Amelia Island to Jacksonville

January 19, 2013

Amelia Island to Jacksonville

We were happy to be at Amelia Island Yacht Basin when we arrived in high winds and seas, but we didn't really plan to stay here.  Everyone at the marina is kind and helpful.  We rated this marina on Active Captain and gave it a 4 out of 5.  Our problem is that  at low tide, our boat sits on the bottom.  This means that we cannot run the air conditioning/heat because the raw water intake pump would pull mud from the bottom and clog the system.  We turned off the heat about 2 hours  before low tide and left it off.  When we turned it back on at high tide, there was a problem and the air conditioning would not work again off of shore power.  We tried to remedy the problem but had no success. 

We waited for high tide this morning to leave the marina.  When Mr. Adventure tried to start the engine, --nothing happened.  He tried everything to determine the problem before calling Burr Yacht Sales.  Mr. Adventure does not ask for help until he has tried everything.   When we bought our Fleming from Burr, they posted their cell phones just inside the pilot house.  We were encouraged to call at any time--day or night--if we  needed help.  (Just another reason to buy from Burr)  Ray walked Steve through everything that could be causing the issue. 

The engine finally came to life and we headed out.  We are convinced that we had the problems because of the low water.  Lesson learned.

In about two hours we came into Jacksonville and entered the St. John's river.  Being the frugal folks that we are, we stopped first at the free marina  with free pump out.  The marina is next to a children's park and the football stadium and the fire and marine rescue center.  We suspect this marina is full at the Georgia vs Florida football game, but today there were just two other boats here. It is a little too quiet for us so  we used their free pump out facility and headed to the other free marina at Jacksonville Landing about a mile further down the St. John's.  There are restaurants, outdoor entertainment, and other boats here so we stop and tie up. 

It was here in Jacksonville,after traveling over 700 miles in our Fleming,  that I decided I have made some monumental steps personally in my boating skills.  Bear in mind, that on a scale of 1-10, I started out at a 1.5 because I could spell the word boat, and had been in a boat on many occasions.  Today a nice young man came out to help us tie off.  He told us he drove the water taxi and would be happy to take us anywhere we wanted on the taxi.  He clearly had some boating experience and skills.  I looked at how he tied us off and thought to myself--I do appreciate his help, but as soon as he is gone, I am retying these lines and fixing them the way I want them. 

At that moment, I remembered being told that this would happen to me at some point.  I think I am probably at a 6.5 in boating skills now.

Yacht Repair Yard

Loading vehicles

See the [Tug] placement directions

Loading and unloading

Started making a Turk's Head Bracelet while underway

Didn't come out symmetrical--will try again tomorrow

Bridge lights in Jacksonville

We tied up here in Jacksonville

Water Taxi parks here next to the flags

Psalm 27:8     Philippians 4:7