Our Marathon to Marathon

Shortly after daybreak on Friday, we untied our lines at the Marco Island Marina, turned into the fairway, and headed out into the Marco River. As we idled past La Peninsula on Isles of Capri (where we have stayed the past few years), friends Jean and Jan were outdoors to wave goodbye. Jan sent us this photo of R&R passing La P.

For the first ten miles or so we had a beautiful view of Marco Island off of the stern.

Our initial Navionics routing was direct over about 100 miles of open ocean from Marco Island to Marathon, but the Marco harbormaster convinced me to reroute closer to shore to gain protection from wind and waves, adding 10 miles to our route but making the trip more comfortable.

We traveled about three miles offshore in glassy smooth nine-foot-deep water until we reached Cape Sable at the South end of the Florida peninsula. For the last 25 miles from Cape Sable across Florida Bay to our destination at Marathon, we had a ;light haze and easy one foot waves.

We played dodge-em with hundreds of crab pot floats all day. A dock neighbor at Marco suggested that we add line cutters to our prop shafts to deal with possible crab pot line contacts. The next time R&R is hauled, I may add Spurs for peace of mind.

Along the way Rhonda took the helm with confidence and I took a short video of our crossing.

When we were about a mile out from Marlin Bay, we called the marina by telephone to get a slip assignment and other essential information. A few moments later, a skiff approached us. When the driver called out “Marlin Bay?” and we responded in the affirmative, he motioned “Follow me” and guided us through the shallows into the harbor, giving instructions by marine radio. An unprecedented welcome to a beautiful marina, our home for the month of February, 2020.

A good 110 mile, 6-7 hour day! We were blessed with excellent weather and good travel conditions, and Marlin Bay will be a comfortable February home for us.