Jacksonville Fl, Fernandina Beach Fl.

[ris]

We left the oxbow anchorage and proceded to Jacksonville free city dock. We were the first to arrive about 1330 but soon every boat that went by would see us and turn back, the dock only holds 5 large boats and one small boat.

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We arrived at this dock as the tide changed by the time the other boats started coming in it was ripping. The one sailboat forgot his fenders and hit the floating dock so hard I swear his side flexed in about 2 inches. About knocked us off our feet as we helped him in. The other sail boat did much better, and the first trawler hit pretty good. The second 34' american tug had bow thruster and made docking look easy as he slid in practically sideways. You have to remember all of this is new to us. We left the free dock about 0730 and we were headed for Cumberland Island Ga. By 1000 they upped the wind forecast to 18 to 28 mph. We remembered that 3 gypsies stayed up here at a nice marina and we called Glenn and he gave us the name of the marina were we got a slip. Because we can go so shallow they gave us one. of the cheap inner slips. The tides here are about 6.5 feet. It was so windy that boats couldn't even catch the mooring balls so were calling for slips. Of course now it is down to 8 mph. We have to take care of a few things like blowing up the dinghy, meds, and mailing some stuff so we are staying till Tuesday morning. We hope to spend a day or two at Cumberland Island which is not more than an hour or two away. I have to say I admire Chinook and Sumner even more after only doing this for a week.We are really learning about this weather watching.
A sunrise from the oxbow south of Jacksonville.

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[Obelix]

I really like your blog, please keep it going.

Obelix

[Herschel]

We hope to spend a day or two at Cumberland Island which is not more than an hour or two away. I have to say I admire Chinook and Sumner even more after only doing this for a week

I know everyone approaches these longer trips differently, but Anne and I, on our trip on the St. Johns and on the Gulf ICW, found it was a nice break to stop at a marina near a motel and just take a break from the boat for a night or two. Just saying.

[tp56ihs]

Hi Ris,
What is your blog address? Need to follow, Need information before I take the plunge.

Thanks,
Tom
Wind Wager

[ris]

The blog address is thejillkristy.wordpress.com I am not sure why the photos did not appear on this website they always have before.

[RGF]

I'm sure no one is judging here, ris! I'm thankful for your reports whatever you and the admiral decide to do. That's why they make chocolate and vanilla Just have a great, safe trip!

[Catigale]

Rich...can you share who made that great dodger, Bimini, enclosure for you? It doesn't look like the Dowsar but I love the height on the cockpit part, as well as the headroom on the

Maybe not good for sailing, but excellent for cruising.

[Seapup]

Congrats on going into week 2 Imagine how you will look back on this a year or two from now. Enjoy the trip!

[81venture]

Wife and I are also following the blog religiously

Congrats on your journey...we cannot wait!

dave

[ris]

Catigale we called BWY and they said the best thing for us to do was find a local to do the job. There was only one shop within 50 miles so we went to them. Their speciality is building awnings but they do a side business of boat canvas. It's not perfect but so far we like it. It is made of sunbrella. The guy looked at the boat,we told him the way we wanted it to look, with heights of be mini he looks at us and quotes a price just that fast. He didn't even take measurements. We should have made the dodger a little lower so we could see over it by standing tall. It does a great job of blocking the wind. Without the lines from the mast to hold onto, for us the 34 or 32 inch rails are a must have item. In order to make it to the front of the boat.

[Chinook]

Hi Richard and Jill,

Great pictures and posts. We'll look forward to following your progress, and we'll keep an eye on the distance which separates us. Last check we were 351 miles apart. Through the grapevine I hear that the Texas guy on the 26M is somewhere between us. I checked my notes and I'm pretty sure his name is Lee Morgan. Wouldn't it be cool for us 3 MacGregors to have an impromptu Loop rendezvous somewhere along the way. We plan on reaching Norfolk VA around 4/17, and we'll probably leave there headed up the Chesapeake around 4//24. Be safe and have a great time.

Mike and Sandy

[Catigale]

Loopers - I bumped the Loop support thread to the top of DESTINATIONS for your reference, and we will sticky it shortly.

[Three Gypsies]

I have been checking you blog daily ! looking Good , Jill and Richard !
As you pass thru Georgia , beware of the tides and currents , they are horrendous in that part of the country .

It was in Sapelo Sound that we got caught in the second worst storm we ever encountered .

Between the tides , the storms , being treated rudely at the Jekyll Island marina , the biting flys in the marshes , and no room for us at Isle of Hope Marina , we got a bad taste of Georgia . We turned around sooner than we planned . I now wish we had continued on into SCarolina .

Hopefully , your experiences , in Georgia , will be better than ours .