Bill told me that it would be a great week to be in Daytona Beach. He told me it was Boat Week. Or maybe that's just what my ears heard. It is actually Bike Week. After listening to the roar of Harleys all day, I can't hear much of anything.
Pic is Fred in front of the Harley Davidson shop on Beach Drive.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Boat Week
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12 comments:
Don't blame Bill for your bad ears. Everyone knows about Bike Week in Daytona...
I second Rose's suggestion that Fred do a guest blog! And tell him he can play with my character on Tiger Woods Golf if he wins me some money on the game!
Great pic of Fred and the bikers. It would be great if you could help Fred post a blog. I got my first email ever from Fred today under your email address (smile).
We are under a Tornado Watch here. Hopefully, the weather forecast on your end is better for tonight; otherwise, it might be a bumpy night for our Mr. Fred.
Rose
Mr. Fred and I are safely ensconced in a marina. I've encouraged him to write a guest blog, but I imagine he'll do that at his own time.
Amy, that's a funny suggestion that he play as your character on Tiger Woods Golf. Unfortunately, he lost the match last night. But I think we'll have a lot of fun playing the courses he unlocked.
Scott,
I can't remember when you're planning to be in Cocoa Beach. I thought you'd like to know about a Mardi Gras celebration this Saturday night at Cocoa Village. (Yeah, I know Mardi Gras really was weeks ago!) It is a large street party with a waterfront park, parade, beads, etc. Our sailing club does an anchor up there every year (just south of the power lines. Let me know if you'd like more info.
Carla
Bill, thanks for the link. But I thought it best to delete the link. I don't want Fred to be in any more trouble than he already is. Rose keeps a pretty tight leash on him.
Carla, Fred and I are underway to Cocoa Beach. We should arrive sometime on Thursday. I'll give you a call about Mardi Gras.
Do you have any advice about entering the Cocoa Beach Inlet? Also, do you know anyone heading up to Daytona Beach on Friday? Fred is flying out on Friday afternoon. The plan now is for him to rent a car to get up there.
The Canaveral entrance is a 'big ship' entrance. No problem.
The issue is rather staying far enough offshore to clear the prohibited zone.... nice yello markers. As you approach the cape you need to stay far enough out to clear "the bull". In anything but flat seas, the swells coming into 'the bull' pile up and can get very nasty. I usually hold south and don't turn in until I clear Red 2.
Once through the Port of Canaveral I usually take the barge canal through until I hit the ICW, then go north. My place to watch a night launch is just South of the Titusville bridge. There will be a gazillion cars parked on both sides of the bridge approach to watch the show.... kind of like a big tailgate party. You can pull right up on the West end approach and have less than a half mile walk for burgers.
Grandpa can probably tell you a better place. I only have my own experience.... don't know what is and is not restricted.
Of course, I would stay inside for a short hop. Outside is a lot farther. I know, You are on an adventure. Have fun!!!
Port Canaveral is very easy, the pilots moniter vhf channel 12 when moving ships. There is very little current through the port. I think "the bull" Bill is referring to is the shoals. You can sail across them in small seas, I wouldn't if it's any bigger than 3'. The prohibited zone is no longer enforced except during a launch window (four days prior to a launch.)You can cut bouy R2 by quite a bit, plenty of water there. Wave to the Suncruz Casino ship, that's where I work!
Sail due West and come through the 401 bridge (Channel 9) and the locks (Channel 13) you will be on the Banana River. Your mast is too tall to go south. There are four islands just to the north that are a good anchorage, although a bit of a dinghy ride to get anywhere. The first island gets pretty crazy on the weekends. Stay south of the power lines during the launch window.
If you want to stay in a Marina, we are in Harbortown. To get there, continue west in the barge canal it's on the south side about a mile or two from the Banana River. (vhf 16 or 321-453-0160)
These are the two closest options as you'll be coming off a long trip from offshore. There are other options on the ICW.
I have to work Thursday and Friday, and don't know of anyone headed to Daytona, but I'll keep my ears open. There are car rental places in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Some offer pick up service so you can save cab fare, or I get off work around 4:15 if that works.
See ya soon!
Carla
321-544-1733
Thanks Carla, I'm pretty beat after a long night sailing. Seas are calm and we're motoring. There is some wind, but it's from the south. The water is gorgeous out here. Turquoise and crystal clear. I'll make sure to wave as we pass your casino boat.
Is there a name for the locks for me to call on the radio? Also is the bridge name just "401 bridge"? Unfortunately, I don't have a Florida cruising guide. The ICW guide was very helpful with such info, but I don't expect to be in Florida very long.
If you don't make it through the Canaveral Lock before it closes (18:30 I think) don't fret. There's a bunch of dolphins you can tie up to to spend the night on the North side just before the lock.
Its 401 Bridge, and Canaveral Locks. The next bridge to the west is the State Road 3 bridge. They open on the half hour with a closed time weekday mornings and evenings for Space Center employee traffic. I have several cruising guides, I'll try to get you some more local info.
Beautiful day on the Atlantic today! Did you cross the shoal? It would have been perfect for that. Also, lots of boats fishing for cobia today.
Carla
Oh Carla,
So glad to hear about the cobia. That means they are headed my way. My favorite fish...... I'll be ready.
Thanks guys for your help. I'm beat. Not much sleep in the past however many hours.
I'll try to get Fred to do a post about the trip before he leaves tomorrow.
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