We had decided to take the ‘outside’ Gulf route to our next anchorage. I wanted to get more ocean experience, and since the weather was so nice, why not? Let me tell you why not: the entrance/exit to the Gulf is a passage that tends to get shoaled in. What this means is there are sand bars that move around due to weather and currents, so unless you’re a ‘local’, you are going in blind. Charts cannot keep up with the movements of theses sand bars, so it doesn’t matter if you are in the ‘marked channel’. We left our mooring and were headed out the channel. I was listening to the radio and heard a constant call for SeaTow and TowBoat due to running aground in the Sarasota Pass. Hmmm…that’s where we’re heading… I figured I would watch for the boats aground and avoid them- solid plan in my mind. We were making our way out and the depth finder would start dropping, then it would come up some. I was zig-zagging around trying to keep deep water under our keel. We draw about four and a half feet, so I need at least that much to stay afloat. We were making our way out the channel when we came to a dead stop. Sssccrraappe….We had ‘bumped’ bottom a couple of times, but were able to keep forward progress- not this time. Dead stop. Oh shit. I tried powering through it, and nothing. I looked around and there were probably about a dozen small fishing boats around, but they kept on fishing. There was nothing they could really do for us anyway, so I don’t blame them. I was going back and forth with throttle trying to get us un-stuck every time a boat would pass- I was hoping the wake from them would give us enough lift to get us off. Lauren came out and was telling me to stop it! We’re stuck- let’s wait for higher tide! She didn’t want me to damage anything (like before) and we clearly were not getting off this sand bar without help, so I was just wasting gas. At least it is soft sand and not rocks! There we were, stuck in the sand, feeling helpless with nothing to do but wait. As we were waiting, I notice the SeaTow boat heading toward us. Since other boats had called them, they were coming to the rescue. The actual boat that had called them was now off and free, and the tow boat came up slowly. “You need help?” he called out. “Yes- I didn’t call you, but I think the guy who did is free- Can you get us off this?” He made a phone call and confirmed the previously stuck boat was free. “Do you have a membership?” he asked. “Yes” I replied and gave him the information. He tossed me a line and was able to drag us sideways off of the sandbar. He ran the information and prepared paperwork for me to sign for the tow. “You saved $1009 today having the membership” HOLY CRAP! The membership is a little less than $200 for the year- well worth it on the first use! I told him our plan to take the outside passage and he advised it would be best to use the intracoastal route due to the moving shoaling all around. The intracoastal waterway is kept dredged to a minimum of five feet, so that is the best route. Lesson learned (for now- you’ll see).
After getting pulled off and turning around, we made our way to the ICW (intracoastal waterway). We didn’t have too far to go, and since we got a late start due to the grounding we felt we would still make it in the daylight. We made our way there holding our breath in a few spots as we watched the depth finder decrease to an uncomfortable depth. Our destination was Pelican Bay, but we weren’t sure if we could make it in with our draft and the depths showing on the charts. Lauren had the idea to call the local Seatow (they are privately owned by location) and ask them for some advice. We had read about doing this, but this is the first time we actually did it; We were on the phone with a local towboat Captain and he advised us against our destination of Pelican Bay, saying the depths and changing shoals could make it difficult to enter. He advised us of an anchorage with plenty of water a little further south, across from Cabbage Key, We had researched and had a few places in mind to stop, but a lot of the spots were known shallow areas. We passed Pelican Bay- the reviews were good, but the charts show three feet or less on entry- not something we wanted to ‘try’ today and with the Captain’s advice we passed on by, but it was filled with boats. Probably a dozen easily As we passed it we wondered if we could make it in, but still being somewhat shy about depths we continued on further to the anchorage we thought would have more water depths and he had recommended.
We found our way to Useppa Island and the anchorage we were told about. Upon approach we saw there were two other boats anchored in the area, but spread out pretty far. On the chart I noticed there were underwater cables running under the space between them, but we took our chances and dropped anchor. We were directly across from Cabbage Key, and about a hundred yards from the marked channel. Boats were zooming up and down the channel, and some of the larger boats would rocks us a bit, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable. I eventually got in the dinghy to take Frank to shore, and noticed people on one of the boats closest to us outside on their back deck. I went over to them to say hello and we chatted a bit about the Loop. They had completed it a few years ago, and were still living on their boat with their children. I inquired about where to take Frank and they pointed me toward a marina that was not too far away. As I approached the marina, a guy came out and asked if I was there to let the dog out? I replied “yes” and he then told me I needed to take him to the island across the way, and if I go to the other side, there is a spot to land the dinghy. Hmmm…not too friendly, but what could I do? I turned toward the island and made my way around it. I did find the beach clearing to land the dinghy and Frank enjoyed roaming around and all the new smells. I got Frank loaded back in the dinghy and off we went back to Klondike. Lauren and I sat on the back deck enjoying a glass of wine while the sun set and we were treated to a spectacular display of colors as it went down. Dinner was made, and we decided we had to stay for lunch at Cabbage Key tomorrow since we weren’t going too far to the next anchorage.