I bought this boat in June of 2010 and brought it back from
Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
(See two photo slide shows below)
The following photos are from my trip back from Florida's west coast. Below the photos is the story behind the trip.
Sweet Freedom
A Boating Story
By Leon Hopkins
A few years ago a boating friend of mine, Mike Runion, was sleeping on his boat at his marina a few miles from where I have my boat slipped. Sometime in the early morning his lady friend awoke to a popping sound and the smell of smoke. She immediately awakened Mike explaining to him that the boat in the next slip was on fire. Mike jumped out of bed hurried to the cockpit. Removing all the dock lines from his boat, he started the engine and backed out of his slip. Luckily no one was hurt and local fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The boat was totally destroyed and only the hull was left in the water. Mike’s boat was badly damaged as well, the starboard side porthole housings and windows melted. The cabin house was badly charred and there were large blisters in the fiberglass. His insurance company totaled his boat and cut him a check for the total amount insured.
After a few months of searching, Mike found the boat of his dreams in Florida. He called me and other friends asking if we would help crew his new boat back to Charleston. We all agreed and started planning the trip. This would be the second time that I had crewed for Mike; we brought his first sail boat (the one that was damaged in the fire) down to Charleston from upper New York.
A week or so later we all met in my marina parking lot and loaded all the supplies in the back of Mike Linn’s truck. The four of us, (Mike R, Mike L, Tom and I) headed out for Port Charlotte, on the west coast of Florida. We drove all night and arrived at the boat yard just as the sun was coming up the next day. There she was a beautiful 34 ft. Catalina sail boat. All white with blue trim and blue canvases. The boat was still up on stands from recent bottom painting. (Bottom paint is used as an anti-fouling to keep barnacles and other little critters from attaching to the bottom of a boat in a salt water environment. This paint has a life time of about three to four years before having to be replaced.) After loading the boat with the supplies that we had brought, Mike Linn and I headed to an ACE hardware to fill the propane tanks used on the boat for cooking. We also stopped for a few more supplies at one of the supermarkets. After installing all the canvas, making sure all the equipment and electronics were in good working order, Mike had the boat yard crew lift and set her in the water. We all said good bye to Mike Linn as he had to drive back.
It had been a very dry year so Lake Okeechobee’s water level was down quite a lot, not allowing us to use the water way that cuts across the lower part of Florida. This would have cut off many miles and hours from the trip. We had to take the long rough into the Gulf of Mexico. Making our way south to the Florida Keys, I passed some of my time fishing off the back of the boat hoping I might snag a big one for dinner. The wind died to almost calm as the sun went down so we had to start the engine. The sunset that evening was breathtaking; I traded the fishing pole for my camera and snapped several photos.
About four o’clock the next morning we had an opportunity to pull into a port for a little rest. Using the GPS and our charts we navigated our way into the Marco Island Marina, tied our lines to the dock and slept for a while. Morning came so quickly we refueled the boat and found a restaurant for breakfast. We left Marco Island and headed south for the Keys; the wind was still fairly calm forcing us to use the engine again. We motored into Key West at about ten o’clock in the evening, found an anchorage and spent the night. The next morning the wind had come back up and we decided that we would go south of the Keys between the islands and Cuba. This would put us into open water and we could sail making better time. After getting a mile or so south of Key West and heading parallel to the islands we found that the wind was right on the bow. The waves were in the neighborhood of four to six feet. Taking a beating with the waves and water spray we decided to turn around and go on the inside between the mainland and the Keys. The water was much calmer there but we had to use the engine again. Because the waterway is more difficult to navigate at night, we set anchor at about dusk. At the break of dawn we were on our way again. We stopped at Key Largo to fill our fuel and water tanks we also found a place for lunch within walking distance of the fuel dock. That evening we were in Biscayne Bay, the lights from the city of Miami shimmered on the water.
Normally the wind will calm in the evening so we decided to go outside (open water). Things were great for a while the GPS was indicating a speed of eight plus knots. (Knots x 1.15 = MPH) We had both the main and head sail out taking advantage of the wind and getting the push of the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is like a river of warm water that starts in the Gulf of Mexico and heads north around the tip of Florida; it can add four or more knots to your speed. As the hours passed the wind increased and the wave height became greater. By this time we were trading time at the helm so two in the cockpit and one down below resting or sleeping. I was the first to go down and try to sleep. Moving around in the boat was very difficult hanging on to anything I could; I made my way back to the rear of the boat. As I lie in my berth I began sliding from one bulkhead to the other, I gathered pillows and blankets to cushion my head contact with the starboard hull and braced my feet against the port side. I finally managed to fall asleep. I woke up wondering why it was so quiet, so calm, I was not sliding around on the mattress; something had changed. I jumped to my feet, up the stairway, poked my head into the cockpit; hey, what is going on I asked. Mike answered, it is just too rough out there we are headed in to Fort Lauderdale to find anchorage and spend the night. The next morning we started motoring up the ICW (inter coastal waterway). The ICW is nice in the fact that it can give you protection from the wind and waves, but it can be very slow in the city areas because of all the streets that pass over it and you have to wait for each bridge to open. So many bridges!
