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Comments
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
Sorry for the lack of posts but the Great Loop is not a vacation, there is always something to do everyday. at the end of March 2024 we had travelled 3933 miles and were in Savannah, GA.
A summary follows:
3933 miles, 508 Engine hours, 109 Genset hours, 1789 Galls of Diesel, US$3.35/gal avg, 3.52GPH, 2.2MPG, 179 nights at paid dock or mooring ball at average price of US$1.78/night. 50 nights at anchor or a free dock.
The Gulf coast was not kind to us, weather being a major issue with prevailing high northerly winds. On our crossing from Carrabelle to Steinhatchee, with 7 other boats, the forecast was 1' - 2' beam seas which turned into 3' - 4' beam seas with some at 5', 3 hours in the stbd davit sheared and the dinghy and motor were dragged bow up by the other davit. Had to attach a tow line and then cut the lines and straps holding the dinghy and towed it from there. Despite 4 visits from a mechanic in Clearwater and Sarasota the outboard failed to run properly and ended up buying a new motor in Marathon. managed to source parts for the davit and repaired it in Clearwater. The windlass decided to quit south of Sarasota, had a new motor, gearbox and relays express shipped and carried out temporary repairs during tropical storm, unusual for December, in Venice. I'll post what I found when dismantling it later. A day later the bow thruster quits and I waited until Marathon to do some checks. Turns out the motor had shorted and was obsolete, ordered a new motor and relays and installed it. Not easy as it under the vee berth forward in a tight compartment and weighing 55 Lbs. We spent a month in Marathon and it was a time of fixing things and also enjoying the Keys. I had budgeted CDN2,000 a month for servicing, repairs and contingencies which has been put to the test.
Also finding marinas in Florida are more expensive than elsewhere, also food and eating out. We are enjoying the east coast north of West Palm now that we have a reliable dinghy and can anchor more. Heading now to Myrtle Beach next week where we stay for 7 days and let the spring weather catch up to us. Planning on the Chesapeake for May and New York first week of June.
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
@Dream_Inn, we plan on stopping in Annapolis for a couple of days, look forward to meeting you.
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Regards,
Ian
The Third “B”
Secretary, Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club
https://www.rcyachtclub.com/
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
@LaRea, we had 4 weeks to get ready for this adventure and there have been times when we wondered if that was wise but we have managed to overcome those downtimes and the experience of seeing new waterways, landscapes and docktails soon make you forget them. I have followed your posts on your new Loop boat and the time you have spent will pay off in spades. We will be spending the summer in Georgian Bay and the North Channel so we will definitely cross paths if that is your intended route. If you have the Nebo transponder we will track your progress or on AIS.
Safe boating
Here are some stats: 5729 miles, 2517 galls of diesel, engine hours 746. Average fuel cost US$3.55/gal, Dockage including mooring balls 221 nights at average cost of US$ 1.45/ft (mooring Balls are $30/night). Expect to pay US$2 - 3 /ft for marinas in the south. For Canadians multiply the cost by 1.4 for Cdn $s.
Thank you for following our journey. We are now headed up to Georgian Bay and the North Channel for the summer. @LaRea we will be watching out for you and hope to meet up, if you need any info for these waters reach out to us. Thank you @Dream_Inn it was great meeting you both in Annapolis.
And that's a wrap.
Regards,
Ian
The Third “B”
Secretary, Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club
https://www.rcyachtclub.com/
What a great story to tell! ⚓️
Now when I visit the area i stay clear of the boardwalk. I'll go to pawleys Island, garden City or Murrell's inlet.
Too many shootings down there on a regular basis to visit the "strip". Used the be a huge family friendly destination.
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express