Monday, May 28, 2012

Rodriguez Key

May 28, 2012

We made the 50 mile trip from Miami down to Rodriguez Key near Key Largo today where we are currently anchored.  The wind was 10-15 knots from the south which put it on the nose, but we were able to motor-sail with a little pure sailing and made pretty good time.  It has been a while, however, since we have had 15-20 degrees of heel, so that took a little adjustment.

We started out leaving Miami two days ago, but had low sea-water cooling flow before we had gotten out of Biscayne Bay; the engine was not overheating, but the flow just wasn't right.  We have been having a lot of sea grass (Sargassos grass I think) and I had cleaned the strainer (filter) the day before after we got fuel.  Well we stopped and I checked the strainer - no significant contents.  When we opened the sea cock with the strainer top open, however, it was clear that the flow was restricted before the strainer. We put down a quick anchor in the Bay, and I proceeded to pull a hose from the sea cock;  the water was flowing, but definitly light. I tried to clear it from inside the baot, but was unsucessful.

So we headed back to Coconut Grove. There I dove under the boat and found and removed a nice clump of grass lodged in the thru-hull. After that I changed the sea-water impeller for good measure (it was about 15 months old).

We then had a healthy flow of cooling water!

Tomorrow we have a long day continuing down the Hawk Channel to Channel 5, and then across Florida Bay via the so-called 'Yacht Channel' to Cape Sable and then Little Shark River ( no internet there!).

We then plan an overnight to Boca Grande either Wednesday or Thursday night.

Tom
Rodriguez Key, FL
http://goo.gl/maps/HRgz

Note on the map - Places we are revisiting on our return trip are shown in green.

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