We were very groggy after the wedding since we stayed up all night to print an album, but it was very rewarding to see their faces when we gave it to them. It made our day.
We left around 10:00 am after a gourmet breakfast. It was still north winds about 15-20 knots so it was good sailing for a while since we were going mostly east. It was a little lumpy, but Carpe Vita made us very comfortable. We decided to stay the night in Boot Key again to get a good night sleep.
Unfortunately, we started having trouble with the alternator belts again on the starboard engine. We decided to go in on one engine into Boot Key and work on it there. Once we were moored, we took the dingy to shore and grabbed a cab to take us to the NAPA store where I can get a bunch of belts. I replaced it when we got back after another great dinner at Key Fisheries. We slept very well that night.
We intended to leave early but we called the bridge before we left because we were concerned about our height. It is an opening bridge, but there is a power line next to it. We are not to sure about our height but we thought it was 63'. The bridge tender asked us to wait an hour for the tide to go out since the wire as about 64-65 feet at the time. We took the opportunity to take Chloe to shore to do her duty and get some ice.
We were in for a little shock when we left, the bridge tender said we missed the wire by about 4 inches! As he told us, it would be alot of paper work if we hit the wire. But we now know we are more like 63.5' or 64'.
Sailing was great for a while but this part of the Keys starts to turn north and we where having to use the engines again. Always slower and not as much fun. We were not making good time against the wind and waves. We hoped to make Rodreguez Key, before night but it didn't look good. The big problem is the Crab Pots, they are everywhere! If we had an engine go down and snagged a crab pot with the other???
We decided to go inside at Channel 5 and anchor at Islamorada. A great place to be at sunset!
We got up early the next morning so we could make Miami for the next night. Marty had to catch a plane for Pittsburgh in 2 days, so could not have any delays. Well, you guessed it, the starboard engine didn't start. We decided we should get moving, but we soon realized that we were making very slow headway with 1 engine, only about 3.8-4 knots. We would not make Miami before dark. I had to find what was wrong with the engine. Marty drove while I went below. I immediately found that the fuel filter and one of the lines where loose letting air in. After a bleeding process, it fired it up and we were now back up to 5.5 knots. We made Miami a little after sunset.
The next morning we motored out into the ocean for Ft Lauderdale and then Lighthouse Point and home. The end of a great, but trying event, we will never forget it.
