March 11 - 23 Miami south to Melbourne

Sue in South Beach
Coming into Miami

Saturday March 11, 2006

Headed out toward Miami. . It was windy and Lois, the dockhand, had some trouble fighting the wind to get us into a slip against the wall. But we settled in and went to the nearby Marriott for a nice dinner at their restaurant overlooking the water.

Sea Isle,Miami 5days, total cost $396.00 , per day$ 79.20,10 miles today, MM1088

Monday March 12, 2006

During the night we discovered a problem with the middle bilge pump. We had water in the bilge and the pump didn’t seem to be working. Jim hand pumped water out and we asked the harbormaster for a mechanic.

A young man came and did find that we needed the bilge pump replaced and he was very efficient in doing so. In the meantime, he found that the source was the water was the stuffing box that needed repacking. He also had a diver check our zincs and found out that we needed new zincs and lo and behold we had crab pot line wrapped around both props. And not the same crab pot line – one was black and one was white. And we thought we had been very very careful about dodging those pesky crab pots!

Tuesday March 13

Osmany came back to put on the zincs and recheck some of the packing. We used our time to wash and clean the boat. Then we decided to find a grocery store – we were told there was a small one less than a mile away. Once we started waling away from the waterfront, the neighborhood great poorer. Not very happy with the “grocery store”, we just kept walking and finally found a Walgreen. The lady told us a large grocery store was six or seven blocks away. By the time we found the Publix store, we had walked 3.5 miles. The good thing was that we were on a bus line and knew that the bus went back toward the marina. So we did some grocery shopping, we had brought a rolling suitcase and a large back pack. We were able to catch the bus right outside the store and ride back almost to the marina. Another successful shopping expedition. In the meantime, we called the store in Ft Lauderdale where we bought the outboard motor and made arrangements to get it repaired at their Stuart store on Friday.

Wednesday March 14

Any idea of leaving today was squelched by the weather. High winds and just nasty. So we hunkered down for another day. More boat cleaning, some reading and scrap booking.

We also called a boat yard near Melbourne to see if they could look at the boat the following Monday to repack the shaft.

Thursday March 15

Not as windy today so we took leave of Sea Isle Marina in Miami. We bid them farewell as they helped us clear the seawall and the huge party ship that was parked across from us. Not an easy challenge.

A good day once we got going and we made pretty good time even considering that we had to wait for numerous “Bascule” bridges to open. Since most of them only open every ½ hour, we wasted lots of time just hanging around the bridges. Now we have another pesky thing – bascule bridges.

Anchored in Lake Boca Raton again across from the ritzy hotel.

MM1047 , 41 miles today

Friday March 16

Got up early today determined to make some time. Another nice day and we anchored in Hobe Sound past Stuart. Jim really liked the anchorage although he was skeptical because there were no sailboats there. In fact, no one else was anchored. We have learned that you look for anchorages where there are other boats and especially sail boaters seem to know the good spots. But a calm night and we were on our way in the morning.

Hobe Sound anchor 51miles today, MM996

Saturday March 18

We wanted to make it to Vero Beach today. Bill and Ruth from Integrity had emailed us and invited us for happy hour if we would be in the area. Vero seemed a good place to stop and after our problems the past few days, we were ready for some friendly faces and support from a fellow boater and looper.

First time mooring. Jim was anxious but we came in early and were the first for the mooring ball. It was calm and we were able to get the line easily and Jim helped me get enough to get it attached. We congratulated ourselves on another first.

Found Ruth and Bill’s boat and left them our card. Then took the shuttle bus to town to the Winn Dixie to get some beer and wine. Who was on the bus back but Bill and Ruth. We told them about our dinghy problem and asked them to come to our boat. Being nice people, they offered to let us use their dinghy for the duration of our stay. Got our groceries in their dinghy and then dragged our dinghy back to the boat.

Ruth and Bill came over later for “happy hour”.

In the meantime another boat came up and rafted with us. Another first for us – fortunately they know what they were doing. They told us they were from the area and did this a lot. Then their friends in a sailboat came and rafted against them. During all this we were messing with the two dinghy’s and told them the story of our outboard motor that only goes in reverse. The guy in the sailboat has the same motor and has a friend with a dealership that sells Suzuki motors. So he proceeds to get his friend on the phone and he worked Jim through the fix. Sure enough it works and we now have an operational dinghy.

Vero Beach mooring ball, 44 miles today,MM952

Sunday March 19

Left Vero around ten and proceeded to Melbourne and Eau Gallie Boat works. There is a basin right across from the boat works which fronts a small park. So we anchored there so we could just motor over there in the morning to have them look at our boat and give us a “”second opinion”.

Eau Gallie ,37 miles, MM916

Monday March 20

Right at eight Jim called the boat works and they said to come over. Sure enough several guys helped us get the boat docked to the wall. By nine, they had determined that the shafts needed repacking. We decided to leave them the boat since they promised we would have it back by the end of the week. Called Dad and asked if all of us could stay with them for a few days. Rented a car and by ten we were all on the way to Clermont. Before we even left, Paul and the others were already starting to work on the boat.

Got into Dad’s early afternoon and spent the evening having a nice dinner and relaxing.

Tuesday March 21

June had brought Tyler down to Jacksonville from Michigan. We talked to Nick and made arrangements to see them today. Drove what seemed like a long way – Dad’s shortcut to Jacksonville took almost three hours. But we made it to Nick’s apartment and got them and went to the zoo. What fun! Tyler loved it; he was so excited to see the animals although his favorite was the alligator. He even chose an alligator when he and Nick rode the carousel. Ended the day by having dinner with them and Leslie and June at Chili’s.

Wednesday March 22

What a treat to have a car and be able to go shopping. Jim and I went to the local Wal-Mart and loaded up on staples items and bulky things. Even went to Kohl’s and bought myself a couple tops. Good day.

Thursday March 23

Dad is program chair for the Lions and he invited us to join him and Joanne for their meeting today. The coordinator of the local Hospice was the speaker. Enjoyed seeing all of Dad’s Lion friends. Always a good group.

Then Joanne and I did some more clothes shopping – a treat to shop with a female friend. Another good day.

Also, found out that our boat would be ready tomorrow .

Friday March 24

Loaded up the animals and headed back to Melbourne. Glad we did since we were boxed in at the dock by a sailboat. So they guys helped us get out of their and we went back to our previous anchoring spot. Kept the car and dinghied back to the Boat Works and went out for dinner that night.

Eau Gallie MM916