Barges, Bridges, Bad Weather and Bourbon

The short passge between Bimini and Cape Canaveral was for the most part uneventful.

Just how we like it. 

We were able to sail most of day one and with a westerly wind with just the genoa out and were able to make just over seven knots. Sweeeeeet!

Sundown brought us a large squall that kicked up a northerly wind so for a few hours it was a pretty rocky ride. No fun whatsoever. We swapped shifts at the helm while the other caught a few hours of shut eye throughout the long night. By sun up we were about 60 miles from the Canaveral entrance so I was anticipating a nice short day.

Or so I thought…

(Yes, the plot thickens)

After heading west down the long Port Canaveral Barge Channel we came to our first bascule (draw) bridge.

What’s that Cam?

Through bridge 1. Check

Now the lock. Our first lock by the way. Ok, wasn’t very pretty but it was successful. Check

Bascule bridge 2. Check

Storm brewing to our south.

Damn.

Lightning. Very dark ominous clouds. Lowwww low clouds.

Our next bridge is a quarter mile ahead and the canal is flowing inward towards it. 

Damn its getting dark for 4:00 in the afternoon.

You know right before a storm you get that quick wind sheer? You know, that 30 to 40 knot quick wind sheer!?!?!

“Shit” says I

Then the bottom fell out. And I mean the whole F’n bottom. It was raining so hard we could not see the draw bridge ahead but we knew we were headed toward it even in neutral with the wind on our nose.  

For about 3 minutes I was able to keep the boat in the middle of the 50 foot wide channel. A very long 3 minutes. 

The inevitable happed and we got blown backwards into the muddy southern bank. 

Stuck. Boat not moving.

So much for an early arrival.

Truth be told it was probably the best thing to happen. We remained in one spot throughout the half hour storm. About 45 minutes later the very capable Doug from Tow Boat US showed up and gave our big girl a pull out to the middle of the channel. No harm done.

Bascule bridge 3. Check

“Are we there yet?”

“No” says she.

(groan)

We carried on westward for another half mile or so. Then a hard turn to starboard into a channel so thin it would make a proctologist proud.

“Ten more miles north” says she.

(groan, mumble, curse)

Curse some more.

About 2 hours later or so we pulled into the marina. We were greeted by a local dock hand who smelled like he bathed in bourbon. Or was it whiskey? Actually he smelled of both with a hint of PBR. Lovely.

All in all it was an exhausting 30 hours but we were glad to have made it safely to our new home at Kennedy Point Yacht Club. We were no longer Bahamians. We were once again Floridians.

Time for a PBR.

Review time…

The combination of Sailright material and my lovely wifes stich work made for a very dry weathering of the storm. Our top and eisenglass kept the rain off our heads. And while weather may be God, my wife’s sewing ability is second only to the devil itself!!!!