We cut across the armpit of Florida from Clearwater to Pensacola. Clearwater is to Scientologists like Salt Lake City is to Mormons. It’s a well-kept little city with lots of smiley people all dressed the same. Their public marina is walkable to everything you need. Night one of our two day crossing was memorable. The ocean was glass smooth, no wind or current, stars were reflecting off the water’s surface, and bioluminescence was leaving a glowing road in the propeller wash behind us. A pod a of dolphins showed up around 3am and played alongside, emitting light trails as they swam and through the bio. 300 nautical miles and most of them were flat. Went most of the two days with no Starlink or Cell coverage. We had to read books and interact with each other. Gross.

Life and responsibilities have our bow pointed towards home. We are making a multi-day sprint north across the Gulf of America. Stretching our legs in Clearwater before we keep moving on.

Boot Key was a place I was looking forward to seeing. I’d heard it was kinda similar to Georgetown with lots of full time / seasonal cruisers. It has a lot of boats but it’s not Georgetown. We were gonna spend two days here but are moving on in the morning. The waterside restaurant here does offer fried key lime pie if you feel like sending your blood sugar to the ionosphere.

Donned our jackets and headed south in the cooler temps. Hooked into a sashimi grade Cero Mackerel and made ceviche: 10/10 Now we’re tucked behind a small island off Key Largo listening to the wind howl around us. Heading towards Marathon in the morning.

I’m writing this as I eagerly await Uber eats to bring our boat Taco Bell. The Gulf Stream is rough when it’s working against you. Confused seas. A few bonus drift miles put us in after dark. Our depth reader quit working and we ran aground off Biscane Bay. Hard hit into soft material. Gonna check for damage at dawn but she feels ok. Anchored at No Name Harbor. Yes Uber Eats delivers here.

Whole lotta pretty shallow water nothing. Anchored in the dark a few miles before the shallow waters around the islands. Our depth sounder is not working so depth is our best guess.

Lil rolly! But mostly easy day.

Beautiful sail towards the Great Bahama Bank. Sailing all day tomorrow in those gorgeous shallows en route to Bimini. Chub Cay is nice but private. Staying aboard this evening.

Gotta go to get provisions and an airport run. And of coarse, shake shack.

Great sail back to Nassau. Found our way thru Atlantis to the Shake Shack. Definitely have sea legs.

Come on over NOW Spinnaker swing is up and popping! Fly at yer own risk😂

Spearfishing “Danger Reef” @ 9(ish) about a mile and a half north, just outside of the park boundary this morning We have 1 extra pole spear if anyone wants to join!

Winding down the correct way after Floatchella 👌

Throughly looking forward circling the wagons and meeting all you fine folks over the next few days. Word is we might even be rigging the spinnaker swing 🤘🏼

Light winds and happy hearts. We made it for the partyyyyy! Came in a lil later than I like to but without incident. We’ve got extra floats if anyone needs!

Fast smooth sailing today on the way to blackpoint. No stops for spearfishing 😩 looks like we’ll be browsing the restaurants tonight

Great wind, great sailing! Excited to explore the small settlement of Black Point. Will head to Staniel tomorrow then north for Floatchella!!!!!!

Great sailing day! Pulled in two Mahi Mahi on our way, making 5 in 24 hours. Lobster Mac and Cheese for lunch and fish tacos for dinner. Heading north for the 5F festival! Oh, there’s an island that says it has pink lizards. I didn’t believe it but holy shit they’re actually pink. Worth the stop.

Easy fun sailing. And lots of food! Spearing and trolling for mahi! Anyone around?Let’s go play!

Tripled up on Mahi Mahi! Best fish tacos of the trip. The sailing was great too 🤘🏼

This is as far south as we’ve planned to go. It’s taken a month to get here. Hanging out for a week then heading north for Floatchella

Avoiding the big blow on the windward side. Moving south to the Chat & Chill!

Slow sailing but pleasant weather!

Rippin and roarin! Fast sailing, spear fishin, and one seasick crew. Water here looks like blue Gatorade and you can see clean to the bottom in 25 feet from the helm. Woohooo! Side note: I need pole spear buddies to learn from out in The Bahamas, so if anyone wants to catch dinner, holla!

Breezy, waveless, pretty much perfect sailing weather. Cooked delicious meals, caught some Spanish Mackerel, stopped and dove some structure. What sailing’s all about!

Crystal clear water, lots of dive and snorkel stops. No wind, high spirit’s!

There’s a popular quote (I’m not sure who to credit) That goes something like “sailing is hours and hours of boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror”. And that was the essence of this trip. Hours and hours of light and variable winds, glassy water and really, REALLY uneventful watches. The winds filled in from the northwest and the real sailing started. Good, consistent winds at 13-15 knots making good SOG and still, relatively boring watches. I felt the swell building, and it started making the boat pretty rolly, just enough to prevent you from working on that endless to do list, but not enough to be too uncomfortable. Just the occasional sail adjustment and snack making, it was easy going. Then on watch at 3am, the quietest part of the night, I felt the waves hit from a slightly different angle. All at once the swell hit the port quarter enough to throw Otto (the nickname for my trusty sidekick autopilot) off coarse enough to completely give up and beep for help. In the 3 seconds Before I could get to the helm, another swell crossed the stern through the wind forcing a a violent (and dreaded) auto jibe. Adrenaline poured into my veins as I tried frantically to regain control of the helm. I strained at the wheel and gazed at the compass, bringing her back to an acceptable coarse, The whole ordeal was probably less than a minute but it left my chest tight and cold and my hands shaking from excitement. Just afterward, Kayleigh pokes her head up from the hatch, concerned. “Is everything okay?” To which I nonchalantly replied “Yeah, Otto had a moment. But we’re good now” Trying to keep from making her first crossing anything but easy and comfortable After that. The rest of the time was spent lazily reading, playing chess against my computer, and thinking, while watching the vast expanse of water both ahead and behind. Pulled into tarpon springs just after dark and settled in for a much needed rest from 36 hours of only short naps Greek food at tarpon springs and,of coarse, a new sponge! Then Day sailing the next few days south, before jumping off to Key West! Comment if y’all read this write up cuz I’m curious if anyone besides me reads these. I have an extra appreciation for those that do!

Flat water, no wind. Lowest visibility I’ve sailed in yet. Glad to be anchored for the night. Even gladder to be southbound!

Easy breezy beautiful. So Many orca encounters. Norway is rad

Great day for sailing

Lovely three day solo sail. Really windy and set a new SOG record! Very chilly, and lots of time to write and read. Anchored early every night to warm up. All in all, great trip. Let the charter season begin!

My longest sail to date! Not very windy most days, lots of motoring. Lots of vacationing too! Saw dolphins swimming in bioluminescence which was quite memorable!