Home Port

Sunshine Skyway in sight, we must be getting close

We made it under the bridge and Moonstruck is smelling the barn

Big surprise as we cross Dee and Molly on Allegria as they head out for their big journey

A few words on the VHF as we pass by and off they go in the distance wishing them the best

Yes, the Pier is still there, this is really familiar now.

A quick stop for fuel and pump out, before a proper lunch in front of the Vinoy basin

St Petersburg, Moonstruck's Home port

Sarasota and catching up with Eileen and Dave

A swing bridge operated from the center

A stop at Marina Jack's to share stories with Eileen and Dave

A beautiful anchorage in Sarasota Bay across from the Ringling museum with no other boat in sight

Reflecting on this amazing journey before arriving home tomorrow

T.S. Andrea

Safely docked at the Venice YC, we are watching Tropical Storm Andrea blow off steam.

Checking to see that all is fine, just a bumpy night until the wind shifted to the west pushing the boat away from the dock

Yep, another sunset and look at the weather forecast  for a tentative departure in the morning.

Venice

Being chased by storm Andrea, we left Lemon Bay early morning to find refuge at Venice YC.

Wait! Wait! is this ......   Yes it is Gail and Nick passing by on Gail Warning.

 Soon after our arrival at Venice YC, the rain had caught up with us and it was time to head out to town with Phillip in his catchy ride.

 Greeted by colorful sculpture in downtown Venice

 A few mandatory stops at the liquor store for a sampling of Rum and ginger beer, hardware store and grocery store.

One more stop at the Olive Grove to meet Sylvia for EVOO,  balsamic vinegar and Himalayan salt

A great afternoon touring around downtown Venice meeting new friends to make sure we will be back soon.

Saint Charles YC to Lemon Bay

Heading out in San Carlos Bay towards the miserable mile on the way passed Captiva, Cabage Key and Yusepa Island in the Pine island Sound.

Waiting for the Boca Grande swing bridge in the Gasparilla Sound.

We first attempted to set anchor in the inlet south of the Lemon Bay bridge and found ourselves with current fighting the wind and Moonstruck wanting to dance in circles. Not a good situation, so we picked up anchor and found a wide open space North of the bridge for a great night at anchor.

Naples and Saint Charles YC

After a few days in Matecumbe Bay where we made some new friends, it was time to depart and find our way North towards Little Shark River, Gulliven Bay in the Everglades, Goodland, Marco Island and Naples YC. 

A quick stop at Naples where we enjoyed a lovely dinner on shore.

 Our arrival at Saint Charles YC as captured by dockmaster Dick Muller, after a quick cruise at 14 knots on the Gulf.

And a great dinner aboard, finishing up the Beef Bourguignon

Everglades and Marco Island

 After a stop at Little Shark River, we are on our way to Goodland and the back channel around Marco Island for some spectacular nature scenes everywhere you look.

Matecumbe Bay, May 27 - 30 at anchor watching the rain come down

Manny with his loving dog at Bob'sand Sherri where we made several dinghy trips for provisionning

 "Niece" Angie at Coral Bay Resort, a heavenly oasis with good friends.

Bob's place has a lot of character

Lots of rain, clouds and a fiery sunset

Making our way to the Keys

Saying Goodbye to Coconut Grove

 A good start in flat water and rainbow in the background

Passing Gilbert's

Anchored in Button Wood sound, watching the Sunset.

And the Moon rising

Fort Lauderdale and Miami. May 22 - 24

Checked in with the always smiling and good spirited Brad Johnson during a quick stop in Fort Lauderdale

  Danny and Charlie ("Charcoal") who loves to go for a swim. Two great friends

Jan and David at Coral Reef YC for some good time sharing Frankie's Pizza

Old Port Cove with Kristina and Atle

After fueling and finding our way under the Dixie Hwy Bridge we headed south on the ICW to meet with our friends Kristina and Atle in Old Port Cove Marina.

But first, a quick stop for lunch in 6 inches of water below keel pulling off the side of the ICW.

Lesson learned: check your depth sounder calibration before heading out on a new boat.

Stuck one day in Old port Cove marina waiting for rain to stop

"Moonstruck" and our Maiden Voyage

After careful research, trial charters and hunting at boat shows, we decided that a PDQ 34 was the boat for us to start this new cruising adventure in our lives. Thanks to Beth, Carole and Dick Tushick of Rhumbline Yacht Sales we set our eyes on Moonstruck, a very fully equiped and very well cared for PDQ which is to become our new home. With Dick's infinite patience we received a crash course in boat systems and boat handling and Diane had no problem working the dual engines. Our maiden voyage with Moonstruck started from Palm City on May 19, 2013 after we decided to cruise south to Miami, to the keys on the inside (Gulf side) and back up North along the Southwest coast to St Petersburg.

First evening aboard and first "Dark and Stormy" on the aft bench