TripSailor.com® Sailing Blogs

After realizing we had spent too much time at various marinas and anchorages, we knew we would not make the Tortugas and decided to head back northward.  We pulled anchor early and proceeded north across Charlotte Harbor.  During this trek we managed to run aground hard just off the ICW in CH.  Good thing we had the main sail up as we were able to heel over and get off.  The wind was really blowing and we motor sailed until the ICW narrow northward.

The rest of the day was on the narrows of the ICW with many bridges and lots of sights.  Eventually toward dark we reached Sarasota Bay and anchored where we did on the way south.

Upon awakening a front was moving through and the wind was near 30 knts.  The anchor had dug in deep and we had some difficulty getting it back on the sprit (we had two anchors out but the Danforth came off easy and the Delta was hung).  Charlie used the main sail mast winch to pull the anchor out of the bottom though.

Once free, and realizing we were nearly out of provisions, we called on the radio and found only a couple of marinas open being Christmas Day.  With the wind blowing strong we motored on and decided to head back up the ICW to Bradenton and the Twin Dolphins marina.  The rest of the journey north was nice once we got lee of the wind in the ICW.  Not many boats out.

BTW, Pam has done great with no more sea sickness issues.  ALLFUN!