Forestay Failure

We limped in to Naples last night without a forestay. On route to Key West, we had heavy seas and winds gusting a little over 40 miles per hour. We had spent the morning trying to trim sails to our beat into the wind. We had finally settled in and were making some progress into the wind and waves when we see our headstay snap from its fixed position at the bow. (The headstay is the wire cable that attaches to the bow of the boat and that keeps the mast upright. The head sail (Genoa) attaches to the headstay via a Roller-Furler system). The headstay, roller-furler and sail were all thrashing about the boat. Randall and Michelle went foreward on the pitching wet deck for the job of securing the headstay and roller-furler and then bringing down the staysail to take pressure off the mast. It probably took about an hour and, from the helm, I could tell they were getting beat up and almost thrown overboard trying to control the loose headstay and sail in the conditions. I was at the helm and Jake was securing the lines they were using to try to get the headstay secured. On everyone's mind was how well the mast would hold up without the headstay's stabilizing force. We made for Naples and got there mast intact. The headstay's brand new shackle broke, causing the problem. We aren't sure why but one theory is that the anchor somehow came down on the shackle with enough force to break it. But most likely, it looks like the part was defective. Randall has a very bruised foot and both he and Michelle are sore today. We have a replacement shackle so the fix should be easy. Pizza, beer and ice cream were attacked with much gusto last night as we talked about how much worse it could have been.

Toggle that used to connect the headstay to the boat

Cayo Costa State Park By Boat

We came in the Boca Grande pass last night to anchor at Cayo Costa Island. It was a short day sail from Venice to Boca Grande but very windy all day. We had our first experience with dropping the jib to the deck when our roller furling got fouled and would not bring it in. I headed into the wind causing it to flap wildly. Randall, Michelle and Jake had to hand pull it in as the halyard was lowered. We were all glad when it was down without mishap. Today, we dingied to Cayo Costa. Randall and Jake have laughed at me all day because I was talking to a Park Ranger about how to get around the island which is also a state park. I commented to the Ranger that I was disoriented because we got there by boat. I forgot the detail that you can only get to Cayo Costa by boat or long distance swimming. I guess that is why she was not impressed with my by boat arrival.

Clearwater to Sarasota Bay

We left Clearwater two days ago in 20 knot winds. Although that is very manageable wind, the Clearwater pass is narrow making for a rough ride through the jetties with boats behind us turning back. The sail down to Tampa Bay was fast and we anchored at a small barrier island and rode out more wind through the night. Tuesday was calm so we took the Intercoastal Waterway from Tampa Bay to Sarasota Bay. Instead of open water, we had miles of beautiful homes and long stretches of mangroves on both sides of the boat. We had checked the charts for bridges and knew that we had two bascule bridges and one fixed bridge to negotiate before our destination. Bascule bridges are the type that open skyward. Both of the Bascules we came to were on a set schedule so we had a little wait each time. The final bridge of the day was the Ringling Causeway bridge in Sarasota. We had measured the mast back in Pensacola to make sure we knew our own height which stands at about 63 foot. The Ringling Causeway is a 65 foot bridge. Theoretically we good to go under a 65 foot bridge. However, it never looks that way as you approach a bridge. I was at the helm during the pass so my vision was blocked by the bimini. Randall, with binoculars, mutters, “I just can’t look” as we approach and Michelle is saying, “I’m not sure we’re going to make it.” I begin to feel the shadow of the bridge and brace myself for the scraping, jolting and hellish commotion which I imagine greets idiots who hit bridges. However, we appear to be passing through. As we are about to pass out from under the bridge, Randall starts yelling, “Left. Left. Left.” I turn the boat left as Randall watches our mast come inches from a large chain hanging from the bridge’s lights. We made it to our anchorage without doing damage to the Ringling Causeway. We spent yesterday enjoying the nearby park and Tiki bar and grill. Lily made friends with a little Pomeranian named Pompi. Pompi was on the town with Kat and Jack from Venice Beach which is our destination today. They gave us some info on where to go in Venice and mentioned that Venice is the place to beach comb for shark’s teeth. They even encouraged us to anchor by the restaurant Sharky’s and swim to the beach to look for teeth in the shallows there. “Perfectly safe,” they said. We are trying to figure out if this is a little trick the locals play on tourists. The advice must be good though because they took up with Lily so much that, by the time we left, she was wearing a shark’s tooth necklace, compliments of Jack and Kat, in case she doesn’t find a tooth at Sharky’s beach.

We're Off Like A . . .

We have a new phrase which seems appropriate for our shore excursions. “We’re off like a herd of turtles.” It seems to perfectly describe that 20-minute scramble for sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, maps, camera and correct trolley change which occurs before we set off. In the cockpit, we debate “Take Chewy or Tie Chewy.” If we leave him, we usually have to tie him on his leash because that was not at all his plan for the day. At the last marina, he jumped off without permission and relieved himself right in front of the harbormaster. I know, when you gotta go. Finally, we check the docklines and climb or jump off, depending on how low/high the tide is. Our new fav phrase comes to us from the George family, who traveled with a brood of six all over the world and never lost a single kid or dog. Michelle and I have shared many family stories the past two weeks and her family takes the prize for Meeting Fascinating People All Over The World. We are in Clearwater, FL, after a two day sail. We caught another big fish which went unidentified for awhile. We thought we have either a King Mackerel or Wahoo. The marina here has a number of charter fishing boats and we’ve decided it was a King Mackerel that has been feeding us so well.

Waywardness

Well, I have a number of transgressions to report.

