Trawler Blogs

Great Loop II Date: 11/06/2014

Day # 97 (Thursday): 183 miles (2749 total miles)
Locks: 0 (25 total locks)
Port #44: Clearwater Beach, FL
Marina: Clearwater Beach Marina

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! 4:00AM had arrived. I put on my sweatshirt, crawled out of bed and went to the salon. I opened my computer, put on my reading glasses (because I left my regular glasses on the bottom of Yellow Creek a month ago) and hoped I could see the weather and wave models without putting in my contacts. Every model I looked at said, ”GO…TODAY IS THE DAY!”

I turned on the generator, started the coffee and headed for my shower. Todd heard the generator, brought the weather and wave models up on his phone and knew what I knew. He was in his shower minutes after I was taking mine.

We met in the salon as I was making the second pot of coffee to take us through the morning. By then Eddy’s Weather Wag was posted and his predictions concurred with ours. We were crossing the Big Bend today.

As soon as we could see a peak of dawn in the horizon, our lines were off, our fenders were in and we were on our way under the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge at Apalachicola. We wound our way out the channel putting OB on plane briefly for one last check to see how she’d respond, then slowed her to no wake speed and nosed out way out Government Cut into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Dawn at the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge that leads into Apalachicola from the East.

Looking back at Government Cut and Apalachicola Bay.

Once through the Cut and into deeper waters, Todd put the throttles to OB and sent us Southeastward on plane at 18 MPH. The waters started out with 1 to 1 ½ foot rollers that didn’t affect OB at all. She was a happy girl running as she had been made to run.

Sunrise over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

The sun rose and we were committing ourselves to a day at sea. We began our hourly Lat/Lon documentation, MPH readings, OB’s compass reading over our autopilot compass reading. These numbers would help the Coast Guard find us if we ran into problems out in the middle of the Gulf where no one else was around. We were totally alone running in waters we’d not been in before.

This is what we saw all day…looking south (actually southeast, the direction we were heading.)

Looking west.

Looking north over OB’s wake.

Looking east.

Charlie’s impression.  Although he wasn’t a happy boy, he managed a few naps.  He’s not used to hearing OB’s big engines run at 2500 RPM.  It did make him a nervous puppy.

In 2010 during our first Loop, we chose to leave from Carrabelle to cross the Big Bend with 6 trawlers in an overnight, 23 hour passage. We had a rough time during that crossing with building seas that led to an uncomfortable, totally dark night. There were no watches that night, no bathroom breaks. We were hanging on for most of that trip, trying to stay in our seats, worrying whether we’d see the light of day the next day.

After living through that drama, we decided if at all possible OB would be on plane for a daytime crossing IF we ever did the Big Bend again. Today we were doing just that. In the end, it was the best decision we’ve made. OB ran like a charm, our ride was comfortable, and 288 gallons of diesel, 9 ½ hours and 183 miles later, we pulled into Clearwater Beach Marina. We were tired but not beaten up.

Always the absolute best thing to see on the horizon after a long day of water…Clearwater Beach arising out of the Gulf.

We took OB to the fuel dock, filled her diesel tanks and pumped out her holding tank before making way to our dock for the night. Once we were tied up at our assigned dock, we could smell diesel fuel. One look in the bilge told us we had a leak in the port engine. We both thanked God that the leak didn’t occur during our transit over the open Gulf waters. OB had held herself together until she had us safely at a dock.

The following morning, Todd contacted a well known, well respected diesel mechanic. He diagnosed the fuel leak, ordered the needed parts, and had the overnighted for installation Saturday. After he left, Todd and I spent the entire day containing the fuel that had leaked into the bilge, bottling it for disposal and finishing the cleaning with Tide and bleach. Tired but not out done, we spent the evening on the bridge with wine and cheese, watching a beautiful full moon rise in the East.

Nothing like a quiet view with a glass of wine and knowing the BIG BEND crossing was behind us.

Great Loop II Date: 11/04/2014

Day # 95 (Tuesday): 61 miles (2566 total miles)
Locks: 0 (25 total locks)
Port #43: Apalachicola, FL
Marina: Apalachicola Wharf Dock

We were on a march through the Panhandle of Florida to position ourselves for crossing the Gulf. Todd and I could see a possible day crossing forming for Thursday or Friday. The day was clear and cool again making us very anxious to get OB to her dock in Cape Coral.

The Panhandle has it’s own interesting features. Most of our trip was through East Bay and the last of the GIWW canals. There was very little in the way of industry or homes. Moving through this are gave us time to worry out all our possibilities for crossing the Gulf. We talked mostly about putting OB on plane, burning some diesel and crossing during the daylight hours.

