From salt to fresh, an un update

[PascalG]

Figured I post an update on our drastic boat move from SoFl to Easter TN… from ocean to lake and from Salt to fresh water.

Here is a video I agit of a couple of anchorages we enjoyed after moving the boat to Watts Bar Lake in eastern Tn.

We love the area as the lake has dozens of coves.

We go up there every few weeks and really enjoy the area. I love how the marina is in a very sheltered cove and being at the end of the dock, uncovered, we have an open view on the other side of the cove. Very peaceful

We had one cold spell earlier this month with lows just below freezing in the morning. I am pretty sure it is the first time my boat gets snowed on in its 55 years…. All melted the next day though

One thing I had to do is add heat! That wasn’t a concern in miami and when I converted to chillers a few years ago I opted for AC only. No reverse cycle. I came up with a fairly simple solution which is to add a water heater to the normally chilled water loop. Works great and very simple. The 45 gal water heater is just connected to the loop using the existing circulation pump to circulate hot water to all 5 air handlers.

No reverse cycle, no running compressors, no worry about lake water being to cold.

In the meantime Miami is getting worst and worst. Traffic, morons both on land and on the water, etc. I love my job running a 116’ boat for some great owners and if it wasn’t for that, we d be moving right away.

 

[Bruce Herrington]

One of the reasons we sold our boat(s) was the traffic. It ceased to be the getaway we needed.

I do miss boating on the TN River. Have you become a member of the Volunteer Navy yet?

 

[boatbum]

One of the reasons we sold our boat(s) was the traffic. It ceased to be the getaway we needed.

This is the primary reason we stopped going to the Abacos. When we first went over and for a number of years, we could walk from White Sound on Elbow Cay to Hopetown proper, back and only see our foot prints in the sand. The restaurants we available and not crowded. These days the places are closed for destination weddings, private events, or you can't get a seat. Having been intimidated by quad runners on the beach and adding it all up it was turning into the "Jersey Shore".
Then there are the rag baggers that want the right of way when they are under power, or the megas that run you off the rhumb line and ignore hails.

 

[Bruce Herrington]

Yep, the best spots seemed to be crowded these days, which renders them no longer the best.

We got lucky a couple of years ago in January when we booked a trip to Abaco. Places were closed, even Pete's Pub.

 

[Good Grief]

Yep, the best spots seemed to be crowded these days, which renders them no longer the best.

We got lucky a couple of years ago in January when we booked a trip to Abaco. Places were closed, even Pete's Pub.

As the great orator Yogi Berra once said, "yea, nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!"

 

[PascalG]

The Bahamas have changed a lot in the last 10 years and not for the better but at least the Exumas are still enjoyable and far from crowded.

This upcoming winter season is going to be a test. The increased cruising permit fees along with new anchoring fees and mandatory AIS over 50’ are going to cool things down a bit.

 

[Bruce Herrington]

Has Bimini rebounded yet? A friend cruised from Ft Lauderdale to Bimini & Key West recently. Said Bimini was ok, but he'd never been before.

 

[PascalG]

We avoid Bimini as much as all possible, it s just not what it used to be. The association of Bahamas marina claims that this summer was very slow there especially the July 4 week end which is their peak due to the new fees

For instance, for the average boat between 50 and 99’, cruising permit is now $1000 plus $350 mandatory anchoring fee and $300 fishing permit.

And they ve cut the second free reentry window from 90 to 30 days.

 

[Bruce Herrington]

That's crazy; I wouldn't visit Bimini either.

 

[boatbum]

We stopped in at Bimini a few times going to and returning from the Bahamas. One trip we were invited onto a yacht named Charmer for some rum punch.

 

[PascalG]

We stopped in at Bimini a few times going to and returning from the Bahamas. One trip we were invited onto a yacht named Charmer for some rum punch.

I remember. Must have been 12-13 years ago?

 

[boatbum]

I remember. Must have been 12-13 years ago?

Has to be at least that long. Perhaps 2011 or 12. We were at Brown's one of those years and the Big Game Club after that. Pulling into the Big Game we were on the bank all day coming back from the Berry's. I was spent. As I turned in the tide caught us and the crew of the sporty on the end panicked. I caught it and cleared them then into the slip. Whew! Tide back in there was always a trip at the wrong time LOL. Here are a couple of tracks from back in the day. We can all see I definitely screwed up and cut it short going into the Big Game.

Time is leaving us behind. But glad we were all there and shared.