Nov 1- Inlet Harbor Marina- ICW 843

We tried to find a marina close to the Ponce de Leon Inlet but local knowledge was definitely required and we had been motor sailing a long day, it was getting on 5:30 pm so we gave in at the nice looking dock and restaurant at the Inlet Harbor Marina.

We tied our selves on practically. I am getting good a the big loop to catch a cleat. A dock mate got the stern line and I snagged the bow. We had dinner at the restaurant which seemed like it would be hopping on the weekends. It was pretty quite that night though with four couples in the dinning room. Lovely colorful hand paintings all over of dolphins and manatee.

Other dinner guests came by the boat to watch the dolphins. We are seeing them everywhere which is lovely. We also see signs for manatee but have yet to see one. The signs indicate November to April restrictions so maybe they will turn up soon.

On the way out our newly arrived dockmaster ( 8 am) told us that it was best to get back on ICW rather than risk the sand bars all over.

So getting back on the ICW, we stopped to let a 300 foot double tug barge come past. He slowed everyone to 5.5 knots ( we were going about 6.5 kts). He was pretty beamy..

As soon as we got to our outside marks we turned for the outside. yea right. 8 foot seas and wind predicted on NE 15-20 , but they were coming from east. drat!

Ponce De Leon Light Coast Guard tower

When we got to the inlet we actually went outside to the Green one and red two and was it rough. I expected some bouncing, no biggie. But the wind was right on our nose for our point of sail so Charles and I decided to get back in the "ditch" and work our way south.
Along the jetty as your left.. crashing waves.

a set of bones from an unfortunate incident.... lets go back!

Just the Lou Anna Guirdy tug


In a short time we got to meet up AGAIN with our tug friend...Lou Anna Guirdy. Eventually we were able to pass her but it was tight. That was after a bridge opened for her but left us behind. She takes alone time to run curves trying to control three parts to her the two yellow barges and herself.

We had to pass her on the straight away as she turns very slowly. Her captain was very nice. We thought we were clear of her and on our merry way. Then we ran into a bridge ( Addison Pt Bridge) which is closed from 3:30 pm till 5 pm. BUT with Lou Anna Guirdy coming through we were permitted to follow her through at the same time. The birdge would give her a courtesy opening no matter the time.

It turned out to be 4:45 pm. We thought that was great but then realized all the work to pass her was for naught. We would have to tag along at 5.5 knots again till passing was again possible. Needless to say Charles was frustrated so we took an earlier anchorage than we planned. It was nice and quiet and we were the only boat there.