I lay awake last night thinking about Skip and Lydia and worrying that
people would mis-construe my comments. This event has really bothered
me and I just keep thinking about it. Believe me, I'm not trying to
second guess Skip's decisions or bash anyone. I've just been trying to
understand.

The first thing that confused me was where they were. I've only been up
and down that section of coast 2 times and I've never considered
approaching Marathon from the Gulf side. Maybe I would do it now with
30,000+ miles under my keel, but conditions would have to be perfect.
Not on my first real trip in the dark with 8' seas and 20+ kts of wind.

I just can't imagine the terror of going aground in those conditions.
I've gone aground in rather benign circumstances and know how much my
heart was pounding. With 8' seas, there must have been a huge surf line
and to be caught in that must have been incredibly scary.

I also can't imagine what it would be like to be hoisted off my
boat...my home...that I have lovingly worked on for years...while
watching the sea pound away at it. Every time that I've seen video of
this before, it's always been of people that I didn't know. This is
different. This is someone that I've corresponded with for years as he
worked on the boat.

I've been watching Skip's efforts for years and was cheering him on as
he got ready to leave. I was stunned when this happened. Maybe it's the
feeling that "there but for the grace of God go I." Anyone who has
spent enough time on the water can reflect upon poor choices that
they've made. Many times you get away with them relatively unscathed.
Rarely is it a single item that caused the event. Generally it's a
cascade effect. I mean, what would have happened if their water pump
hadn't broken and they left when they had planned? Maybe the same
thing...maybe not. Who knows?

Anyhow, my heart and sympathies go out to Skip and Lydia. Please let us
know what we can do to help.

-- Geoff


Geoff Schultz wrote in
6:

I've been looking at the charts too. The only route that makes sense
for me is to have headed down the Rocky Channel which is just N of
Content Cay. The charts show that it carries 15' until you get N of
Little Spanish Cay at which point you've got 7+ feet. Unfortunately
this is virtually unmarked and who knows what the hurricanes have done
to it. This is an area that I would never pass unless I had great
light. It appears that it was around 5 PM when they went aground and
there wouldn't have been much light at that point.

I must admit that I also don't understand why they left when they did.
The NWS forecast was for 20-25 kts and 6-8' seas. I know that they
wanted to get going, but I always say:

"You can't pick the weather that you sail in, but you can pick the
weather that you leave in."

All in all this is a very sad day for them and my sympathies go out to
Skip & Lydia. I just wish them the best.

-- Geoff

Larry wrote in
:

"KLC Lewis" wrote in
et:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 07 Feb 2007 08:43:27 -0500, Jeff wrote:

Content Key is on the Gulf side, north of Big Pine, about halfway
between Key West and Marathon.

About 19 miles west of the rhumb line into Moser Channel and
Marathon. There was some mention of being "blown off course".
We've had 20 kt easterlies for the last week up until today, but 19
miles is a big offset on a 120 mile reach south from Ft Myers.
Something must have gone seriously awry.


My thoughts also. I was studying charts of the area this morning
trying to figure out how they ended up at Comfort Keys -- hopefully
Skip will be able to get online soon and fill us in. I'm totally
baffled, and still somewhat in shock over this, and can't believe
their voyage may end so soon. Here's to the good ship Flying Pig and
her stalwart crew -- may they sail again!




Everyone should look at Google Earth of the area in The Keys.
Content Key is one of the barrier keys on the Gulf side. Google
Earth's satellite photography of this area has fantastic pictures of
the sea bed in all this shallow water. You can even see obstructions
in the "channels" all up and down The Keys.

My condolences to anyone who has a 6' draft keel sticking down into
this freak of nature. Best ways to see The Keys is by CAR!

Larry