Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

Marineland Municipal Marina, Marineland , Florida  April, 16, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Marineland,+FL/@29.6658912,-81.2206242

Marc-  We departed New Smyrna Municipal Marina at 08:00   We proceeded to the local drawbridge in Town and waited only briefly for an opening.  Fiddler's Green passed right on through the closed bridge that had a 20 foot vertical clearance Michael does an excellent job as the advance man scouting out our options and destination).  We need at least 45 feet due to our mainmast.  We had light winds out of the Northeast so motored the entire 43 miles to Marineland arriving just as the first rain shower arrived.  This is a recently updated marina with nice facilities.  It is situated in a village of marine research scientists.  So far we have been hiding inside the boat as thunderstorms roll through the area.  

Observations today included the fourth day of traveling alongside white butterflies heading North.  I have also seen V formations of ducks / geese heading North.  The snowbirds, including us, are heading in the right direction.  We got a report today of snow back home in Watertown last night.  

Our boat speed was reduced today with contrary winds but we did pass a slow moving tugboat pushing a large barge.  I radioed the "Peggy Ann" for the preferred passing side and then proceeded to pass to port.  The only excitement was caused by the need to complete the pass before we reached the narrowing in the ICW caused by a bridge around the bend.  All went well.

Daytona Beach from the ICW.

This is the largest lanai we have ever seen (as large as the house?)

Monkey Puzzle tree at Marineland.

Beach at Marineland.

Look closely at the boat on the port side of Lucy III.  Did Fiddler's Green turn into a sailboat?

There was other activity at Marineland in the water.  Please see video:  

https://youtu.be/BQ_VIfPlDPg

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 New Smyrna Beach City Marina, New Smyrna Beach , Florida  April, 15, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/New+Smyrna+Beach+City+Marina/@29.0270041,-80.923501

Motorsailing up the Indian River to New Smyrna Beach.

Marc-  We should start with last night.  When we tied up to the free city docks at Cocoa Village we were pinned to those docks until the wind abated.  Winds were only 10-15 knots but were on the beam.  In any case the forecast was for reduced winds during the evening and then a wind direction change to Southwest that would take care of any wave action.  The wind and waves did not abate until 01:00.  It was a miserable night before then with the boats repeatedly smashing against the concrete docks.  We were protected by multiple fenders but we were bouncing in our bunks for several hours.  See "Rough night at Cocoa video":

https://youtu.be/5EYa3Heef4M

At 08:00 we dropped the dock lines and headed off up the Indian River.  The now Southwest wind increased to 10-15 knots and help move us onward under genoa and mizzen.  No problem getting through the haulover canal since the bridge operator opened at our request.  There was a little excitement about a passing situation as we entered the Mosquito Lagoon.  When entering the Lagoon from the Haulover Canal there is a 90 degree turn to the North.  As we were making the turn under power and sail,  a go fast sport fishing boat making a rather large wake approached us from the rear to pass.  He blew his horn once.  Then blew his horn a second time. (both of these were long blasts)  No radio communications had taken place with this powerboat as we had been communicating with the Haulover Bridge operator from Channel 9 (the boat to boat hailing Channel is 16).  The signal was confusing since the powerboat preceded to pass on my starboard side.  I made no changes in course or speed.  The rules state:

• One short blast to mean: I INTEND TO OVERTAKE YOU ON YOUR STARBOARD SIDE
• Two short blasts to mean: I INTEND TO OVERTAKE YOU ON YOUR PORT SIDE.

The power-driven vessel about to be overtaken will, if in agreement, sound a similar sound signal. If in doubt, the vessel must sound the danger signal of at least five short, rapid blasts.

A vessel that reaches agreement with another vessel in a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation by using the radiotelephone, as prescribed by the Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act (85 Stat. 165; 33 U.S.C. 1207), is not obligated to sound the whistle signals prescribed by this rule, but may do so. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals must be exchanged in a timely manner and will prevail.

In any case no harm was done.  

Flowers in the Park.

New Smyrna Beach sunset.  "Red sky at night sailor's delight".

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

Cocoa Village Municipal  Marina, Cocoa Village, Florida:  April 14, 2021  

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cocoa+Village+Marina,+Cocoa,+Florida+32922/@28.354775,-80.7325278

Marc-  08:30 departure from Vero Beach Municipal Marina for Cocoa Village.  We were fortunate to have favorable wind and current and low traffic volume today during our 8 hour run.  Boat speed averaged 6.5 knots.  Sunny in the 70's with low humidity - perfect.  The only issue was wave exposure at the Cocoa Village docks.  We found two open spaces on the face dock and grabbed them.  Unfortunately that 10-15 knot favorable wind from the Southeast was now hitting us broadside and pushing us on the dock.  The forecast is for a wind shift to the Southwest overnight.  The wind direction change should take care of the wave action.

A few photos from today:

Live oaks span the streets in Vero Beach.

A word of warning.

