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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