Below are a series of SPOT check-in reports from my recent cruise with a former student, now owner of a lovely Catalina 310.
His boat had been in the Maximo boatyard for some repairs and updating. We provisioned and fueled the boat at the boatyard, sorted out a couple last minute issues, then set out for the Gulf via the North Channel. We sailed through the night, reaching in NW wind. Mid afternoon on the next day we went in Boca Grand Pass with 3 to 5 foot swells breaking across the channel. This was intimidating enough to be on par with any Columbia River bar crossing I've ever done, but we made it and then were in the smooth water of the ICW headed south. We spent that night at the Sanibel Island Yacht Club, which turns out to be more of a dinner club than yacht club. but it's right next door to the Tween Waters Inn with it's lively restaurant and bar scene. It was a fun evening.
The next day we avoided the north wind on the Gulf and motored north along the ICW. We pulled in for the night at The Crows Nest next to Venice Inlet. Another enjoyable evening with live music at the Crows Nest Lounge.
The next day, our last, we continued motoring up the ICW all the way back to his home slip at Pasadena Marina. Good trip.
