Florida bound

[spfortjohn]

He's in LA......lower Alabama. Internet or cell connections are by carrier pidgeon.

I've got a system in my house in Florida where I can remotely turn on the A/C and water heater from a laptop with a WF-FI connection or with an iphone, but I have to get it done before we leave Montgomery or I'm out of luck.

I am in LA and my cell works just fine. Although not much coverage on rhe Alabama river till you get to mobile

 

[searay40dad]

Ok, finally back online. Was MIA due to a combination of computer ignorance, lack of cell service and just plain tired-ness. Anyway, Kayachtic is now safely moored at Treasure Island Marina, Panama City Florida. We arrived about 1700 on Thursday.

Trip statistics: 857 miles in total, 1440 gallons of diesel fuel, one mast light bulb and one gen impeller, zero oil had to be added . I lost count of the locks (11 or 12). !0 cases of bud light (mostly consumed during the dark hours 1830-0730), 2 gallons of capt morgan spiced rum (ditto wrt dark hours), 2 very large beef tenderloins, 10 full racks of baby back ribs, 2 lbs pork bbq, 4 lbs ground beef; 2 packages of ball park franks (reminder...7 days and 4 semi-large guys).

She ran absolutely great--no problems whatsoever other than when the crew tried to start the gen when we were at 26k and she didn't prime. fixed that in 5 minutes and all was good. Avoided the skinny water at Zekes in Orange Beach; didn't swamp any dive boats or fishing boats on the Tenn-Tom; didn't piss off any tow captains i know of; avoided all logs & deadheads; paid average of $4.02 for diesel with lowest being 3.86 at Zekes and $4.39 at my homeport of Green Turtle Bay; bilge stayed dry as a bone; and miraculously no norcold fridges or rule float switches or pumps crapped out (wait, i dont have any norcolds so that explains that one).

Absolutely perfect weather M-W but Thursday was pretty nasty when we left The Wharf in Orange Beach, Al. NOAA was reporting 4-5' seas on the Gulf so we ran the ICW to PC. Scattered thunderstorms for the entire run from Zekes in Orange Beach to PC...120 miles iirc. We took on 451 gallons at Zekes btw...a record for me and one I dont intend to try to beat.

Treasure Island is very nice. 80% of the boats are Sea Rays so we feel right at home. met some nice folks but FW had already left for home. His neighbor was heading to The Wharf the next day to look at a 58DB which we looked at while there. funny coincidence.

off to bed to get some sleep after 13 hour, 800 mile drive home today. will work on getting pics up tomorrow.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Congrats on your arrival. A trip as long as that is one I wish to take one day.

 

[fwebster]

Tim,

Sorry I missed you by a day. We are headed back to PCB after church this afternoon. You ended up in a pretty neat spot. Everyone knows each other at TIM and its more like a big family than a bunch of boat owners. For some reason, the jerks don't hang around long if they make it past Roland and George, who do a great job in picking customers who fit. Call me if there is anything I need to do for you while you are there.

 

[searay40dad]

No problem Frank. We'll be down for a week over thanksgiving, maybe see you then. I was pretty pleased with the location although I think I backed a 15'8 boat into a 15' slip. She was pretty tight but will have to get used to touching the poles I guess. Since we only had a day to watch the tides (Roland said there was a 1'9 swing Friday), you might just take a look at my lines if you wander down the dock and wouldn't mind. We waxed part of the boat and detailed the isinglass before we left so I dont think I'll embarass anyone. Didn't have a humidifier so Roland advised that I leave the ac on at 78 which I did do. Never been comfortable doing so when I'm not going to be around for several weeks.

Will have to have a talk with the night security guard though. we wanted to get off the boat and stretch our legs, get a bite to eat and have a drink and he suggested the Boatyard across the bay. Come to find out it was Little Black Skirt Thursday which happens every third thursday in the fall (not to be confused with Little Sun Dress Thursday which happens every third thursday in the summer). We all stayed out of trouble but after 6 days of being couped up with 3 ugly guys, I'm sure we were a pretty pathetic looking bunch.

Anyway, very nice place and all nice people. One of my crew is the guy with the 58DB, 320 Outrage and 2 other smaller Whalers so he was in fantasy land and didn't want to leave (Little Black Skirt Thursday might also have had something to do with that). Appreciate again all the help and information you provided to make the trip a success.

Tim

 

[fwebster]

After about 20 years on the beach, we sort of gravitate toward local restaurants that feature good cooking before ways to sell liquor.....I'll have to send you a list before Thanksgiving, particularly if you are traveling with family and not hard-ankles.

