Goodbye Jupiter, Hello Ft. Lauderdale

The original plan was to depart the Bluff’s Marina in Jupiter, Florida on the 1st of December when the our lease ended and move the Independence to Fort Lauderdale. However, as so often happens, the weather was not cooperating. We decided to leave on the 30th and take 3 to 4 foot seas (wind around 15 to 20 knots) instead of the forecasted 6 to 10 foot seas the next day. In addition to some weather, we also had to re-calibrate a new compass on our way out of the Lake Worth inlet and hope that all of the replacement electronics would reprogram correctly. If I haven’t mentioned it in past posts, we have lost a few of our electronic components recently. During our last sea trial in October (to check the engine impellers that Larry replaced), he noticed that the autopilot, VHF radios & compass were not working correctly. After getting some professional advice, it was determined that the boat had been the casualty of an indirect lightning hit (perhaps months earlier) and the unfortunate and unstoppable degradation of the 12 volt electronic components had begun. Yes, there’s always something!!! But, with the new units installed the system ran like a charm and we were on our way to our new slip in Fort Lauderdale by 8:30AM. We made good time down the coast even though we had the current and wind against us. A bit of a bouncy ride on the 3 to 4 footers with some additional wind chop but in seven hours Larry had the boat turned into the Port Everglades inlet and docked at the Bahia Mar Marina. (51NM).

Departing Jupiter via the ICW at first light to catch the high tide and the bridges and to beat the incoming weather system.

What you see along the ICW…Quite the hull paint job on Wild Child (with matching tender.) An 86 foot Hatteras (2013/2018)…for sale only $895,000!

Back to the beach at Fort Lauderdale

A little windy and cool at the beach this morning

As promised the famous Elbo Room is walking distance from the boat Established in 1938 it is a true landmark bar in Fort Lauderdale.

Every Christmas season the Fort Lauderdale Snowman gets a new hobby. This year he is on a jet-ski, last year he was fishing…in years past he has surfed and posed at the beach with his family.

The art installation “Aqua Vida” by South Florida artist Ruben Ubiera along the A1A beach highway. Completed this past March and according to The SunSentinels’ Rod Stafford Hagwood, cost $150,000 and was commissioned by the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. The skywalk connects the hotel to the beach. The gigantic hibiscus flowers and betta fish really are amazing.

I know Betty would approve of this Charter Fishing Company…for obvious reasons.

Sunset from the back deck of the boat at Bahia Mar Marina, Fort Lauderdale, FL