Pensacola FL Sailing Blog - sailingnightwatch

We are at a little anchorage right near the cut at Longboat Key.  We ate at a restaurant there and had excellent shrimp and flounder.  We met a couple at the Clearwater club and they ended up at this anchorage also and had dinner with us.  They had the house special which is Stone Crab, also excellent.  A full meal of crabs was $79.00.  The other meals were very reasonably priced.

 The long awaited major front came through about 6 in the evening.  It got noticeably colder for someone who had broke out the shorts and tee shirts.  The wind blew through the night at 20+ knots and we discovered a new clanking noise.  The roller-furled staysail is on a boom and its outhaul was banging all night against the boom.  I was sleeping in the V berth and the noise sounded like it was coming from a boat beside us and I therefore did not get up to investigate.  I discovered the true noise maker as we were coming into our anchorage at Longboat Key.  I have tried a minor fix and have another idea if this does not eliminate the noise.       

We decided to go off shore to the Tampa Bay entrance to avoid bridges.  The seas were still about 4 feet and the wind was below 10 knots, which caused us to motor sail most of the way.  In the afternoon, the seas quieted to 3 feet and the breeze built back to around 10-15 knots.  

This is a beautiful area and today is a Chamber of Commerce day.  Light breezes and temperature in the 70’s.  Perfect of early December.  The area around the club is condos, but there are a nice homes across the waterway.  We took a walk around the area to stretch our legs and see the area.  There are plenty of restaurants from sandwich shops to higher end restaurants.  There is also a large Walgreen’s a block away.  Tomorrow on to Longboat Key.

Before I continue with DAY 5, I wish to wish all a very Merry Christmas.  We are going racing at Sebring for the weekend and end at our son’s home for Christmas.  I will continue posting next week.  Now, on with the story.