Florida Cruise Dec.27-Jan 1st trip report

[DaveB]

Biscayne Bay Cruise.Report

As a small trip to South Dade Marina we had 7 Trailor Sailors join us for the 5 day outing.
All boats were Mac. X's and M's except for Stin on his Potter 19.
Typical for this time of year, the wind was out of the East at 12-15 knots Friday.
We went SE to Thursday Cove for good protection. Dave & Teresa set the anchor and Valkria, Lucky 7 and Lilly P rafted up.
This is a great anchorage for winds from NE to SE and my anchor held all three Mac. X's for the night. (Stin did put out his own anchor)
Sat. we went South as winds were 15-20 out of the NE dead on the nose.
We arrived at Tarpon Bay and many dinghies on the dock but Stin manage to fit in at the docks.
We decided to head North and make a late lunch at Alabama Jacks where we rafted up 4 boats in that small channel.
It was great tho, took more than a hour to get food. Stin came up just as we finished eating and we decided to anchor just NE heading under Card Sound bridge NE. in Little Card Sound were Ian on Shoal Idea joined us for the night.
After a calm night we headed North with SE winds calm at first then quickly get to 15 knots or more.
I was doing 5.5 knots most of the way with full Main and 100% jib, rest of boats were not far behind.
Dimitri and Stin headed for Homestead to refuel Ice and than joined us at a 200 ft. sand beach just North of Elliot Key Tide Station.
We set a camp fire where Ian brought in a dozen ears of corn and was great until sunset were the no-seeums came out in full force.
Even getting close to a big hot fire did not scare these critters away. We all called it an early night by 8:30 and secured all screen hatches and sprayed them.
Morning came and I had over 1000 of those black dots inside my boat and another 10,000 all over the rest of boat.
Never again will I do that as this Island is loaded with no-seeums.All boats were loaded with these critters.
Next Day we were planning to go to Boca Chica and anchor off the S. side.
This changed as wind was calm and Lucky7 wanted to Snorkle on the reefs. Most of the boats wanted to so they went.Randy and Tiffany took to time to do some wake boarding behind thier Mac X Sea Savvy II under full ballast.
I decided to check the front that was moving in and decided to head S. as forcast for these Northerners are always under estimated and good thing I did.
I arrived at N. end of Short Key, Monday were Jean on Abiro Blue from Canada showed up and rafted up. Lucky 7 and Lilly P soon joined us for the evening raftup.(this is a good Ancorage for winds out of the SW to NE).
Tuesday, Jean headed to Tarpon Bay, Dimitri headed to S. Dade to haul out, Stin Headed to Manatee Bay where we went in a 18-22 knot winds. We tried to anchor on Lee side of Manatee Bay 3 times than got the second storm anchor out with winds 20 knots gusting to over 30 knots with white foam all around us.
Manatee Bay has only 6 ft. of water so waves are only 1-2 ft. chops. Holding ground is best in middle of bay.
We Hauled out Wed. and was on the road 10am.

Here are fellow Sailors that joined us.

Dimitri & Larissa on Lucky 7
Tom, Wing, Ben on Valkria
Randy & Tiffany on Sea Savvy II
Stin on Lily P
Jean, Sara and JP on Abiro Blue
Ian on Shoal Idea
Dave & Teresa on Hot Tub

Dave
Pictures

http://s182.photobucket.com/user/dbarni ... uise%20Dec











Update 11/29/13
Those who want to Launch at South Dade Marina.
They can handle 7 boats and already reserved with WCTSS, If you plan on making this trip. contact me 239-850-0281.
Dave

I have found the Elliot Key Marina is closed and the Tide Station North Dock will be open.
There is a sand beach with good holding ground just NE of the dock .
We have done a few anchorage in this area and is great From E to S. winds.
Trail is there to the dock.
There are coral heads close to beach, so anchor in 4-5 ft. water.
Dave


We Launch at South Dade Marine and cruise Biscane Bay. We have a fire at short key on east side .
We cruise were the wind blows but some of it will include Elliot Key and layover at the Marina. ($10 a night no hookups and cold showers).
Trip can include reef snorkel, and few Islands in cristal clear waters.
Those of interest can reach me by Cell 239-850-0281 or Dbaxxxxxxx@xxx.com
Dave

[BOAT]

BUMP

Wish I could go.

