3/30/17 Dunedin to Venice, FL

Last year, Ron spent much of his time installing new electronics and making other upgrades to our boat.  After weeks of preparation, we departed at 0840 from our home port of Dunedin, FL and headed for Venice.  The ICW was flat and skies were clear.  After leaving through Clearwater Pass, we headed south traveling a few miles off shore.

Winds were about 10 most of the morning, but by afternoon had increased to 18.

SSE winds changed to SSW by afternoon and the ride became more bouncy, but that didn't keep me from taking an hour-long nap.  Duke slept most of the 8 hour trip.  I thought this reflection of our bikes in the white wake next to the boat was interesting.

There were occasional crab pots north of Tampa Bay, but once we reached the south side, they were everywhere.  Red ones, yellow ones, white ones and dirty ones.  All are difficult to see when the waves are up and there are whitecaps. After 2 hours of watching for them, our eyes were tired!   The danger of hitting one is the potential damage to the propeller.  The line from the round ball above water to the trap on the bottom can wrap around the prop. See the bottom left of the photo--yellow crabpot.

Once we turned into the Venice Inlet, the waters were calm.  We passed my favorite small island (where we spent the day swimming 5 years ago on our first loop).

Fishermans wharf Marina gave us a slip along the wall...easy to get into!   After walking Duke, we had dinner on board.  A sailboat (Veritas) pulled in behind us and we saw their white looper flag and introduced ourselves. Our flag is gold because we have completed the Great Loop.

Rain is likely tomorrow, but  will not affect our travels since we are staying here until Sunday.