Day and a Night in the Cuddy in Fla in August
 

So we're at the end of the wifes 10 days off w/zero time spent on the boat when I decide this is unacceptable.
We load the boat and head for the ramp Sat around noon figuring a day/night is better than nothing. No plans and no schedule.
Weather is partly cloudy, light breeze and a high about 90. Figure this will be the perfect test of the effectiveness of the boats new bimini and the wifes requested fan in the nose of the cuddy.
90* in Fla, in August should also test my long spouted theory that as long as you have shade and a breeze you'll be fine.
Results are in and it was fantastic.
Spent the day anchored off one of the spoil islands under the flight path of our local sky dive plane. That meant that every 15 mins the plane took off over our heads and then groups of skydivers floating past soon after. Way Cool stuff.
Few hrs later, dinner by boat at a pub on the water in the next town north. Drinks at another spot a bit farther north which required (no dock) anchoring out and wading in.
Left there and picked another island to spend the night at. At this point we had a fair breeze from the east so I chose the west side (lee) of the island for shelter in case it kicked up in the middle of the night. (Atlantic is about 3 mls straight east of there)
Waded into the island to collect wood for a small bon fire and wait for the sun set. As pix's attest, it did not disappoint.
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Crawled in the cuddy to be welcomed by a perfect breeze blowing through the bow hatches and the Mrs enjoying her new fan. We both wake at 5:00 A.M. on work days w/o an alarm.
We woke up at 9:00 A.M. on Sunday :thankyouthankyou:
Ran back to the harbor by our house to let the dogs out then headed back out to breakfast by boat. That was requested by the Mrs ;)
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Watched a poor soul sink his pickup at the ramp next door to the restaurant. After a great breakfast we idled out of there into a pod of dolphin destroying a school of fish for their breakfast! The Mrs was eustatic as this went on for 15 mins within feet of the boat. They were jumping from the water w/the fish still in their mouths.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...s/DSCF6473.jpg
Back to another unnamed island for a couple of hrs in the sun before the forecast clouds moved in.
Left there and anchored off of another local haunt, "Earls Hideaway". From the boat we could listen to their band which was kickin it!
Headed to shore, had lunch, libations and rocked out.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...s/DSCF6486.jpgThe storms finally caught up with us so we stayed put and enjoyed the band. These guys tore the place up! Lightning took the power out, pouring wind/rain and they never slowed down.
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Can see the boat through the bikes.
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About 4:00 we saw an opening and ran for the boat. Can see it through the bikes.
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Got to the ramp, loaded and home before it rained on us.
5 mins after we got home it opened up and poured the rest of the day/night.
Not bad for 36 hrs of fun 10 mls from home on a paper thin budget :cartman:
Hope you enjoy the pix's and play by play :thankyouthankyou:

Looks like you've cleaned the boat up a lot & added on since your last trip (documented here) last winter. Looks sweet !

MD

Sounds like a Great time with the wife!!!


WwW

Now that looks like fun. Wish my Wife would sleep on the boat.

Thanks for sharing.

HD

Thanks guys. Actually, this trip was for her and most of it her idea. Hotdaddy, most of that comes from what they think they know. Like I've said a million times, plan it well and you will be treated like a rock start if you know what I mean.
My wife (and X GF's) have all made comments to me about how lucky I am that they like that sort of thing. I always tell them that they're the lucky ones as they wouldn't have made it past square one before that was established ;)
She put up with 2 yrs of being broke and me *****ing while in the "in process" stage.
This picture was taken not that long ago.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...s/DSCF1107.jpg

Awesome stuff! Thanks for the story!

I did forget this though :helmet:

My latest attempt at real coffee on the boat w/o shore power or killing both batteries. This one actually works well.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...coffeept30.jpg

Looks like another great trip Gary! Almost called you this weekend too...was thinking of heading that way yesterday, but the weather has been so iffy.

I'm ready for another East coast trip. :evilb:

Missed this one. This is what the Mrs had in mind for the day/night.
Jeff, any time.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...set8-11-12.jpg

Looks like a ton of hardwork and planning is paying off. Happy for you and the mrs!

What does that thing run w/ 500hp on the back??? It's gotta be into the 70's...