We left Marco Island at sunup and had a nice sail down to Shark River Inlet. Winds and seas cooperated this time providing 10-12 knots from the NW with 1-2 foot seas (perfect sailing weather).  Rather than wind our way up into Shark River, we decided to sail a little further south which will shorten tomorrows sail to Marathon. We anchored just within 3 NM of Cape Sable and the Everglades National Park. Here 3 miles off shore and you are still in only about 12 feet of water.

The next day, off to Marathon. We had to go under the 7 mile bridge via the Moser Channel. Nothing difficult, just have to pay attention and stay within the markers. If you have never driven the 7 mile bridge, you really need to put it on your bucket list, it is really cool. As we were approaching the bridge, Renee hailed Island Moon (sailboat just in front of  us). Turns out they were also going to Marathon and will be staying in the mooring field there. Our original thought was to just anchor at the entrance to Boot Key, but decided that a mooring ball would suit us better since it would provide protection from the southerly winds and we had to go to shore. You guessed it, West Marine. Somehow the pin holding one of the lazarette lids disappeared (a lazarette is a storage compartment located in the cockpit) . No big deal, just another project to cross off the list.

After getting secured on the ball and doing the necessary paperwork with the Dock Master, we were off to West Marine. However we had about a mile to walk and only 20 minutes until it closes. So we stuck out our thumb as the 1st vehicle was leaving. A nice young man picked us up and said he was going the other way but would not only drive us to West Marine, but wait until we were thru and drive us back. Everybody we have met in the boating community have been very friendly and all eager to help out. Turns out, he is from New Jersey (didn’t get the exit) and is getting ready to sail his 27 foot boat to the Bahamas with a friend for three months. We asked where we could get some good cheep food and he suggested Burdines Marina which was just up the channel about 20 minutes by dingy. As we were arriving at the designated dingy dock, Renee noticed the owners of Island Moon also docking. We wound up having dinner with them and two of there friends that were local. Island Moon if from Jacksonville and they were on a 3 month trip.

We left Boot Key around 10:15am because it was high tide and we only had about 7 miles to our next destination at Bahia Honda Key. The water just keeps getting better the further down the keys we go. Just when you think it cannot get any better, bam it does. We anchored in-between the the old railroad bridge and the A1A bridge just off Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia Honda State Park is beautiful with water so clear you can see the bottom.

We stayed here on the hook for two nights and we had difficulty sleeping thru the night. The current was keeping our nose away from the wind and we were getting blasted by wind and waves on the stern. A little rocky is fine, but the waves kept us slapping for two days. Still, we had good holding and could go ashore and visit the park.

We were looking forward to the next leg to Key West, 37 NM. We started out with 17+ knot winds so we started out reefing both sails (reefing is when you do not let all of the sail out because the wind is too strong). As the day went on, the wind died to around 15 so we let out all of the canvas. We had a awesome sail, with speed of 7+ knots, we chewed up the 37 miles in no time and 5KNOTS set a new speed record.

We are currently in the Garrison Bight Mooring Field in Key West where we will stay for a few days. We went ashore yesterday to visit Key West and met a couple that invited us to a NASCAR party tomorrow. Turns out the guy lived in Farragut, TN for about a year. Besides who wouldn’t like a NASCAR party? While here we will do laundry and restock supplies before heading out. We decided that we were going to pass on the Dry Tortugas because we have to be in Miami around the 11th of April to prepare for the 3 day sail up to Brunswick, GA.

We have some bad news, the water leak is still happening and the Wind Turbine is not working and in fact has never worked. For the leak, we are going to shut all sea cocks before our next sail in hopes that one of these is the culprit. As for the wind turbine, I am in contact with eMarine Systems where the equipment was purchased. So far I am getting good support and will resume on Monday.