January 1-2

January 1 2017

Another number to remember!

We made it down from Peck Lake to Lake Worth in about 6 hours. That's 20 miles. It was not too bad as far as times and bridges go. There are 6 or 7 bridges that have to open for anyone over 30 feet high, which includes all sailboats and mega yachts. It made quite a difference to lift the dinghy onto the back deck in terms of speed and making the times bridges.

There were only dolphins at the top end. They are smart enough not to run the gauntlet between Jupiter Inlet and West Palm. I think most of the stupid rich people on the East Coast live in this 20 mile stretch.

We got here around 3 pm and decided to just sit at anchor. C-Soul and Saltwater Taffy caught up to us at the last bridge. They probably left at noon; we left at 8 am. Sigh...

Rick drove most of the way down. I was doing little sewing jobs...kept me from flipping off the boaters that tried to swamp us.

There are quite a few boats in here that I recognize from last year, many in the same spots.

So today,  January 2, not being a holiday, we are going to go shore for a walk if we can get the dinghy down in this howling gale; check the weather to see where our window went, and find the next one.

So for details of yesterday, here is my rant. Feel free to skip it but I needed to get it out:               

Etiquette on the ICW           There is none!

For the past two days we have been running down river from Fort Pierce to Lake Worth and have encountered some of the worst boaters ever. They range from million dollar yachts to small fishing skiffs.

Power boaters never look back to see what their wake has done to smaller boats, sail boats, paddle boards, and canoes or kayaks...or they wave smugly and keep on going.

Is there a code in the manual for a power boat that says: "Remember! You are king of the waterways! What's behind, beside and in front of you is not important!"

Travelling up and down the ICW, I have seen pontoon boats swamped; paddlers knocked off their boards, kayaks overturned and the boats that caused the accidents are not even aware of what they've done. I'm sure when they hear about the accidents they are horrified, not realizing their own actions could be the cause... or simply don't care.

Sitting waiting for bridges, the power boats take great delight in slaloming through the sail boats at top speed, watching us pitch rail to rail.

NO WAKE Zones mean nothing to them. I have lost more things off my shelves because of power boat wakes that in ocean crossings...and yes, those of us who cruise do have more than beer coolers on our boats!

At the anchorage spots, especially Peck Lake, the boats go flying by. Do they not think that perhaps these boats at anchor might be cooking dinner? Using sharp knives? I guess the operative work is think!

I saw a boat full of young women, and the female driver was sucking on a wine bottle!!!  The only reason she wasn't speeding: there were too many boats at that spot.

Another boat was running at high speed down the river pulling two little kids on a tube, and the driver was also the spotter --Dad was the only person in the boat!

After observing all this, what is the point of a Manatee Zone? If they don't care enough about each other, they sure don't care enough to worry about destroying the wildlife habitat in the channel.

This kind of irresponsible driving is not tolerated on the highways. Why is it tolerated on the waterway? Or is it sanctioned road rage? Does horsepower mean exemption from the rules?

The ICW is not a "private driveway" for power boaters. All boaters are entitled to use it, even lowly kayaks and canoes.

We may not all drive Lincolns, Cadillacs or Humvees but on the road, all vehicles are equal. Of course, the only people who will actually read this are already responsible boaters. If only there was a way to inform the general boating public.

C-Soul...sleeping in ..because they are faster than us!!

Beautiful boat...considerate driver

OMG - who cuts that lawn???