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BlackOak · 27-11-2012, 05:56

Just wanted to stop in and say Hello to yall. I am still tied up at Pete's Pier (Kings Bay) in Crystal River, Fl. and the education continues with Captain Shelly. We have been pouring over nav charts with paper boats, and Capt Shelly has been tasking me with hypothetical destinations from my present location to improve my nav skills, using the old "Where's Waldo" scenerios.

I found a 10' Achilles dingy in excellent shape for $300 and a german made folding bike $100 on Craigslist, and have had the luck that the seller delivered them to me. Miss Jaycee sold me the dingy, cause she was raising the money to buy her first car, and Mrs Miriam sold me the folding bike, as Mrs Miriam is an older lady who cruises yard/garage sales looking for stuff to sell on craigslist. So I have been lucky in many ways since starting this fools adventure. Captain Fred who is with TowBoatsUS, and the one who towed me into this marina, came by with his wife Ms Sharon on Thanksgivings Day and brought me turkey dinner with all the fixings. It was delicious!!!!

Today, Captain Shelly is gonna take me to home depot to get some things, she said I need for the boat, as well as a stop off at a boating consignment store to poke around, and then to West Marine for some shroud covers, and finally to the Duds&Suds for laundry day.

I am having a great time, and have been very blessed so far, but I must admit, I am longing to be out there again in the (for me anyway) the open ocean.

DeepFrz · 27-11-2012, 09:19

Sounds like you are getting a good education and spending time with fine folks. Enjoy.

svHyLyte · 27-11-2012, 10:16

BlackOak--

Before launching off on another adventure, do yourself a favor and buy a BoatUS Unlimited Towing Service (see/click on: BoatUS: Towing Services ) I believe that you should be able to do that at your local West Marine. If you don't have a permanent address perhaps one of the folks you've met will allow you to use theirs as an accomodation. The BoatUS Memebership will be good for towing services and the discounts at cooperating marina's for transient mooring and fuel will more than make up the cost. You've a lot of ground to cover between Crystal River and Ft. Pierce and, with your level of experience, hops from port-to-port will make sense for awhile as you "learn the ropes". I suggest that you also invest in a GPIRB and register it. You might need it.

Good luck.

s/v HyLyte

Vasco · 27-11-2012, 10:16

Sounds like you've been adopted! The cruising community is so great!

KDH · 27-11-2012, 10:51

Black Oak, you may also want to check out Sea Tow as well, Home | Sea Tow as I believe the coverage areas may differ from company to company. Glad to see things are looking up for you!