We waited about 8 days to find a suitable weather window where the wind didn’t have a northerly component in it that could easily increase the wave heights to 5-15 feet stacking up with the northerly Gulf Stream currents. To sail back north west to Florida we need winds that are east to south east and strong enough to move the boat at 6 knots or more to make the two 85 mile crossings. One other factor played into the final day crossing was the timing of the entry into the cut coming from the Atlantic to the intra coastal water inlet at slack to flood tides other outgoing current stacks up with incoming waves creating 5 foot waves.

We decided to do the crossing in two 13 hour 84 mile days, mostly during the day. the first day was great wind and moderate seas. The second day lack wind but calmer seas requiring more motoring.

The motor worked fine until 1/4 mile from the fort pierce I let when it over heated and stopped due to grass in the sea water intake. We decided on a sea tow which towed the boat 12 miles up river to vero beach.

Back in vero and back to nice morning walks and run and coffee stops and visit with cruisers and walks on the Atlantic. A northerly front has brought multiple days of high 30-49 knot winds and heavy rains. Some boat projects and other projects keep me busy on the boat and shore.