Hi Ron !

Posted By: Bob s-v Watermark - Mac26S - Ottawa River - ON
Date: 11/24/07 9:25p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: I'm not hard to find! (pic) (Ron (MRHandy)-Mac26S-Cape Coral, FL)

Thanks for the offers, I have limited experience in the ICW. I helped a friend bring a 36 ft sailboat up the Florida coast 2 years ago. He had no previous experience with a sailboat or the ICW. We had a few tense moments so I just know enough to be concerned about trying it myself for the first time. I have been trying to get organized for this trip. I've done some improvements to the boat, new motor, sails and so on. I have a Garmin Map 76 GPS but haven't purchased the Florida charts for it yet. I do have the Maptech chart kit for East coast of Florida, it includes all the paper charts, electronic charts on my laptop, and the Embassy Cruising Guide and the full version of Offshore Navigator Software (I use the Streets and Trips GPS with it). My brother has lived in Florida since the 70's and always owned a boat, does not know anything about sailing but is very experienced with power boats, the ICW and the ocean. I hope to drive down in January and Sherry will join me in mid-February for the Keys trip. I will try sailing with my brother when I first arrive to shake down the boat and get organized for the trip to the Keys. I'm not sure what we will do with our truck and trailer while sailing. I may get my brother to drop Sherry and I off with the boat in the Keys or may try to get parking for truck down there so we will have use of it when we need to buy stores or if we have any problems. It would be fantastic if you could join us while we are down there. I'll be in touch by email to discuss our timing in detail.