We are hanging out at Key Biscayne for a few days in a lovely anchorage.
I have included several short videos for your viewing pleasure, be sure and scroll down for them!
I thought you might be interested in hearing about our trials and tribulations. Please bear in mind that I am writing this as a greenhorn, from a greenhorn’s perspective!
The first night, we had no problem setting the anchor. The winds gradually began picking up, and the next night, around bedtime, the alarm on my phone went off. I have an app on my phone that allows me to set the location of our anchor, and it alerts me if the anchor starts slip on the bottom. We went outside with the howling winds around us, and with a flashlight in hand, went forward to inspect the anchor. Our catamaran requires what is called a “bridle” attached to the anchor chain.
“Why Use a Bridle?”
In a nutshell, bridles help prevent snatch loads that are jolting to the crew and destructive to your boat’s deck, hardware and windlass. These loads also facilitate anchor drag or can unset your anchor altogether. Snatch loads occur when the forces generated from wind, waves and currents are sufficient to move the boat with enough energy to make the anchor chain taut. Once the chain is tight, the boat decelerates instantaneously and imposes an extraordinary load on the anchor, chain, boat and hardware. Deploying a bridle into the system reduces or eliminates snatch loads by absorbing much of the associated energy and slowing deceleration. In tight anchorages where optimal scope cannot be achieved, deploying a bridle can provide an additional layer of protection against anchor drag. Since the chain is less likely to be lifted off the seabed, the anchor shaft is more likely to remain horizontal which is optimal for keeping the anchor set. Bridles can also be used for improving boat motion at anchor.
For those who sleep in a V-berth, bridles are important for a good night’s rest as they reduce ground tackle related noise, generally, and eliminate the sawing noise made by the chain rolling back-and-forth across the bow roller.”
https://www.snubberhead.com/what-is-anchor-snubber-bridle
Anyway, we discovered that the bridle had come off of the anchor chain (something that happens sometimes when the tension comes off the anchor chain). In addition, we were slipping at a rate of about a foot per second.
We retrieved the bridle with an Admirals Pole (a pole with a hook on the end of it) and attempted to reset the anchor. That proved to be a difficult task, with the high winds and grassy soft bottom. It took several tries before we succeeded. I found that the aforementioned app on my phone was an excellent tool for tracking our distance to the anchor, to tell if the anchor was holding or not. Yes, yes, I know you seasoned sailors are laughing right now, because you probably are good at telling without the use of an app. Marc of course doesn’t need the app either, but with him driving the boat, he is relying on my eye, which isn’t that good at this point. When we raised the anchor, it was clogged with grass and mud and looked like a big hairy ball. After clearing that off, we finally managed to set the anchor.
Shopping Adventure on Key Biscayne
We needed some groceries and fuel, so we hopped in the dingy and motored to the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. We were disappointed to discover that if you are not a member, you cannot buy fuel and you can’t even disembark there. (I later looked into how to become a member. They do not publish the rates on their website, you fill out an application, they post on their bulletin board your request for membership for 28 days. If no one objects to you becoming a member, they will allow you to proceed. Hmmmmm…)
The dock master was very nice, though, and said we might be able to get through at another spot, if the gate was open. As luck would have it, the gate was open, but only temporarily I was told by a local. I was also advised that the gate would be closed before I could get back from the Winn Dixie, which was a 20 minute walk. Marc dropped me off with a plan to pick me up further south.
As I walked through town, I was struck by the feeling that I was walking through Pleasantville, but with an elitist twist. There were plenty of children, out of school for Easter vacation I guess, playing and bicycling, lots of people walking with their dogs, a community center with a lap pool, and beautiful homes everywhere. I listened to some of the conversation, and most of it was in Spanish.
Once reaching the Winn Dixie, I began shopping. I had been told that everything was more expensive on Key Biscayne, but I didn’t notice that.
What I did notice was that there were a number of women, in maid uniforms, doing the shopping. I honestly don’t remember seeing that anywhere before.
Someone had told me that I could be picked up by Marc at The Beach Grill, a waterside restaurant a 30 minute walk south from Winn Dixie. I texted Marc that I was headed there, and decided I could make the walk instead of getting an Uber.
As I walked, carrying all my bags, I soon thought maybe I should have gotten an Uber, as the sun was getting high in the sky. I noticed a bus stop, and was able to hop a bus part of the way.
I discover the Beach Grill was inside of the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Pedestrians have to pay a $2 fee to enter. I arrived at the dock, and after about a 2 minute wait I could see Marc entering the harbor. We were loaded up in no time, and headed back to M&M.
Little sailors
We were treated to watching a group of little sailors on their Optimist sail boats. They were zipping back and forth around boueys while a coach with a megaphone shouted instructions at them.
We have Company!
Marc’s brother Eric, along with his girlfriend Heidi, flew in to Miami from Switzerland. Eric is also an experienced sailor, so it is great to have someone else who can help. They took an Uber to Crandon Park Marina, which is just across from the Miami Seaquarium on the Rickenbacker Causeway. We needed fuel, and the attendant, named Orteo, was very nice. He wore a broad brimmed straw hat and a big smile, as he helped us dock and fill our fuel tanks. Heidi and Eric were quickly aboard, and off we went! Our plans were to spend one night at Key Biscayne, then off to the Bahamas the next morning.
First Try to Cross the Gulf Stream
We were waiting for an opportunity to cross over the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. You need to have some wind, but not too much, and the wind must be coming somewhat from the south. It takes a while by sailboat, and if the conditions aren’t right, it could take days and you might end up in the wrong spot.
We rose early on Tuesday April 22nd, as there was a chance the winds and waves would slow enough for us to cross. After a short while, it became clear that it was too rough to cross comfortably. We turned around and headed back to Key Biscayne. After setting anchor, we poured over our maps, and decided to head south towards the Florida Keys until conditions improved. As they say, “when in doubt, chicken out!”
At the time of this writing, we are anchored at Elliott Key, which is in the Key Biscayne National Park. I am not a city girl, and I welcomed the new spot. We enjoyed a beautiful 3 hour sail to Elliott Key, and were greeted with crystal clear waters, as well as peace and quiet.
We had a nice lunch, then went snorkeling. At our last anchoring, the water was too cloudy to see much, but now we could see all the way to the bottom (about 8 feet). Marc checked on the anchor and under the boat, while I swam about looking at all the young coral on the bottom.
Looks like we will be waiting at least a week before we can attempt another crossing to the Bahamas. It is beautiful here, and we are having a great time.
Thanks for following along! I love to get feedback, so let me know your thoughts and suggestions!
Smiles,
Martha and Marc
