He seems to just be bobbing around outside of Flamingo. Looks like his spot has timed out. Hopefully he's getting some sleep on the boat.
Capt. Jack Otter any news?
(15 posts) (9 voices)-
Deerfly
MemberYeah, I've watching him since yesterday too. At least he's been on a steady east bound track since his last OK this morning. Maybe he's has some kind of rigging or eqp problem or he could just be enjoying the salty air. Hopefully he makes landfall somewhere today without issue...
Posted 7 months ago # -
MrMako
MemberDeke and I checked on Capt Jack Otter when he was west of Florida Bay. His cell phone was dead, but we were able to call his wife and they had a quick chat. Batteries were getting low for him, but he was near lots of fishing boats for the rest of the duration. His SPOT showed him very close to the highway and the FWC docks for the night. It rained hard that night. The next morning even more weather was moving in. When he did not show movement, Deke and I again went to check on him. He was not to be found. I assume his SPOT ran out of batteries and he had headed out for the finish line much earlier. Appears that he did make Key Largo and was able to use a phone to call in to his wife. Some people were assisting him on getting back to his vehicle in Ft. Desoto. PaddleDancer went out of her way to keep tract of CJO until he was secure in Key Largo. She was in constant contact with CJO’s wife and family. He is one determined guy! I hope to be out sailing and chasing dreams when I am 75!
Posted 7 months ago # -
CaptJackOtter
MemberFirst off thanks to all of you who were concerned: especially – MrMako, and Deke for coming out and checking on me in the Florida Bay on Sunday morning. Pictures were included in theWord version, but didn't transfer to this site.
After looking at tracks and speed, I think I should change my name from CaptJackOtter to “Old White-man who goes in circles” or “OW-mWGC - 75” Yes, that is how old I am. Some say based on this year’s performance that I will have to have a partner next time. Any 80 year olds with a bigger boat than a 14 ft Weta that needs a crew for next year?
Saturday was a magical day. Starts are that way! The energy is always bubbling-up with the horn about to sound. I’m usually one of the last off the beach. Stuffing one more thing into the hold or adjusting something - about 1 & ½ hours worth. LATE AGAIN! The fun part of this is that I can catch and pass boats ahead of me, even those in my class (of course not the real cats and other go fast boats). What made Saturday so great were the seas outside in the Gulf. Eight foot seas is what some said at Checkpoint 1. I looked over my shoulder once or twice from the bottom of some especially large waves I had just surfed down and would agree, 8 feet for some. It was my most exhilarating ride ever – all six hours of it. Scary is another good word. You have to keep from pitch-polling when you hit the bottom/backside of the previous wave. Your speed is faster than the waves. Pulled into Stump Pass just at dusk. Staying to right helped until I got to the mud bank and the tide was going out. Two hours wasted getting to CP-1. No space at the CP-1 dock. I beached my Weta at the kayak beach, sorry.
Sunday - Slow start by choice. It is so hard to get out of a warm sleeping bag and put on cold wet clothes. Wind inside weak until around noon. Crossed the pass at Boca Grande, near Rum Point on North Captiva Island. It was the roughest water ever for me in a small boat of 14 feet. The tide was going out at full tilt and the wind was blowing in at 15 knots. The waves were stacked and steep. I was crossing at the narrowest spot and it felt like I would never make it. Not because of how long the crossing was, but the fear factor made it really loooong. This was much more frightening than Saturday. After I made it across, the inside was a nice passage. A good broad reach, at 6 knots pushing 7 all the way to Sanibel Causeway Bridge and then back out into the Gulf. I made it down to Wiggins Pass as the sun set but could not find a good safe place to anchor so I kept going south to Marco on the outside, really slow. Met the Coast Guard along the way. Good Guys all! They wanted to know where I was going and where I started. I told them. One said to the other – “Oh, one of those!” Enough said. The day ended at 2:45 am on Monday the 5th just off the beach in Naples - anchored. I had some wonderful wild hallucinations going along Naples Beach - different from my Aztec Indians during EC 2010.
Monday I woke to young and old walking the beach just 20 yards from me. Again it was tough putting cold wet clothes back on. Out of the eight days on the water, at Chokoloskee was the only day that I got up and put on dry clothes. Big deal, RIGHT. The wind was fluctuating through the day from very light and coming from the south to a nice breeze. It took forever to make the turn at Marco, tacking. Chief passed me 4 times. He who can travel a straight line takes the shorter route - Chief talk. Made it over to Indian Key pass and dropped anchor at 10:13 pm and slept near Stop Key. Another long day - 6 am ish to 10:13pm, -16 hours.
Tuesday up early with a good slow trip up Indian Pass to Everglades City and then on to Chokoloskee. Arrived at CP- 2 at 12:35 pm. Rested for the afternoon and had a great lunch/dinner at Havana Cafe of the Everglades. The food was excellent. The batter on the conch fritters was a wonderful delight. Washed it all down with two beers, magnificent. It was much better than the Ensure I was sucking down for the previous 3 days. Washed my wet clothes and dried them and even took a shower. It is nice to have friends. I took my time in Chokoloskee. First time I have ever spent any time enjoying the company of other Watertribers. I got to know some of Sponge Bob and his history. What a sailor. It was like I was on vacation. It is Tuesday. I have plenty of time to make it to the finish line before Sunday at 10 a.m.
