01/18/2025 ICW Day 18 : 404 Knot Found

by Brian · Published January 18, 2025 · Updated January 23, 2025

How things reversed! Yesterday was probably one of our lowest days… and today was a highlight for sure!

Last night, as Janet read to me in the tent, I began the tedious procedure of disassembling the Hobie Mirage Drive, making a puddle on the floor of the steamy tent. Out plopped an undisclosed number nylon roller bearings; I had no guide on how to repair it, and I was just winging it. I completely disassembled the spline mechanism, and after cleaning the spring that controls the retractor, I pondered how to get the bearings back in there. Some had disappeared into remote parts of the assembly. I counted 27 bearings at one point. That meant at least one was missing (odd number), and then I found two more inside the shaft. That meant there was still one missing! I finally settled on a total of 30 bearings, assuming 15 each side. We used silicone grease to “glue” them to the sides, Janet holding everything just-so as I delicately placed each cylinder using our headlamps. We eventually had a working drive again!! This made me so happy!

Today we hit our fastest speeds ever of 8.4 knots, yet due to the quartering seas, it was relaxing enough that Janet and I took turns reading to each other from Ray Jardine’s travel journals. (P.S. Ray Jardine is the guy who invented rock climbing’s “friends” - camming devices that you put into cracks instead of driving bolts for protection). Ray is an adventurer for sure, and even though he became wealthy from his invention, he continues to travel using modest means. We particularly appreciate the intrepidness of “early” explorers (we are reading his 1977 Baja kayaking reports), as we realize that they didn’t have the benefit of satellite communications, cell phones, AIS, satellite maps, reliable tide app specific to your location, GPS with depth maps, high tech clothing, well designed watercraft, etc).

We made such great time but stopped early to set up camp and dry our stuff. Everything except the toilet paper was soaked from last night.

We are now on a legal for camping spoil island named “IR25”. It is fantastic to attend to our gear and not be worried about getting kicked out on an island where we can knot be found. 😊

Photos:

Last nights campsite over the drainage pipes.

Janet, you’re such a trooper, climbing out on our slippery dock. I like how go-with-the-flow and brave you are.

Thought I’d show you guys a capture of the Garmin nautical maps that I got for my watch. TOTALLY CHEATING!! But I love being able to see the depths and the channel markers just by flicking up my wrist. We use it constantly as we navigate the channels. Lots of places have 1foot of water which is a big problem for us!

We saw the trimaran from afar, and both got excited… but then we realized that this one had been crashed into (or it crashed into something). We see about 6 abandoned boats per day, by the way). If I didn’t love our small boat so much, I would be tempted to “adopt” another sailing vessel. I am becoming really passionate about sail.

Time to dry EVERYTHING at camp.

After just a few days at sea, my tools looked like this. They still work, though. Notice Janet’s glasses case (left) that appears as if it were recovered from Davey Jone’s locker.

We are camped at the island in the foreground.

Happy!

Strava Comments:

Janet W.

Fun to enjoy an’ easy’ day with you today! We may be cleaned-up now, but I’m still looking forward to a hotel tomorrow night.

Nancy P.

“island where we can knot be Is there a way to determine which places you can camp by looking at the Strava maps? Amazing mileage this day!!

Janet W.

Hi Nancy Prier, we have digital maps and pdf files for the Florida Costal Trail FCT. They have waypoints for campgrounds next to the waterway with descriptions and phone numbers. Also wetland parks to visit with docks. We add more waypoints for grocery stores and such. Happy to hear from you!

Mark G.

Brian Lucido and Todd Anderson Brian, as you probably remember Todd and I are "connected" to Ray Jardine in that our good buddy sistet, Jenny, is married to Ray(I think still) and has been on many if not all the adventures. ---- I can just imagine those bearings good job!

Brian L.

Mark Glenesk - yes, they are still together. Janet and I were talking about you, trying to decide if you were the one who introduced us to him… or if Janet found his blog on her own. By the way, one of his trips, he took Ed Gillette on his FIRST overnight kayak trip (multi day through Baja). So, who is your friend, whose sister is Jenny? We just saw that she was hiking in the Pyrenees and got attacked by sheepdogs. Twice!