Author Archive for Annen
I'm a retired deputy sheriff turned sailor and author. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions for anything you might like to read about. Hopefully I'll see you out on the water!
Capt. Bilgeplug and the magnetic saltwater
Dear Capt. Bilgeplug, What the heck is going on with the world? I don’t seem to be able to keep anything on the boat anymore, well anything of value. I seem to have the unique ability to drop anything and everything of importance over the side. Any ideas? Jim Dandy S/V Seanile Dear Jim, [...]
Florida Bay Scallops; 2011
Well folks, here it is, Florida Bay scallop time again. The season opened up a little early this year, with the same daily limits. The best scalloping areas are a bit too shallow for our big boat as I draw 5′ of draft.However, I only need 6″ on the dinghy. So, we put the dinghy [...]
Captain Bilgeplug and the head hose
Dear Capt. Bilgeplug, I’ve been reading a lot lately about extensive problems with the onboard MSD, more commonly known as the ‘head’. With all the horror stories out there, we are now very concerned, if not actually afraid, of this necessary device. Is it a basic design flaw? Would it be safer for us to [...]
Entebb-a-what?
Entebbe~ as in Uganda, that place in equatorial Africa… I’ve been kind of busy lately and have been a bit remiss in keeping my website up to date with postings. I’ll have to give myself 20 lashes whilst tied to a phone pole as I haven’t been around a good solid mast for a while [...]
My new website
My new website is up and running, please have a look and let me know if you see anything I can improve on, new categories, or anything you would like to see different. This is designed as a really easy place to list any of your boat related items or services for sale, and as [...]
Marco Island, overnight
The sail north from Little Shark River was fantastic. The wonderful thing about sailing is that you’ve gotten where you are going as soon as you set foot on the boat. It’s slow and peaceful, what a way to leave the stress behind. The only thing you need to do is change the scenery once [...]
Little Shark River, the Florida Everglades
After leaving the crab trap obstacle course behind, we had an absolutely beautiful sail from Key West. There were zillions of crab traps. I just can’t imagine that there are that many crabs in the Gulf of Mexico. We spotted the entrance to Little Shark River as the sun was beginning to kiss the horizon. [...]
Marathon… Nope, didn’t make it
With all our repairs made, the boat nice and tidy, and most things in working order, we decide to strike out for Marathon. I’ve not had the pleasure of tying up to a mooring ball in Boot Key Harbor before, so this should be interesting. I have listened to all the stories from others who [...]
Key West, ahhhh…
It was a slow trek in. If you read the previous blog you know we were ripping along at about 2 knots, which is not much more than walking speed. It seemed like it took forever to get into the port. We entered Key West from the south channel, which took us right past two [...]
The Marquesas Islands
The Dry Tortugas will always hold a special place in our cruising logs. The place has so much beauty, but can be very fussy for the sailor. It would be wonderful if our federal government would use some of the excessive stimulus dollars at hand and put in some mooring balls… hummm… perhaps I’ll write [...]
The Dry Tortugas ~ Paradise with a twist!
It was a dark and stormy night… We were really glad to see Fort Jefferson. The pictures do not do the waves justice. We had spent the night pitching and rolling in the confused seas. We were looking forward to a bit calmer water as we entered the bank that supported the fort. We followed [...]
Heading out to sea… destination~ the Dry Tortugas
“Seas 2 feet, east winds 5kts, bay and inland waters a light chop.” We listened to the marine weather forecast intently before striking out into the deep blue seas of the Gulf of Mexico. The mechanical weather lady repeated the forecast for the next 5 days promising idyllic beauty and serenity with all things nautical. [...]
Burnt Store to Estero Island
Forgive me BLOG readers, for I have sinned. It has been… ummm some unknown days since my last entry. One of my readers wrote to me (thanks Ellan) and let me know that today is Wednesday. So, when anyone asks what day it is… I have an email to prove it. So here it is, [...]
Exploring around Pine Island Sound
We have remained anchored in Pelican Bay for more than a few days now. Every time we get ready to leave some new adventure presents itself and keeps us from leaving. The peaceful beauty of old world Florida is something to relish. It is disappearing so quickly under pavement and towering buildings one has to [...]
Pelican Bay / Cayo Costa State Park
I woke up this morning just before sunrise. We are anchored in Pelican Bay, where we have been for the past several days. The anchorage is along the east side of Cayo Costa State Park on the west, and protected on the east by a small Key, Punta Blanca. The waters are calm as the [...]
Longboat Key to Cabbage Key Florida
I had visions of working on the second novel during this trip. I’ve got the first five chapters done, but I don’t seem to be in control of my time anymore. I don’t know where it goes. I should have as much time as I always have had… right? The sun rises and presents a [...]
Heading South, Longboat Key
So there we were, sitting at home watching the grass grow again. And I just cut it too. It seems like a never ending cycle. Depressed at the thought of listening to the mower and weed-eater again we checked the weather. The temps are beginning to slide down into the high 60’s at night. The [...]
Capt. Bilgeplug and the spare parts
Dear Capt. Bilgeplug, I was working on my boat, doing the usual chores when summer vacation happened. I had to take the family to one of the overpriced theme parks that, sans the mouse hat, nobody will remember in six months. BTW, it cost a whole boat dollar just to get in! The entire time [...]
8th Annual Talk Like a Pirate Day
Pardon me ye sea wench, but would ye mind if I fired my cannon thru your porthole? Yarr- which is not to be confused with ‘Yarrg,’ -or- just what the hell is A Hoy anyhow? A Vast is something the Grog was in, at least that’s what we figured last night. Take a bunch of [...]
Florida Bay Scallops, 2010
Scalloping season has once again arrived in Florida. It opened early this year, June 19th if you were watching closely. The season normally begins on July 1, but was opened early due to the tragedy in the Gulf with the oil. Notice I did not say “spill” which is something that occasionally happens with my [...]
