
There was no land in site for a few hours, but we still had to contend with crab traps. Stone Crab and lobster season is in, so all the fishermen have their traps set. When we reached Florida Bay we found crab traps everywhere and in no order. There were groups of them that you could not go through, so we had to go around. No auto pilot in this area of the water. We later found these large groups were lost traps from Irma.
About 3 hours out at full cruising speed (2300 rpm), we lost power on our port side engine. The hose to the turbo charger came loose (again). The lower clamps gave way this time causing a small tear in the upper hose. The motors were too hot to fix at sea, so we had to travel at 10 mph favoring one motor for the balance of the trip. The good news was the Florida Bay really lays down as you make the turn to Marathon. Slow but flat seas. It was windy when we arrived at the fuel docks. Guys were standing there with shirts a flapping in the breeze. Of course, we were placed in the furthest corner shoehorn slip. Faro Blanco had great dock hands helping us dock. The passage took 9 hours, but we did it! AS always after a big crossing….. Where’s the TIKI bar or is it CHICKEE bar.
meanwhile….. Boner heads to the litter box, quick stop at the food bowl, and finally curls up over the engine room hatch where it stays toasty for hours. Boner says good night Irene.
Home for one month!
goparaiso.com 