At Port St. Lucie a third of the way up the Florida coast we topped off with fuel and water then headed back out to sea. It was early afternoon by now and the sea and wind had calmed. We put in a rough course for home. Because of the shape of the mainland shoreline the further we went north on our course the further we got from land. It wasn’t long before land vanished from sight and we were out of cell phone range. The day was uneventful until we heard a deafening noise; an F-16 fighter jet with his afterburner on flew over our heads at about 200 feet. I could feel the vibration in my chest and the boat shaking. Shortly after the plane was almost out of sight a voice came over the radio, “sailing vessel this is Navy war ship seven one, be aware and stay clear of our wake” Mike answered, “yes sir we will be aware,” as we all looked to see where that radio call came from. There off the starboard rear was a very large aircraft carrier and the number 71 painted on the command tower. We watched in amazement as the ship, about a half mile from us, turned into the wind, an enormous wake came from its stern as the planes returned to its deck.
The sun was going down and it became dark soon. A moonless and cloudy night very dark I was not able to see the horizon, the water or the sky, it was just a continuous black in all directions. The small lights in the instruments seem to light the cockpit. One of my responsibilities was manning the navigation station and plotting our position on the charts with the latitude and longitude reading from the GPS. Doing this allowed us to verify our position on the ocean and to set waypoints back into the GPS. With these waypoints (imaginary points on the ocean surface) set, the auto pilot, which was coupled to the GPS, could now be used to hold a very accurate course.
After sailing all night everyone was ready to get home. As we got closer to our destination we began losing the tug of the Gulf Stream as it vanished off to the starboard side of the boat. It was beginning to get light but, still cloudy; a mist in the air, condensation gathered on the plastic windows of the cockpit dodger. It is now mid-morning as we approach the outer marker of the Charleston harbor jetties. (Jetties are large rocks that are laid forming a channel to help calm the water as ships come into the harbor). What a beautiful view as the jetties gave way to the Charleston harbor only couple of miles to go. All high fiving, Tom went below and brought up a cooler; popping the top of a few beers we celebrated this wonderful adventure… and thanked God for his help.
Mike reached for the radio and said “Charleston Harbor Marina this is Sweet Freedom requesting fuel service”. The marina came back, “Roger captain, I will have someone at the fuel dock when you arrive. One other thing captain, I like the name of your boat….SWEET FREEDOM”.
A Boating Story
By Leon Hopkins
A few years ago a boating friend of mine, Mike Runion, was sleeping on his boat at his marina a few miles from where I have my boat slipped. Sometime in the early morning his lady friend awoke to a popping sound and the smell of smoke. She immediately awakened Mike explaining to him that the boat in the next slip was on fire. Mike jumped out of bed hurried to the cockpit. Removing all the dock lines from his boat, he started the engine and backed out of his slip. Luckily no one was hurt and local fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The boat was totally destroyed and only the hull was left in the water. Mike’s boat was badly damaged as well, the starboard side porthole housings and windows melted. The cabin house was badly charred and there were large blisters in the fiberglass. His insurance company totaled his boat and cut him a check for the total amount insured.
After a few months of searching, Mike found the boat of his dreams in Florida. He called me and other friends asking if we would help crew his new boat back to Charleston. We all agreed and started planning the trip. This would be the second time that I had crewed for Mike; we brought his first sail boat (the one that was damaged in the fire) down to Charleston from upper New York.
A week or so later we all met in my marina parking lot and loaded all the supplies in the back of Mike Linn’s truck. The four of us, (Mike R, Mike L, Tom and I) headed out for Port Charlotte, on the west coast of Florida. We drove all night and arrived at the boat yard just as the sun was coming up the next day. There she was a beautiful 34 ft. Catalina sail boat. All white with blue trim and blue canvases. The boat was still up on stands from recent bottom painting. (Bottom paint is used as an anti-fouling to keep barnacles and other little critters from attaching to the bottom of a boat in a salt water environment. This paint has a life time of about three to four years before having to be replaced.) After loading the boat with the supplies that we had brought, Mike Linn and I headed to an ACE hardware to fill the propane tanks used on the boat for cooking. We also stopped for a few more supplies at one of the supermarkets. After installing all the canvas, making sure all the equipment and electronics were in good working order, Mike had the boat yard crew lift and set her in the water. We all said good bye to Mike Linn as he had to drive back.
It had been a very dry year so Lake Okeechobee’s water level was down quite a lot, not allowing us to use the water way that cuts across the lower part of Florida. This would have cut off many miles and hours from the trip. We had to take the long rough into the Gulf of Mexico. Making our way south to the Florida Keys, I passed some of my time fishing off the back of the boat hoping I might snag a big one for dinner. The wind died to almost calm as the sun went down so we had to start the engine. The sunset that evening was breathtaking; I traded the fishing pole for my camera and snapped several photos.
