We made the quick dash from Toledo Ohio to Florida without incident.My CL 16 Spirit (wayfarer clone) was already in the Tampa area following January boot camp. Many thanks to Chief, Paula and all of their helpers as this boot camp was essential in completing the challenge.
While waiting on the beach Saturday with plan A assured we sent the trailer off to Apollo Beach for storage. When Plan B was offered, we ended up being the last boat off the beach headed South. I decided to launch at the closest ramp to Boca Grande Pass, Inlet Marina, finally setting out double reefed with the jib at 5 PM. After leaving the inlet, Spirit casually planed across Boca Grande Pass and all the way down Pine Island sound. I consider these home waters because I went to high school in Punta Gorda. At sunset I received a curious look from a standing manatee while passing. As I did not want to cross under Sanibel Bridge in the dark I stealth camped at the mouth of Tarpon Bay.
Continuing double reefed I was under the bridge at 8 AM and down the coast. I attempted the shortcut at Caxambas pass and turned around due to adverse tide and no wind. It was a fast sail to Picnic Island outside of Indian Key pass finally setting up camp at 10:30 PM.
I was finally able to use full sail to get into Chokoloskee Bay, then mud skim and walk across the nonexistent channel, finishing up with a 100 yard mud walk landing at checkpoint 2. This was the first time I saw other Watertribers. Heading out from checkpoint 2 I had two of four navigation systems fail and had to rely on compass, charts and dead reckoning. I mistakenly followed a powerboat who seem to know the channel. Big mistake. After clearing Rabbit Key pass it was very late, dark, I was tired, and it was time to camp. I pulled into a likely island and found there was no beach and tied to the mangroves. There was just enough space for a bivy sack where I got two hours sleep till the tide awakened me by lapping at my feet. Since I was already on the highest spot visible I decided to set sail for the rest of the night.
As Tuesday dawned there was a good steadily increasing wind, and I put in by a whole lot of miles. As usual there were no other sails in sight. As the wind increased I furled the jib preparing to throw a reef in the main when my soon to be improved self tacking jib arrangement flogged itself apart. I had to sail up wind, bare headed, in shallow water in 25 to 30 mile an hour winds around Cape Sable into Flamingo arriving at 3:15 PM. By now my military grade waterproof cell phone case had also failed leaving one electronic navigation system remaining.
Flamingo was wonderful with other Watertribers (Nimbus and Cat5) to talk with and a chance to need much needed repairs. No more self tacking jib, but I did modify it to work conventionally. I had no idea that raccoons and crows could open rolltop latched waterproof bags for apples and beef jerky. A fresh chef salad was available, by a good nights sleep. Many thanks to Joe for the use of his cell phone.
I left Flamingo at 6 AM and took the long way around. The first view of the US 1 bridge at noon was a welcome sight. Getting through the cuts in the reefs was a challenge with limited navigation and tacking the jib by hand. Cowpens cut was a major headache, with strong winds at either end adverse tide and no wind in the middle. I knew the tide would eventually turn but did feel rather like Sisyphus getting almost to the end of the channel and then being pushed back to the beginning 10 to 15 times. I could not see any alternative route on my charts as they did not show the Toilet Seat cut. At 9:48 PM I escaped the Cowpens cut and headed towards the finish. My last electronic navigation device ran out of batteries as I passed the last cut. I will definitely bring a dedicated red flashlight for night use next time. I finally made it into the Pelican Thursday at 1:45 AM I had a great reception from my wife, my sister and SOS. I would be glad to share lessons learned, especially with anyone else who wants to try this in a single-handed dinghy.
Waterstrider's account EC 2020
(4 posts) (4 voices)-
SandyRower
MemberPosted 11 months ago # -
Congratulations on a great finish and an excellent adventure! Frank and Margaret Dye's books on their Wayfarer adventures made me think I could do anything in a small sailboat. I enjoyed meeting you in Key Largo. Now I know how to fold you sail.
Posted 11 months ago #
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