Just to report that we had a a very sucsesful sail to and back from the DT. We left on Fr. the 20th 5pm , with the out going tide , so we cleared Tampa Bay, in 3 hrs. then out past Egmont, the wind fizzeled and switched to the NW, so main/yanmar duo, went into action.
No rain the whole trip. The other P-323 which had left earlier out of Long Boat Key, turned around 30 miles from destination when oil pressure dropped !! I hear so far , the engine is fine. I would have kept on going.
On our return trip, we had E wind, which propelled us at 6 plus knots. covering more than 60 miles in the 1st 9 hrs.
Then it switched , and we went back to the main/Yanmar combo.
We left Wed. before 8am , arrived at Egmont Key Thu. around 4pm . We stayed there the next 3 nights, and vegetated, and relaxed.
Never saw as many motor boats on Sat. Always some idiots in the crowd which motor by at a high rate of speed among the anchored boats !!! @#%$&
We plan to do the same trip next year same time same date. We may start the trip in the AM, so we have 2 days and 1 night , instead of 2 nights and one day out there.
The only thing that we had happen with our "new" re powered Yanmar , is that the belts got very loose, consequently I had to help it to get the raw water pump circulating. The 123Watt. solar panel did a good job satisfying the fridge during the day. Next I shall get a wind gen, to help it during the breezy nights.
I welcome any one who would like to join us next year to sail to the DT.