We made arrangements to have a fuel truck come to the Yacht Club Monday, and included Chapter III, a sister-Selene in the operation. Bill & Jean arrived Sunday afternoon, and we enjoyed a visit and dinner with them. We brought both boats to the pier Monday and tied stern to stern so we could both fuel. We topped off our tanks with just over 200 gallons, Chapter III took about double that. Our previous fuel stop was just over the Florida border. We finally made the break from Ft. Lauderdale and Coral Ridge Yacht Club on Tuesday, heading to Miami, a short cruise of 27 nm. We met with Chris & Joyce Tuesday morning to make plans for them to join us in Miami in a week or so to stage for a crossing to Bimini.
We’ll spend Thursday 16th thru the 20th helping out at the Defender booth at the Miami Boat show. We visited the Convention Center today to meet with our contacts at Defender and pick up our credentials for the show. We’re Exhibitors! The site was abuzz with activity with all the vendors setting up their booths and final preparations taking place. It’s a massive show, particularly the accessory end of the show. The Convention Center is one of three locations for the show, the other two are at marinas in Miami, across Biscayne Bay where the in-water boat show part will take place. One marina is sail, the other power. The Convention Center has smaller boats inside and every conceivable item that is associated with boating, from engines to electronics, fishing and cruising gear, and everything in between. With our obligations to man the booth at the Convention Center, it is unlikely we will have much opportunity to visit the in-water sections. We attended the show last year, but didn’t see that portion of it then, either. Just too much to see to do it all in one day! We’re looking forward to the experience!
We’re happy to be back in South Beach, it’s one of our favorites. Busy and eclectic, not always our preference, but something about the laid-back attitude here that’s appealing! We were unable to find room in the north anchorage by the police station, so we’re south of Belle Isle. A bit further to run to shore, and not quite as calm, but the weather’s been settled, so a change of scenery is good! There seem to be more derelict sailboats around this year than in years previous, and they’re taking up prime spots in the anchorage. A wholly different subset of cruising type, you can spot them a nautical mile away! If space opens up after the show, we may relocate to get closer to the park and make frequent runs ashore easier! But for now, we’re good!
