Lake Worth to Hollywood - Back into the Atlantic

After spending day after day motoring along the ICW we were really keen to actually be out in the big sea again and this was the best option to get to Fort Lauderdale.  As was now normal we were up and leaving as the sun came up.

Up with the birds again as we leave Lake Worth

We had to motor for an hour to the inlet and then we were out to sea, as we looked out onto the horizon we could see the storm clouds but were lucky that we were skirting the rain.

Squall on the horizon

The sea was a little bumpy as we headed out but really quite lovely conditions with the wind on the beam. As the squall passed us the wind died and then within minutes returned on the nose! So we had 15- 20 knots on the nose in shallow seas, not the best conditions for out first sail back out at sea but they weren’t bad and it should have been easy.  Unfortunately Amanda started to feel unwell and although not sick she was not enjoying the sail.  Mot of here day was spent in her new position of laying on the cockpit floor so she did not have to brace herself and wasn’t sick, she only moved to tack which we had to do regularly.

We had to stay reasonable close to shore to avoid getting into the Gulf Stream, so we would tack inshore and when we reached around 10 metres of water we would tack back out to sea, dodging the fishing boats along the way.  We knew the Gulf Stream would run close to this shore but were not sure how close we were getting until we saw a sail boat doing the same as us rapidly getting pushed north as they headed further off shore.

The coastline where is quite built up with huge hotels and really is not the prettiest but the beach is long and sandy and does look quite inviting.  We also spent the day watching the Blimp flying along this coastline.

Shoreline of Fort Lauderdale

Blimp flying over Fort Lauderdale

As we entered Port Everglade, the swell pushed us along but before long we were in flat calm water and Amanda was able to move again!  With the extra miles we had to sail due to the tacking, it was getting dark but we still had miles to make to get to an anchorage but our luck was in we made 3 bridges which were all just scheduled to open.  The ICW scenery had significantly changed here, as we passed the port there was a super yacht with a sailboat bigger than Magnum strapped onboard and a helicopter!

Look closely there is a sailboat in the side and helicopter under a cover on the rear deck - bit odd as you can see bits of the cruise ship in the distance.

There was also a main road running down our port side with hotels, shops and the occasional bar and restaurant overlooking the ICW.  We reached the anchorage which was a sheltered deep pool surrounded by houses where we anchored with a few other boats.  Long eventful and slightly frustrating day, we were glad to be here.

Pretty end to a long day

Lake Worth  - Final Farewells

Lake Worth in a major stopping point for cruisers heading to the Bahamas as from the  outlet here you can make a good day crossing and be in the Bahamas.  It is a lso a reasonable place to pick up provisions and do those final jobs.  That evening Jay on Kenlanu also arrived in Lake Worth and we had another one of Jays’ delicious meals and enjoyed his hospitality.

Next day we made the most of the shore amenities but mainly spent our morning making friends with a French Canadian couple, Jean and Danielle were on there first trip to the Bahamas and we are sure they are going to have a fantastic time as they were great fun.  That night we had one final farewell drink with Jay as he is now Bahamas bound.