[DaveB]

You can if you want to.
Dave

BUMP

Wish I could go.

[BOAT]

Not this year - we are going to New Mexico in December.

[shv]

Hi,
I just bought a 222 and have started refurbishing it. When done I'd like to go with your group. How often do you take group cruises? I live west or Orlando.

Steve

[kevinnem]

man I would love to come and join you guys so bad. We are going to try to be sailing for 3 days, .. Jan 2,3,4 but having trouble find economical boat charter, and being unfamiliar with the area is a little stress full as well.

[DaveB]

Hi Steve,
Good to have you join us. The WCTSS (West Coast Trailor Sailing Squadren ) is Sailing club located in Tampa that trailer sails all over Florida.
There are about 150 members from all over the State and they usually have a trip every 2weeks to a month.
Here is there two web sites for more info.
http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wcts ... s/messages

Dave

Hi,
I just bought a 222 and have started refurbishing it. When done I'd like to go with your group. How often do you take group cruises? I live west or Orlando.

Steve

[DaveB]

Yep and 5 sheets to the wind for ya.
Wonder if you really Sail a Mac.M or is it a lookey type boat?
If your a wanna be than just say so.
We members tell the stories of trips we been on, and the trips we are going on.
So tell us your stories and trips.
Dave

Not this year - we are going to New Mexico in December.

[DaveB]

Kevin,
We have 3- Mac.X along with 2- Seapearls 21, 1-Potter 19 and maybe's on 4 other boats.
We do campfire on Short Key, Alabama Jacks for long lunch (Tie to Dock) and Sail Biscane bay with stop overs. Outside snorkel Reef is weather permitting.
Can't get any better than that and have done this cruise many times.
All sailing in Cristal Clear waters of Biscane Bay.
Come on down!
We will take the stress out of your life for 4 days . Must bring your boat.
Ken, Last Flight, get your sorry butt down here.
Dave

man I would love to come and join you guys so bad. We are going to try to be sailing for 3 days, .. Jan 2,3,4 but having trouble find economical boat charter, and being unfamiliar with the area is a little stress full as well.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I just got back from 2-4 inches of snow in VA and WV last week (which the kids had a blast in). I would think a lot of folks are thinking it would be really nice down in the Keys later this month

[kevinnem]

ended up chartering a boat for days, 1st (night),2,3,4th - leaving miami, going to try for bahamas, I think, but if not then upper keys, and such.
See how it all goes, you guys are on the "inside" of teh keys right?

[DaveB]

Yes, we cruise Biscayne Bay, Card Sound, Barnes Sound and Launch from Manatee Bay. This is inside the Islands but may venture to the reefs off Hawks Channel weather permitting.
Dave

ended up chartering a boat for days, 1st (night),2,3,4th - leaving miami, going to try for bahamas, I think, but if not then upper keys, and such.
See how it all goes, you guys are on the "inside" of teh keys right?

[davidbourne]

Dave,

I'm really interested in this trip and in sailing your part of the world. But the timing does not work for me.

Maybe next time. The group looks like a good bunch. I'd love to see the different boats and learn what they do.

Please keep us posted.

Dave in NC

[macr]

Thanks Dave for organizing this cruise!

-Randy

[DaveB]

Randy,
Here are the updates for those going.

Update for those who are going.

Ron on a Sea Pearl. Tri hull (Ron is the head of the WCTSS)

Ted on a Sea Pearl mono

Dimitri on a MacX

Stan on a Potter 19

Randy, from NC on a MacX.

Tom, from Macron, Ga on a MacX

Teresa and I on a MacX
There are members not shown who would like to do the trip but as yet not commited.

Have I missed someone?
This trip is from the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron.
Those who want to attend, can call Dave at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Limited amount of storage for trailers and trucks and ramp is getting close to max. Launch at South Dade Marina.
Trip Dec.27-Jan.1st
Dave

Thanks Dave for organizing this cruise!

-Randy