Naples Art Show

It's been GORGEOUS sailing weather here so naturally we had to "get out there."  So, we cruised down to Naples (about 60 NM) from here with a group from Isles Yacht Club to socialize and attend the Naples Art Festival, one of the best in the nation.  Here's a picture of our boat, Eagles Wings, docked at the Naples Yacht Club.  Wow - what a beautiful place!  We checked out the club and had dinner with the group in another closeby club called Naples Sailing & Yacht.  Naples is such a pretty town with a goregous entrance off the Gulf dotted with beautifully landscaped properties.  We had a super time getting to know the crews of Halcyon and Cygnus.  We motor-sailed home in just one day catching a strong current and favorable winds.  All in all, a great "shakedown" cruise for our next adventure to the Exumas.  Check out our pictures by doubleclicking below on the underlined script.
Naples Art Festival

Pictures

Farewell Cruise

Cruise Report  

See Catalyst for Sue's Adventure reporting.

Check out the picture of our catamaran sailing friends who recently went on a Great Adventure sailing to Central America destinations.  Belize is first on their "bucket list" and we anchored out in Pelican Bay to bid them a safe journey along wih other PGIslander friends.  It was a terrific sendoff that involved a yummy dinner and libations.  We're following their journeys by checking out their blog postings and they are already almost in Mexico.

Out at the Ranch

It's been a C O L D winter up north and we've had our share of visitors!  We were delighted when my Aunt Gloria traveled from Pittsburgh with Cousin Dave.  Upon arriving at Tampa Airport Cousin Jake swooped my Mom up in New Port Richey and drove them all down.  We had a fun family dinner and reminisced about old times!  Our dear friends, Beverly & Tom, were also visiting from League City in their DELUXE RV that they parked in a nearby resort.  We all decided to tour Babcock Ranch, a neat local attraction, on preserved land not far from here.  We saw official "Cracker Cows" along with other wildlife.  Check out our "Pictures" below by double clicking on them!  We've also added info on the Babcock Ranch Tour and History.  Pretty neat, eh?

Babcock Ranch Tour

Babcock Ranch History

Pictures

Bottoms Up

January 10-February 6   Eagle's Wings sailed to jack stands at the All American Boat Yard.  With only light sanding and bottom paint plus replacement of the cutlass bearing and shaft seal bellows, we expected to be back in the water in a week. One month later, bottom sanded, barrier coated, painted, minor gelcoat repair, shaft replacement, PSS seal face polish and davit installation, in addtion the bearing and bellows replacement we were back in the water much lighter in the wallet.

To reach All American we motor sailed with  Hide Away up the Myakka River and through a lock to the Gulf Cove fresh water lake and canal system.  We anchored in the lake overnight with one millon mosquitoes to await our morning haulout.  Our haulout went smoothly enough but later our 4 year old bottom paint started to flake off in a few places.  So we decided to have the bottom sanded.   Bottom sanded, we decided to have a barrier coat added before painting the bottom with Micron CSC ablative paint.  I chose red for the first bottom coat followed by blue for the later coats. When we see red we will know it's time to repaint.

To replace the cutlass bearingshaft, we need to remove the shaft. To remove the shaft, the rudder had to come off.  We found that the shaft was corroded so it needed to be replaced as well. Of course one needs to pay for the labor to disassemble and then reassemble everthing.

We had ordered Kato davits that I planned to install but since we had all this other stuff going on we had them installed as well which was just as well as Daniel Lambert the certified marine techincian who either performed or coordinated all the work did a great job.  His phone number is 941626 1684.

Double Cruise Credit

December 31, 2010 - January 1, 2011 - The New Year found us anchored in Pelican Bay.  Two Manata catarmans served as a party platform  for New Year's Eve and of course, my birthday celebration. Our resident foksinger, Paul Elliott, sang one of my favorite Gordon Lightfoot songs, Christian Island on request.  Thanks Paul.  See the cruise report at New Year's Eve Cruise.

Double Cruise Credit ?  Since the cruise crosses 2010 to 2011, cruisers get credit for a cruise in 2010 and a cruise in 2011, hence the double cruise credit! See PGI Membership Requirements (17).