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.
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| Sunrise at the Dog Island west anchorage |
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| Stilt houses on Dog Island |
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| Clear water, beautiful shells |
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| Anchored off Dog Island |
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| Old dock timbers |
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| Shorebird nesting area |
Next; Dog Island to Apalachicola.............
