Last night we decided to have a Refresher Course on changing the Settee table to a queen bed. We found that the easiest method is to strip off the cushions, lower the table and then replace the cushions. We first tried it with the cushions to the sides but they kept slipping into the work area.. Tom was in charge of electrical and co-axial lines. Okay, now we know how to teach our first guests how to make their bed! We lay back and watch Obama at his first press conference. This bed is actually a little bigger than a queen but we are not sure which direction we want our head to face. The mast post adds variety to this central bed!
Today we head for Marathon Key. It is a 40 mile straight shot if the wind continues from the east. The spinnaker is flying and will as long as the wind stays 55 or more degrees off our port bow and it does not get too strong.
Mid morning we felt a big jolt. The top of the spinnaker ripped down the windward side. An extra large puff hit us and took us way over 15 mph. During this strong wind we were able to each grab a bottom side and pull the spinnaker on to the foredeck. If it went into the water, our job would be monumental. Then Tom pulled the sleeve down as far as it would go and hugged the rest. Debbie lowered the Halyard and we stuffed it in the spinnaker bag and stowed it until we found a sailmaker. That was more excitement than we needed! Sorry no pictures. All hands were busy.
Catrina approached the 7 Mile Bridge south of Marathon Key. Look for the cut in the old bridge which we pass through first and then under the new bridge. Two sailboats were following us all the way to Marathon and we wanted to get to the Marina before them so we could be next in line for a buoy. They must have turned off before the bridge because we never saw them after that!
As we motored 3 miles up the Atlantic side, we saw a group of boats moored along the boundary of Boot Key.
As we approach the second bridge, the one to Boot Key, we look back at the moored boats.
Tom calls the bridge master and he raises the bridge for us. We could see many sailboats through the gap. We covered 40 miles in 7 hours.
As we move from marker 1 to 22 we see many catamarans located among the moored boats. Debbie starts counting but stops when she gets to 15 with no PDQ’s.
Marathon City Marina consists primarily of buoys. We took Tigger up to register. You can reserve one by the day, week or month. We are about 12th on the waiting list for 35 feet and under boats. The majority of the boats are sailboats with some trawlers. We know sailboats were a novelty on the Rivers but they are a majority here.
We stopped at our Canadian friends Pat and Colin boat. They invited us aboard and gave us some good ideas about the area. We look forward to seeing them again.
On the Atlantic side of Boot Key Bay is a space for boats waiting for buoys. We dropped our anchor there at no charge. When we returned to Catrina, Tom put in a stern anchor while Debbie cooked dinner - Beef Stew with extra vegetables and sauerkraut with bread. We may have fruit later!
As the night grew dark, we turned on the light at the top of the mast and soon we could see lots of lights high in the air!
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