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“Outside”

Jan 15th, 2011
by Jean.
1-15-11
 
When we awakened this morning and saw the flat water of Lake Worth, we decided to venture “outside” the ICW and take the ocean route south to Ft. Lauderdale. We watched the tide tables and went out the inlet at low tide so we would have the current working with us rather than against us. The learning curve of our previous jaunts with ocean passages have taught us invaluable lessons, such as working with nature instead of against her, i.e., the tides, current, wind, weather and even the day of the week and time of day – boat traffic is heavier on weekends, and the big cruise ships fill the inlets in the evening hours and during the night.
 
From the north end of Lake Worth, where we have been the last 22 days, the Lake Worth Inlet is about an hour motor trip on White Swan.  By 9:30 AM we were out the inlet and heading south. The aquamarine water of the ocean presented 3 to 5 foot swells (waves) on our beam (side of the boat) as the wind was from the ENE (East/Northeast). Even though a catamaran doesn’t heel (lean to the side) like a monohull, there can be a whole lot o’ shakin’ goin’ on as we rock an’ rolled with the swells. It was hard to walk around the boat, so we mostly sat in the cockpit, with Gary at the helm (steering wheel) and I in my chair. An occasional trip to the head (bathroom), where Gary had to steady himself using the spread eagle position with hands up on the walls and feet spread apart, was the only time spent away from his helm’s chair. If the good captain is ever arrested (never!), he will be familiar with “assuming the position”. 
 
 

Goodyear Blimp over Ft Lauderdale

We motor-sailed 8 ½ hours to Ft. Lauderdale. The enjoyment of the day was seeing the beautiful water, of which we never tire. And after being “holed-up” for 22 days in one place, it felt good to be going somewhere again. By 5:10 PM we were securely anchored in Lake Sylvia and having a very happy hour relaxing before dinner. Lake Sylvia is a small lake near the Port Everglades Inlet. There is not much room for boats to swing around if the wind shifts directions, especially if there are a lot of boats anchored in this small, but well protected anchorage (this means there is land nearly all the way around the anchorage, protecting the anchored boats from wind). The lack of wind and few boats anchored here tonight will make for a very comfortable night.

 
  
Postscript:  This comment from our friend, Sanford Graves, was so delightful, I copied it and posted it here for all to read:  
 
Hey Gary,

After reading Jeans account of you relieving yourself while underway, I realized that you had missed the “notice to mariners” regarding such activity, to whit:

USCG Notice to Mariners – #0381965 -Instruction 4PN
Persuant to the allowance of females as crew aboard pleasure craft under 60 feet LOA and in regard to their duties with respect to the head, it is hereby ordered that all male personnel, including the ship’s Captain shall assume a seated position while performing a PPO exercise (personal pump-out). Male personnel may perform a PPO in the standing position in the following situations:
1. While the vessel is secured in a slip. This does not include seawalls.
2. While in dry dock after insuring that all seacocks are secured in the closed position.
3. While standing on the transom and facing aft in conditions under Force 2. Visual contact with the helm is strongly advised.
3. In the event of a ship’s fire, collision or imminant foundering, in which case an IPPO (involuntary personal pump out) may be unavoidable.

Hope this is helpful.

Sandy Graves
S/v Lily Pad

Posted in: Cruising.

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