3-15-2014: Anchored out in the beautiful, clear blue water by Manjack Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sunday and Monday; March 20 and 21, 2011

Bill is really tired of winter and snow!

Keith's sister sent us a picture of Bill's (her husband) drive to work last week (above). Boy are we glad we are in the south where there is no snow.

We left Telemar Bay Marina on Sunday morning (yesterday).  It started out with just a little wind but by noon the wind picked up substantially-about 15 to 20 mph.  The waves were between 1 and 2 feet. For a Sunday there were not many boats on the waterway so that was good.  By the time we got to Titusville Municipal Marina the waves were 3+ feet and the dock master said the winds were 20 knots!  We were glad to be tied up in a marina.  Sunday evening we had docktails with Debrief (John and Sue) and Midnight Sun (Robert and Ivie).  We just met Robert and Ivie but we had run into John and Sue twice before but this was the first time we were able to sit down and really visit.  We had a very enjoyable evening. 

Today is cleaning day.  I cleaned inside and Keith washed the boat.  Coming up the Indian River, which is very wide in this area, the wind and the waves sprayed the whole boat with salt water from top to bottom.  Just touching the railing your hands were sticky with salt.  When Keith was hosing the boat down after washing it we had 2 manatee come up to the boat and tried drinking the water running down the boat.  We got some pictures (below) but it is still hard to see them.  They are just big blobs with a little tiny nose and mouth.

There is a new high rise bridge right before Titusville; the Titusville/Max Brewer Bridge.  Some charts/guidebooks say it is still a 9' clearance swing bridge and some say the new bridge opened 1-31-2011 and you still might have some restrictions.    We had no problem going straight through.  They are; however, still working on removing the old swing bridge.

CO's comments:  I am commenting on yesterdays blog at Telemar Bay Marina.  Don't plan on staying there unless you are willing to dock your own boat without any help no matter what the wind conditions are.  The people were friendly but were not helpful what-so-ever.  After putting our boat in our slip, in the wind by ourselves, I decided I was not going to buy fuel there.  The next day, people would come up to the fuel dock, tie themselves up, get out and walk into the office so the attendee would turn on the fuel pump.  They then had to go out to the fuel pump, turn it on, uncoil the line, and after filling their boat, wind the fuel line back up and go inside and pay.  It didn't matter whether you were getting 50 gallons or 2000 gallons; the same procedure held.  Fuel prices were not that great either.  I was watching a small fishing boat come into the fuel dock at a 90 degree angle and run right into the dock, smashing the small pulpit that held the trolling motor, and there was fibergass flying in all directions.  The wife was driving and we can't repeat what her husband said.  After he was through his wife said she was just doing what he told her to do.  When they left she was still driving.
N28 37.284
W80 48.594
Our neighbor's boat at the marina; they live aboard; we don't think they takes the
boat out as there is way too much clutter in the back. 

Manatee with his nose to the boat

Manatee by the boat

Manatee tail














Sunday, March 20, 2011

Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, 2011

We are in Melbourne, FL, at the Telemar Bay Marina. We visited with Doug and Joanie; our friends who live here.  Joanie brought me to Walmart and after we all had a nice dinner.  It was good to see them again.

There is a rowing competition going on here in Melbourne.  It is an international competition with teams from USA, France, Canada, Germany, and Sweden (possibly more).  Some of the teams are really good and it is fun to watch.

After going 4 nights without shore power we woke up last Thursday and the house batteries were dead.  We noticed that our refrigerator was running more than usual and it was also louder than normal.  Keith checked the refrigerator amps and it was 40 amps DC and the manual says it should only take 9 amps DC and that is what ran our batteries down.  After a few calls we found that the compressor was bad so we ordered a new refrigerator and it will be installed next Tuesday.  Until then, we can't anchor out.  We are just hoping the old refrigerator will last until then.

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W80 36.282


USA Rowing Team-they won their match
International Rowing Competition