Day 48: Longboat Key to Sanibel Island, FL

Off the hook at 7.00 am for a short trip up the inside of Longboat Key and through the lifting bridge. From here it was a comfortable ride at 15 knots about 2 miles off the coast for 47 miles down to Boca Grande where we re-entered the waterway. The next 25 miles were inside of Captiva Island and down to Sanibel Island which was our destination for the day. Just before Sanibel Island was a fixed span bridge - if we could get under this part of the bridge it would save us about one hour going all the way across to the higher part of the causeway on the other side of the inlet. We knew it would be close; the markings on the bridge showed 26 ft. We slowed to a stop and engaged both bow and stern thrusters so we could inch the boat forward while keeping full directional stability in the 2 knot current.  Sue was on the foredeck watching the VHF antenna, which to our joy cleared by less than 6 inches, so now we can confidently state the air draft of our Great Loop 34 is 25' 6".

We tied up at the Fuel dock at Sanibel Island to top up the tank for our longer trip to Key West and had a great stay in a very nice clean and well run marina.  As we tied up in the slip we were met a very excited Charles and Sue Seymour who have been following the Greatest Loop journey and who got a great surprise when they saw the boat pass by their condo!  We had met them and taken them for a test ride last year, so it was a great reunion. That evening we had a long walk to the Lighthouse Beach which is famous for its shells. Spectacular beaches, but it was so hot we did not stay long. That night we had less of a long walk to Grandma Dot's restaurant which is part of the marina building and was probably no more than 10 feet from the transom of our boat!   We had a great meal of Grouper and because we were now plugged in, had a comfortable air-conditioned night.

Best,

Garth