1. Jacob got his ear pierced. Who told him that real sailors sport an earring? Michelle? Vicki?
2. Many of you will forgive the earring as "youthful spontaneity." However, I must also report that I checked his journal and NOT A WORD. You may want to comment back on this as I know many of you have mentioned the importance of recording a few memories. I think the advice to use vivid verbs and awesome adjectives was just too much. Maybe as a starting point, he should write the date, weather conditions and whether his ear is red and oozey or OK. I think he could stay on top of that.
3. Lily has been to a bar. I was doing laundry at the marina which has an outdoor bar right in the dead center of the marina. Eric was giving a live perfomance, apparently a sort of audition to play there regularly, and he was working hard, calling to casual bystanders to come in and join the fun. He was covering all the best sing along songs. I come out of the laundry and he has reeled in both Michelle and Lily and two other little girls gawking from the perimeter. He is leading everyone to the tune of Jesus Loves Me and, for just a moment, it seemed like every little thing was going to be alright and brotherhood would reign on earth. The little girls were all smiles. We stayed for several more songs so Lily could get a little dancing in too.
Many of you were worried about the possibility that the year long Fuchs cruise would lead the innocent astray. This was just a slight detour in our efforts to seek wholesome, family-oriented entertainment devoid of tv and video games, piercings and barhopping.

Sun Harbour Marina

We are currently anchored outside Sun Harbour Marina in Panama City. We see a lot of activity nearby. The Shell Island pontoon rentals and the Betsy Ann Riverboat all take a payload of sunbathers and tourists out on the water several times daily right past our boat. This morning, we walked a few blocks to catch a trolley to the beach and play in the water. When we first passed the Panama City Bay jetties on Monday, we noticed that the blue water turned bright green in the shallow water. Today, we found out that the green tint is due to seaweed which is suspended in the water right now and can easily become suspended in your swimsuit bottoms as well. As the sun went down tonight, Randall cranked up Robert Earle Keen's "I'm Coming Home" on the boat's underpowered stereo system. We sang so no one would notice the poor sound quality. A few might not have noticed we're from Texas. Til Now, anyway.

Gettin' Around

We hit Panama City on the Rollerblades. Michelle and I went grocery shopping to stock up, passing through old downtown Panama City on the way. Meanwhile, Randall went to three marine stores trying to track down a part for the water pump. I successfully managed two grocery bags while rollerblading uneven terrain around the marina. Randall had to go farther on his mission and actually had to take a highway on the roller blades, weaving between the street and median avoiding traffic. He hit a batch of sand and went flying, getting what Lily is calling "a great big, bloody boo-boo." The part does not arrive until Thursday so we may soak wounds and tired feet in the salt water tomorrow.

Panama City, FL

We spent Friday on a beautiful beach at Pensacola with Capricious anchored nearby. Saturday morning, we left for an overnight sail taking us to Panama City, FL. We saw numerous dophins but the big excitement was a shark which swam next to the boat for several minutes. Even though he was a fraction of our size, we still felt a little like prey while he was there. We are planning to stay a couple of nights here, stock up the fridge and sail to Sarasota, FL later in the week.

Thanks for the hats, Danny

Bye Jerry!

We had lunch on Pensacola Bay and then said bye to Jerry. He has to get back to Drumright, OK, to beautiful wife Debbie who so graciously let him go for a week. Jerry and Debbie are busy repairing their boat's Ike damage but Czech N Mate is almost ready for their upcoming voyage. We hope to share some future bay with them after they bring their boat down the Mississippi and into the Gulf. A great big thanks to Jerry for taking on so many crewing duties including a day long, post passage engine tune-up. As the picture above shows, you never know what kind of chore you might end up with on Capricious. We are staying one more night at Palafox Marina. We fueled up and were getting ready to leave in high winds when the Harbor Master offered to let us stay overnight for free due to the wind. We try not to have too many boat rules but I may establish the first one as "Never turn down free night at a Marina." Thanks Palafox!!

Thanks for dinner and all the help, Jerry!

The Long Way To Pensacola

We made landfall Wednesday in Pensacola Florida. We motored into a south wind for three days. Weather reports were indicating possible tropical depression forming in Panama. Since we were making such little progress to Isla Mujeres, we decided to turn east and go with the wind. More favorable wind was so enjoyed that we rode it to Pensacola. Trip highlight was Jerry, Randall and Jake fighting a 40-pound dorado to the deck! All three swore they were on the losing end of the fight but finally got him in, minus one fishing pole. Lily was on constant dolphin watch and spotted many twirls and flips. However, at one long stretch without a glimpse of life out there, she got reflective and looked us and said, "What are we doing here?" . . . Perhaps we'll have an answer for her at the end of the year.

There must be thousands of these things off the Texas and Louisiana coasts

Anyone hungry?


Nap time under the fan

The ice is all gone and we need a beer

Down to the final details . . .

We have spent two years getting ready for Friday. We shove off at 2 p.m. for Capricious' first offshore passage under our direction and begin the Fuchs Family's yearlong sailing journey. We plan to reach Isla Mujeres within 5 to 7 days with the help of two extra crew, Michelle George (Houston TX) and Jerry Brichacek, (SV Czech N Mate, Drumright, OK).

We hope we have left no detail undone and even Lily's toes are properly prepared.

We are so excited yet we wish we did not have to miss the special moments in our family and friends' upcoming year. So, here is our story and a small request. Spare no detail when you email us! We will miss you and hearing from you will help us to be there for a little while. And, if you find yourself mulling vacation plans, come aboard!! We'll show you a _________ time (adjective varies depending on port, weather, and imagination).

Remember Tammy, keep the pointy end forward and the big stick up!

Capricious crew