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On 8 Oct 2004 13:15:01 -0700, (Parallax) wrote:
Now that my daughter has been declared free of melanoma after excision
of some lymph nodes, I plan to revive my cruising plans. I am docked
in Carabelle, Fl on the NW Gulf coast of FL about 70 miles SW of
Tallahassee. Beginning next month, I plan to start to move my 28' S2
sailboat south and then across the state so I can go to the Bahamas.
I plan to do this inseveral segments leaving her for a week or two and
then coming back to sail further till I am ready to jump across to the
bahamas.
My boats value is not so much that it would break me if she was
vandalized (or even stolen) and all expensive equipment is removeable.
So, if I anchor somewhere and leave her for a week, how would people
here reccomend I do it? Should I simply anchor with my regular 1/2"
nylon to a bow cleat? How about a piece of chain locked to the bow
eye going to a submerged piece of nylon rode? The engine is easily
disabled so I am more worried about someone pulling the anchor and
allowing her to drift. Has anybody done this sort of thing?
I would use marinas except they all charge by the month and are
outrageous but perhaps the least hassle option.
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What you propose is very risky in my opinion and I really don't
recommend it if you value your boat at all. There are several issues
in addition to theft and vandalism, not the least of which is storm
damage. There are really very few secure anchorages where you can
safely leave an unattended, anchored boat. Several boats in this area
(Cape Coral/Ft Myers) were sunk during the hurricanes and many more
were damaged. There are marinas around here where you can get nightly
transient dockage. Drop me a note if you'd like some suggestions.

Another question, how will you get ashore? Do you have a small
inflatable? There are surprisingly few places where you can legallyor
safely land a dinghy and meet up with your shore crew. My advice is
to take enough time off, maybe a week, where you can do the trip
without leaving it unattended. Where will you dock it on the east
coast?