December 26, 2022 I drove from Alexandria VA to Stewart FL - a long patience testing drive.December 27 I checked in at Mack Yacht Services and started cleanup and some engine service work and repacking of the boat. December 28th a friend from Knoxville TN joined me as we did the final packing and re-provision for this leg.Colin and team had done their magic on the chainplate replacements and some other important work which sprung-up along the way. One of which was an error on my part. Anchoring at Hospital Point, Norfolk, I blundered by striking a sunken object. Fortunately, I was going slow. However, it moved the boat about 5 foot left. Determining that whatever damage I caused would not get better with age, Colin agreed to haul the boat, inspect and address any repair work needed - fortunately there was only one small scratch which he took care of. While the boat was out he replaced my very old Frigoboat Keel Cooler.Midday 12/29/2022 we departed, stopped to fill up with fuel and exited Stewart Inlet for the Atlantic. A rough exit due to tide going out and 25Knott wind coming in!Blaine again spent time with me planning my course and providing options of where to cut through from the Atlantic to the Gulf. Thank you Blaine!We set course down the coastline and keeping Blaine's info in mind about the Gulf Current. Winds were out of the east 17-23Knotts, so I cautiously set 2/3 main and jib with full staysail. It was a rolly ride with waves off the aft quarter. Pic 20221229_171832 sunset under sail.While I was on watch at 0100 the jib furl line snapped at the forward block and now I had a 135% jib fully deployed. When I return to the boat later this year I will make a mod on the forward most block to eliminate the chafe point which caused the breakage. By 0800 the ind had eased and my friend was up and about. I asked him to take over while I snapped in my harness to the jack-line and went forward to Jerry-Rig a fix so we could furl and unfurl the jib.on 12/30/2022 at Keys Reef outside of Hawk Channel we were battling to make way. I knew I was in trouble and called Blaine. He confirmed and gave me advice of point of entry. As I struggled to make sense of why we were not able to make forward progress, I decided to put the boat in reverse. Lo and behold, she backed up under power. When I changed back to forward, she moved with gusto. To this day, I can only guess we had picked up something at the prop or bottom of the rudder. In hindsight, I think somehow we had fouled the prop as in forward, I could see no discernible propwash.0014 hundred we anchored at Channel 5 Bridge. It was then I found out that my windlass had quit working.0900 12/31 passing under Cannel 5 Bridge (20221231_100012.jpg).1148 12/31 flat as a pancake as we motor along towards Ship Channel. (20221231_114859.jpg)20221231_175309.jpg).20230101_114559.jpg - gas-n-go at Crows Nest Venice, FL.20230101_173543.jpg - making our way towards Snead Island Boatworks - fogged in. Thank goodness I had improved my electronics, adding in Axiom Chartpltter (Multi function display) with Raymarine Doppler Radar.20230101_122944.jpg. Finally! Snugged down at Snead Island Boatworks - the new home for Hamba Kahle.My friend and I checked into a downtown Bradenton hotel. 20230102 we started the two-leg trip.First picking up a rental car at Sarasota airport for my friend. He drove me across to Stewart FL so I could pickup my F150.My friend headed back to Knoxville, TN, while I headed to family in Spencer, TN. 2023/01/03 back at work remotely from my family in Spencer, TN to finish the trip home on that Saturday to Alexandria, VA.On the whole, for me, it was a most enjoyable experience. I now look forward to relocating to the Bradenton, FL area with my wife in the coming months.Once settled, I will build out my workshop, get some maintenance projects and a fridge rebuild completed and enjoy the sailing.
