Return to Stuart and Sunset Bay Marina March 10-12, 2021

 Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Day 94.

We awakened to a beautiful morning “on the hook” (anchored). We were on the eastern branch of the St. Lucie River, very close to Stuart and Sunset Bay Marina, where we are going to spend the next few days.

I took the morning to stretch and complete a heavy duty work out on the back deck, and made breakfast. The wind was picking up and Captain Roland really dislikes docking when the wind is heavy; but this seems to be our fate. It requires much more skill when there is current and /or wind influencing the boat's direction.

Bringing up the anchor was a major ordeal; it was really dug in and there was mud everywhere. It took Roland a long time to wash off the anchor while I was at the helm steering the boat towards Sunset Bay Marina, following the captain's directions to a T.

The heavy wind made docking, challenging and, being human, Captain Roland pressed the wrong thruster and we hit a piling. Fortunately, the rubber stripping on the piling (that's why it was there), softened the blow and there was no serious damage.

We hoped that the winds die down so that we can leave on Friday, as planned, but if not, we will leave on Saturday. It will not be the first time that we’ve had weather delays and change of plans based on the weather. Meanwhile, I took advantage of being at a dock, taking walks, running, maybe going to an outdoor restaurant if we can find a non-crowded one, and then there’s always the paperwork, bills and enjoying the view and the pleasant temperatures.

We had to go to the supermarket, do laundry, wash the boat, repair the dinghy, and various other tasks of daily living. We were hoping that guru Scott will be able to come by and help Roland with the new software that still was not working on the main screen.

We planned to go around 4 o’clock, to a simple fish restaurant that we believed had a lot of outside space, but on our way we passed Casa Bella which was so cute. The tables were all decked out and arranged and no one was around. They didn’t open until five. We asked if they had room for two when they opened at five and they said they did so we waited around. Good decision! We had one of the best meals that we’ve had on this trip (Parts of Paris, in Safety Harbor, was excellent), and Casa Bella was comfortable and friendly, as well as delicious). The restaurant was a very short distance from the marina, and we took home half the meal for leftovers. It was a wonderful evening.

Thursday, March 11, 2021. Day 95.

I was up early, the temperatures were moderate (mid 70s ). Even Philadelphia reached into the 70's that day. Here in “paradise,” it was sunny but very windy, so as anticipated, we would have to stay another day at the marina until the winds slow down.

I spent a great deal of time trying to get a haircut. I called several people who were recommended either by Joe at home, and/or from the KK owners who live aboard at the marina. We tried mightily but nothing worked. I will just have to live with my hair way too long (and unfortunately stuffed under a hat), until I can go back and be saved by Gabby.

Roland made poached eggs in his new silicone egg poaching cups (yet another galley gadget), and to my surprise, they worked! Roland keeps reminding me of my skepticism (I laughed when I saw them), and now, poached eggs has become my breakfast of choice (there’s very little cleanup as well -bonus!).

Roland got his other packages, including his new phone (thank goodness-living with only my phone was a little challenging which seems curious as two decades ago we didn’t have any cell phones).

His delivery also included mood lights for the salon, so we could have romantic dinners. The mood lighting even comes with a remote unit to dim or brighten the lights. I must say this was beyond my wildest imagination. I am afraid that I lean heavily to the practical....less on the imagination.

We spent happy hour at the end of dock C with other KK owners, had the Casa Bella dinner leftovers (still delish), and then found out when I went to take a shower before bed, that for 3 1/2 months, I had been misusing the shower sump pump. My hope is that I did not burn it out, but I probably had shortened its life. Hopefully it will still be working well for the entire time I own Magic Moments.

Friday, March 12, 2021. Day 96.

Another beautiful day at Sunset Bay. I finished the housework (laundry, making the bed, doing the dishes, paying the bills, etc), and to our pleasant surprise, guru Scott came to help with the new software. Of course, timing is everything, and five minutes before Scott showed up, the computer crashed, totally. Captain Roland, you can imagine, was extremely frustrated and there was not much anyone could do. The hope was that when the computer was operating again, Scott will be able to guide Roland, by phone, through the software reset.

Roland went back to washing the boat, and I made fudge (yum!).

We borrowed the marina's bicycles, and going the back way (limiting the distance on US 1,which is very unpleasant), rode to the supermarket a couple of times. We were expected to be at anchor for two weeks and needed to stock up on food and treats, and carrying groceries on foot or bike really limited our purchases. A benefit: Roland didn't spend much time in the store each visit, (My job was to stay with the bikes, outside the store, and carry as much as possible). Masked and short stays inside, was our obligation to fight covid spread.

