Sorry it has taken so long, but it’s time to catch everyone up! As we explained in our last post, we decided to pursue the purchase of a boat to cruise the "Great Loop". The loop will take us up the Intracoastal Waterway on the eastern coast of the US, into the Great Lakes, Canada and their canal systems, down the inland rivers to the Gulf of Mexico, and then a return to the Atlantic from the Florida Keys. It is an approximate 6000 mile journey which will take us a year or so to complete.
Most boats that make the "Loop" travel at a reduced speed of about 7 knots, stopping along the way to enjoy various ports and marine sanctuary areas. We chose a 2004 Mainship 390, which checked most of our boxes for comfort and enjoyment. Just like an RV, you can't find that perfect "one", so you settle for the one that fits your needs as close as possible. We wanted 2 staterooms (so friends or family could join us along the way), a comfortable salon to relax in, a dry bath (separate shower from the toilet/sink) and lots of outdoor living. Our boat (or yacht as our son-in-law calls it, "because if your boat has a boat, it's a yacht"), checks those boxes. As a matter of fact "Southern Tides", our boat name, is larger than our motorhome! Here's a few pics, but we will do an in-depth tour in a later post.
We purchased the boat in Jacksonville Fl, which worked out great, as our daughter and her family reside there as well. We spent a few weeks living in our RV in their back yard and also in their spare bedroom, while we made some additions/repairs to the boat. Then we moved onto the boat dockside for 2 months preparing for our departure in April.
It was great to spend quality time with Brittany, Karl, Harper, Kennedy and Westin. We even celebrated a couple of birthdays.
They also enjoyed Scott's expertise with several unexpected home projects (i.e., sewer breakage, new deck, broken ice maker, bath exhaust fan, etc, etc, etc) 😜 Oh, and a couple of babysitting gigs!
We were docked at an awesome marina in Jacksonville, Cedar Point Marina, and enjoyed many moon rises and rocket launches during our stay. We also met new friends at the marina and fellow Seminoles during Happy Hour at a neighborhood restaurant. It's a small quiet marina, which we hope to return to following this journey.
In March we held a renaming ceremony, which is extremely important in order to appease the Gods of the Sea! We enjoyed a beautiful day and evening dockside, and celebrated with friends and family. We toasted to all the Gods and returned the previous name of the boat, "Adagio", to the sea. "Southern Tides" was then introduced to the Gods, and we asked for their blessing and protection. A great time was had by all!! Thanks Brittany, Karl, Harper, Kennedy, Westin, Cheryl, Jim, Karin, Mike, Dixie, Jeremy, Rick, Judy, Terri, Cheryl and Debbie for joining us!
Our initial outing on the boat was "slightly" stressful, most definitely on my part and not as much Scotts! It is a different feeling cruising on this boat compared to the smaller fishing boats we have owned over the years. We prevailed, though our kids had doubts about our future nautical journey 😂. Overall, it was a great day with the family!
We spent one week back at Suwannee, tidying up loose ends and winterizing/storing the RV. We also wanted to play some pickleball, participate in a pickleball fundraiser and enjoy time with new friends we have met in Suwannee. It was hard to say goodbye to our fish camp, "Southern Tides", but adventure was calling and the wanderers must wander!
Easter was very special, as our entire family spent the weekend together on the boat. We docked at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (thanks Karl) and enjoyed an easter egg hunt in the pool, lunches/dinners out and just hanging around! It meant so much to us to have everyone together. The first 2 days were beautiful and then it rained and the temps dropped. The boat became very small with 10 people on board. We all decided 10 of us on the boat, for a max of 2 days, during good weather is our limit!!
We provisioned the last week we were in Jax (not sure we have room for anything else) and it was time for cast off. Our Bon Voyage Day was 4/15/23 and it couldn't have been any better. Blue skies, no wind, dolphins escorting us and feelings of anticipation and euphoria.
How long would these feelings last?? Stay tuned to find out....
NEXT UP: MEETING FRIENDS (NEW AND OLD), MOORING BALLS, ANCHORAGES AND WAKES FROM HELL!!
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