ernest mazza - ernie's website and blog

00 south end of lake Worth past hypoluxo and lantana.

doing about five knots headed toward lake Worth inlet

new eva flooring in the cabin

Why didn’t I put down this flooring sooner?

7jan2021 Overnight in Fort Lauderdale

After sailing from Key Biscayne to Fort Lauderdale, I took the dinghy over to George English Park where I had my bicycle locked up. I rode to the store for a few things. I’ll spend the night here in Sunrise Bay this evening… and go back to my dock at Oakland Terrace in morning.

The Newport 27 at Anchor

7jan2021 Miami to Fort Lauderdale

Even though the wind was directly from the south initially I had to jibe a few times so I couldn’t run parallel to shore to make the best time. Eventually the wind switched and I was able to travel almost straight north toward Fort Lauderdale without changing course.

7jan2021 Leaving Miami Heading to Fort Lauderdale

Atlantic Ocean Sunrise — Sun rising over the Atlantic on January 7th leaving key Biscayne heading for Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

7jan2021 Anchor Log

I use an app called Anchor Pro for an anchor alarm. It keeps track of the boats movement and will sound an alarm if I go outside of the circle. This is from overnight off key Biscayne. The aberrations are from phone calls… unfortunately the alarm will sound at times when on a call. BUT worth it – the app is free and reliable and definitely helps me sleep better while at anchor.

6jan2021 Track to Key Biscayne

Wednesday – using a navigation app on my phone (Navionics) this is a screen shot. The yellow line is my track to the wreck of the Half Moon. I also use an iPad for navigation. I snorkeled on the wreck in about 10′ of water with great visibility 🙂 Anchored nearby, I used the dinghy to get to it.

6jan2021 Fort Lauderdale to Miami

On January 6th I motor-sailed from Lake Sylvia near Port Everglades (no bridges to contend with) in Fort Lauderdale past Port of Miami and anchored off Virginia Key and Key Biscayne.

5jan2021 Lake Santa Barbara to Home Dock

Birds in Flight — Early morning January 5th leaving Pompano heading to my home dock at Oakland Terrace condos.

4jan2021 Nice Blue Skies

Beautiful blue skies and puffy white (cumulus?) clouds, after a week cold front. I’m heading south from Lake Worth inlet toward Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano

4jan2021 Palm Beach to Pompano

Scroll right or left to view the 6 images in the slideshow, these are from my journey from North Palm Beach/Lake Worth Inlet to Pompano/Hilsboro Inlet

3jan2021 Anchored at MacArthur Park

I anchored off John D. MacArthur Park and was able to dingy over to the park and explore Munyon Island. I stayed overnight here Sunday night.

This is a nice spot to anchor as there is another park on the west side of the waterway that could be used to get supplies or have food delivered to. Lakeside Park would be very convenient by dinghy.

3jan2021 Pompano to North Palm Beach

At times hitting 7.7 knots or more heading north from Pompano toward Palm Beach. The northward push of the Gulf Stream helps for sure. Woo-Hoo! Exhilarating maiden voyage, I got from Hillsboro Inlet to Lake Worth Inlet in about 4 hours using the foresail only. I’m glad I have roller furling for the jib so I don’t have to go out on deck. I can work the foresail from the cockpit.

2jan2021 Preparations

After spending the night on the sailboat in Sunrise Bay New Years Day night, I returned home and checked the NWS marine weather forecast and found it was calling for SE wind at 10-15mph. Prepare for a trip north! Stock the boat with food, ice, water etc.

Sunrise Bay in Fort Lauderdale – I anchored there Friday night.

Moonrise at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano on Saturday night, anchored anticipating the maiden journey sailing north on the ‘morrow.

1jan2021 Anchored in Fort Lauderdale

On New Years Day the weather was cool, so I anchored in Sunrise Bay, about 1/2 mile from my house “as the crow flies”. I rigged the inflatable and dropped it in the water at George English Park near my house. Parking is scarce at the dock so I typically take the trailer home and ride my bicycle to the park. I lock it up and leave it there and jump in the dinghy and run up to the sailboat at Oakland Terrace condos. I then have wheels at the park when I return in the dinghy. Logistics-R-Me !