We got the the marina at 9 am and started loading up the boat. Seeing it in person really brought home how large it was. 44 ft long and 28 ft wide. We had to be briefed on the inventory, all systems, and charts of the area and we were off. Sounds simple but we didn't leave until after 1. Mom had a great quote as we were pulling out of the marina, "I feel like I'm on the Starship Enterprise." Closet Trekkie. We had 2 bridges to negotiate before open ocean. The first Las Olas was under repair and only opened at 15 past the hour. We didn't make the 115 so we had to mill around until 215. In addition only one span opened of the draw bridge which feels tight on a 44 ft boat with a 74 foot mast. Once we made it through the traffic jam that had built we followed the leader to 17th Street bridge which only opens on the hour and 30 past. We didn't make 230 so had to wait until 3. We made it to the ocean by 330. We tried to throw up the sails but it would have to be a close haul since the wind was SSW. We quickly learned cats don't point well into the wind so we dropped the sails and motored for the next few hours. During this time we were in between 60 and 200 feet of Gulf Stream so I tried out the fishing gear my neighbor Clint loaned me. No luck but we had fun reenacting the scene from Jaws with the clicking of the reel. As we past Miami the winds changed and we flew the jib. We're able to motor sail and make between 7.5 and 8 knts. We made it to No Name Harbor the dropped anchor just outside of it about 830. K made shrimp tacos and margaritas. We sat outside imbibed and enjoyed the Miami skyline and stars. Awesome first day and everyone slept well. Coffee is brewed so more to come later.
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