Month Long Cruise PCB - Key West - 340

So, off to dinner as previously described, storms roll in, make a command decision to ride it out on board, and head back to the boat - you'll have to wait for the video. We ride it out and head NW in the AM.

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John, When we go to the Bahamas we use Explorer Charts. What charts have you used for
the Florida Keys? We have never been that far south before. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, JC
 
With the many comments regarding your wife, the one I find missing are comments suggesting that she appears to make a mighty fine "First Mate," from your photos and comments it appears you two make a good team operating the boat. :thumbsup:

I am hoping I can be as lucky finding some pretty lady who is boat savvy as well.:huh:
 
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I like that the John's wife has a drink in her hand in 90% of the photos. No wonder they look so compatiable :)
 
We heard the rain all night last night in Steinhatchee, so, it had to be done by now this morning, right? Mostly right. I got up at 0645 and began checking the weather radar pics online. Most of the weather was South of our route and moving South - time to go!

We packed up, checked the ER, unhooked, and pressed out. It was gray in most places with some light shining through. The winds were light out of the E near shore but building as we moved away from land. Our initial heading was about West to clear some shallow areas, then WNW. The seas were angry and confused, but not too bad. We went slow for a while - 20 knots or so, then, as the following seas increased, we picked up speed. We were able to cruise at normal speeds much of the way, but there were some areas with 5 foot rollers that we had to respect.

We angled into the ICW off Dog Island after clearing the reef and then continued WSW passed Carabelle, St George, and into Apalachicola. About 110 miles into Scipio Creek Marina where we got our fill of that great, Marine grade $3.28/gallone stuff, and fried grouper and oyster sandwiches. There was a manatee outside the window at the Restaurant (Papa Joe's) while we dined. Back out on the water, into the ICW, across the lake, into the channel, and into Pt St Joe Bay.

We called ahead and asked to be tied up near our friends, Tommy and Audrey, and they were able to ablige. The problem is, they have people bring them a car, so we ended out along the outer, West side of the marina instead of inside along the docks with a short walk to the restaurant and facilities - my bad. At least we're out here where we can be alone (except for the Hateras pulling in next door). Tommy and Audrey may have gone back to PCB for the night. We didn't even expect them here until tomorrow, but their boat is 2 slips down right now.

I'm not exactly sure of the numbers this very minute, but overall, we're somewhere around 1500 miles for the trip, 1900 gallons, and should just about shack our overall expected fuel bill of $6500 for the month.

PS - We have used a variety of charts, but primarily, we are using the 2010 Crusing Guide which has excellent descriptions and charts included. This, combined with local knowledge that we are continuously gathering, the chart plotter, markers, and eyeballs have kept us out of trouble to date, knock on wood. We are about 35 miles from home by boat.
 
This is John's wife Shelli - How do you think I've put up with him for over 25 years! :) LOL. Love reading the comments from everyone. This has truly been the trip of a lifetime. I don't know if John mentioned this or not, but this trip was MY idea. I decided I'd rather have this than some cheesy piece of jewelry. OK - so I like jewelry too, but there are many more years for that stuff!
 
What comes after red? That is where it is.
 
This past day has been great. We got a surprise in that two couples of our great friends joined us in Pt St Joe by surprise in addition to the couple that we always look forward to seeing. This am, we put the dinghy together and headed South into St Joe Bay. It was really empty, considering the weekend and all. The E winds at 20 scared people away, but, E winds here are offshore, and the scallops hang out within about 1/4 mile of the shore and shallows, so the 8 mile ride was very favorable for the dinghy.

We hit a couple of spots with minimal luck, so we continued South. Our luck began when we chose a couple of very small sandy areas - not too attractive to the weekend warriors. I started my scallop whipspering act, and within about 3 hours we had 10 dozen. It takes about an hour before you get your eyes tuned in to see their eyes - that's how you find them. I had a couple swim up to allow me to grab them easily - thus the term, scallop whisperer.

My buddy, Tommy, bought a new, small shop vac to try the new technique of cleaning them. Cut free from one side, open them, shop vac the gue, then cut free from the other side. It worked great, but I came up with a new idea: Shop vac them clean, then leave them on the 1/2 shell. Shelli reluctantly agreed. When it came to social hour, I pulled out the much aligned Newport Grill, put the 1/2 shells on the grill, added some butter and seasoning to each 1/2, grill over flame for a couple of minutes, then serve in the shell. They pop right off onto a cocktail fork or cracker.

It was heaven! We cooked up 6 dozen for our friends, then went to dinner and couldn't eat it all. (We get more tomorrow!)

You may use my recipe, but you must quote it as "John's Grilled Scallops." Thank you.

It's been a very nice couple of evenings here in Pt St Joe Marina.
 
Great evening last night, but we decided we couldn't sit still for 3 nights in St Joe after traveling for 30 days, so, we sadly said our goodbye's and headed home on the outside. We ran along the beautiful beaches in 15' of water to enjoy them one last time before the oil hits. We buzzed our barrier island on the outside of where we normally anchor. I set 3800 RPM and cruised by at just over 30 mph, then pulled it back and came in the pass to the anchorage.

It looks like they're ready for war in the pass - 'cause they are.

We anchored next to my buddy who had save me a spot on the 4th (almost impossible), but we were down by the day boaters - a different crowd. After 2 or 3 can boats tried to show how fast they could beach their aluminum machines before we could run to the side to protect our jewel, we moved to where the Sea Rays normally park. My friend may join us down here later. It's sssssssssoooooooooooooooo much more relaxed. Amazing how spending a month on a boat so ill-prepares you for John Q PCB Public.

Much more relaxed here. We have our youngest daughter (by dinghy) and her boyfriend. There have been many, many rainshowers, sunshine, calm, wind, rain, calm, clouds. Right now, it's partly sunny (cloudy) and mostly calm, a little cool. The crowd has thinned some, but, unfortunately, most of the people who left own big Sea Rays : ( At least we got a spot.

I'll try to upload pics - couldn't do it in Pt St Joe.
 
I have a new-found respect for you, John. You are indeed a brave guy. The last place in the world you will see my boat is at the island (drunken zoo) on July 4th weekend!
 
Happy 4th. We're done. We're home, back at the dock - man, is it peaceful! We couldn't take the clown act out at the island - drunks lighting fireworks in every which direction, wind, rain... We left and came home. We're home. Mission complete. Mission success. No damage. No groundings. No sandings. No faults. No broken parts. 100% mission succcess. I have the best Sea Ray ever built. I am so lucky. I have the best first mate ever to sail a month long cruise. I've had the best experiences. We're home. Shell's island is the most phenomenal boat ever made. If anyone ever tells you that the 340 isn't big enough, point them here. Need Diesels? Get bigger. Need a coastal cruiser? Get this boat. Incredible. Absolutely unbelievable. I'm speechless.

30 days.
1558 SM
Exactly 2000 gallons engines, 54 gallons genny
.78 mpg end game overall
6 nights Genny
2 nights at friends' dock
21 nights in marinas
 
Hah! Frank, you're a smart man, but with that statement, you are brilliant. We left.
 
From a pic perspective, I left you in Cedar Key, just like we left...Cedar Key - Fast. Weather was questionable, and we wanted to make it another 50 miles NW (or whatever it is) to Steinhatchee. We had been there before, and we wanted to see the area (plus we needed gas). We make it into the obviously rain-drenched river to see guys heading out in fishing condoms. Our first 2 hours were spent at this dock:

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after your long anniversary journey you will never forget, I am sure it was nice being back in your own bed and taking a long hot shower....Thanks again for sharing a part of your journey....
 

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