10000 Islands Camp Sail Day2

Saturday morning, we were all but high and dry. Most hulls were on the soft bottom, and my floats above in about six inches of water. In about two hours the tide was in enough to float about and slow sail out of the cove. Some of the guys were to sail back to the Goodland launch ramp, while three of us sailed back to Panther to meet up with other trailer sailing squadron members. Wind was out of the NW now so it was brad reaching across along the 10000 Islands Gulf shore. About halfway, I realized that my rudder down-haul line had frayed the cover on the release cleat. all that rudder bumping the previous day had taken it's toll. If I had lost that line on the way back, well it would not be pretty. The line core held for the sail back. The wind picked up and I did duck into one of the mangrove channels to heave to and reef the main. Met up with the other sailors on the south side of Panther where I struggled to get a good anchor hold to pull my rudder to replace that down-haul line.

Once that repair was completed with help from others to get my rudder re-hung on the transom, time for a lunch snack and plan where to sail for the next overnight spot. There are little beach heads all over the islands. Some facing the Gulf for fantastic sunset views, and others tucked away to shield from the wind, which was picking up some and forecast to increase a bit more. We selected an out of the way beach on White Horse Key. Tide swing that night would cover 4 or 5 feet. So we strategically anchored, ate dinner and enjoyed more thought-provoking conversations around a camp fire. In the morning, only one small boat was high and dry. My tri had the port float aft end a bit on the sand; easy push off. Bow anchor probably dragged during the high tide where my beach anchor held well and was found to have fresh sand completely washed over.