Wednesday - Breakfast back at Havana Cafe of the Everglades – wonderful. Three humongous Cuban sandwiches to go. One for Sponge Bob and two for me. They kept me fed for two days. I’m talking big! This is where the new name really comes from – Circling Chokoloskee trying to get back to the Gulf and head south along 10,000 Islands. After working my butt off against the tide and a small squall I got totally turned around and back at Chokoloskee. I tried what I thought was Rabbit Pass, but that only took me further into the Glades. A good fisherman turned me back in the right direction. By this point I decided to take the same way out as coming in. Spent the night tucked in next to Demijohn Key. The tracking map makes it look like I’m on land, but not. Anchored just off shore out of the wind. In bag by 10:15 pm.
ThursdayThe big push. I wanted to go 24 hours and get into Flamingo Friday A.M., but NO! I took mainly an inside route between some islands. It was beautiful. The wind kept building through the morning and by afternoon it was in the teens. I was able to make it 22 nautical miles before part of my rudder lock-down & lockup mechanism broke. It happened off Highland Beach (see sidebar). With the main and jib up, too much pressure was exerted on the rudder blade which was trailing straight back. It was really difficult to steer. But the biggy was the possibility of breaking the entire rudder mechanism. I pulled into Broad River dropped and secured the main; back out on the water with only the jib up for another 10 nautical miles at half my previous speed, now 3 knots. Due to the increase in wind and nasty wave action, I pulled into Shark River to be safe. I found a small tributary off to the right and dropped anchor for the night. It was before dark so that I could evaluate all those beasts of prey- didn’t see anything. But at about 1:30 a.m. I was awakened by what I thought was monstrous something coming aboard “Miss Sugar.” I was in my sleeping bag with my flash-light in hand, even when sleeping. My light flashed on a good sized shark, based on the size of his tail. It was feeding just two feet from my feet which were in the boat. The picture of JAWS taking a big chunk out of the stern flashed through my half-awake mind. At that point, I sent out another ok. Our directions are: When the bad stuff is over, send an ok. I was able to go back to sleep. Someone knew what they were doing when they called it “Shark River.”
Friday The kind of day that when you complete it, it makes you realize that age really can be a state of mind. Your body might say differently, but your mind knew you could. Actually, that is what Friday, Saturday, and Sunday did for me. It was a grand high, way passing a “runner’s high.” By the time I pulled anchor and headed out, the 40 foot sailboat was motoring out. The power boat was gone. They both had pulled in to get out of the weather, a delay. Now that I’m behind because of a weather delay, I’m starting to think maybe if I can get an additional 8 hours to make up for last night’s loss due to the weather delay – I’m still in the hunt. The sailing starts out slow and gets slower. I’m sailing and rowing to get any speed. It seems that as you look down to North Sable, round that point and then on to Middle Sable to round that point. I feel like I’m not moving – 7 & ½ nautical miles in roughly 3 hours to reach North Sable. Over all it takes 8 hours to make it around the 3 Sables, averaging something like 1 ½ knots. A far cry from 6 knots. Many hard hours! Looking at the tracking markers, you can see how its spaced at the top when I’m moving at 6 knots and then down below where it is stacked due to 1 ½ knots. I drop anchor and sleep. (14 hours and only complete 28 miles) – NOT GOOD!
Saturday Looking back at my track, I can’t really say much about Saturday. Still going in circles. The batteries bought at Cho for the GPS are now dead. It must be the circles. Looking at my 1st check-in I’m moving early and go ashore to see if I can do anything for the rudder. Also the wind is light and I need the main up. I check for large varmints, see none, no tracks. While dropping the mast and reattaching the halyard, I’m looking over my shoulder. NOTHING! Mast up and main up! Found a piece of bungie in the bottom of the hold that I use to secure the rudder. It partially works, but a big improvement – speed doubles. Back on the water but not sure of where I am with regards to Flamingo. I think I have passed it in the night. I try to chase down some fishermen to get directions. It takes me several tries before I can hail one. That is why Saturday morning has a repeat of circles and tacking lines.
