Christmas Winds

SHIP' LOG:

Every December the islands of the Caribbean experience a phenomenon known as the "Christmas Winds." They are usually a steady 20 knots and they make sailing in the Caribbean an exciting time during the winter. Well, Florida got its share of the Caribbean Winds today. It went from dead calm to 25 in a heart beat and has been gusting to 30 on occasion. It made the trip from Titusville to Coca Beach fast . . .and exiting.

I had the need to put into a marina for a pump out and the only one on the way was Coca Village Marina. The wind helped me get in but it almost prevented me from getting out. It was right on the stern and I had the choice of spending the night getting pounded by waves against the stern or trying to get out and then through the bridge and into an "semi protected" anchorage.

I opted out. Getting pounded by waves, tied to a dock, is a sure way to have something break and I couldn't afford that financially or mentally. I have to give a lot of credit to the staff at the marina for making what could have been a really dangerous maneuver go smoothly and without a hitch . . . save for the bag of ice I paid for but forgot to pick up and take with me.

Even in the protected anchorage, with the Canaveral Barge Canal and Causeway acting as a buffer, the anchorage is still getting hammered pretty well. The water is shallow and the wind is right down the Indian River out of the north so it brews up a really nasty chop. This is the promised "cold front" - the small one that will be followed by the "Large one" Christmas Night. I am trying to decide if I got into a marina for that or stay on the hook. If I go into a marina, it will have to be for two(2) night as I doubt there will be anyone working on Christmas. Staying on the has the advantage of being less expensive but perhaps less protected. I will have to make the call tomorrow for as I said I doubt that anyone will be working Christmas.

Lots of dead fish in the water down here because of the cold. Just a few degrees drop in temperature in the water is all that it takes. Some places are a little "ripe" where the fish have all washed in to the same spot.

At the Coca Village Marina, I ran into Rick Manning. He was the guy whose catmaran went aground up in Jekyll Creek by the Jekyll Creek Marina. Luckily he had no damage and is continuing on down the ICW.

The early weather report for next week is clear, but colder. Highs in the highs 50's lows in the mid 30's. Obviously here is not the place to be and so I will move farther south. I will find the sun and the heat . . . . soon I hope.