Exploring the East Coast... Florida to North Carolina

Rodriquez Key

After the trip to Cuba I had to return to my "working life" world for awhile.  So for two months I worked away in Kentucky and then returned in April to continue on our journey.  The goal is to see the East Coast and with any luck make it as far north as Canada.  Where to from there is the big unknown - lots of ideas, no solid plans.  The plan was to leave Marathon on Monday 4/11/2016 which was what we did but we immediately had trouble.  We had just made it past the entrance channel buoys when diesel fuel started poring into our bilge.  Fortunately, we had not gotten very far and were able to turn around and get back into the Marina.  A little investigating revealed a split fuel line.  So we replaced the line, cleaned the bilge and decided to try again.  On Wednesday, the 13th of April we set out again with the intention of sailing up the coast to Rodriquez Key. 

A couple more boats anchored near us at Rodriquez Key

It was a beautiful day even though we had a head wind most of the day.  The engine had been idling back and we had to change the Raycor fuel filters and even bled the fuel lines once.  Of course, as soon as we were approaching Rodriquez Key our engine began to seriously act up.  And of course, that was when Homeland Security decided to stop us again.  I did ask this time if they would mind waiting till we set the anchor before they boarded the boat.  They asked the usual questions about weapons (we have none) and then said they would not need to come on board.  Thank goodness - it was hard to focus on anchoring, the engine and homeland security all at the same time!  By now it was 4:00 pm and we were ready to relax and cook some dinner.  Rodriquez Key is just a small island off the coast so we were anchored near it but still on the Atlantic.  Lots of ocean out there! 

The tip of Rodriquez Key - lots of ocean out there!

Even though we were  somewhat unprotected out there the weather was perfect and the seas calm.  Turned out to be a restful night.

Sailboats anchored near Tavernier Key

 

 

Sun setting at Rodriquez Key Anchorage

There were a couple of boats that left Marathon when we did but they only made it as far as Tavernier Key.  Its that time of year when "boating snowbirds" start heading back north so we expect to have company.  Tomorrow we set sail for Miami.