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| Evening at Lake Worth Inlet |
Tuesday morning we cast off from the marina and moved
the boat down near the Lake Worth inlet to stage for an early departure. On the
way down we stopped and fueled at North Palm Beach Marina. Be forewarned that
they only have a large diesel nozzle if you stop here with a little sailboat
like ours. It is a challenge to fill the tank without spilling and the openings
in jerry jugs are just too small. They are more used to filling megayachts that
take thousands of gallons of fuel. The seven mile trip down to where we
anchored for the night was interesting as we passed vessels of all kind, from
freighters being loaded with oranges to anchored boats that clearly won’t be
going to sea again. Anchoring in Palm Beach afforded a good view of the
“little” residences on the shore side.
the boat down near the Lake Worth inlet to stage for an early departure. On the
way down we stopped and fueled at North Palm Beach Marina. Be forewarned that
they only have a large diesel nozzle if you stop here with a little sailboat
like ours. It is a challenge to fill the tank without spilling and the openings
in jerry jugs are just too small. They are more used to filling megayachts that
take thousands of gallons of fuel. The seven mile trip down to where we
anchored for the night was interesting as we passed vessels of all kind, from
freighters being loaded with oranges to anchored boats that clearly won’t be
going to sea again. Anchoring in Palm Beach afforded a good view of the
“little” residences on the shore side.
Shortly after dropping the hook, we smelled something
burning with that special scent of burning plastic. It was the charge
controller for the wind generator having a meltdown. We quickly disconnected it
before it caught on fire and got it out of the boat. Spent the afternoon
rewiring the charge circuitry to make it simpler. The wind generator will now
be controlled manually and, with a simplified circuit, is now providing more
power. Beth cooked brownies, bread and meatloaf to help cover up the smell.
Noah was able to go over and play with his buddy David on Contented Turtle
while Jesse came over and helped us with the wiring project.
burning with that special scent of burning plastic. It was the charge
controller for the wind generator having a meltdown. We quickly disconnected it
before it caught on fire and got it out of the boat. Spent the afternoon
rewiring the charge circuitry to make it simpler. The wind generator will now
be controlled manually and, with a simplified circuit, is now providing more
power. Beth cooked brownies, bread and meatloaf to help cover up the smell.
Noah was able to go over and play with his buddy David on Contented Turtle
while Jesse came over and helped us with the wiring project.
Three Island Packets left the anchorage about 0700
this morning and headed for the Atlantic. Contented Turtle (IP38) and Cat’s
Cradle (IP380) were in the lead. It was 54 degrees and mist was clinging to the
top of the water as we headed out. Winds were out of the Northwest at about 15
knots so we were able to do something unusual — sail! Noah even elected
to come up into the cockpit for a bit to see the ocean. We dropped a Clark
Spoon on a hand line in behind the boat and Noah pulled in a foot long mackerel
within a couple of minutes. He elected to let it go back in the water rather
than keeping it for dinner.
this morning and headed for the Atlantic. Contented Turtle (IP38) and Cat’s
Cradle (IP380) were in the lead. It was 54 degrees and mist was clinging to the
top of the water as we headed out. Winds were out of the Northwest at about 15
knots so we were able to do something unusual — sail! Noah even elected
to come up into the cockpit for a bit to see the ocean. We dropped a Clark
Spoon on a hand line in behind the boat and Noah pulled in a foot long mackerel
within a couple of minutes. He elected to let it go back in the water rather
than keeping it for dinner.
It was surprising how many boats were out on the
ocean. We passed three boatloads of scuba divers and dozens of sport fishing
vessels. By 1400 we were entering Port Everglades and winding our way up to
Lake Sylvia where we are anchored for the night. Contented Turtle caught
something in her prop on the way in and executed an excellent anchoring under
sail. It turned out to be a huge palm frond that jammed in the propeller.
ocean. We passed three boatloads of scuba divers and dozens of sport fishing
vessels. By 1400 we were entering Port Everglades and winding our way up to
Lake Sylvia where we are anchored for the night. Contented Turtle caught
something in her prop on the way in and executed an excellent anchoring under
sail. It turned out to be a huge palm frond that jammed in the propeller.
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| The Palm Beach Breakers Hotel from the Ocean |
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| Island Packets on the Florida Coast |
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| Anchorage in Lake Sylvia, Ft Lauderdale |