A day to Remember

Leaving Ft. Myers early this am, we were all excited to make the 120nm run south to Key West. A light breeze greeted us, and as we eased into San Carlos Bay a following sea helped push us along at a nice 26kt. cruise. 

Today didn't suck, to say the least. 

The only drawback, and I can tell you are all very sorry for me, is that the autopilot died on us. So we had to steer the boat manually. (Saints preserve us, how awful, I know...)

The ride proved to be very comfortable, and gave me a chance to really feel the boat out and compare it to our past love, the 38 Henriques.  

Of course, some made from scratch Bloody Marys certainly helped the situation along.  Overall, this new gal of ours is really growing on me. The out of space we have is just tremendous. The ride in all but a head sea is very stable and dry (wear a snorkel with the head sea!) and the boat ran like a champ. And burned fuel like one too. Ouch.

But it was all worth it. Pulling into Key West on our own boat was a thill, and something I'll always remember doing. It just feels more exotic when you get there yourself, like your a voyager making new discoveries.  

Tonite, it's out to Duval St. and mischief. Tomorrow, on to new discoveries!