Ernie's Website and Blog
Even though the wind was directly from the south initially I had to jibe a few times so I couldn’t run parallel to shore to make the best time. Eventually the wind switched and I was able to travel almost straight north toward Fort Lauderdale without changing course.
Wednesday – using a navigation app on my phone (Navionics) this is a screen shot. The yellow line is my track to the wreck of the Half Moon. I also use an iPad for navigation. I snorkeled on the wreck in about 10′ of water with great visibility 🙂 Anchored nearby, I used the dinghy to get to it.
On January 6th I motor-sailed from Lake Sylvia near Port Everglades (no bridges to contend with) in Fort Lauderdale past Port of Miami and anchored off Virginia Key and Key Biscayne.
Beautiful blue skies and puffy white (cumulus?) clouds, after a week cold front. I’m heading south from Lake Worth inlet toward Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano
I anchored off John D. MacArthur Park and was able to dingy over to the park and explore Munyon Island. I stayed overnight here Sunday night.
At times hitting 7.7 knots or more heading north from Pompano toward Palm Beach. The northward push of the Gulf Stream helps for sure. Woo-Hoo! Exhilarating maiden voyage, I got from Hillsboro Inlet to Lake Worth Inlet in about 4 hours using the foresail only. I’m glad I have roller furling for the jib so I don’t have to go out on deck. I can work the foresail from the cockpit.
After spending the night on the sailboat in Sunrise Bay New Years Day night, I returned home and checked the NWS marine weather forecast and found it was calling for SE wind at 10-15mph. Prepare for a trip north! Stock the boat with food, ice, water etc.
Moonrise at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano on Saturday night, anchored anticipating the maiden journey sailing north on the ‘morrow.
On New Years Day the weather was cool, so I anchored in Sunrise Bay, about 1/2 mile from my house “as the crow flies”. I rigged the inflatable and dropped it in the water at George English Park near my house. Parking is scarce at the dock so I typically take the trailer home and ride my bicycle to the park. I lock it up and leave it there and jump in the dinghy and run up to the sailboat at Oakland Terrace condos. I then have wheels at the park when I return in the dinghy. Logistics-R-Me !