About four o’clock the next morning we had an opportunity to pull into a port for a little rest. Using the GPS and our charts we navigated our way into the Marco Island Marina, tied our lines to the dock and slept for a while. Morning came so quickly we refueled the boat and found a restaurant for breakfast. We left Marco Island and headed south for the Keys; the wind was still fairly calm forcing us to use the engine again. We motored into Key West at about ten o’clock in the evening, found an anchorage and spent the night. The next morning the wind had come back up and we decided that we would go south of the Keys between the islands and Cuba. This would put us into open water and we could sail making better time. After getting a mile or so south of Key West and heading parallel to the islands we found that the wind was right on the bow. The waves were in the neighborhood of four to six feet. Taking a beating with the waves and water spray we decided to turn around and go on the inside between the mainland and the Keys. The water was much calmer there but we had to use the engine again. Because the waterway is more difficult to navigate at night, we set anchor at about dusk. At the break of dawn we were on our way again. We stopped at Key Largo to fill our fuel and water tanks we also found a place for lunch within walking distance of the fuel dock. That evening we were in Biscayne Bay, the lights from the city of Miami shimmered on the water.
Normally the wind will calm in the evening so we decided to go outside (open water). Things were great for a while the GPS was indicating a speed of eight plus knots. (Knots x 1.15 = MPH) We had both the main and head sail out taking advantage of the wind and getting the push of the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is like a river of warm water that starts in the Gulf of Mexico and heads north around the tip of Florida; it can add four or more knots to your speed. As the hours passed the wind increased and the wave height became greater. By this time we were trading time at the helm so two in the cockpit and one down below resting or sleeping. I was the first to go down and try to sleep. Moving around in the boat was very difficult hanging on to anything I could; I made my way back to the rear of the boat. As I lie in my berth I began sliding from one bulkhead to the other, I gathered pillows and blankets to cushion my head contact with the starboard hull and braced my feet against the port side. I finally managed to fall asleep. I woke up wondering why it was so quiet, so calm, I was not sliding around on the mattress; something had changed. I jumped to my feet, up the stairway, poked my head into the cockpit; hey, what is going on I asked. Mike answered, it is just too rough out there we are headed in to Fort Lauderdale to find anchorage and spend the night. The next morning we started motoring up the ICW (inter coastal waterway). The ICW is nice in the fact that it can give you protection from the wind and waves, but it can be very slow in the city areas because of all the streets that pass over it and you have to wait for each bridge to open. So many bridges!
At Port St. Lucie a third of the way up the Florida coast we topped off with fuel and water then headed back out to sea. It was early afternoon by now and the sea and wind had calmed. We put in a rough course for home. Because of the shape of the mainland shoreline the further we went north on our course the further we got from land. It wasn’t long before land vanished from sight and we were out of cell phone range. The day was uneventful until we heard a deafening noise; an F-16 fighter jet with his afterburner on flew over our heads at about 200 feet. I could feel the vibration in my chest and the boat shaking. Shortly after the plane was almost out of sight a voice came over the radio, “sailing vessel this is Navy war ship seven one, be aware and stay clear of our wake” Mike answered, “yes sir we will be aware,” as we all looked to see where that radio call came from. There off the starboard rear was a very large aircraft carrier and the number 71 painted on the command tower. We watched in amazement as the ship, about a half mile from us, turned into the wind, an enormous wake came from its stern as the planes returned to its deck.
The sun was going down and it became dark soon. A moonless and cloudy night very dark I was not able to see the horizon, the water or the sky, it was just a continuous black in all directions. The small lights in the instruments seem to light the cockpit. One of my responsibilities was manning the navigation station and plotting our position on the charts with the latitude and longitude reading from the GPS. Doing this allowed us to verify our position on the ocean and to set waypoints back into the GPS. With these waypoints (imaginary points on the ocean surface) set, the auto pilot, which was coupled to the GPS, could now be used to hold a very accurate course.
After sailing all night everyone was ready to get home. As we got closer to our destination we began losing the tug of the Gulf Stream as it vanished off to the starboard side of the boat. It was beginning to get light but, still cloudy; a mist in the air, condensation gathered on the plastic windows of the cockpit dodger. It is now mid-morning as we approach the outer marker of the Charleston harbor jetties. (Jetties are large rocks that are laid forming a channel to help calm the water as ships come into the harbor). What a beautiful view as the jetties gave way to the Charleston harbor only couple of miles to go. All high fiving, Tom went below and brought up a cooler; popping the top of a few beers we celebrated this wonderful adventure… and thanked God for his help.
Mike reached for the radio and said “Charleston Harbor Marina this is Sweet Freedom requesting fuel service”. The marina came back, “Roger captain, I will have someone at the fuel dock when you arrive. One other thing captain, I like the name of your boat….SWEET FREEDOM”.