Key West to Marathon

We departed conch Harbour at 8 am Thursday after the kids left at 5am, calm wind made for a easy exit from a tight side tie. Weather was predicted perfect, sunny, wind from the NE at about 12knts. It was the best sail we have had on our trip so far, water so clear we could see the bottom from 22 feet well enough to make out crab traps and bottles! Water was flat even with 10 knots of wind because we were so close to land(maybe a mile offshore)and the wind was coming directly over it! We spent most of the trip sailing at 7 knots sometimes motor sailing at 9, over the ground was more like 8, cause of a head current. But a great time, we made it to marathon and entered boot key Harbour about 3pm. We called the city marina and arranged for a mooring ball and were snug by 4!

Had some cool times so far, went fishing in the dingy with Laura and Steve from paradise at 7mile bridge, took the dink down sister creek, had a bunch of great meals at the stuffed pig, a great little hole in the wall on hwy 1 just across from our dingy dock. Saw some native animals seen in below pics






-Never get tired of seeing these beautiful monsters (Manatees)





These pics were taken on paradise while SW was berthed at Marathon boat yard getting an new Jenny!





Above is a pic of the mooring field at boot key.

Looks like we will be here a bit because our transmission started leaking and we have it out getting a new seal and our generator began making a loud noise so I imagine we will be spending boat units to repair it also. Hopefully we can get back underway soon'

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Fort Myers to key west

We left ft Myers crewed up by the Seagraves family,Dwight,Mary, and son Sam. Left at about 7pm and had a uneventful sail although a slow one(more on that latter). We arrived at Conch Harbour marina at about 7pm the next day! Great sunset on the way!



Next day I dove under the boat to check on why we were unable to make more than 6 knots, this is possible in the clear water here in KW! I was shocked to see a Forrest of growing things under the boat! Got in touch with a diver and got it cleaned the next day and later we saw 8 knots under sail! More better!

We did the entire kw crawl with the Seagraves, lunch at schooners, breakfast at Pepes, dinner at commanders, Mallory square, hogs breath, sloppy joes, and of course Kermit's key lime pie shop! Chinch Harbour has a rockin pool bar with a dj who shows up at 1pm and it is very interesting after that! Great local color if you get my drift!



The Seagraves stayed with us from we'd eve til Sun and we enjoyed every minute of our time with them!

Mon saw us saying goodbye to the wonderful Conch Harbour
(and the 170 dollar a day rate) and hello to the 3 dollar a day mooring ball out in man of war Harbour! See below pic of our view!




Not to long after the Seagraves left we were joined by our daughter Alissa and her hubby Jason, they flew in for a 8 day visit and we showed them the key west we have loved for these past 15 years.



-Above is a shot of Jason poolside at conch Harbour pool!

Not to be outdone here is Alissa at the aforementioned pool!






We had a fantastic time with the kids and it was a sad parting when they finally had to fly off to Texas! But 8 days was a good long time to share paradise with our kids! Weve got great memories to cherish til the next time!

When our last visitors left we did a bit more sight seeing.....





Did the southern most thing, and the chicken thing....




The hwy A1a thing.....


Then it was time to sail up to our next stop, marathon!


More to come!

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