Miles of Open Ocean in a C22 - Voyage to the Dry Tortugas

caz · Post by **caz** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:31 am

On February 8th, I posted a story about a cruise that a friend and I, along with our two sons took to the Dry Tortugas back in June 1996 ("Father and Son Cruise in a C22"). The adventure I'm about to share is another cruise to the Dry Tortugas that we took in May 1998. This is the diary from that trip, written by Captain John and his son Will. I'm including a link to the photos that I used in the first post so please understant that although the trips were similar, the photos are from the trip we took in 1996.
Caz (Chuck)

This is the link to the photosphotos: http://s1177.photobucket.com/albums/x35 ... as%20Trip/ [/url]

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:07 pm

Absolutely fantastic read, Chuck!

Felt like I was right there with you all. Thanks so much for sharing!

I'm less than novice on this sailing business, and this makes me ever more excited to get started!!

John K · Post by **John K** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:39 am

I really enjoyed reading that, thanks!

One minor note: the Chrysler 22 is 1.5 tons, not 3.

caz · Post by **caz** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:08 pm

Thanks John.

LeatherneckPA · Post by **LeatherneckPA** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:19 pm

What a fantastic read. I am going to have to figure out a way to print this out so "the Admiral" can read it. She "humored" me and let me buy the Believer but she still thinks it's too much boat and doesn't understand the need for two of them.

J. Austin · Post by **J. Austin** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 2:59 pm

I was lucky enough to sail to the tortugas every year with family or boyscouts. Felt like being there again, but in a much better craft. Great read and Cheers to the little boat that cruised like a champ.

sailbob2 · Post by **sailbob2** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:10 pm

Really enjoyed the story - would like to make the trip myself one day.

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:30 pm

Ready for the next chapter!

Thanks

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:48 pm

Great story and I would like and will make the trip some day.

Jmckamey · Post by **Jmckamey** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:51 am

I think I will print this off and keep it on the boat so, when I try to make excuses's as to why these types of trips can't be made on these boats I can then be reminded and inspired. Thanks for sharing your voyage!

Perhaps a few of us east coasters could put together an armada and go in force. Now that would be a blast.

caz · Post by **caz** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:09 am

Thanks for all of the great responses. Our intent with this story was to encourage and inspire. Seems like it had the desired effect.
Crew of Cambria

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:11 am

Thanks for sharing this! We're considering a similar trip this winter, I think the only thing that might stop us is the rising cost of gas. It's a long tow.

Jmckamey · Post by **Jmckamey** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:32 am

tgentry, you give me a call and I'll take my boat too. You will pass right by my house on your way down. My father and his wife stay on marathon key for 6 to 8 weeks every winter so we could have a base to operate from. To heck with the price of gas, It's the things we DON'T do that we always regrete.

caz · Post by **caz** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:37 am

John and I had lunch recently, and were reflecting on some of our old adventures. He looked at me thoughtfully and swallowed the french fry he'd been chewing on. "You know Chuck, the trips we took during those years would be considered dangerous by some, maybe even foolish by others, but those are years that could never be regained had they been lost through too much planning and not enough doing." We said our goodbyes and I got in my truck; as I drove out of the parking lot, I thought of the words I'd read so very long ago, "life is either an exciting adventure, or life is nothing at all.
Chuck