MTOA Rendezvous to Fernandina Beach

Thursday, April 17, 2015

The MTOA Rendezvous was lots of fun and we met many wonderful fellow boaters. They had seminars on boat handling for women, boat insurance, weather forecasting and many other activities. We had a good time but didn't take many photos - what happens in Daytona stays in Daytona.

 

Dressed up for the biker bash party - this may be our next adventure!

 On Friday morning it was time to leave and we arrived at the first bridge just in time. The day was a bit overcast but we made the short trip to Marineland, just north of Palm Coast in good time. We arrived just at low tide and were able to get tied to one of their floating docks. The marina was basic but filled all our needs of power, internet and even a washing machine that was free.

Mark and Becky joined us for a great walk on the seemingly endless beach and later John borrowed the courtesy car and he and Mark went down to Bings Landing to pick up some great BBQ pulled pork at Captain Jack's Barbecue.  

Captain’s Log April 17, 2015

Departed: Daytona Beach, Halifax Marina 7:20 a.m.
Engine hours: 4.7 hrs. - 610.9 total for trip
Actual hours: 4 hr. 30 min
Miles covered 48.28 - Total for trip: 4294
Arrived: Marineland Marina, FL 11:55 p.m.
Wx: overcast, cool , N wind 5-10, traveled with Mara Beel

Saturday, April 18, 2015
We got underway again and cruised further north to St. Augustine, FL 

Lots of houses with tropical colors just north of Marineland

 

Every piling on this bridge had this mosaic design
 

We passed Catcall - a catamaran gold looper we hadn't seen for a while

 We stayed for an extra day in St. Augustine because of a severe thunderstorm watch. It rained and we had quite a light show both evenings but we had good weather during the day to walk through the historic old city.

Mark and John deciding which way to go in old St. Augustine

 

Arched door on the Oldest House

Becky is a talented photographer!

 

We visited a rather new distillery

Mark, Becky and Kathy waiting for a taste of the spirits

Captain’s Log April 18, 2015

Departed: Marineland Marina, Palm Coast, FL 8:15 a.m.
Engine hours: 2.9 hrs. – 613.8 hrs total for trip
Actual hours: 3 hr.
Miles covered 18.5  Total for trip: 4313
Arrived: St Augustine Municipal Marina, FL 11:30 a.m.
Wx: wind calm, clear, became hot in afternoon, nice short cruise, no issues, traveled with Mara Beel and caught up with Catcall as we arrived in St. Augustine

Monday, April, 20 2015

This was one of the earliest departures we have had since the long summer days up in Canada. We were planning for a long day of cruising to get to Fernandina Beach FL. We figured this would take us 8 hours or so.  So we left at first light and watched the sky turn a soft pink at sunrise.

Serenity leaving St. Augustine in the pre-sunrise      Photo by B. Mather

We passed by many homes which ranged from villas to ramshackle cabins

Can you spot the topiary of a golfer?

As we neared the St John's river we passed under several bridges where the tidal current was very fast and turbulent. Then as we crossed the St John's river the weather forecaster issued a thunderstorm warning for the afternoon. So the Captain decided to stop just north of the St John's River at Sisters Creek where we could tie up to the Jacksonville City Dock. The dock was a good secure place but didn't have any power or water available and was far from any shopping, stores, etc. Then soon after we got tied up and settled in our friends, Andy and Julie, on Fruitcakes and Dave and Margo on Catcall  showed up looking for safe harbor as well. There wasn't enough room on the dock for everyone so we invited Fruitcakes to raft up with us and found a spot on the backside of the docks for Catcall.

Fruitcakes and Serenity - twin Mainships

Captain’s Log April 20, 2015

Departed: St. Augustine Municipal Marina 6:40 a.m.
Engine hours: 6.4 hrs. - 606.2 total for trip
Actual hours: 6 hr. 15 min
Miles covered 48.28 - Total for trip: 4259
Arrived: Sisters Creek Jacksonville City Docks, FL 1:15 p.m.
Wx: clear, wind calm on departure then picked up in late morning, left at sunrise, nice cruise, due to a thunderstorm warning sought safe harbor at these docks.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Today we continued our journey north, leaving Sister’s Creek in much more pleasant and calm conditions than we experienced after our arrival yesterday. We were a caravan of three boats for most of the trip – Mara Beel, Fruitcakes and Serenity. We initially got quite a push from the incoming tide until we approached the Nassua sound which put us against the tide until we crossed it. Then as we got near our destination of Fernandina Beach and the Cumberland sound we were again slowed down from the incoming tide.

Some buildings along the Fernandina waterfront reflecting the sunset

Captain’s Log April 21, 2015

Departed: Jacksonville Docks at Sisters Creek 8:00 a.m.
Engine hours: 3.1 hrs. / 599.8 total for trip
Actual hours: 3 hr. 30 min
Miles covered 22.3 / Total for trip: 4373
Arrived: Fernandina Beach Marina 11:30 p.m.
Wx: cool, clear, wind N-NW 5-10 kts.
Traveled with Mara Beel and Fruitcakes