Gettin' Underway

I didn't really enjoy spending many many dollars with the diesel engine mechanic, but he did a good job, and he did it quickly.  The port engine was all put back together yesterday, and he didn't have any parts left over!  It roared back to life & made lots of noise. 

Today we took the boat out for a sea trial & both engines ran well.  We anchored just across the inlet to the Gulf & went swimming to try to clean the bottom & running gear.  But us Yankees forgot that the tide was running out, and there was about 3 kts current flowing past the boat.  It was too much to do any swimming or cleaning.  What ever happened to those nice quiet coves on the Tennessee River where the water was clear & calm? 

Sunset at Bay Point Marina in Panama City

So, tomorrow at zero-dark thirty, we're getting underway heading east.  We originally wanted to stop at Appalachicola to eat some oysters, but there is a weather window to cross the Big Bend of Florida on Thursday nite, which goes to hell on Friday nite.  So we're making over 90 miles tomorrow to Carrabelle FL to make our open water crossing Thursday nite.  The crossing is about 170 miles long, going 60 miles offshore, and taking 18-20 hours.  We leave about 3 PM Thursday, cruise overnight (remember, we travel at "crawler" speeds of 10 mph), and arrive Clearwater Beach about 10 AM Friday.  Should be interesting, and we'll have lots of sea stories to tell - some of which might actually be true!!!

Tourist attractions at Panama City