OK, My time off has been approved from June 14th - 20th. Weather permitting we will leave Boyton Beach early the 14th and head back the 17th. I have not secured any accommodations yet but am working over the logistics. I was looking at the Bootle bay fish camp but it is a hike from where we have to clear customs but it is a closer jump on the return. Any suggestions?

Moose you're killing me!!! I'm going to be in the Keys for the first two weeks of June then heading to TX on the 19th for some family stuff for a couple of weeks. Man I would love to go.

I hate that Don. Should love to see you guys.
Mike, will you be taking the new sled over? I'm speaking at a conference on the 13th and will be at the hotel in Dekrey. Going to launch the morning of the 14th from Boyton.

To be honest Ken, I am interested just had not heard from you. Denny had proposed a longer trip but I am not sure I can afford that. A week would be perfect. Looks like I would be traveling solo and if s#it breaks bad out there I'm not sure I've got the experience needed. I've been on the water since about age six and operating boats, but I haven't a clue how to navigate by charts! Like I said, I've seen a video of a 15 Whaler do it like a two plus hour run on a lake...

[QUOTE=Vezo, Part II;242806]. . . but I haven't a clue how to navigate by charts! . . ./QUOTE]

Dead reckoning navigation isn't that hard . . . all you need is a compensated compass or a deviation card and a stopwatch. Always good to have that as back-up in case the electronics crap out. (We didn't have GPS back in the 70's and not many guys had Loran!) The Chapman's book has some good examples & Power Squadron teaches courses on it.

Getting this trip together seems to be about like it was back in the 70's when I worked at Pratt . . . the younger guys who could afford it didn't have enough vacation time (had to be there 15 years to get 3 weeks vacation), and the older guys with 3-4 weeks vacation had kids in college and couldn't afford it! Some things never change!

Mike we are only looking at spending 3 days over there and we will likely have room aboard if you would like to just take your chances in our sled. :D Mel and I have two plans as we have to be down for my conference on the 13th anyway..... If the weather permits, we cross on the 14th and spend 3 days and return. If the weather is not perfect we will just stay in the area or hobo down the intercoastal for a few days and enjoy the time off. I have a few days wiggle room built in to stall for a weather window on the way over or if I need to wait a day to return safely. Ultimately safe conditions will rule all decisions and if we make it over and have to stay a few extra days to wait the weather out I don't think they will fire either of us. The only news paper articles I want to be in are for some record fish catch and not finding the Melissa J on her back with the prop in the air drifting up the stream.

Then there is always calm Sebastian (Sportsman Lodge)

Well that sounds much more assuring (and then Bump Draft goes and posts that pic!!!), Sportsman Lodge is where I first met you guys, right? I'd really like to take my new ride over. Still working on electronic package and anchor system.

I have much more time than money to avoid weather, but my bar bill may determine whether or not I have to sleep aboard the Seafari😇😁😂. Would my Golden require a passport? May leave her with friends in Palm City.

Standing by.

Oh don't even mention bringing dogs as Mel is asking why not bring ours. I love them but the logistics for bringing my idiots would cause me to walk the plank.

If the weather is good I don't see why you couldn't take it across but I would want all the available safety gear, radios and navagation to make the trip. Have you had your sled offshore yet to get a feel for it in seas?

No Ken, not yet. Been dying to get down there. Almost left today but the Raptor is in for warranty work and the rental F-150 doesn't have a friggin hitch! I'm off at least a week!!!

My passport is current. $90 for a Customs Pass? Have a working VHF, 8 ft antennae, new 40 gallon tank, stainless prop (and no hub key right now) and no spare prop. I committed to a large project here and would have a lot to do in prep but it's doable.

At worst would love to head to the East coast, drop off my dog near Stuart, and meet up with you stateside. Gofastsandman and Dennie are throwing around ideas for the crossing as well.?.

Michael.