Vol. 33, No. 3 -- Fall - Traditional Small Craft Association

continued from previous pagehomestead. Since the whole area is the Key West NationalWildlife Refuge, that island must be grandfathered in.1200 Mule Key abeam.1430 We were back at Safe Harbor, Stock Island, for fueland cell phones and clean clothes from the truck. We thenexplored Cow Key Channel as far as Route 1 Bridge. Eventhough Key West is crowded, the mangrove channels inthe south part are peaceful and fairly deserted. Too low forhousing?1800 Anchored in Cow Key Bight south of Stock Island forthe night. 39 miles.Day 7, February 260730 Underway along the south shore of the Lower Keysin a brisk southeasterly. We were glad we made our offshorepassage when we did. That day’s weather would have slowedus down and been uncomfortable in the tide-ridden RebeccaPassage or Boca Grande Channel. There was substantial sprayin the Hawk Channel but some relief when we tacked inshore.The shallow water reduced the seas. We were glad we made thelong passage before the easterly set in again. At that latitude,trade wind easterlies are the norm. We were glad we caughtour chance of fair wind.1130 Looked in at Saddlebunch Harbor, just west of BocaChica. We found that we made the best time by staying in thenorthern edge of Hawk Channel where shallow water kept theseas down. Less hobby horsing than in deeper water.1345 Approached the entrance for Cudjoe Bay. Wediscovered that it was necessary to round the first gateof markers, even though it appeared to be a long way outinto Hawk Channel. Cudjoe Bay and Kemp Channel wereenormous shallow areas. They were well marked but somemarkers were missing. We saw a blimp hovering over theisland but noticed it didn’t move around at all. We decide thatit must be a radar-equipped, tethered balloon keeping an eyeout for Cuban refugees and drug smugglers. We saw a refugeeboat at Fort Jefferson that had been wheeled into an emptycorridor. It was an aluminum launch with a six cylinder gasengine. Not much boat for a 90 mile trip. We heard reportsof Cuban refugees being discovered by the Coast Guardoffshore. Because Cuba is a “repressive regime” they wouldn’tbe returned if they managed to walk ashore on American Soil.1400 Anchored in Cudjoe Bay with fine protection fromthe southeast wind. Running down the entrance we were“carrying too much bush” and had major weather helm for thecontinued on page 18ALBERT’S WOODEN BOATS INC.• Double ended lapstrake• Marine ply potted in Epoxy• Rowboats – 15’ & fast 17’• Electric Launches – 15’ & 18’A. Eatock, 211 Bonnell Rd.Bracebridge, ONT. CANADA P1L 1W9705-645-7494 alsboats@sympatico.caOne of the original Gloucester Gulls, designedby Bolger and built by Dynamite Payson is for sale.It is described as in good, sound, original condition,needs a new coat of paint. Located in New England.$1,000. Call 860-536-620017The Ash Breeze, Fall 2012