Stuart, FL To Racine, WI On A 60MY

[Dazed338]

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.

I for one will be following, difference between up stream and down stream.

 

[Freeebird]

I for one will be following, difference between up stream and down stream.

It’ll be UGE!!

 

[Freestyle]

This thread is a strong contender for HOF thread of the year. I really looked forward to reading the updates, problems, and solutions. Well presented, well written, and well cast.

Look forward to the next one.

Thanks Randy.

Bruce
Freestyle
1986 62 CPMY (54MT with ext)
Tampa

 

[Freeebird]

Like ^^^

Dave and I were just discussing the magnitude of this trip and how few issues we had. We were running 12-15 hours a day, and gensets (alternated between the two) ran constantly when we weren’t on dockside power. We did one oil change on the mains while en route.

Having to rebuild the lower helm (bad seal) was the only mechanical issue we had. Pretty impressive, and a testament to how well this boat has been maintained, and how well Dave prepared it for the journey ahead. It was just a great run.

 

[rsmith]

I met up with Randy when the boat was in Stuart. The boat is mint and as close to a new 30 yo boat as you could get. Dave got himself a real beaut.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Should I switch to fathoms too?

You could, we've got more water than we need right now.

Are you taking the southern or northern route to get to Robby? Going over the top is a nice trip and you'll get to cross the Mighty Mac.

 

[Freeebird]

You could, we've got more water than we need right now.

Are you taking the southern or northern route to get to Robby? Going over the top is a nice trip and you'll get to cross the Mighty Mac.

It was a pretty drive up from Racine. Robby just picked me up where I dropped the rental. I haven’t looked at the charts for the northern route, but I’m thinking that would be our best bet on a number of fronts. Wisconsin is way better than Michigan with all the CHINA-19 crap.

Besides, it would be nice to see Willy and Pat again, and I’m sure Dave and Trina are missing me already.

 

[Freeebird]

Just finished some of Brenda’s fine cooking. I think we’ll shoot for Frankfort tomorrow. If the situation calls for it, we’ll call it a day at Charlevoix. I don’t see much going across the top, so we’ll probably cross over to Manitowoc, then Racine, and then down to Sunset Bay again.

I’ll stop talking about this trip on this thread and start another one. Gotta come up with something catchy.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

It was a pretty drive up from Racine. Robby just picked me up where I dropped the rental. I haven’t looked at the charts for the northern route, but I’m thinking that would be our best bet on a number of fronts. Wisconsin is way better than Michigan with all the CHINA-19 crap.

Besides, it would be nice to see Willy and Pat again, and I’m sure Dave and Trina are missing me already.

I was talking about the drive.

For the transit south, you could go to Beaver Island, then cross to Sturgeon Bay, WI. But I like your idea to go to Frankfort. That's a long day from Cheboygan though.

In Frankfort, stay at Jacobsens.

 

[Freeebird]

Thanks, Sky. We’ll head out at first light and see how things play out. I figure we’ll have decent protection from those south winds tomorrow. I’m guessing we’ll call it a short day in Charlevoix, but if the boat and R&B are still happy, we’ll keep on chugging to Frankfort.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Call Hal, the harbormaster in Charlevoix to make sure they're open due to this stupid state shutdown.

BTW, John is the owner of Jacobsens in Frankfort and that's who you need to talk to there.

 

[Freeebird]

Thanks again, Sky. If push comes to shove, we’ll try out Robby’s new anchor in the lake.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Thanks again, Sky. If push comes to shove, we’ll try out Robby’s new anchor in the lake.

Left you some weather info on the Flybridge site.

 

[Sadey]

First off let me say what an awesome adventure this trip was! Secondly from as far down into my heart that I can reach I want to give thanks to Randy. Not only was he professional and fun to be with but he treated Trina, I and Benedetto with the utmost respect. It’s not easy to spend 30 days with what was for the most part a stranger and get along let alone a friend. Durning that time Randy became not just a friend but a member of the Benedetto family. Thank you Randy! This journey will not be forgotten. And many thanks to all for the compliments on Benedetto itself. Oh and as for the cussing at you, I’ll do my best to not do it as much on the next trip, damn it Randy!!

Thank you my friend!

 

[Freeebird]

Aww shucks. Thanks for the kind words, Dave. I’ve never had anyone give me the finger quite like you did, but it was definitely an epic trip.

That reminds me. The, “Beenaghetto”, thing came from a good ole boy in Demopolis, Al-abama. I called the yacht basin about a transient slip, and the guy asked the name of the boat. I told him, Benedetto, and he said, “Been a ghetto?”

I tried not to, but I couldn’t keep from busting out laughing! I assured him I wasn’t laughing at him, but that I WOULD remember that pronunciation! I still like Beenindebto myself. Seems I came up with another variation which escapes me now. I’ll see you tomorrow evening, unless this boat... never mind.

See if your dock Nazi will let us stay in that 50’ slip beside you so we can get a photo of the two Hatt’s together. It’ll be UGE! Speaking of UGE, wait until you see the size of the American flag Robby is flying on the stern. If we lose power, I can MacGyver it into a sail. That’ll be impressive on the ole resume.