Our Adventures on Sea Dream: We Made It!

WEDNESDAY - As boating plans are written in sand, once again we changed plans.

Tuesday morning brought earlier-than-expected fair weather, so, rather than wait another day, we all agreed to begin crossing the Gulf. At 10:30 AM Sea Dream, following Young America, departed Clearwater, FL, into the Gulf of Mexico. Our initial destination was Panama City but, as we reached open water, the constant three foot waves just off the starboard bow were lifting us enough to slow us from 7.5 to 6 knots as we fell into their troughs. The 8 knot NE wind was pleasant, though, and the day was cool. After several hours of this tiresome ride, Fred called over the VHF, suggesting a changed heading to Apalachicola because the loss of speed meant we’d not arrive in Panama City the next evening until well after dark. Apalachicola was 8 to 10 hours closer, allowing for a late morning arrival on Wednesday. As evening came, the waves began falling, smoothing our ride and allowing more speed. With the autopilot maintaining our course, we had a nice dinner in the salon while watching the sun set. Darkness came late with a small crescent moon hanging in the sky, watching over our two lonely boats heading NW. SeaDream’s radar kept a vigilant watch for other vessels in the total blackness. We saw only two boats heading south and a few unlite fishing boats during the night. Mike and I alternated standing watch and sleeping with Louie. Soon after sunrise we saw land and markers guiding us into the inlet channel between Dog Island and Saint George Island toward Apalachicola. The sky was cloudless with a cool breeze blowing. At 11:00 AM we side tied to the Apalachicola Municipal Wharf in the middle of town, with locals pressed to catch our lines. The passage had been about 160 miles and 25 hours nonstop. For an arrival celebration, Fred & Linda, Mike, Louis and I headed for a wonderful local lunch spot and relaxed while feasting on delicious cheeseburgers! My last memory Wednesday afternoon was falling in the bed and taking a long nap.