Well we made to the east coast of Florida via the Okeechobee waterway. Ken and Allyson joined us for a semi eventful trip. Our first planned stop was Cabbage Key, a remote island between Sarasota and Ft. Myers. It has a dynamite restaurant which, of course, dictates a stop. We made it there, but not without incident. About half way, I heard a loud thumping noise from the port shaft and transmission. I immediately feared the worst, a failing transmission. Once docked at Cabbage Key, I snorkeled under the boat and found that the port shaft zinc had come loose and was jammed between the hull and shaft, and was thumping against the hull when the shaft turned. It would not budge. I have had Tow Boat US insurance forever, but had never used them. Well they came through big time. The next morning they showed up with a diver, who after two hours under the boat, finally removed the offending shaft zinc! And we had a dynamite meal at the restaurant.
And did I mention one of our three heads (boat toilet) exploded? And the auto pilot died? I am happy to report that the toilet has been repaired here in Stuart, and the auto pilot should be repaired today. So a semi eventful passage to Stuart. We are now waiting on a weather window to cross to Grand Bahama Island, a 70 mile passage in the Atlantic. The weather has been funky here, with unusual cold temperatures and windy conditions. So we wait….
Ken and I enjoying the trip through the Okeechobee.
Going through one of the five locks.
The offending zinc.
Our rescuers!
Scenes from Cabbage Key.
Sunset at our marina in Stuart.
Perfect Fit at night.
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