Bahamas Bound on our 1982 Hunter 36

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RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
Ralph - wow, that fuel pump is in a tough spot! Mine (on 3QM30) is on the same side but right at the front of the engine. I'll bet that pump went in blind using only the tips of two fingers on the same hand...all while contorted in some strange position?
Yes, pretty much the way you describe.

The plotter worked fine, but is mounted a bit low even for me at 5'6". It is ok when sitting, but I rarely sit. No error on the compass though, which wouldn't be the case it I had mounted it at the top.

Ralph
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
FYI, if you end up needing Yanmar parts, look up Mastry in St.Pete, they are the regional Yanmar distributor and will sell parts at wholesale via their will-call counter, they're strict on business hours too. But, man, what a resource for getting any part you can imagine, they got it. They're on Anvil St. unless they've moved.
Thanks for the heads up Kb. You never know when you are going to need engine parts. So far, this little Yanmar has surprised me, and served us well despite the leaky pump.

Now, I have a Datamarine depth finder that has quit working. It just displays "MSD". It acted a bit strange for some of the day, and read crazy depths. I guess I'll just give the first mate a lead line, and give her more responsibility.

We are in Apalachicola tonight. Not liking it so much, so may head to Carrabelle in the morning. It should be a better place to stage for the crossing to Clearwater or Tarpon Springs. I had heard too many bad things about the Government Cut, from Apalachicola Bay out to the Gulf, and the East Pass was a safer way to head out.

Ralph
 
Jan 5, 2013
25
Hunter 31 Sea Isle City
Ralph, Have been following your thread. Great trip I must say. I have a 31 Hunter and eventually would like to bring her down to east coast of Florida from Southern Jersey. Would be quite the trek. Have a place on the Hillsboro Inlet just before the bridge, if ever on this side, drop a hook. OceanDriver.
 
Jun 8, 2004
994
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Now, I have a Datamarine depth finder that has quit working. It just displays "MSD". It acted a bit strange for some of the day, and read crazy depths. I guess I'll just give the first mate a lead line, and give her more responsibility.Ralph
Ralph, the folks at DMI can supply parts but it seems to me that I had something similar with my Datamarine DS a few years back and cleaning the connections worked - good contact cleaner or even WD40 i a pinch. I assume that you have probably done this...

Unfortunately changing the transducer is often an out-of-the water job as they are usually mounted through the hull (although they don't have to be and you could always bond a new one to the inside of the hull).
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
It turns out that there wasn't a problem afterall. Once we left the creek there in Apalachicola, the DF worked fine.

We made a quick 26 mile run over to Carrabelle. We are now anchored off Dog Island. What a beautiful anchorage. We're lovin cruisin again. Ya really gotta stay out of marinas! This is so much more what we were expecting, when we decided to go cruising.

We are staged, about a mile from East Pass. We may head out for the 150 mile crossing to Clearwater in the morning. The forecast isn't looking as good as it did this morning, but we will see how it looks tomorrow.

Ralph
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/
 

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
You are closer to it than I am, but Sailflow http://sailflow.com/spot/860 West Tampa Buoy looks like on the nose until later in the week after the storm passes. Best to you on this leg of your journey.
 
May 27, 2004
1,964
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
RTB,
At your current rate, I may be in S. Fla about the time you make the keys or Miami.
Keep me posted on your progress for a possible linkup in Feb or Mar.
G.
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
Will do.

We made a run out today, but turned back after the 3-mile mark. My wife wasn't liking it, and neither was I. It would have been a long, slow, slog.

Heck, not sure we will ever actually make it to S. Florida!

We're anchored back at Dog Island, but will head over to find a slip in Carrabelle tomorrow. We need a place to hide from this next storm system. Might be there awhile...

Ralph
 
Jun 8, 2004
994
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Ralph, you have definitely 'got' what cruising is all about: no schedule, be comfortable and safe, and make the best of (enjoy?) whatever comes your way. You will get to your destination, even if it isn't quite the same one as when you started out. I'm jealous! :)
 
Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
RTB said:
Thanks, kb. We are looking forward to the trip south.

It looks like a possible window opening up early next week. Too early to count on, but I'm getting excited.

The fuel pump should be in tomorrow. If all goes well, we could be back in business soon. Fingers crossed.

I fabricated a mount for the chartplotter, thanks to the local Ace Hardware, and my dremel tool. I wired it temporarily, and it works! I still need to drill a hole in the cockpit, and run the wires through the cable clam before the install is complete.

Some friends from our home port were travelling to south Florida for a short vacation. They stopped by for a short visit, and we had dinner here at the Dock Side restaurant at the Port St. Joe Marina. It is always great to meet up with old friends from home!

<img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=60036"/>

Ralph

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/
Small world...... So that's what my slip neighbors have been up to ....
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
Ralph, you have definitely 'got' what cruising is all about: no schedule, be comfortable and safe, and make the best of (enjoy?) whatever comes your way. You will get to your destination, even if it isn't quite the same one as when you started out. I'm jealous! :)
Thanks Jim. We are hunkered down here at C-Quarters Marina, riding out this storm. Check our blog for the trip here, and a couple of photos of our favorite anchorage so far. http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/

Man, that fog was a new experience for us. Everyday seems to offer some new challenge. So was trying to dock in a river with a strong current running. I knew from reading Active Captain this would be a challenge at the time we came in. Unfortunately, the fog had us apprehensive about leaving early so we could arrive at slack tide. I would have waited, but took my chances when we had a break in the fog. I didn't want to come in here "on instruments".