Into Flamingo and tie-up at a dock. Get to walk around. It feels good. I’ve gone through all my drinking water. The water in Flamingo is not safe to drink. While asking about it, a fisherman who has just come in hears me and offers me what he has leftover – almost a case. I’m in luck. This would have been the end! Sometimes luck and fishermen help OW-mWGC -75. I get some food – candy bars, make a bathroom call, and say hello to the crocodile sunning on the ramp. At least 8 feet and fat, I get within 15 feet of him. He lift his head and gives me the eye and I back off. It is Saturday and almost all the Watertribe boats are in at the finish line. The party is over and I still have maybe fifty miles to go before 10 am Sunday. It was 2:16pm at Flamingo when I pulled in. I probably spent an hour and ½ before heading back out. I have bought out all the batteries at the concession stand. That gives me six more batteries. I am back on the water going west doing a consistent 6 kts and going on a straight line into one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. I cover 8.5 miles in ONE and ½ hours. It took me 14 hard, hard hours to cover the same distance the day before. I’m feeling good. I can do this. What more could one ask for! I have the wind coming from the south (no tacking- straight line sailing), a magnificent sunset, and making great time. Incredible!!! I make the turn at Cape Sable Light and head southeast. I’m still making good time, 5.88 knots. I’m watching the weather start to build to the southwest – storm clouds moving east right at me.
Now that I can see my course with Watertribe’s tracker map I can remember the details. Storm coming and I’m making good time. Then before the first rain band the wind drops. It is dark, but I can see the clouds and the rain – light greys, dark greys, and black. The bottom of the clouds are only 200 feet off the water, close. I have just put “Miss Sugar” in irons, before I’m hit with the first squall. For non-sailors, irons is tacking and leaving your jib so that it is back-winded. The main-sail is loosened so that it does not drive the boat, and the rudder is set so that it sails the boat into the wind and toward the jib that is back-winded. If you have done it right, you can keep going in the same direction, point-of-sail, safely. The speed has dropped down from 5 knots plus to 1.5 knots. The wind direction has changed, but the boat is still trying to sail into the wind. I sent an OK message after the wind and rain went through. I hunkered down at 11:40 pm and dozed off in my sleeping bag.
Sunday The day of reckoning. It all comes down to one last push. I wake-up to a different sound. There is none, except a slight raspy exhale. Close, very close, is a sea turtle grabbing a breath of air before he submerges. His head is a beautiful brown. He was not big. Gone in an instant. Now I take in an absolutely incredible sight. As far as I can see, the water is glassy still. Not a ripple anywhere. I scan all 360 degrees and sight smudges of land, islands on the horizons. No air movement! No clouds bringing air movement. This is not what I was hoping for! I’m 28 nautical miles from the finish line and not a breeze, or riffle of air. The water was flat glass. At the moment my GPS is working, but no way to get anywhere. I can row slowly for short distances, but we are talking 28 miles. Deke and MrMako paid me a visit in their nice fishing boat to see if I was OK and sane. Gave me some water and candy bars. The help might have been illegal if I still had a chance of making 28 miles in a few hours. Two hours, four hours, six hours and no wind, only making 2 knots. About 4:30 pm I check-in with an OK. I am starting to pickup speed, 3 to 4 knots. I find the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) markers at about the time my batteries in the GPS die. I wonder how many years they were at that concession stand before I purchased them. I don’t realize how many more miles I need to go to get to Key Largo. I keep looking in the wrong places for the finish line. I’m off Islamorada when I turn into Windly Harbor/Whale Harbor Channel trying to find a spot to get information. Yes I’m lost, but I do know I’m in the keys. A dock close to the bridge looks like a spot to tie-up. It happens to be a Florida Game and Wildlife office and dock. A very nice female FGW officer lets me know I can’t stay there, but offers batteries and a detailed chart of the area and that I’m only 5 miles from Key Largo. I find out later that my destination is 15 miles away. I push off and get caught up in some mangroves. I get out of that and am back closer to the bridge. Next thing I know the current has me. I can’t beat the 5 mph current. I try dropping anchor but can’t hold the boat. We crash into the bridge. It is not a draw bridge. The mast is higher than the clearance. The mast hits the underside of the bridge and drives the boat into the center buttress. The boat is turned into the current and one ama (hull) is driven underwater, and then the bow is being driven under. I’m up on the other tramp and ama that are out of the water. It is pitch dark. A person has been fishing under the bridge. I call for help and within 10 minutes or so a FGW boat arrives and rescues me. We, they, call Boat U.S.A. who comes and rescues the boat and me. 15 miles short.
– BUT 354 NAUTICAL MILES TRAVELED.
Remember all the circles traveled adds up.
-THE END!
There is the rest of the story– getting back to the boat ramp at Ft. DeSoto and finding my truck & trailer. Driving back down to the Keys; finding my trailer missing the saddles that hold the boat on the front; rebuilding those with some local help
Posted 6 months ago # -
MrMako
MemberCaptJackOtter:
Thanks for posting this. I think it is a great story of perseverance, which is to say, “ just another day in the life of a WaterTriber”. We had a saying on the West Wight Potter “Bandit” this year, “Some people just don’t get their moneys worth out of the Everglades Challenge by doing it in a couple of days.” You win the contest of getting every cent out of the 2018 Everglades Challenge!
Mr. Mako
Posted 6 months ago # -
Thanks for sharing your story, CJO. We were a little worried about you as we were driving home and you were drifting in the gulf with a storm bearing down. However, it's inspiring to see that you were having fun out there, and having your own adventure in style. Congratulations on a great adventure!
Posted 6 months ago #
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