Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (Steinhatchee, FL (Sea Hag Marina) - Crystal River, FL (Twin Rivers Marina)

It’s sunrise and everyone is ready to get going.  After many discussions the night before, we found some loopers were going to anchor at Cedar Keys, FL (not exactly what we prefer) and one other boat was going further to Crystal River, FL.  As we checked the chart plotter and addressed the miles going forward, we decided to buddy with “Long Recess” to get us closer to Tarpon Springs, FL. Plus we will be in a marina with electricity.  It’s all about that electricity for us!!!!

We were out of the marina for about an hour when we encountered the first grouping of crab pots.

I am not going to lie as this day became one of the MOST stressful days that we have had.  For 7 hours we were constantly dodging crab pots. The worst thing about it is that some of them are dark in color that blend into the water.  Then we received communication from “Long Recess” that they hit a pot.

Thankfully the line from the pot buoy to the actual cage was not wrapped around their prop.  That is a big plus!  However, their oil pressure went to nothing.  Just to give you some perspective as to where we are at this point, the below picture will show you that there is no land in sight.

After waiting for awhile, Tony (Captain of Long Recess) restarted his motor and thankfully the oil pressure started to increase.  Shortly thereafter we started to venture on through more crab pots.  See the little white specs on the water?  Well, that’s those nasty things.

Since our boat is much taller then “Long Recess” we were radioing them of areas that the boats can cut through the pots in order to avoid shallow water.  Oh did I mention that the water isn’t 50 feet any more but approximately 5 feet. I must say that we all started to breath a little more normal once we spotted the channel markers going into Crystal River.  The pots can’t be placed in the channel but they are just along the line of the channel.  The huge rock pile was interesting as we motored by, as well as the nuclear plant.

It was beautiful as we were further into the channel.  The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is here where they shelter manatees year round.  

It truly was a big relief to reach the marina and know that we can relax.

Directly in front of the marina gas dock (in the middle of the channel) there is another abandoned sailboat.  It is another victim of the last hurricane and the owner, who lives in Alaska, does’t care or want it.  Did you notice how much the birds like it.  LOL!!!  Evidently the State of Florida is then responsible for the vessel.  I say: “Get it out of the middle of the channel”.  

We are going to regroup with our looper buddy and find transportation to go out for dinner.  Tomorrow is another day where we are getting closer to Tarpon Springs and Clearwater.