Calcutta
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2005
- Messages
- 129
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 36' CONVERTIBLE-Series I (1969 -1977)
Whew!
Just got back into Charleston Monday evening, from a nice 29-hour run from Charleston, SC to Stuart, FL. We departed @ 5am Friday and pulled into the Pocket at 2pm on Sunday. Although I had hopes of getting outside and avoiding the bridges & manatee zones, the weather offshore dashed those dreams immediately. Luckily, the traffic on the ICW was sparse for this time of year. Seems many South-bound rag-baggers just decided to stay tied up in port until the howling offshore winds subsided...don't these folks have jobs?
We ended up making it to Jeckyll Is Marina the first evening. Great little restaurant / bar with noteably outstanding Brunswick stew! The boat burned 201 gals in 11 hours for an average of 18.3 gph . I was pleasantly surprised considering I ran the motors (3116's) at 2400 - 2450rpms most of the time and the boat was loaded pretty heavily. It's also funny, as much bad press that these motors have recieved over the years, I can only praise their performance. They burned no oil and never missed a beat.
New Smyrna Beach was our stop on day 2. Stayed aboard and enjoyed home-made habenero BBQ, shrimp salad and spirits before, during and after dinner.
Day 3 was the windiest yet. Indian River from Cocoa Beach and beyond, there was a 2-chop that seemed to increase as the day wore on. We did sight a number of manatee from Haulover Canal South. They seemed to just love being near the boat...I wish I could raise marlin as easily.
Anyway, 'boy is now in position & ready for the winter FL sailfish bite.
Mike, Chris & John- thank you for the local info...you guys were right; Shrimpers was outstanding. Great bar (x2) and equally great seafood. I'd like to catch up with you guys all if possible when I'm back down on the 17th.
Hopefully, the bite and the weather will cooperate.
Just got back into Charleston Monday evening, from a nice 29-hour run from Charleston, SC to Stuart, FL. We departed @ 5am Friday and pulled into the Pocket at 2pm on Sunday. Although I had hopes of getting outside and avoiding the bridges & manatee zones, the weather offshore dashed those dreams immediately. Luckily, the traffic on the ICW was sparse for this time of year. Seems many South-bound rag-baggers just decided to stay tied up in port until the howling offshore winds subsided...don't these folks have jobs?
We ended up making it to Jeckyll Is Marina the first evening. Great little restaurant / bar with noteably outstanding Brunswick stew! The boat burned 201 gals in 11 hours for an average of 18.3 gph . I was pleasantly surprised considering I ran the motors (3116's) at 2400 - 2450rpms most of the time and the boat was loaded pretty heavily. It's also funny, as much bad press that these motors have recieved over the years, I can only praise their performance. They burned no oil and never missed a beat.
New Smyrna Beach was our stop on day 2. Stayed aboard and enjoyed home-made habenero BBQ, shrimp salad and spirits before, during and after dinner.
Day 3 was the windiest yet. Indian River from Cocoa Beach and beyond, there was a 2-chop that seemed to increase as the day wore on. We did sight a number of manatee from Haulover Canal South. They seemed to just love being near the boat...I wish I could raise marlin as easily.
Anyway, 'boy is now in position & ready for the winter FL sailfish bite.
Mike, Chris & John- thank you for the local info...you guys were right; Shrimpers was outstanding. Great bar (x2) and equally great seafood. I'd like to catch up with you guys all if possible when I'm back down on the 17th.
Hopefully, the bite and the weather will cooperate.
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French maid uniforms are required for all (most 
) female guests in the VBC. The stilettos are soft soled tho---- ws
. That is our boats home port but we live just outside Orlando so we are weekenders for now. My understanding is the bite will stay strong in FP as well. There are reports of catches so it should be taking off as we speak. We will be trolling Sat afternoon and drifting for Swords Sat night. I will post a thread if we do well. I have allways fished the other side of Florida so Billfishing is new to me but I am starting to put it together and if the wind would play nice I could put my time in. All this fancy bait riggin' stuff takes time to learn. Good luck and look forward to meeting you.....