I guess it's fair to say, at least for me, cruisers deal with lots of firsts, gaining experience. We deal with what comes up, because we have no choice in some cases. I wish we had done a lot more things before we left our home port. I had never even anchored out overnight before we left. We didn't go out if the wind made it tough getting out of the slip. I did go out on Galveston Bay a time or two, when the wind was blowing like snot, but had a crew. My wife, however was not along on those days. We should have done much more, just the two of us. So, I guess I'm saying to get as prepared as possible. But heck, if we can go with as little experience as we have, so can just about anybody.

I still don't have an autopilot, but it sure would change things if we did. Other than some type of navigation software, and a Honda generator, you really don't need much. Please don't let lack of equipment stop you. Toys are really nice, but totally not necessary. Do invest in good ground tackle! We love our Mansone Supreme (35#). I have 100' of 3/16 HT chain, but wish I had another 100'. No windlass, and I'm 5'6", and 130 lbs. ALL MUSCLE! :D

We have 3 Group 27 batteries, which are inexpensive. We do have an Isotherm unit for refrigeration, and it sucks the batteries down. It is by far the single biggest energy hog. I probably wouldn't even need the Honda generator if we didn't have a refer. If you keep your energy needs low, it sure keeps thing from getting out of hand, expense-wise.

With some planning and thought, you can easily do without another very expensive toy. Davits. We use a halyard for our 9' dink, and 6HP outboard.

One expense that we almost skipped, but sure glad now that we didn't. A smartphone. In our case, a Samsung Galaxie phone with an AT&T plan. We use the phone as a hotspot for internet. So far, we have never not had it work for us. Great for getting weater at anchorage. Or, for posting on forums, like now. The marina says it has wifi, but it doesn't actually work so far. Oh, and we have Navionics on the phone (cost $10.00). It has worked as a chartplotter at the helm for us a time or two. Also, quick and easy to get tide info on the program.

Sorry for the long post. Just sitting here rocking and rolling in a slip with about 30 knots of wind. Not feeling motivated to do much until things calm down.

Ralph
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
Woohoo! We're in Clearwater! Finally back in shorts and T-shirts.

We had a great crossing, and are at the Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina. We covered a total of 164 NM, with 145 of that offshore. Total time was 28 hours. We had some good wind on the beam after about the 25 mile mark, and were making good speed. I did see 7.9 knots once. That died off completely after sunset. We had some pretty good waves on the hip, which made for an uncomfortable, rolly ride for about 5 or 6 hours. Still, way better than bashing into SE waves! We did keep the engine running the whole while, and burned about 10-12 gallons of diesel. This Yanmar 3 GMD (20 hp), is a great little engine for this boat, and sure has been economical to run. We did update our blog, and there are a couple of photos - http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/

We'll be here for another day, and head somewhere on Monday morning. Probably Gulfport, because I have another internet friend there. I've been waiting a long time to meet up with him.

Anyone here, if you are in the area and would like to meet, let me know. I'll be sure to have some extra beer, rum, and wine aboard!

Ralph
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
Thanks! It was. I'll type more if I think of anything interesting.

For now, we're going to hang out here a bit. We'd love to keep moving south, but would rather go outside rather than in the ditch. Winds aren't cooperating though, and some rough stuff heading here for a couple of days. We'll check out more of Clearwater. Hey, you can walk to a beautiful beach from our marina!

Ralph
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
We left Clearwater Beach last Sunday. At the end of the day, we anchored in Gulfport. The next night, anchored in Sarasota. Then, a small anchorage called Cape Haze. At last, we arrived here in Ft. Meyers Beach on Wednesday. After four days of pushing it, and anchoring out, we took a slip here at Moss Marine for a week.

We sure have been enjoying the 80* temperatures. Tonight, it's just a wee bit chilly.

That's it for the ditch. We are now out of ICW, so looking for weather windows to get down to Marathon, where we plan to take a mooring in Boot Key.

Wow, it's been a long trip getting here. Finally, the Keys are in sight, and the Bahamas are closer than ever.

Ralph
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/
 

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
When in Boot Key make sure your dingy is fully up to legal specifications with all safety and navigation lights, whistles, etc. It is almost guaranteed that they will stop and inspect your safety equipment. Including a bail out pail. Not trying to go overboard here, just giving you some heads up from experience of other mooring sailors. Heard another one this morning at our sailors breakfast. The lady across from us was anchored in Lake Okeechobee for the night. She was taking a shower in the cockpit and turned out the anchor light for a moment. A lake cop immediately showed up and fined her $100.
 
Last edited:
Apr 25, 2007
64
Hunter Cutter 37 Jacksonville, Florida
yep, and I heard a good make-do light is a clear plastic cup like they give you for go-to drinks, works well placed over the end of a flashlight and held up. Hey, its a white 360 light. Buy yea, I've heard the stories too, almost gotta pack a bag with everything in it otherwise you just couldn't move around about in the dinghy which would be a safety hazard. I read in the latest boatus mag that there's supposed to be a new agreement between local authorities and state authorities, to not hassle boaters, and give the experiment a chance to work (which is the mooring fields at the various places in fla.)
Kb
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
We picked up a 360* light at a hardware store here in Ft. Myer's Beach. It is called a portable stern light. Part # 06131. 25" Composite Pole With Adjustable Clamp. Uses 2 "D" Size Batteries. I clamp it onto the transom.

$22.95

Search for Seachoice Products.

Ralph
 

RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
RTB,
At your current rate, I may be in S. Fla about the time you make the keys or Miami.
Keep me posted on your progress for a possible linkup in Feb or Mar.
G.
Sorry for not updating in a while. We've been hanging out in Boot Key Harbor, on a mooring for 3 weeks now. If anyone is in the area, look us up. We are on mooring ball U-5. No harassment by the water police so far. It just seems to be a big, happy, cruising community here.

Ralph
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/brogdon/
 
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