During our stay in Sunset Bay marina, we watched admiringly, a family whose boat was on a mooring, row back and forth several times to the marina's dinghy dock, to buy groceries and run other errands. Rowing quite a distance, their dinghy sans motor, a family that often included several members: father, mother, a teenage daughter, and 2-3 younger children, was remarkable. Often the teenager was rowing. We assumed that they were not Americans, maybe they were Scandinavians. I was sorry that we weren't on the dock at the same time; I wanted to meet them and chat. I was really impressed.

Saturday, March 13, 2021. Day 97, and Gail‘s birthday.

We were up early but I controlled myself to not call my sister, until a bit later, and sing happy birthday to her (a family tradition), at 6:30 am. I’m sure she was grateful for the delay.

Roland made one more trip to the supermarket and we prepped Magic Moments for our departure to Peck Lake, off Jupiter Island.

With the boat prepped, we left the dock, fueled and pumped out at the fuel pump, and then started our journey around 11am, on our way to Peck Lake.

Sunset Bay Marina, a week in Kadey Krogan south

 

We approached Sunset Bay Marina and our assigned dock location with 30 knot winds. Roland maneuvered beautifully... he is really getting good handling Magic Moments. Unfortunately, as we approached our dock, we realized that it was occupied by a very large and rather 21st-century spaceship looking trimaran. The trimaran had just been towed in by BoatUS (like AAA for cars), and was left in our spot.

We called the dockmaster who said just go in right in front of the trimaran. Roland circled around in the fairway and as he approached it was clear that we would not fit. The trimaran owner together with 2 dock hands pulled the boat back a little so that we could dock. It was still rather tight and the winds were rather strong. Captain Roland did an amazing job. And we docked without incident, damage and without embarrassment. Roland was relieved.

The major reasons for spending a week at Sunset Bay Marina, were to have the boat buffed and waxed, to have staples made, to get the dinghy engine repaired, and to have some of the technology worked out with Scott the guru. As I may have mentioned in my last blog, Saturday morning, as we were preparing to enter the marina, the boat computer with the navigational software, died. We had to reload the software on my extra computer that I had brought along, and we really needed Scott's help.

Obviously, I was totally inexperienced; I actually expected all this work to be done in a week. We started off with Carlos, of Top Knotch, who was to do the buffing and waxing and found out that he couldn't start until Wednesday, and would not be done till Friday or Saturday. Our arrangement with the marina was just until Thursday morning. Before we could conclude the negotiation over the waxing and buffing, Roland had to get an extension to our docking arrangement. This worked out quickly and easily but not inexpensively. I learned later that a week at Sunset Bay Marina (this is not unusual), is almost as much as a month. Live and learn, and education is not cheap!

I then had a very long and respectful negotiation with Carlos for the buffing and waxing. He wanted almost 50% more than I had expected to pay based on the prices that our seller had paid every year. Of course our seller had used Dana from Fluff and Buff, who is a one-man operation and is probably booked 100 years in advance. In fact, when I spoke to Dana about an appointment for 2022, he laughed. Maybe someday, when someone sells their boat, we could get on Dana's wait list!

It took a couple days for the fabricator to show up and he too could not get the work done before we left, even on Saturday. We tried to get him to make the staples and deliver them before we left; Roland was sure he could install them, hopefully reducing the price, but he called us later that night and said he didn't have enough material. He was obviously not willing to order or get additional material in time. We were really (felt dumped), unhappy with him. We had a second name, but, it was getting late in the week to call Alexander.

Now the dinghy engine: you remember, I hope, the adventure with our non-functioning electric motor. The only repair place was in Pompano. So, we rented a car on Tuesday and drove down with the engine. The people were very confident, responsive, and pleasant, and said they would he be able to get the replacement part shipped to us for arrival in Clearwater a week from Friday (for some rather large sum of money).) OK, we now have to live without a tender as we crossed Florida. I wasn't thrilled but was happy that this would be completed and available for us in a reasonable time (10 days?!!).

We made good use of the day with the rental car: did a lot of errands, hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, Trader Joes and several other stores that had things that we decided we needed. We had a wonderful lunch at at Sea Watch, in Fort Lauderdale, on the water (thank you for the suggestion, Barbara Newman). We were very comfortable with the outdoor dining area.

On our way back we drove by Ann's condo, but she was busy on a zoom so we didn't get to connect. We also drove by Boca Del Rey complex, on Military Trail, the community in which my parents lived for 20 years. I insisted we stop by Poppies, the local deli, and I picked up some herring, whitefish salad and a bagel. It was a little bit like home; thinking about my parents; it was very nostalgic.