I'll look at the lines at high an low tides and adjust them if the guys at the marina haven't already done it.....we'll be there about 10 days this trip so call if you think of anything.

 

[Passtime207]

Tim, Thanks for sharing the details and pics of your trip. May y'all have a good and safe time. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Tim nice to see you had a great trip with some friends, I' m trying to figure out what made you move the boat? Is ot that you will visit every couple of weeks? Or more? Or to have a condo to go to? How often will you get there? Seems like a lomg voyage if your only going every few weeks? Whats your plan?

 

[searay40dad]

Tim nice to see you had a great trip with some friends, I' m trying to figure out what made you move the boat? Is ot that you will visit every couple of weeks? Or more? Or to have a condo to go to? How often will you get there? Seems like a lomg voyage if your only going every few weeks? Whats your plan?

All fair questions. What made me do it? My buddies and i have fished the gulf for several years and one bought a place ft. Myers. Just come to love the boating and the gulf area. We have taken several 400-500 mile trips so this was the next step, the next challenge if you will. We plan to get down at least once per month until we bring the boat back home in may. We will spend thanksgiving week, the week between Christmas and new years and spring break week in march. We also plan a few 3-4 day weekends in January, February and April.

I had this discussion with one other member a few weeks ago and admitted there is very little common sense, financial sense, etc at work here. I probably do need my head examined as fuel there and back, fuel while there, 6 months slip rental when I already have a annual slip paid for, air fare, extra insurance, all the stuff to get ready, all the extra costs, etc add up to a sizable amount of money but we are healthy, comfortable and can afford the adventure right now. Although my wife would love vacations and cruises elsewhere she knows this trip is a passion for me and supports it. So this will be my "year" and she'll get the next 10!!

 

[searay40dad]

After about 20 years on the beach, we sort of gravitate toward local restaurants that feature good cooking before ways to sell liquor.....I'll have to send you a list before Thanksgiving, particularly if you are traveling with family and not hard-ankles.

I'll look at the lines at high an low tides and adjust them if the guys at the marina haven't already done it.....we'll be there about 10 days this trip so call if you think of anything.

The restaurant list would be great as it will be family or people who will atleast act their age onboard from this point forward. Thanks for checking the lines.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

All fair questions. What made me do it? My buddies and i have fished the gulf for several years and one bought a place ft. Myers. Just come to love the boating and the gulf area. We have taken several 400-500 mile trips so this was the next step, the next challenge if you will. We plan to get down at least once per month until we bring the boat back home in may. We will spend thanksgiving week, the week between Christmas and new years and spring break week in march. We also plan a few 3-4 day weekends in January, February and April.

I dont need common sense , just wondered what made you do it? We're looking to get a place down in the Gulf coast, theres alot of questions, do i need a bridge boat, sundancer, Amberjack. Etc.... I'm not a fisherman but if we buy a condo w/ marina we dont really need a bridge boat. What is there to do if you dont fish? And your boat is not really set up for fishing. Do I bring the 36DB? Or sell it and get a different kind of boat?

 

[Alex F]

All fair questions. What made me do it? My buddies and i have fished the gulf for several years and one bought a place ft. Myers. Just come to love the boating and the gulf area. We have taken several 400-500 mile trips so this was the next step, the next challenge if you will. We plan to get down at least once per month until we bring the boat back home in may. We will spend thanksgiving week, the week between Christmas and new years and spring break week in march. We also plan a few 3-4 day weekends in January, February and April.

I had this discussion with one other member a few weeks ago and admitted there is very little common sense, financial sense, etc at work here. I probably do need my head examined as fuel there and back, fuel while there, 6 months slip rental when I already have a annual slip paid for, air fare, extra insurance, all the stuff to get ready, all the extra costs, etc add up to a sizable amount of money but we are healthy, comfortable and can afford the adventure right now. Although my wife would love vacations and cruises elsewhere she knows this trip is a passion for me and supports it. So this will be my "year" and she'll get the next 10!!

Tim,

I'm glad you had a great trip and arrived to TIM safe and sound. It sounds like you had lots of fun delivering your boat there. I totally hear you in regards to the reasons vs. common sense. But, this is kind of like asking us (boat enthusiasts) a question, why did we spent so much money on the boat and all that comes with it? Like you said, it's the passion and we're happy when the whole crew (especially admiral) shares the feeling.

In our case the trip is about 1300NM or so. If it was like yours 800NM it would make the decision a lot easier. However, my bucket list has Bahamas as a destination for my boat. So, I'll have to get to FL first, I guess. :grin:.

I'm looking forward to the pictures and more stories about your trips in the area. Have fun.