We passed this ship building company before.  The last time it looked like they were building a cruise ship.  This time it looked the ship they were building was a freighter.

This part of the GIWW is more rural with salt marshes, pine trees and other brush natural to the area.

This house caught my eye the last time.  It looks about the same…dilapidated and the tree continues to grow well through the roof!

This old fishing boat looked abandoned.

And this shrimp boat was done in, as well.

The railroad here is abandoned and the swing bridge stands open all the time…no waiting to pass.

We arrived at Apalachicola mid-afternoon and saw the City Wharf in front of the park had plenty of open space. We tied up ahead of the only pleasure craft there…a sailboat. One of the sailors had his sails spread out on the park lawn and was making some repairs.

OB on the Wharf Dock at Apalachicola.  Thanks to Jackie on Eufloria for the great picture.

Our last time in Apalachicola, we stayed on the edge of the city at Scipio Marine and saw little of the town. This time we were right in the heart of downtown. We walked around to get a feel for what was available. There were many quaint little shops, a sprinkling of restaurant/bars and a nice looking local brewery, the Oyster Bay Brewing Company. We enjoyed a fine afternoon of cold beer there at happy hour prices.

The Wharf Dock is right in front of Apalachicola’s City Park…a really nice place to stay and no charge.

The town is the Oyster Capital of the world…and home to numerous fishing and shrimp boats.  They respect their watermen highly here.

An awesome little brewery with 4 great crafted beers.  Just what we needed!

Another glorious sunset.

Todd and I decided to stay put in Apalachicola and cross from there. We discussed our options. More and more it looked like a window of opportunity was developing to cross the Gulf on Thursday. If we felt too uncomfortable with the idea of a lone crossing, we could wait for the pack of Loopers that were making their way toward us for a group overnight crossing the following Monday or Tuesday.

We made our way to the brewery the second afternoon to cool our apprehension with some more of their good beer. I set my clock for 4AM so I could look at all our weather models before disturbing Todd. I closed my eyes, said my prayers and tried to put myself into a restful sleep.

Great Loop II Date: 11/04/2014

Day # 95 (Tuesday): 61 miles (2566 total miles)
Locks: 0 (25 total locks)
Port #43: Apalachicola, FL
Marina: Apalachicola Wharf Dock

We were on a march through the Panhandle of Florida to position ourselves for crossing the Gulf. Todd and I could see a possible day crossing forming for Thursday or Friday. The day was clear and cool again making us very anxious to get OB to her dock in Cape Coral.

The Panhandle has it’s own interesting features. Most of our trip was through East Bay and the last of the GIWW canals. There was very little in the way of industry or homes. Moving through this are gave us time to worry out all our possibilities for crossing the Gulf. We talked mostly about putting OB on plane, burning some diesel and crossing during the daylight hours.

We passed this ship building company before.  The last time it looked like they were building a cruise ship.  This time it looked the ship they were building was a freighter.

This part of the GIWW is more rural with salt marshes, pine trees and other brush natural to the area.

This house caught my eye the last time.  It looks about the same…dilapidated and the tree continues to grow well through the roof!

This old fishing boat looked abandoned.

And this shrimp boat was done in, as well.

The railroad here is abandoned and the swing bridge stands open all the time…no waiting to pass.

We arrived at Apalachicola mid-afternoon and saw the City Wharf in front of the park had plenty of open space. We tied up ahead of the only pleasure craft there…a sailboat. One of the sailors had his sails spread out on the park lawn and was making some repairs.

OB on the Wharf Dock at Apalachicola.  Thanks to Jackie on Eufloria for the great picture.

Our last time in Apalachicola, we stayed on the edge of the city at Scipio Marine and saw little of the town. This time we were right in the heart of downtown. We walked around to get a feel for what was available. There were many quaint little shops, a sprinkling of restaurant/bars and a nice looking local brewery, the Oyster Bay Brewing Company. We enjoyed a fine afternoon of cold beer there at happy hour prices.

The Wharf Dock is right in front of Apalachicola’s City Park…a really nice place to stay and no charge.

The town is the Oyster Capital of the world…and home to numerous fishing and shrimp boats.  They respect their watermen highly here.

Another glorious sunset.

Todd and I decided to stay put in Apalachicola and cross from there. We discussed our options. More and more it looked like a window of opportunity was developing to cross the Gulf on Thursday. If we felt too uncomfortable with the idea of a lone crossing, we could wait for the pack of Loopers that were making their way toward us for a group overnight crossing the following Monday or Tuesday.

We made our way to the brewery the second afternoon to cool our apprehension with some more of their good beer. I set my clock for 4AM so I could look at all our weather models before disturbing Todd. I closed my eyes, said my prayers and tried to put myself into a restful sleep.