Sailing to ST Pete Beach FL

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Sailing to St Pete Beach FL  I

Attempt one
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We decided to have a simple sail across Boca Ciega Bay, under Structure C and down Mud Key Channel to anchor in the shadow of the Don Cesar for lunch.  It?s only a few miles on a sunny day with winds in the 10 -15 kn range close hauled but pleasant.  What could go wrong?  You would have to ask.

Sailing well south of Gulfport our GPS informed us we would not make the bridge opening so we sailed north parallel to the Middle Ground, a shallow area of the western bay made by the dredging of the Inter Coastal Waterway and storms over the years.   We have sailed this course many times and know the general sightings required on the various condos to stay clear of the shallows.  The rudder kicked up first then a bump or two.  At this point you have about three seconds to head East a feat accomplished by our experienced crew and a well executed jibe.

Heading back south west we approached Structure C and decided to drop the jib.  I?ve rigged a downhaul for this situation; however what happened next still has us shaking both our heads and nerves. For no apparent reason the jib came down maybe a quarter of the distance then stopped and could not be moved.  We began drifting towards the shore and the bridge as two of us desperately searched for the problem.

I told Linda to fire the motor full speed so we could still make the bridge.  The jib was hopelessly wrapped around the head stay at this point.   A few weeks earlier we had reefed the main sail and left a line hanging from the foot of the sail we use to secure it to the boom.   Somehow this line, about 18 inches long had wrapped itself around the jib halyard in a perfect rolling hitch.  No kidding ? eight rolls with a loop at the highest point, naturally.  As we yanked the jib down haul the wrap pulled up the main sail effectively preventing the jib from dropping.  Once discovered the problem was properly cussed at and resolved.

Someone really needs to explain to me how this 18 inch line on the main sail managed to wrap itself so neatly around the jib halyard and add a loop at the highest reaches of the line.  Both lines would have been flaying about in the wind but still its just mind boggling to think that we have used this system for years without the slightest problem in far worse conditions.

Still we missed the second bridge opening and did indeed abandon the mission because the eight horsepower motor only had four horses who were apparently too tired for the task.

We decided to sail back to the general area of our sailing club a couple of miles away to anchor for lunch and a swim.  Something we?ve done too many times to count.  Well since I didn?t want to risk the motor I back winded the main sail to set the anchor at which time my son asked why the end of the main sheet was in the water.   Last year, yes it was last summer; I had replaced the main sheet and apparently not tied a stopper knot in the end!  Clearly we were not supposed to reach any destination that day so we spent the afternoon at anchor trying to remember how the main sheet is rigged and enjoying the day.

Post script.  The motor did fire and take us almost home.  We drifted onto the trailer and continued our voyage aboard the MV F150.  The engine problem appears to be a leak in the thermostat cover that pumped a good bit water onto both spark plugs.  The bottom plug was fouled so I?m hoping it was shorting out in the resulting puddle of salt water.  Parts are ordered so we will know soon.  Rumor has it most of this is on video which I?ll post on Utube once I get the courage to look at this comedy show.

[romei]

I'm sorry to hear of all your trouble but thankful to hear that it doesn't only happen to me.

Better luck next time.

[B.Hart]

  If sailing was always easy it wouldn't be a adventure! I was born and grew up in ST. Pete and have spent many hours on Tampa bay. This reminded me of a coworker who borrowed the bosses j-24 and ran it aground buy the skyway. A courteous power boater pulled him off the sand bar resulting in a twisted keel. Glad to here you made it back OK.                     BILL

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Even with all the problems we had a good time.   As my wife reminds me you don t have to sail all the time - it s ok to anchor and watch the world go by too. 

We did go to St Pete Beach that evening to attend a gathering of friends for a farewell party  for a couple returning to the Great Plains who own a 1920s era cabin on the beach.  I have to tell you that sitting out there in the warm waning sea breeze under a full moon among the palm trees listening to our club members pick thier banjos and play thier guitars by the fire is about as close to heaven as I'm likely to get.  And we had great stories to tell as well!!   Matt