This morning we got up at 05:30 planning to leave Coconut Grove by 0600
but it was cold and dark and we waited till 0700. We motored out past
stilts-ville and turned south. Hannah gave us warm wheat berries that had
been in the thermos all night. We had about 10g12 out of the North and we
made good time till about 1400. Most of the way we managed 4 1/2- 6 knots
and then around 1400 the wind died. Lunch was Pasta salad and then we turned on the motor and ran 5
1/2 knots the rest of the way. Skies were clear and a little chilly till
afternoon starting out in the 40's but by afternoon it was in the 60's.
The seas were about 1-2 feet and we put up all the sails.
I decided to try the Drone since it was a really easy day with not much
wind but oh my... it is really hard to fly the drone from a moving
platform. For that matter it's difficult to even take off. I broke the
first blade just taking off... then I had Sam hold it up and I took off
from his hand and I still almost hit the sails. Once I was in the air it
was easy and I got some very nice footage of Grace under sail, but then
when I wanted to land things got really dicey. Trying to line up the
drone with Sam, and flying reversed and with the boat rocking it was nigh
to impossible. I know people do it but this was much much harder than I
thought it would be. I opted to try and have Sam grab it out of the air
but when trying to get close to him I got all dis-com-bobulated and
crashed onto the mizzen mast and life lines. I tore up all 4 blades but
the drone is fine. Thank heavens! I was sure it was going to go
overboad. I don't think it's going to be something I try again soon...
Round about sunset we made it to Rodgiguez key and anchored on the north
west side of the island. It's a nice anchorage. We are in 9 feet of
water. The charts are not very accurate. Evidently the shoals change a
lot so I scouted it out and made several passes to get good depths.
Now, Hannah is making dinner and we are going to relax for the evening.
In the morning we will be off to Marathon for another 10-12 hour day.
Ciao! The boat next to us in the anchorage is flying a flag with a martini
on it... too funny.
Rodriguez Anchorage