Approaching the 2 bridges

Finally through and on our way north again.

Boat lifts continue to be very common

The Port of West Palm beach. We had to slow while a tug pushed a container ship into the dock.

The fixed bridges on the ICW are 65ft. Our mast height is around 58ft but it’s always a little disconcerting as we go under.

and sometimes as we go through there doesn’t seem too much sideways clearance either.

The high rises continue...

...along with the boat wakes. Some drivers are very considerate and slow down, while others go hooning past causing us to 'rock & roll’ and dive into the galley to save the coffee pot on the stove.

Tugs pushing barges are not uncommon and require a fair piece of the channel to negotiate. They all moved over to let us overtake.

The further north we moved the more wildlife we started to see. It was always nice to see Osprey. This was an adult bird with a chick who had obviously set up nest on one of the supplied nesting platforms.

Pelicans are also common

As are fishermen sitting under bridges.

The manicured lawns in this stretch of the ICW included manicured and hedged mangroves ….. only in America.

The bridges continued. 14 between West Palm Beach and Stuart (through 11 and under 3)

We entered the St Lucie Inlet from the ICW and headed up river toward Stuart. We were pushing against the current but had entered a fairly wide stretch when the Port engine spluttered to a stop. The Starboard was still running so we slowed and John went and did his bit which entailed disconnecting the fuel line, blowing as hard as he can to blow the blockage back into the tank, bleeding the line and then reconnecting and keeping fingers crossed when the engine is started again. All good thank heavens and we continued to motor toward our destination, the mooring field at Sunset Bay Marina (City Municipal).

 

Our last 3 bridges - under the first, through the second which is a railway bridge and is only closed when there is a train and through the third which opens upon request. The current was raging through.

The mooring field at Stuart

Every afternoon we had a storm or 2. The first one we encountered here we registered winds over 38Kts. 

A bit wild and woolly….

But the clears kept us dry.

The Marina facilities are very good. Fully air conditioned, nice and bright restrooms, laundry and Captains lounge with TV, book swap etc.

Fairly large marina but the water quality here is not good. The water comes from Lake Okeechobee and is full of fertilisers etc. About 2 weeks after we left a green algal bloom occurred - not good.

The major reason for coming to Stuart was to get a quote from Mack Sails for a new mainsail, new electronics and replacement of rigging. Colin Mack came to the boat, took all the details, inspected the rigging and sail, which he ripped on a seam, telling us it was time for a new one. The material should not have let go like that if it was in good condition. The quote came 2 days later. We have ordered a new mainsail and will return later this year to have the mast pulled, rigging replaced and new chart plotter, radar, radio and AIS fitted. It never seems to end.

Stuart is a quiet town, well it was when we were there. There is a River Walk which is a boardwalk going from the Marina to town following the rivers edge.

It goes under the railway and the fixed bridges we passed in the boat.

Always interesting to see bridges from a different angle

Walkway extends under the high bridge

Stuart - centre of town. Not much happening.

We stayed in Stuart for 3 days