Some people sell a boat and then never think of it again….not us. We want to share the travels with the new owner…if he wants us to, and Joris was willing.
He left a marina on Merritt Island and traveled to Little Torch Key. Single Handed!!!!!
Jim and I really appreciate the work that goes into a trip like this…because we’ve done some traveling aboard Slow Motion…but we had each other to help. Help with dock lines leaving or docking for fuel…help with hauling up the anchor, (it can set very hard and a little nudge from the boat can help break it loose). Help with meals and getting ashore in the dingy to walk the dog. Help with studying the chart or the chart plotter and someone to take over the wheel when you start to get tired or need to go below. Help at night when the water is rough and someone needs to keep an anchor watch or at least check it. I’m only touching on a few of the things that need to be done when aboard a boat but it gives you an idea of where an extra set of hands can be of help.
Joris called whenever he could and gave me his location so I could follow along on a chart.
We did a trip around the tip of Florida in our MacGregor 26X sailboat several years ago. We cut thru Channel 5 at Long Key and then sailed up the east coast to Angel Fish Creek where we cut inside to Biscayne Bay. We didn’t get to see the inside passage from Biscayne Bay to Long Key…..Joris did and said it was beautiful.
If any of you Albin owners are considering making that trip, I am sure Joris would gladly tell you about his trip. Just send me an email and I will pass it along.
Slow Motion is now a “liveaboard” trawler. My dream!!! So glad someone like Joris is living it….cause he’s willing to share his experiences with us….good, bad and sometimes funny.
I took a few pictures of my “MapTech Chart Kit” “East Coast and The Florida Keys” to give you an idea of his passage.
The first two show the inside passage, W of the Keys. If you look close you can see the dotted lines of the channels and the route.
Once he got to Long Key…it was all outside…. then I guess you follow “Hawk Channel”, (below the key on chart) E of the Key
There are GPS waypoints to follow. That is what is in the square boxes with the line pointing to the line you follow.
There are a few pages missing…just wanted to give you an idea of the trip. He is anchored near Little Torch Key which is near Big Pine Key.
Is that a “dream” trip or what!!!! So now we have a friend in the Keys…..and an invite to go spend a week…
Joris was going to send me a photo of Slow Motion at anchor in the beautiful Florida Keys…but his computer got hit by a squall and is down for the count. If he’s able to get some sent…I’ll do another post.
Swinging on the hook in the Keys…what more could you ask for!!!
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