Our weather window appears and we prepare for departure. Turns out the marina is packed full of boats planning to head across Lake O. We decide to let a couple boats leave ahead of us even though we had moved to the last dock position for easy access out. We help a couple with their departure which as it turns out is not only a good deed but allows us to observe conditions and what to do (not do). Alan and I end up pulling on their stern line to allow their captain to jump on board. His first mate would have been adrift alone had we not been there to assist. Alan and I always talk through what we are going to do, in what order and why. I think that is a good practice allowing us to double check each other. It has served us well.

We depart uneventfully and it is a beautiful morning.

A couple miles out we see the two boats who left in front of us turn around and head back toward us. We throttle back and contact via radio to see if we can find out what’s ahead and determine if we should turn around as well. Later on we learn the two boats were traveling together. The lead (and experienced captain) had informed the second boat of a pod of manatees in the middle of the channel. Instead of throttling back and going to neutral, he tried to navigate around manatees, ended up outside the channel and his propellor hit rock. Both boats turned around and headed back to the marina. We continued on cautiously. We never saw any sign of manatees so the two boats must have been enough for them to swim away from the channel. We are almost across Lake O and anxious to get to less shallow waters. 

We encounter many Slow Speed and No Wake signs. The St Lucie Canal railway bridge is open but a bit narrow.

We pass through easily but from a distance it seemed more narrow than our boat beam (width). As we get closer to our destination, the houses get much bigger. Maybe I should refer to them as estates. Boat traffic increases and gets crazy. All different types of vessels coming at us from all directions. 

We arrive at Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart FL and are directed to dock behind an 80 foot Power Catamaran and in front of a Police boat. Sure no docking pressure there!! Poor Nauti Nerds was feeling fairly inadequate parked near the huge sparkling beauty.

The water is full of jellyfish!

This is a fairly nice marina and has on-site coffee shop and restaurant. We visit the restaurant and ask to see a menu. The woman hands me a paper menu and states “here is our TO GO menu”. Well, don’t I feel welcome to stay. Suddenly felt like I was a Beverly Hillbilly. Our whole stay had that tone and we have no desire to return!!