After we dropped off the motor for repair, we called another metal fabricator. He said that he could make the staple and cups if he had the dimensions and some other information; Roland had it all, so, after we sent him a deposit through PayPal, he committed to get us the staples by Saturday morning before 11am. Roland knew he could install them himself, so we were good to go. Alexander came through for us. We were very appreciative.

Wednesday morning between 8 AM and 9 AM, Carlos, who is from Guatemala, arrived at the boat with three helpers; and they started their work. They buffed and they waxed and they cleaned and they did one amazing job. They were there Wednesday, Thursday, and half a day Friday. On Friday, Carlos brought 2 extra helpers, so there were six of them. And, did I mention that they did an amazing job? Basically, I was not happy with the high price, but I must say, it was an incredible job. Roland gave each helper a tip.

Top Knotch is just that. We gave Carlos's card to several other boat owners who were also blown away by how great Magic Moments looked.

Guru Scott had come by twice during the week to help with the technology and he is one awesome human being. Not only is he knowledgeable about EVERYTHING on this boat, but he also remembers amazing details. He was enormously helpful the two times he stopped by. His boat owner clients would be miserable without him; he is a wizard at problem solving, available to help on a moment's notice and an incredibly nice guy.

He loves Hersheys chocolate covered peanuts. We got him the biggest bag I could find. I had wanted to send him special chocolates from Ventnor, but we ran into a logistical problem. Maybe another time I will be able to bring him those very special chocolates.

We did have a scare on Thursday around 6pm, when Scott texted that he had tested positive for Covid. He was tested because he was going to fly but had no symptoms. I was morose. No one had been on this boat but us, Scott and the heater repairman, since December 6. What if we had been exposed? Scott wore a mask on the boat and was aboard for a very short time during which all the doors were open....but still??? Around 6pm on Friday, Scott texted that he took a second test and was negative. His first test must have been a false positive. I was relieved (as were many other boaters)….and had a drink......as did many other boaters!

The whole point of this adventure was to travel while staying safe, and no one comes on the boat and we don't go on other boats. We stay socially distanced outside to chat. And Scott was the only other person in our boat since we left Maryland on December 6, other than the heating unit repair person and his assistant back in Chesapeake Virginia, many weeks ago. I was relieved to hear that he was negative for us, for him, and for all the rest of the boaters for whom he works with and with whom he socializes.

While we were at at Sunset Bay Marina, we took walks on the boardwalk along the water, went to a farmer's market (bought an assortment of mushrooms, some of which I had never seen before), made crepes stuffed with  mushroom and a wonderful sauce..

 got really good meat at a butcher shop, and walked through town. I had two opportunities to run in the morning, and we walked or biked to the supermarket, hardware store, and the pharmacy where I picked up some prescriptions. Because spending short intervals inside was the ideal, and because we could carry a limited amount of food, walking or biking, we sometimes went to the stores 2 or 3 times a day. On Friday, we bought inflatable standup paddle boards, 

our first toys, to be drop shipped Friday to Clearwater. It was a very pleasant week on land, although disappointing that there were no restaurants with outside seating spaciously apart enough for us to be comfortable.

By the way, we saw very few pedestrians all week, and only a few folks on bikes; they bike on the side walks as there are only sporadic bike lanes, few shoulders, and almost nobody walking on the sidewalks.

The weather was beautiful all week and we had the opportunity to meet a lot of other Kadey Krogan owners; Stuart is the KK center of the south! At 4:45pm, every evening, at the end of C dock, several would gather for a drink, at a safe distance. Jim and Barbara, our sellers, had sent an email to all their KK friends at Sunset Bay Marina, asking them to welcome us now that Ariel had become Magic Moments. It was very kind and thoughtful of Jim and Barbara and we appreciated their introducing us to the other boaters.

On Saturday morning, January 16, 2021, Day 41, we got ready to leave Sunset Bay Marina.

Alex had delivered the staples, and they looked great. We did our last run to Publix, two loads of laundry and, very kindly, two couples came over to help us off the dock and meet us again at the fuel dock before we left.

It was quite windy (so what else is new when we have to get on and off docks?!), and we really appreciated their help both getting off the dock and getting on and off the fuel dock. Polly and Mike, and Ria and Bob, long time friends of Jim and Barbara, were terrific. We will miss them, at least for the rest of the season. Waving goodbye to the four of them, we set off on our trip across the Okeechobee to the West Coast of Florida.

Roland had been up and down the ICW on the East Coast, a number of times, and was quite familiar with most of the terrain, possible anchorages, and various marinas. As we left Stuart, however, he was now going to uncharted territory, for him. This part of the trip was now an added adventure. Everything and every place would be new. We bought paper charts to cross Florida, on Tuesday when we were doing our errands with the rental car, and he had been studying them diligently.

We motored, west, off into the sunset.