shakedown cruise

We left Tuesday morning for a shakedown cruise to Islamorada.  We need to break in our brand new Bessie.  Before we leave for the Abaco's in March, we need between 20-50 engine hours on her.  She then gets a valve adjustment and tune up.  Willis doesn't mind sailing at all....Bessie, however, he REALLY minds.  He got that sick look in his eyes as we pulled out of Banana Bay Marina.

Here's Sleeping Beauty due to the Bonine she took, but didn't need, afterall.  It was a calm day on the Gulf of Mexico.

Cap'n was so happy to be back at the helm, and Marquesa was so happy to be OFF THE DOCK!

Willis soon came up into the cockpit once he caught a whiff of the salty smells.  He was supposed to be monitoring the depth gauge...

...but he was too busy looking for dolphins!

Meatball sandwiches with peppers and onions for lunch :)

Willis took a turn for a watch, since Agnes (the auto pilot) is not working.  That's just something else to be added to Cap'n's To Do list before we set sail for the Caribbean.  Looks like a simple wiring job is all that is needed.

After his watch, he flopped in the cockpit for an afternoon nap.  It's tough work being a Willis the boat cat.

When duty calls though, he takes his job very seriously.  He was up on the bow, guiding Cap'n into the anchorage, looking for the perfect spot to drop the hook.  To the right, is Matt & Karie's catamaran, Plan Sea.  Great spot, Willis!

As soon as we anchored, Cap'n had the dinghy launched.  He was itchin' to go exploring!

We stopped at the Outdoor Sportsman so Cap'n could pick up some fishing tackle.  Emily was having it out with the heron.  Or she was getting fed dinner.  I'm not sure which one it was.  Silly Em.

We threw ourselves together for dinner at Lorelei's.  We love this place :)

Nothing like a Bahama Mama and watching the sun go down.

Enjoying the sunset through the mangroves.

Cheers to the new college graduate (with honors!)

There IS a silver lining :) 

Dinner with friends is always a good time.  We love you, Matt & Karie!

After dinner, we pulled up to Marquesa in our dink, and Willis looked like a wild animal on board with his eyes glowing when we shined the flashlight on him.  He had a bawl walking up and down and all around the boat at anchor.  Here, he was peeking in through the screen in the Vberth hatch.  Dern cat.  We locked him in with us when we went to bed.  We didn't want him falling off the boat in the middle of the night without his life jacket on.  Yes, he has a life jacket.

We weighed anchor and set sail after 9:00am.  It was a beautiful anchorage.  Until I ran aground!  No harm, no foul.

Isn't she lovely?

It was a beautiful day for a sail :)  Love that new canvas!  We continued to run Bessie, though, to get some more hours on her.  Though she ran well, and did not overheat, there is a problem with soot in the exhaust when she pees.  Cap'n called Luis about it while we were out, so he is aware of the problem when they do a valve adjustment.

Emily spent most of the day getting her bow babe on....

...which is the reason I think we got boarded by US Customs and Immigration out on patrol!  They went zooming past us at the speed of light, then pulled a Uturn and requested to board.  The three young bucks on board wanted a closer look at the bow babe.  At least that's what Cap'n and I think.  We clearly did not have any drugs or stowaways on board- unless you count the Willis who was hiding in the Vberth!  They took a look at our documentation, asked to see Donnie's gun permit, chatted it up a bit, and then sent us on our way.  Thanks, Em, for a little excitement!

They were suited up and well armed!

We saw the usual lobster fisherman out working his traps, and this unusual sight.  This john boat was pushing a small barge with a backhoe on board.  I don't know why they just didn't put it on a trailer and pull it down Hwy 1!

We briefly saw two dolphins dart under Marquesa, Cap'n saw a loggerhead turtle, and then we saw a waterspout in the darkening sky.  Clearly they were getting some rain on shore.  Can you see the waterspout?

Though it looked to be raining at Pigeon Key and the Seven Mile Bridge, the sun broke through just as we turned in for Banana Bay.

I took the helm while Emily and Cap'n brought the sails down.  Nice legs ;)

Danny snapped this shot of us as we were coming back into Banana Bay.  Cap'n brought her right in, made his three point turn perfectly, and eased her along side the dock- just like the pro he is.  He then lit the grill for me and we all enjoyed porkchops, baked potatoes, and salad for dinner.  The shakedown cruise was a success!  G'nite, y'all!