Osprey nest with young birds and mama.

The famous hardware store in Cocoa Village.

Some decor inside the hardware store.

Video from ICW travel:  https://youtu.be/LBzfoeO58UA

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

Vero Beach Municipal  Marina, Vero Beach, Florida:  April 12, 2021  

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vero+Beach+City+Marina/@27.6584913,-80.3716118,581

 A few dolphins in view while passing Ft. Pierce today.

This is what we usually see as far as dolphins.

Pizza advertising on the ICW at Ft. Pierce.

This is an outstanding burger place in Vero Beach.

Marc-  We departed Stuart at 08:30 but ran into a snag when we learned that the nearby bridge did not open until 09:00.   Fortunately no trains were coming so the railroad bridge alongside the highway bridge remained open once the highway bridge opened.  It was a rather gray day with light rain at times in the morning.  There was light boat traffic and favorable winds from the West for the first three hours.  Once we reached Ft. Pierce Inlet we lost the outgoing tidal current advantage (1 knot) and the wind clocked around to the Northeast after a bit of time.  Once the Northeast wind of 10-15 knots became established we unfurled the genoa and saw a 1 to 2 knot increase in speed.  All but one bridge on the ICW was 65 feet.  We only waited 10 minutes at Ft. Pierce for the old lift bridge to open.  Yes, there is a new 65 foot clearance bridge nearby but the Town decided to keep the old bridge, too.  Michael and Doreen arrived at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina an hour before us.  Michael assisted us in docking once again. The staff were very welcoming and remembered us from our visit in January.  

My cousin Armand and his wife Betty came over to visit and take us to dinner.  We enjoyed a good time and a great meal at Mr. Manatees.

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

  Sunset Marina, Stuart, Florida:  April 11, 2021  

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stuart,+FL/@27.2213129,-80.2516656

Still here folks.

View from the v-berth porthole this afternoon.

Marc-  We decided to stay an extra day due to severe weather in the forecast and it came in spades.  Wow wind, waves, thunder and  lightning as multiple fronts came through last night and today in the afternoon.  The morning was bright and sunny so we went off to Stuart's quaint downtown for brunch.  We ate at a sidewalk café named "Maria's".  The Florida heat was oppressive early but we walked over to Publix for a few foodstuffs needed onboard Lucy III and Fiddler's Green.  Our first thought was to get a ride back to the Town pier at the park but no cars were available from Uber or Lyft.  Not a big problem since there were four of us and we only had 1/2 mile walk on sidewalks to get back.  

The sky started to darken and then the fury of the storm front was unleashed with 60 mile an hour winds and crashing waves hit us repeatedly for about an hour but the storm continued to a lesser extent for several hours.  A second front is expected to pass during the night.  We kept the Honda generator running throughout the storm.  We had nothing but a wet cockpit.  A catamaran next to us had its roller furled jib unravel and tear.  Other than that, no boats in the mooring field had any issues that we could see.  There are a number of boats anchored nearby and none of them dragged into the mooring area.

Some videos from today:

https://youtu.be/5J0ecrLOrrs

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ml4qcsgwzDg?feature=share

and this is what a typical day around here is like:

https://youtu.be/zBc7cQ_DnEg

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-21 (Part III - returning North)

 Sunset Marina, Stuart, Florida:  April 10, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stuart,+FL/@27.2213129,-80.2516656

Jupiter Light

Marc-  I have long thought that travel on the weekends in Florida was a bad idea due to the crowds on the water.  Well we threw reason aside and set out this morning from Riviera Beach and motorsailed all the way to Stuart up on the St. Lucie River.  No surprise that the number of motorboats on the ICW was excessive and all of those boats were throwing a large wake.  The number grew and grew and it came to a crescendo on the St. Lucie River in the early afternoon.  Everything slowed down when we arrived at the Roosevelt bridge and the main line railroad bridge.  One large sport fishing boat tried to make the highway bridge only to stop short when the automated railroad bridge closed.  The bridge closes whenever a train is coming and a siren sounds off.

We arrived at Stuart and followed Fiddler's Green to our mooring location.  We wasted no time to go ashore after some early dinner aboard Lucy III.  The Town is compact but very nice with many shops and restaurants.  I particularly enjoyed the Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop.  Michael and Doreen found Duffy's Irish Pub for a nice dinner.

This Riviera Beach boat give a whole new meaning to liveaboard.

A more traditional liveaboard.

One of many bridges that we passed today. Most of the bridges were passed in a group of three sailboats.

A personal catamaran.

The Federal Bridge opening in front of Jupiter Light.

Jupiter waters were beautiful much like those of the Keys.

One of many nice waterfront homes.

The Route 1 Highway Bridge and the main line railroad with over 100 freight cars.  We waited 45 minutes for the train bridge to open.

We finally arrive in Stuart.

Part of the welcoming crew in Stuart.

A boardwalk covers the waterfront in Stuart.

A Mangrove tree grows in Stuart.