ArthurWood
New member
Set off last Sunday at 11.35hr, first cruise since carb refurb and rejetting, after on-going prob w/pt engine not revving out. Had changed filters, plugs, plug leads, dist cap etc to no avail so had carbs looked at. Bloke said jets too big (and this after 1150+hr) and $800 work would save me a lot of fuel in long run. Headed for Tampa and Marriott Resort and Marina. Slight chop across Tampa Bay. Boat running like new. Nick the dockmaster called us en route to see if we were still coming as t/storms in area. Arr 14.15 with welcome from Nick who attended to tying up and connecting power. Checked us in at dock and gave us Marriott welcome pkg. Told us we had full access to all facilities at 5-star resort. Violent t-storm cooled things down a bit. Used exlnt shower facilities.
19.00hr strolled 100yd to arena to Fleetwood Mac concert. Played for two hr solid Wonderful - I can still hear it!!
Dinner after concert in Marriott, after-dinner drinkies on boat and retired to bed after 23.00hr.
Monday am - free paper delivered to boat. Ordered room service breakfast aboard. Nick came by to check if we needed anything. Said we'd like to stay another night. No prob. Monday we drifted around hotel, enjoyed spa and pool, evening caught tram to Ybor City for dinner.
Tuesday am - paper delivered, Breakfasted and about 11.00 headed to St Pete to 5-star Renaissance Vinoy Hotel and marina. Harbourmaster and assistant tied up boat and connected power and cable TV. Temp 32C and humid! Took advantage of pool and shower facilities. Dinner in hotel, followed by after dinner drinks on patio looking at moon thru palms.
Wed - set off W then N to Clearwater on calm Tampa Bay.
3 hr later docked at grotty Clearwater Bay Marina with help from Ray the dockmaster. After shower and snack, walked 1/4 mile to open air concert by Norah Jones under gibbous moon and stars. Fantastic!
Yesterday, 3hr trip S along Gulf of Mex in S F3-4. Lot of spray drenching us in warm Gulf water. Boat running perfectly, but GPS126 wanted to revert to a different GoTo than one chosen when we slammed. GPS176 first time used in anger worked perfectly w/autopilot. Arr home at 15.00hr after (150nm) really enjoyable few days. Drank a lot of beer at dock and at home and woke at 10.00 this morning. Need to fill up to see if carbs are less thirsty. Have feeling they are. But it's only money after all!
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19.00hr strolled 100yd to arena to Fleetwood Mac concert. Played for two hr solid Wonderful - I can still hear it!!
Dinner after concert in Marriott, after-dinner drinkies on boat and retired to bed after 23.00hr.
Monday am - free paper delivered to boat. Ordered room service breakfast aboard. Nick came by to check if we needed anything. Said we'd like to stay another night. No prob. Monday we drifted around hotel, enjoyed spa and pool, evening caught tram to Ybor City for dinner.
Tuesday am - paper delivered, Breakfasted and about 11.00 headed to St Pete to 5-star Renaissance Vinoy Hotel and marina. Harbourmaster and assistant tied up boat and connected power and cable TV. Temp 32C and humid! Took advantage of pool and shower facilities. Dinner in hotel, followed by after dinner drinks on patio looking at moon thru palms.
Wed - set off W then N to Clearwater on calm Tampa Bay.
3 hr later docked at grotty Clearwater Bay Marina with help from Ray the dockmaster. After shower and snack, walked 1/4 mile to open air concert by Norah Jones under gibbous moon and stars. Fantastic!
Yesterday, 3hr trip S along Gulf of Mex in S F3-4. Lot of spray drenching us in warm Gulf water. Boat running perfectly, but GPS126 wanted to revert to a different GoTo than one chosen when we slammed. GPS176 first time used in anger worked perfectly w/autopilot. Arr home at 15.00hr after (150nm) really enjoyable few days. Drank a lot of beer at dock and at home and woke at 10.00 this morning. Need to fill up to see if carbs are less thirsty. Have feeling they are. But it's only money after all!
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. Usually tip marina help $2 - $5 depending on svc level and friendliness. Needless to say the staff are always friendly, but in some places they don't offer to connect power/TV cables. I'm getting really lazy and picky in retirement! Wife says I've always been the latter