Life’s little lesson

[All U Get]

Hi all,

We just had one of a number of fronts that are coming through south Florida. Between serious downpours I jumped into the dinghy to bail out the water since it was half full. I estimate about twenty gallons or so before the next wave of rain. I was fortunate for thinking of it. Some other cruisers were not so mindful. One boater has a folding boat which has good displacement, but no buoyancy. Their outboard was underwater though the night and now they are trying to flush it. The shame is it’s a relatively new outboard.

 

[dlochner]

We've been through a few of those ourselves. Fortunately we have a little RIB that will float even when full of water. Last time it rained, I needed a big bucket.

Where in S FL are you? We spent most of the last 2 months in Marathon. Currently in the Berry Islands.

 

[jon hansen]

love the berries. been a while

 

[dlochner]

love the berries. been a while

Any place special that we should check out? We're in Great Harbor Cay Marina now.

 

[jon hansen]

alder cay was special. the lagoon was a wonder to swim around. manta rays playing.

chub cay. for cocktails. chonk stew. showers

just west of chub cay is moma roda rock. the snorkeling was dreamy.

the fishing at the edge of the drop off to the deep has every fish in the ocean. the big fish come up to feed on the shallow boys.

dave, i was last there 40 years ago. there were drug runners everywhere then. the nature in the water was special. pre lorain, few boaters, local fish boats. that loved to sell us the catch of the day.

 

[dlochner]

alder cay was special. the lagoon was a wonder to swim around. manta rays playing.

chub cay. for cocktails. chonk stew. showers

just west of chub cay is moma roda rock. the snorkeling was dreamy.

the fishing at the edge of the drop off to the deep has every fish in the ocean. the big fish come up to feed on the shallow boys.

dave, i was last there 40 years ago. there were drug runners everywhere then. the nature in the water was special. pre lorain, few boaters, local fish boats. that loved to sell us the catch of the day.

Some things remain as you remember, some, not so much.

Chubb Cay is now a private, read expensive and exclusive, marina. The fishing I'm told is still good. Great Harbor Cay, is still a small relatively undeveloped cay. The cruise lines are buying up some of the outlying cays and turning them into their private resorts. This is providing employment for those on GHC and may prevent it from becoming the homes of the rich and not so famous, squeezing out locals who are essential workers for the rich and not so famous.

 

[Head Sail]

Hi all,

We just had one of a number of fronts that are coming through south Florida. Between serious downpours I jumped into the dinghy to bail out the water since it was half full.

I've been in those downpours in Sarasota. That's a lot of bailing. Maybe think about a pump.

 

[jon hansen]

dave, the chub was private then as well. you barge in they tell you to leave . the trick is to be invited in, we were.

 

[RoyS]

My roll up inflatable has a drain device on the transom. Leave it open and most of the rain water will run out but the boat will still be floating. Leave it closed and the boat will fill up but still float. I think that is what it is for.

 

[kloudie1]

I have often thought that a PortaBote (and similar folding boats) would make a great dink since storage is better than most but after watching some you-tubers sink them multiple times, I am more in the inflatable boat side .

 

[All U Get]

We’re in Vero Beach, soon to be moving north. The velcro ripping loose will be as loud as a SpaceX launch.

 

[All U Get]

Good news, they got the outboard running again.

 

[Tater]

Good news, they got the outboard running again.

I had a small OB on a fishing boat go under. I got it running after a couple of days. My shoulder wasn't so lucky. It needed a major overhaul. I delayed the surgery for over five years. The wife left me two weeks into recovery. My only thought was, why did I wait so long? My surgeon almost hit the floor when I told this story.

 

[All U Get]

Electric start.