Tuesday 12-11 April and I set out to move our Seagrass from Bay side to Ocean side here in Key Largo. We decided to head south to Snake Creek and pass through the bascule bridge to reach the Atlantic then head back north. An anchorage off Islamorada, close to an excellent bar restaurant called Lor-el-ei was our destination for the night. Leaving there by 0900 Wed would have us arrive back home in Key Largo just before mid-tide rising. That was important as we needed to make it into a hole not accessible during low tide. It is not an actual anchorage, in fact it is inside the boundaries of Pennekamp State Park and is an no-motor zone and anchoring is restricted. However our boat yard has ground rights and the hole lies w/in.
After issues w/ the motor kicker and POS throttle which had us emergency anchored next to a sandbar and then a marker pole mid Chanel, we had an enjoyable motor sail. As we neared our destination for the night April told me to follow a large motor boat between a couple islands joined by a shallow bar. I resisted. She called me a puss if i didn't. What could i do but follow?! As I anticipated we ran aground. Actually just the rudder was dragging once I raised the keel and was able to spin 180 w/ the dingy and power off. Saw my first Nurse Shark in the process. Got anchored at dusk and enjoyed an excellent supper while listening to the band on the beach. Slept in the cockpit under the stars. Had a great breakfast at the Lorelei while watching the resident Manatee.
Then off to Snake Creek to request a bridge opening. Had to stand off for a few and still went under as the bridge was lifting and the light was red. Having an outboard so far off the stern is a huge detriment at times like that. Just don't have proper control easily at hand.
Into the Atlantic we went and were met by 4-6 footers right on the nose. We were pounding hard and so was the keel. Until the cable snapped w/ a horrendous crash. We were sure the keel was gone but couldn't get below for over an hour to check. April was constantly reaching back to keep the motor straight and I steering into the waves that were trying to take us broad side. Raising sail was out of the question and we wondered what we would do w/ the old girl keel-less. Conditions finally calmed enough that I made it below to find the keel intact. I re-rigged the cable and we motored a few more hours to home.
Visibility through the water in our bay was less than ideal and April suggested that she take the helm and I go to the bow to guide us. I hesitated just long enough that we ran aground. Being w/in 1/4 mile of the boat yard and expecting the tide to be rising I tossed an anchor, tossed our gear in the dingy and headed in. Checked the tide tables and sure as shit we had come in w/in minutes of dead low tide. After a bit of rest and food we went back out and were able to move her in closer. Went out at low tide this afternoon to find her resting on her rudder and bottom though not listing. Unbolted the top pintle so I could pull the rudder off. Tomorrow we will bring her in to the hole just off the yard. Also going to re-mount the pintle so the rudder can be simply un-pinned and lifted off. I don't understand why a shoal draft boat would not be built that way.
Day sailing will be much easier from here as the basin she came from required a trip through mangrove channels and then was still in limited bays. From here it is straight into the ocean, except during low tide.
Plus she is right here at home.
April steering bay side
Ocean side
Approaching Rodriguez Key as conditions settled
Seaweed on the seaweed today