HOME SWEET HOME

We made it!  About 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, Water's Edge arrived at her home dock in Punta Gorda, Florida.  When we left Longboat Key Club Moorings in Sarasota Saturday morning, we weren't sure we would make it all the way.  The wind was strong, OTN of course, and we decided to take the ICW.  About 3 p.m. we made the decision to go the rest of the way home rather than stay someplace for the night.

The scenery along the ICW is beautiful, and we really enjoyed the trip.  After 11 bridges, a lot of boat traffic (yes, Dick, morons and idiots -- had to use the horn twice) and fighting the current and wind we arrived at Charlotte Harbor.  We were tired but excited to finally get home.  Bob decided to hoist the jib a little to give us a boost as the current was against us and we didn't feel we were getting the speed we should.  We picked up a few tenths and he let it out a little more...oops!  The jib fell down into the water.  Are you kidding me?  So close to home.  However, MUCH better that it happened here than the last time we used it -- during the night in a wind event!

I was at the helm and put it in neutral while Bob pulled the sail onto the deck and tied it up.  Man, we were THAT close with all systems humming and boom!  Reality check.  What else can happen?  Going aground?  The channel is famous for low water.  We will just have to wait and see...

At 7:00 p.m. we start down the Ponce de Leon channel.  The water is 5' deep and our keel is 5.5'.  OK, maintain speed.  It only got more shallow.  I read 4.3' at one time.  Yikes.  We were bouncing off the bottom which, fortunately did not stop us.  A trawler had decided to get out of the channel ahead of us and went aground.  Too bad, fella, call Towboat U.S.  Once we got in the canals the depth was great and we had a nice ride to home.  Note to self.  Leave at high tide.  :-)

Now the big test.  How deep is the water at our dock?  Not sure, fingers are crossed.  Bob took the helm and we successfully docked Water's Edge at home!  Our neighbors and friends, Ken and Cynthia, came out to greet us.  After tying up the boat, showers and a Red Stripe, we called it a night.   I'd forgotten how really big and comfortable a king size bed is.  After a couple days of rest, we will give the boat a good cleaning, get the sail repaired and get ready for our first sail in Charlotte Harbor.

What a 3-week adventure (ordeal?) we had.  I'm sure memories will fade over time, but I reminded Bob that if we ever thought about doing something like this again, we will read this blog first. 

Water's Edge in her new home