Bradenton to Dunedin, 3/26

Thursday, March 26^th, Bradenton to Dunedin

A very long day. We managed to get the boat from Bradenton to Dunedin, some 52 miles, in order to beat the major cold front with 30 mph gusts and thunderstorms promised for Friday.

We left at daybreak, passed the Finney home around 9 AM, waved and were on our way again. Between Bradenton and Dunedin, there are 5 bridges that are lift or swing bridges.  Some open on schedules, and some open on demand. The Marker1 Marina in Dunedin was staffed until 5 PM, so we hoped to make it by then.

Along the way, we enjoyed the company of two dolphins for about half an hour. They surfed the pressure wave just off Sea Fever's stern and surfaced every few minutes right next to the cockpit for a quick breath of air.  It was great fun.

The dolphin escort from Bradenton to Dunedin

We were pushed along by very strong winds from the south but the journey still took about 9 hours. We were very tired by the time we arrived at the Marker1 Marina.

As we attempted our approach to the marina, neither of our marine radios could connect to the marina office, nor would either of our cell phones, so we didn't know what our slip number was, nor how to navigate to it. We went in blind, in high winds, hoping that we we would get more direction as we got closer. 

Unfortunately, the dock boy directed us to the wrong slip.  So after the boat was tied off and connected, we had to undo all the lines and the electric connection,and move the boat to another slip in a 20 mph south wind.  Tim wasn't pleased but Kathy remained calm. Those of you who know her understand that even though she seemed calm, her lips had disappeared! Not a good sign.

With help from about 5 dock hands we got the boat into the new slip and tied up without incident.

Fixed docks with short finger docks and pilings that were just barely within reach brought up memories of Turner Marine in Mobile where Kathy had so much trouble. It was a challenge to get on and off the boat, especially at low tide.

Weekdays were nice except for the roar of three huge forklifts moving boats in and out of the dry storage racks.  They have lots of dry storage here.  It really is a marina made to cater to powerboats.  But it is free, and there promises to be fun things to do and see.