 

[searay40dad]

I dont need common sense , just wondered what made you do it? We're looking to get a place down in the Gulf coast, theres alot of questions, do i need a bridge boat, sundancer, Amberjack. Etc.... I'm not a fisherman but if we buy a condo w/ marina we dont really need a bridge boat. What is there to do if you dont fish? And your boat is not really set up for fishing. Do I bring the 36DB? Or sell it and get a different kind of boat?

Do you need a bridge boat with a condo...probably not. Do you even need a 30+ foot dancer...probably not. If I had a condo in FL I'd probably have a 30' center console of some kind which serves either purpose, fishing or a day boat for cruising. What is there to do? beaches, cruising, restaurants & hideway bars or just hanging with other boaters like you do now but in a sunnier, white sandy, emerald green water location.


"In our case the trip is about 1300NM or so. If it was like yours 800NM it would make the decision a lot easier. However, my bucket list has Bahamas as a destination for my boat. So, I'll have to get to FL first, I guess. "

Thanks Alex. In 7-8 years I plan to spend alot of time cruising the islands. This will get me by until then. maybe. I think. ok, we'll see....

My buddy who did the trip with me just took his 58DB to the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos in July and had a great time. My wife does not like it when we hang out together because he puts ideas into my head.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Thanks Tim
Sounds great down there. Enjoy yourselves. Maybe someday I 'll get to experience 12 months of boating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fwebster]

I made the move to boating on the coast about 20 years ago. The "What is there to do?" question is an interesting one. We do not fish (from our boat anyway), but we still find new places to go and new and different things to see every trip to the beach. The one major different to lake or river boating is that your boat use does change. There are lot of bridge boats here, but there are 10 Express style boats to each DB. The reason is that we use boats as a vehicle to enjoy the water and outdoors. On any given day, we spend more time in the water behind the boat and on the beach with the boat anchored bow out and the swim platform in knee deep water and the running gear over a hole in deeper water. A Sundancer/EC adds a lot of outdoor space that you can't get in a DB........this isn't a debate on DB vs. Sundancers its just a fact that the cockpit area on a DB isn't as easily accessible from the water/swim platform as on a DA.

Any sized boat will work, but the smaller the length/beam the more limits you place on your available days on the water. We do get some N-NW winds in the winter and spring that will keep a 30 ft DA in the slip. There have been a few days we chose not to go out, but I haven't found anything yet that has prevented me from getting home with a 450DA. A 34DA or a big center console can beat you to death in a 4-5 ft chop, but larger boats just slow down and keep going without beating up the crew (i.e. wife and kids).

The other big difference is, depending on your precise coastal geography, you are within 3-6 hours of any number of over night marinas with restaurants/amusements so coastal cruising adds a different dimension to day boating described above.

Biggest difference is this is boating in paradise. The water is always clear and clean, except the few days after a major storm, is but it is like a Carribbean island with gin clear water and white sandy beaches nearly every day. The weather is such that 12 month a year boating is the norm, not the exception.........I am on the boat in a t-shirt and shorts in January.

Stay tuned to Tim's adventure....he'll be looking for a full time slip in the spring!

 

[Lucky's]

Frank, do you leave your boat in FL year round and travel there to boat or do you do like Tim has done and bring the boat south for winter and to TN for summer?? Sorry if you've talked about this before.


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Frank I'd like to move this to a different thread I apoligize to Tim for hi jacking his thread. I am interested about Fla west coast its only 5-6 yrs away for us

 

[fwebster]

Frank, do you leave your boat in FL year round and travel there to boat or do you do like Tim has done and bring the boat south for winter and to TN for summer?? Sorry if you've talked about this before.


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone

We have homes in both Florida and Tennessee and we spend about equal time at each. The boat stays in Florida and the only "lake" boats I have now are projects.

 

[Lucky's]

We have homes in both Florida and Tennessee and we spend about equal time at each. The boat stays in Florida and the only "lake" boats I have now are projects.

Gotcha. Thanks. Our retirement plan is to live aboard pretty much full time traveling south in the winter and north in the summer, but unfortunately that's many years away. We have spent a lot of time in FL and love it there, but have only done "rental" boating there. I can't wait to be enjoying what you are someday.

Sorry for the hijack, Tim. Glad you made the trip safely. Enjoy your winter boating in FL and thanks for sharing your journey with us!!


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone

 

[Alex F]

...My buddy who did the trip with me just took his 58DB to the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos in July and had a great time. My wife does not like it when we hang out together because he puts ideas into my head.

Tim, I like your friend already....LOL.