WEST PALM BEACH ANCHORAGE TO DELRAY HARBOR CLUB MARINA (21 MILES)

November 20, 2011

There was no need to get up/get underway early this morning.  We have only 21 miles to go.  In this short span, we will have to negotiate passage through 10 bascule bridges.  These bridges split in the middle so each section is raised to allow passage.  Some of these are "on demand" so they raise the bridge after you call and they see you coming.  Others are only on the hour and half hour so they have to be timed for arrival.  Still others are on the quarter and three quarter hour.  It is necessary to have a Passage Plan made up with distance, names and times for openings.  The rest is like a pregnancy that is brought to term.  The worst scenario is to arrive at the bridge too early.  Then you have to hold position until the bridge tender opens up.  With wind, current and other boats jockying for position, you might run aground.  I like to be right on the tail end of all the traffic and when I see the bridge start to open, I shoot the juice to the Volvo Penta and she gratefully acknowledges my demand.

The wind was still blowing hard out of the East today.  When we arrived at the marina, we found that the floating docks were inside a small entrance that would be very difficult to enter.  Another bad sign was that only power boats were moored to these docks.  That makes me question if there is adequate water depth for the 6 ft that our vessel draws.  Given wind and uncertainty about the inside docks, I decided to lay alongside the outer face docks where fuel is taken on.  A little more swell from wind and passing traffic but safe and secure.  Shortly afterwards, another sailboat arrived and decided to do the same thing.  These are the times when you have to know the limitations of the vessel and yourself and just say "can't do" to the marina staff.

We arrived at the marina and were made fast to the fuel dock at 1430 hrs.  Delray Harbor Marina is at Mile Marker 1040.7 on the ICW.  Norfolk, VA is Mile Marker 0.  That's a lot of motor sailing!  We'll be here a few days while the new SSB is installed.  This will be interesting and expensive.