Off Duty

Woke up to finally see some spots of sunshine. Left marina with Oscar singing his heart out. Looked forward to a great day and putting many miles on the water to make up for lost time...so much for easy days.  First we had to time our day so we could make the 4 bridges we had to get through.  The inlets had very swift currents that either sped us up or slowed us down.  They say that if you do the ICW you will run aground, well check that off.  This sailboat went aground in a very sharp turn because of shoaling.  Unfortunately he hid the markers and we did not see them until the last seconds.  As we went around the depth-finder went from 12 to 11 to 6 to 4 to 3 to 1.9 feet...bam we hit bottom only 3 foot from the marker.  Fortunately we were able to get free. Then about 3  miles form there we took a wrong turn which cost us about 3 miles out of our way.  As we approached our last bridge of the day we arrived 30 minutes early and had to wait for the opening. I threw the anchor and shut down the engines to wait.  We have had this boat for 2 years and never had trouble starting the engines. 10 minutes before the opening I tried to start the engines and the port engine wouldn't start.  I pulled the anchor and with 6 sailboats swarming like bees to get through the bridge I had to go through with 1 engine and about a 4 knot current behind me.  Well we made it.  I had heard this boat on the radio and saw they were from Baltimore.  Turns out they boat the boat in Middle River and were taking it to Ft Myers...What a coincidence.  As we motored the starboard engine started acting up.  I believe we got water when we gassed up earlier in the day.  The boat from Baltimore offered to help us so we anchored at this boatyard with no amenities but we were safe and the boat Hey Jude was with us. It was a 53' Carver and we had docktails with them and exchanged information promising to meet up in February.  Luckily there was a boat store next door and I was able to get some dry gas so I think we'll be fine until I get to Myrtle Beach on Friday.  What a trying day but a beautiful sunset, new friends and a promising day tomorrow!  That's boating.