[Rhodes22-list] Dry Tortuga Adventure

[Robert Quinn]

Ed:  Many thanks. Terry and Rhonda did wonderful.  We have gotten caught out 
in a couple of good thunderbumpers and it is a definite "white knuckle" 
experience.  However, you have to deal with it and they did it with sound 
(except for the slip of not wearing a harness and floatation device the 
first time out) judgment.  We got caught out in the Atlantic in the R22 
"NoKaOi" for a hair raising experience a couple of years ago.  The boat 
handled the weather, waves, and rain with no problem.  We furled the Genoa 
and reduced the main somewhat and ran with the wind for about a half hour 
before the storm finally let us free.  We tried to motor away at one point 
but the ride was so uncomfortable, I killed the engine and went with the 
sail.

When we departed Punta Gorda in April of 2004 headed for the Keys it was our 
plan to go via the Dry Tortugas; however, the weather just would not permit 
a safe passage.  We did the trip to the Keys via "day sails:"  Punta Gorda 
to Cayo Costa, Cayo Costa to Naples, Naples to Marco Island, Marco Island to 
Shark River, Shark River to Marathon, Marathon to Key West via the Hawk 
Channel.  We wound up getting "winded in" at the mouth of the Shark River 
for four nights.  When we finally arrived in Key West we met up with some 
folks on a Valiant 40 who "got hammered" in the Tortugas while we were 
penned in on the Shark River.  They drug anchor down on another boat.  They 
got their engine going to motor forward but the fellow whose anchor rode 
they had drug on was right at their stern.  They had to watch the stern of 
their boat get "eaten" by the other fellows anchor roller.  Their stern was 
not a pretty sight.  The eventually managed to motor forward and re-set 
their anchor - they actually dropped three.  The other boat sustained only 
minor damage and the people were very helpful even though they were the 
victims.

We still want to head to the Tortugas but will only do so when the weather 
settles down.  Last year and this year has not been especially great for 
"gentleman" sailing.  Even when we left Key West for Stuart we pounded our 
way up to Marathon with 20 to 25 right on the nose with 5 plus waves in the 
Hawk Channel, which is somewhat protected by the reefs.  We spent the night 
in Marathon and then cut through the seven mile bridge into Florida Bay for 
the trip to Cape Florida.  The Bay was rough but nothing like the Atlantic 
side.  By the time we got to Biscayne Bay (a night off Matacumbe and a night 
off Pumpkin Key) the weather turned very favorable.  Our sail across 
Biscayne Bay was one of the finest sailing experiences we have ever had.  A 
Perfect 10!  If anyone comes this way with their R22, Biscayne Bay should be 
a mandatory endeavor.

We had a great sail three weeks ago to Lake Worth and back but it has rained 
every day since we're back.  Today may be the first good day but our home is 
torn apart with a new kitchen going in and we are still waiting for the 
contractor to finish the roof which was damaged in the hurricanes last year. 
As they finished pulling all the shingles a major storm front moved through 
and thoroughly doused our home causing some serious water damage, which will 
have to be repaired..

Meanwhile our boat is perfectly dry inside and waiting our next sailing 
adventure.

And no, we are not on the sailnet Florida west coast list.  But when we head 
that way again, I'll give it a look.  Will also ask for the pictures. 
Thanks

Bob and Kathy on the "NoKaOi"



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ed kroposki" <ekroposki at charter.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 2:33 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Forwarded for Bill E and Bob Q


Bob,

     Do you watch the west Florida list on sailnet?  Bill Effros has been
wanting to go to the Florida Keys for years now.  This recently came up on
the West Florida list about his trip to the lower keys including the
Tortugas.  I can see Bill with his harness hanging on to his tiller..



Ed K

Also he has some pictures if you email him direct.