Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Yamaha, Steinhatchee to Dog Island

Yamaha replaced the block and cylinder of the engine including parts and labor, but would not pay the cost of returning the engine to us. Cedar Key Marina said we could pick it up from them (as per the warranty), 75 miles away! One of their employees volunteered to bring it to us for $100. So we now have a working engine after 3 weeks and $600 in incurred costs including slip, initial Sea Hag workshop costs, and engine transport to and from the Yamaha dealer.

We departed Steinhatchee again at first light on a nice NE breeze sailing at 6 kts. Around midday the wind dropped completely and we started motoring with 40 miles left to Dog Island. We completed the “new” engine break in.

We had a couple of wonderful nature sights. Another big ray jumped clear of the water and a large pod of dolphins escorted us in the smooth water for a long time. The dolphins love swimming between the hulls near the bow. At times there were 5 of them between the hulls with more on either side.






We managed to reach the east end of Dog Island just at last light and dropped anchor. Not a bad anchorage but a little exposed. The next morning we re-positioned to the west end of the island which is a fantastic anchorage, good holding and nice clear water. Good protection from the SW, S and E. We took the boat into the shallows and gave her bottom a good clean. Just as we finished a ray swam by. Dog Island west end has a bird sanctuary on the spit with many shorebirds and nesting sites.

Sunrise at the Dog Island west anchorage

Stilt houses on Dog Island

Clear water, beautiful shells

Anchored off Dog Island

Old dock timbers

Shorebird nesting area

Next; Dog Island to Apalachicola.............

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