Month Long Cruise PCB - Key West - 340

Hampton · Jul 9, 2010

Pics (you have to watch the shucking video)

In St Joe, we were surrounded by quite a bit of fiberglass, but the Gods were smiling down on us.
We headed out to scallop by dinghy and scored almost 12 dozen little buggers.
We set up an assembly line (dis-assembly line?) - Shelli did the hard work, I had the fun.
Then, we treated our friends to "John's Grilled Scallops," or, as my daughter calls them "John Pearls."

Hampton · Jul 9, 2010

After some really great appetizers, we headed over to the marina restaurant for some dinner. Shelli and I couldn't eat all of ours - too many scallops! We even knew the waitress.

The next morning, we packed up with some help from our friends, then off to PCB for our return. We passed the outside of our favorite mooring at higher than usual speeds where many of our local friends waved at us.

Hampton · Jul 9, 2010

As we cruised by the beaches, it was sooo nice to see our sugar-white sand and crystal clear waters. We were getting home sick.

Then, into the pass, and into the 4th of July line-up inside the barrier island. On the way in, there was a much more industrial look than we're used to - prep for the oil arrival. Our daughter and her friend joined us for some rain showers, then, we went back to the dock a night early to avoid the 4th of July idiocracy.

The next am, we cleaned the boat inside and out before heading home for the first time in 32 days.

Hampton · Jul 9, 2010

That is the end of the story. In the next few days, I'll catch up on some videos and post lessons learned.

Lesson #1 - You don't need 32 days in a row on the boat. I would recommend splitting it up some. Move the boat, then drive/fly home for a week, then back to the boat for another move... We had a blast, but if we didn't love the marina we were at, we were getting homesick. While we were in the keys and snorkeling..., things were great. When we got to marinas where all there were resort-style features, we were getting a little bored.

Lesson #2 - We can get used to living aboard more

Lesson #3 - The 340 is big enough for two

Lesson #4 - Cockpit AC and diesels would be nice

Lesson #5 - There aren't any "Great" anchorages like we have at home

jeffk · Jul 13, 2010

How about a few home port pics?

Hampton · Jul 20, 2010

jeffk said:
How about a few home port pics?

Hey, Jeff. OK. Give me a few days - I'm away from home.

jeffk · Jul 20, 2010

Have you recouperated or decompressed yet??

Hampton · Jul 20, 2010

jeffk said:
Have you recouperated or decompressed yet??

None required. We've been back on the boat 2 nights and 3 days each of the last 2 weekends, and we spent a day on the boat mid-week replacing the anchor rode and changing the engine oil. I miss it today!

Have you been getting out?

jeffk · Jul 20, 2010

Great!! We attended the local Sarasota/Venice Aquapalooza this Sunday. Lots of full, and not very crowded.

HUMPH · Jul 20, 2010

jeffk said:
Great!! We attended the local Sarasota/Venice Aquapalooza this Sunday. Lots of full, and not very crowded.

Lots of full?:huh:

jeffk · Jul 20, 2010

Sorry............."fun"

Hampton · Jul 20, 2010

CV-23 · Jan 24, 2011

I really enjoyed your trip John! Thanks for sharing.....we just purchased our first cruiser last year and will do some traveling this summer. I've been to the Keys diving and recognized some of the areas you went. My wife Dana and I just celebrated our 25th last year! Thanks again, Mike.

Hampton · Jan 25, 2011

Thanks for the good words. Enjoy your travels.

Steve S · Jan 26, 2011

John,
Just ran across this thread. Thank you! It was wonderful! I was just in Key West over New Years - although not by boat and I did recognize some of the locations you were at. If you ever go back, I have a buddy who lives in Key West and is a "dive master" & instructor and I can put you in contact.

I am in the process of upgrading my 21' Monaco to a larger cruiser and man have you got me dreaming....

Thanks, I cannot wait to make a trip like that!

-Steve

raycation · Feb 2, 2011

Wow!
Awesome trip...I just stumbled on to your thread and have been glued to all 46 pages. Terrific posts, pics, and places.

The longest cruise we have taken was a 14 day trip from Seattle to the Canadian Gulf Islands via the San Juan Islands. it was a great trip minus the white sand and crystal clear water that you get.

Also, i agree with you on the perfect 34 boat...you have inspired me and my family to extend our upcoming cruises this season.

Thanks for sharing

Hampton · Feb 2, 2011

Thanks again all!

Bugsy24 · Feb 2, 2011

Hey John, you know you lived everybodies Dream! We just got back from a long weekend to KW and had nothing but rain and bad weather! On our last trip we did the Dry Tortugas on a day trip. Very special place, what was the total NM and did you have any misshaps?

Hampton · Feb 3, 2011

1550 SM, so, about 1400NM. On the very first day, a fresh water line (that I had repaired) blew off and we lost all of our fresh water. We overnighted in a marina in Carabelle, Fl. It took almost 5 minutes to repair the line.

The next 30 days were flawless. Right now, we are trying to upgrade. People are funny - they sit on a boat for sale for 2 years, then pass on a very reasonable offer. So, we move on.

Bugsy24 · Feb 3, 2011

Awesome! Thanks!!!

Month Long Cruise PCB - Key West - 340

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Hampton

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HUMPH

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