After Fernandina we decided to head offshore again. Wyatt and the animals were fine after that first day. We radioed a boat we had met in Brunswick that was also heading south and they were leaving at the same time from St Mary’s Ga.
We looked for a good overnight. Either Daytona Beach would be good or Cape Canaveral. We would see which would work based on our sailing progress. We were able to raise sails and make some good headway in 15 knots of wind. It was fantastic sailing. But before sunset the wind died and we began motor sailing.
Eventually the wind would completely die. But we soldiered on. Just before dawn we passed Daytona Beach. There was no wind and the rocking of the boat was almost unbearable. I should have gone in there. But Voyager was also making progress to the Cape, although we took a more inside route and they were about 10 miles offshore.
Going around the cape is not necessarily fun. Shoals extend out for miles an make the direct route in treacherous. But after hours of motor sailing we approached the inlet.
As we did, a great deal of ship traffic was headed out. Including a cruise ship. Jennifer received a huge surprise when should looked up and a carnival ship was only a 100 meters away. Luckily she dodge it.
We had one more obstacle before we could nestle the boat in for the night at Harborwalk Marina. We needed to get past the daunting Cape Canaveral Canal Lock!!! With its 12 inch drop or so. Really, its not noticeable. We went in smoothly. Tied the bow to a cleat and thought, ” Hey we can just hit reverse and the stern will tighten up to the side. Nope. Not gonna happen. The prop walk to port through us into the middle of the lock. We recovered by going to the other side; but we were humbled once again.
We waited the marina a couple of days. Then bailed out on the offshore route since the weather was not cooperating. Oh well. We only had one swing bridge to get through until near Stuart Florida. Otherwise the ICW is a beautiful trip.