Stuart, FL To Racine, WI On A 60MY

[SKYCHENEY]

Don't worry. I am certain that with enough speed you can make it under that bridge.

 

[Freeebird]

I’ll back under it and break the arch free. Hope the Hatt doesn’t hurt the bridge.

 

[Freeebird]

Got the arch down with no damage. Lots of work with a Fein tool and a big crane. Arch is on the fantail and secure. Will be casting off soon and hoping for more lock luck.

 

[jim rosenthal]

...if you had to pick one power tool to do everything, it would be a Fein multitool. They are amazing.

 

[Robby]

Got the arch down with no damage. Lots of work with a Fein tool and a big crane. Arch is on the fantail and secure. Will be casting off soon and hoping for more lock luck.

Pics please .

 

[Freeebird]

Only made it to Harborside Marina, thanks to the late start and a UGE delay at Dresden Lock. It’s windier than dammitt! So windy that a tow couldn’t get into the lock with his second set of barges. We had to dodge the first set entering the lock, then it was dodging him and the second set exiting the lock.

The trawler ahead of us obviously wasn’t prepared for the brutal wind and current while squeezing through that hole, and he damn near took out the port side of his boat. Speed is your friend in such situations, and I was expecting that near miss when I watched him enter the lock. He cleared by mere inches when his boat went sideways while leaving.

A couple of pics of the now archless/mastless Beenaghetto. I’ll share the story about that name later.

 

[Freeebird]

...if you had to pick one power tool to do everything, it would be a Fein multitool. They are amazing.

I bought the DeWalt equivalent and wasn’t impressed. Took it back after a few hours of cussing.

 

[jmooney]

I have the Dremel version, works great. Much cheaper than a Feintool. It can make some amazing cuts. What else have they been keeping from me?

 

[Dan Mapes]

Harbor Freight cheapo helped me remove all of the rotten coring and other scuz from the foredeck so I could install coosa..

 

[Pascal]

The dremel multitool my primary go to tools. With a carbide blade it will cut anything. Can’t be without one.

 

[Freeebird]

Made it to Sunset Bay Marina & Submarine Base where we wrangled the fuel dock suite. May have made Hammond if not for a total a$$hole towboat “captain” who we assume just wanted to hold up a yatchet. Unless we get hung up in something totally goofy at O’Brien Lock in the morning, we’ll still end up in Racine tomorrow.

You know you’ve made it when you hail a drawbridge in Chicago, and the bridge tender replies, “Is this Captain Randy?”

It would seem they’ve been tracking our trip. Same with some REAL tow Captains, one of which let us ahead of him an Brandon Road Lock this morning. That gesture saved us at least 2-3 hours. It’s good to be The Bird, at least sometimes.

 

[Freeebird]

Oh yeah, here’s a pic.

 

[Byresch]

Made it to Sunset Bay Marina & Submarine Base where we wrangled the fuel dock suite. May have made Hammond if not for a total a$$hole towboat “captain” who we assume just wanted to hold up a yatchet. Unless we get hung up in something totally goofy at O’Brien Lock in the morning, we’ll still end up in Racine tomorrow.

You know you’ve made it when you hail a drawbridge in Chicago, and the bridge tender replies, “Is this Captain Randy?”

It would seem they’ve been tracking our trip. Same with some REAL tow Captains, one of which let us ahead of him an Brandon Road Lock this morning. That gesture saved us at least 2-3 hours. It’s good to be The Bird, at least sometimes.

Please don't get so famous it goes to your head!!!! LOL

 

[rsmith]

Oh yeah, here’s a pic.

Topless

 

[Freeebird]

Please don't get so famous it goes to your head!!!! LOL

I can handle it! LOL

Had a little railroad bridge adventure as the bridge tender was nowhere to be found. Multiple calls to multiple agencies got us through in about TWO FRIGGIN HOURS!

Went out onto the lake, and it was pretty sporty. Having the arch lying on the fantail was a concern (even though it’s VERY secure), so we headed into Hammond. Another hour or so should be sufficient as it’s laid down a bunch since we came in. 70 miles and the journey is done.

 

[Freeebird]

Underway and staying outside gun range.

 

[jjtoma]

You got out of there at the right time. Sunset Bay Marina is about 136th & Torrence.
River Oaks Mall is at 159th & Torrence, where rioting & looting going on as I type.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

You're out of the rivers. You can switch to knots.

 

[Freeebird]

Made it into Racine around 7 and just got back from a nice dinner with Dave and a couple of his friends. Trina wasn’t able to make the last leg of this trip, but I couldn’t have asked for better travel companions for what became a 30 day run. The boat ran flawlessly.

Now it’s on to Cheboygan to pick up Robby & Brenda’s 53MY for a return trip south. It’ll be nice going DOWN the rivers for a change. Will pick up a rental car and head their way in the morning. Stay tuned for another thread on that trip, coming soon to a forum near you.

 

[Freeebird]

You're out of the rivers. You can switch to knots.

Should I switch to fathoms too?