Crew wanted Daytona to Miami

[SailingSunflower]

Hi All,
I am looking for someone to join me on an easy motor for an approximately 5 day trip down the ICW from Daytona Beach Fl to Miami departing Daytona sometime before the end of June (dates are somewhat flexible). The boat is a 26' Grampian and it is nothing fancy, hand held VHF, battery operated lanterns, porta potty, little propane grill, cooler, outboard motor, tiller... I have all paper charts and hand held GPS and electronic charts on IPad, safety gear, foul weather gear, amazingly complete emergency medical kit etc... I am open to anchoring out or heading into a marina at night depending on crew preferences- I do like my hot showers :-).... But it is basically like camping out on a sailboat. We will be towing an double kayak which we can take out and explore places if we choose. I want to get there but believe in enjoying the journey. I am 34, a girl but work on boats like one of the boys, fun, friendly, bright, sailboat addict who is a great cook and good company and very easy on the eyes. I am looking for someone who can steer a boat into a slip and knows the difference between red and green and circles and triangles. There won't be any sailing though because I don't trust the standing rig and chainplates. There are a few that I feel need beefing up. Anyways that is beside the point- please be easy going, flexible, fun but responsible, able to take watches, have some experience on a smaller sailboat and in need of a vacation. I may or may not have my son and my parrot with me on board. Most likely not the kid but the parrot would make us like authentic pirates. We would just need a flag....:-)

If it works out great there might be an opportunity for another fun trip on one of my other boats a 42' Vagabond from Bradenton to Miami in a few months- that trip may have some actual sailing and maybe some exploring along the way.

I am not able to pay but will cover expenses of the trip such as food and can work with you on reasonable transportation to Daytona and from Miami. I won't cover your regular personal expenses- prescription medicines, cigarettes, excessive alcohol etc...please don't be a drunk... I love my sundowners don't get me wrong I just prefer to keep things drama free and don't feel like babysitting someone who is wasted every night and can't pull it together in an emergency.

Let me know if interested and tell me a bit about yourself. I think that getting along and enjoying the company is very important. I am not looking for a new boyfriend or hook up though and am happily married and so if you have any thoughts in that direction don't bother replying. But if you want some boat time on the water with an easy going fun and talkative boat geek I am your girl.
Thanks Jessica

[PBzeer]

5 days may be pushing it. Doable, but pushing it. Especially if you want to do anything more than go from dawn to dusk. Once you get past Ft Pierce, you start hitting scheduled bridge openings, which can be a PITA depending on your speed.

It is a pretty easy trip, but I'd plan on a week, not five days.

[SailingSunflower]

I am not married to the schedule... I had estimated about 50 miles a day give or take... Some being longer that others. But how ever it plays out is fine by me. You know how it is once you are on the water....
I know there are ton of bridges coming up....
Jess

[PBzeer]

Was just FYI. 50 miles per day in summer is certainly doable, though I generally plan on 40. I was having motor problems when I went north through there, and missed a few openings. Frustrating to get there just as they are closing the bridge.

[SailingSunflower]

Ha know what you mean. When we came south into Daytona we were having motor problems and at one bridge they opened... waited.... and then closed the bridge we took so long to go the last little bit. Luckily we only had to wait 5 or 10 minutes for them to reopened it for us when we got right up next to it. Feel your pain. Thank god I have a different engine on there now! One that purrs like a kitten... Knock on wood!
Jess

[peterconway]

i would be interested if you could wait 'till the 2nd or 3rd. we have somthing in common, i'm not looking for a boyfriend either. a 26 footer is not my idea of excitement, but i like sightseeing on the icw. give me a call if jewanna. 843 847-1899

[chechesseedee]

Jessica,
I am interested, but my schedule got jammed in the last few days (I make wedding cakes and didn't have anything for the next few weeks, then several "emergency cakes" popped up. It figures.) My friends affectionately call me the boat whore because I will work like stink in exchange for time on the water - no matter the weather or the job, they know I'll lend a hand scraping, cleaning, whatever...I view it all as an adventure. Not so good at putting sailboats into a slip but I steer straight, follow a course, handle sails and lines, and follow orders well. In other words, the perfect deck monkey. I grew up with stinkpots and snuck out to sail like some kids sneak around for lesser pursuits. I make a mean mojito and love my cocktails, but am not the drunk dancing on the bar. (Well, maybe once). I've never met a stranger, just friends I don't know yet. I don't ever want to be a "Real Housewife of Anything", meaning I don't do drama. I'm low maintenance, relatively neat, and open-minded.

With all that said, keep me in mind for another time. I'm not looking for a boyfriend -or a girlfriend either. I'm married. No parrot, but I do have 3 cats and an 18 year-daughter. She's leaving for college and I'm looking for opportunities for new adventures on the water. I'd like to make some new friends while I'm at it and avoid getting a real job as long as possible. I'll bring the pirate flag.

Thanks! Sonja

[aa3jy]

Ahhh..yes a Grampian 26..had one of those..I bet it has a 9.9hp out board and 5 gal. gas can. Great little boat! Been all over the Chesapeake Bay with it.

Regards,

Clay
s/v 'Tango'
34 Cabo Rico
(a former Daytona Beach resident)