Days 302-303

Delray Beach City Marina - Pirates Cove Marina, Stuart FL

Start 8:00 AM
End 2:45 PM
Underway 2:34Hours
Distance 46 Miles
Total Miles on Trip 4816
Av Speed 7.4 knots
Weather Sunny , 75 Degrees, Wind Knots 8 NNW

What a day, we had a very good travel day, followed by a total confusion at the dock. First a little background, When we made the slip reservation they had 45 foot slip, but they told me it is difficult to get into and normally they do not put boats bigger than 35 in it. I would have to take a 60 foot slip on the outside. When we arrived in the marina, the dockhand, directed me to the inside 45 foot slip. I had absolutely no problem getting into the slip, but there was also no way to get off the boat. The finger pier was only 5 feet long, and did not reach the doorway on the boat. The only way off the boat was to take the dinghy off the back off the boat and use a step stool to climb up 4 feet to the dock. Dan & Cheri (Cheri Baby II), were docked two slips away from us, but also had the same problem of getting off their boat. As soon as we had everything connected and setup, the dock master came out, and told us we were both in the wrong slips. I would have to move to the 60 foot slip, and Dan would have to move into the slip I was in. After spending over 30 minutes getting the boat tied up and settled I was livid. Dan, who was not completely tied up and connected, offered to move to the outside slip. The outside slip would also be easier for them to get on and off their boat, so it worked out for both of us.

Once we were settled in it turned out to be a very nice marina, and our first stop was the restaurant for dinner and a much needed cocktail! During dinner we were entertained with live music, which seems to be the expected normal in all of the waterfront restaurants.

Mike & Karen Scalzi, friends of ours, who were our dock neighbors at Philadelphia Marine Center have moved to Stuart. They picked Dan & Cheri and Angel and I (By boat of course) and we went to lunch. They have been keeping their bigger boat (Crazy Always Wins) at Sailfish Marina, where we went for lunch. Lunch was wonderful, and it did not hurt that all of the staff know Mike and Karen, the service was the best we have had on this trip. Sailfish Marina is one of the marina's that many of the Loopers that come through Lake Okeechobee stop at. After lunch we went back to their house. They bought the house last year and have been remodeling it, it is beautiful. On our way back to our marina we took a small detour and went out in the ocean for a quick tour. Mike & Karen thank you for a great day.

On Sunday we are left Stuart, and headed for Fort Pierce.