Sailing to Long Key, almost

Plan ‘A’.  We left our Marathon mooring around 9:30 with the intent of staying at Long Key, less than 30 miles further north.  It was going to be an easy day.  Unfortunately, Long Key was disappointing.  It was way too shallow for an overnight.  We need to do some better planning and research.  It looked great from the bird’s eye view…

Plan ‘B’ was to go to a mooring ball at Alligator Reef light tower.  Florida has 420 free moorings at these great dive/snorkle spots.  You are not allowed to anchor in the reefs because of the potential damage to the corals, so the State put in free mooring balls!  Thank you, Florida.

The waves were a bit up at Alligator Reef.  After valiant effort and success by Mary grabbing a mooring, we reviewed the weather.  The waves were already uncomfortable, and a small craft advisory was in effect.  It would not get better.  Sadly, we had to untie and implement Plan ‘C’, whatever that would be…

Plan ‘C’.  We are a big boat.  We sailed SF Bay for years.  We can handle a small craft advisory, especially with the wind coming from behind.  So let’s sail overnight to our next destination, “No Name Harbor” in the state park on the exclusive and expensive island of Key Biscayne. 

Our 30-mile short day of sailing became a long 90 miles with an unplanned overnight tossed in.  Added stress.  Oh, and our chartplotter lost depth readings… more added challenges.  The plotter was magically fixed after 20 minutes of poking at electronics.

Onwards and northwards bravely into the night.