Steph and Whisper chilling out the night before we leave for a week at Matanzas Inlet. There is a low bridge over the inlet and terrible shoaling and the only way in is from the intercoastal. This will be another motoring trip due to the winding narrow ICW on Floridas coast. We need to break in the new motor anyway...

night before leaving...

......and appropriately dressed for the 4 hour ride.

Outta here!

For those of you who followed our stern rehab article, this is the final piece. We formed a tiller from a Spinlock extending handle assembly and we are going test it on this trip.

new experimental tiller...

The 15th century Spanish fort looms at sunset. The U.S. Park Service runs the fort much like they do Fort Jefferson at the Dry Tortugas. The Fort is located on an island accessible only by boat.

arriving at Matanzas...

the neckwarmer ...one of the many uses for a cat aboard. Also recommended for applications such as footwarmer, lapwarmer, additional pillow, and earmuff.

a cat to fight the evening chill...

...from our anchor position.

another photo of the fort...

...the sun has a wonderful effect in countering the cool air.

next morning...

We traded in for a complete Yamaha motor package including this 2.5HP four stroke. Previously, we were members of the Honda club, but we were persuaded to give the Yamaha motors a chance. I had a Honda 2HP, but I got really sick and tired of dealing with the plastic prop. We love to explore, and as a result, often bump the seabed as we approach land. Needless to say, the plastic prop was replaced many times over... The Yamaha has an aluminum prop! It survived the bumps and scrapes very well on this trip!

trying out the new dinghy motor...

...settling in! the current was VERY strong in this little inlet.

Empty Pocket at anchor...

...During the Stern rehab article we briefly mentioned that we were having a full enclosure installed... here is a shot of how it looks.

Installing the canvas...

We left out the rear panel because it did get warm that day...

Canvas...

Oddly enough, we have received many e-mails about how we get hot water... so here is the answer. We prefer the sunshower because it requires no fuel source, but when that is not an option, here is the choice...

Showering on the new swimdeck...

...ahhhh, the obligitory shower scene.

one for the guys...

...although the sun was blocked by the island, the colors were spectacular!

sunset...

...Steph is such the galley gourmet!

my favorite cruising activity...

...check THIS out! The fog hung about25 feet from the surface. We were joined by another sailboat in the anchorage and at 7AM this is what we saw. The mast literally disappeared into the fog. What a rare sight!

awesome morning...

...Steph finally gets to do some shellin. It was such a crowded beach, too. Just look at all the tourists, locals, and other boaters. (...the advantage of cruising on a wednesday.)

...hitting the beach!

This is the coolest little town, and MAN have they got a great beach!

...the town of Summer Haven.

This guy was an awesome pilot... and really new how to fly that thing! I think hes just showing off! ...uhmmmm, hes getting awful close, Honey...

visitor from above...

...I think he just wanted to check out Steph up close.

typical guy...

The anchorage was on the other side.

inlet view...

...literally! There were some truly astounding formations on the beach.

This beach rocks!

more rocks...

...she had a light spot on her side that she felt needed a little more tanning. She is SO self-conscious!

Whisper getting her springtime tan...

We have found that it is important to have a project or two to keep us busy. After all, you can only explore but SO much!

That is it for this installment, we will cover the exploration of the fort in the next installment. Stay tuned!

anchor activities...