6 months to cross the bay zero to hero

[lans0012]

Hey gang I thought I'd post a successfull weekend on here. I finally got my first boat in October and I cleaned it up, did some interior spiffing and replaced the outboard. I've been getting my sea legs for a few months staying close to the marina always. This weekend I took the boat all the way across Tampa Bay to Apollo Beach, navigated an inlet, docked the boat at the marina, ate a cheeseburger, drank a beer, and made it home right around nightfall. I took sailing lessons last year on a lake and before I got the boat I'd never even been on salt water because I'm from Minnesota. So here's to all the nice people on Sailnet and other places I roamed around who answered a lot of dumb questions.

I also made it to the bar on Friday with the boat so I posted a picture of that too. That was also a first.

I also "touched bottom" for the first time in the inlet to Apollo Beach.

[Naughtylus]

Congratulations Ian - Makes a big difference actually 'going somewhere' doesn't it !

[JohnRPollard]

Great trip! Congrats, nice photos too. By all appearances you had some pleasant company with you as well. It's always better to share the experience!

First of many, let's hope. Looking forward to your dispatches from the Horn.

[Spiritman]

Congrats Ian!

Thanks for sharing the experience. It gives me something to look forward to while chipping the ice of my rigging!

As to "touching bottom" -- you really should keep that private.

[WanderingStar]

Happy for you. Your post made me smile.

[MorganPaul]

Nice man. I looked at a chart it appears to be about 22miles round trip.

docked the boat at the marina, ate a cheeseburger, drank a beer

I hope you had a few cold ones on board for the return trip.

Sailing is a blast
Paul

[saildork]

Outstanding, Ian! Ain't sailin' great? And I like how you used your keel for a depth sounder . Keep these great posts coming.

Fair winds,

Pat

[lans0012]

Hey thanks for the responses. Megan was great company for on the trip. I had to take a picture of her smiling so I could remind her in the future that sailing all day is fun for her too.

We learned that we drink more beer when the wind dies and we have to motor. We almost ran out but I found a couple of tall PBRs in the bilge that I had been sitting there for a couple weeks.

I need longer docklines,

I need to get a depth sounder. This Ranger 22 has a modified keel from a previous owner that I think draws around 5'.

Spare batteries for the GPS.

Spare batteries for the boombox.


Follow the locals out of the channel. They must all favor one side for a reason.

The motor does really only burn .5 gallons/hr.

The trip total was about 22-24 miles. So if I leave earlier and don't have to stop for beer I can go 30 next time.

[MorganPaul]

So if I leave earlier and don't have to stop for beer I can go 30 next time.

Excellent man. It sounds like your learning fast.

[twisty2]

Congrats! Awesome job!