First Weekend at Elliot Key

On Thursday I loaded the fresh food and at 9AM and headed out. The winds were forecast to be East 5-10 or 10-15 for the next few days. Everything went well until I got to Port Everglades and engaged the autopilot to get the sails ready. The unit just beeped and displayed the 'no rudder sensor' error. I had hooked up the GPS to the autopilot and tested that interface since the last trip but I had not engaged the autopilot after that change. The GPS wires are right next to the rudder sensor wires. After getting out the inlet and setting the sails, I took quick trips below to try to find the problem. Removing the GPS wires did not fix the problem. On a close reach, it looked like a straight shot to Miami. In the lumpy seas the boat would not hold a course for long. Its been many years since I have hand steered all day. At Stiltsville I turned downwind through the channel and the wind seemed to die away to nothing. I motorsailed through. In Biscayne Bay I headed South again and in the smoother water the boat would hold a course for a couple of minutes at a time. I anchored at Elliot Key at 5PM and enjoyed a stiff Cuba Libre before digging into the rudder compartment. The rudder travel was more than the rudder sensor could handle and hard over rudder had pulled the linkage apart. Fortunately nothing was broken and the linkage could be reconnected. I marked the wheel with the limits of travel for the sensor and tied a small line to restrict the rudder travel along with the original steel cable.

The front window screen worked OK. It was noticeably cooler on the starboard side  with the screen than on the other side with the closed window. There were some mosquitoes but not a full out attack. This was fortunate as the Velcro would not stick to the fiberglass in some places and would slowly peel off over a few hours. I think there is still mold release wax in places.

The back steps make it very easy to go for a swim. The bottom step is so close to the water that the ladder is not needed to get out. The fresh water hose is perfect for rinsing off or taking a shower. I don't know how I survived without one before!

On Saturday I cooked a steak on the grill and for desert, Ice Cream! Another first! It is really decadent to be anchored at Elliot Key, eating steak and ice cream and not worrying about mosquitoes.

On the way home the autopilot worked just fine and the lesser rudder travel did not seem to be a problem. At Hollywood beach there was a powerboat race. It must have been a big deal because there were 2 TV helicopters following the action.