Hello, land lovers and loopers! Chris and Deb here, coming to you from the beautiful Marlin Bay Marina in Marathon, Florida. We’ve made it to the Keys, and it’s been an incredible two weeks since we arrived on April 16th. Our journey has had some twists and turns, so here’s the latest update from Sea Dan.

Key West Adventures

Before we settled into our month-long stay here at Marlin Bay, we took a brief trip back to Cincinnati to visit family. The flights were easy and inexpensive—about $120 round-trip with no checked bags, just a backpack. After returning, we decided to explore Key West for a few days, and let’s just say it wasn’t quite what we expected.

Deb had an impression of Key West that leaned toward Vegas-style nightlife, but she quickly learned that it’s much more touristy than wild. We had fun walking around and visiting local spots, including the Southernmost Point marker, where there’s always a line for photos (we snapped ours from the car, no waiting involved!). We also visited Ernest Hemingway’s favorite spot, Sloppy Joe’s, and Sweet Pickles for a bite to eat.

The biggest surprise for Deb was the roosters—everywhere! These noisy birds wander the streets, and the hotel even provided earplugs to help with the crowing in the morning. But beyond the roosters, we enjoyed the history and charm of the island, especially the 1935-built aquarium. It’s a cool spot to visit, featuring sharks, turtles, and even turtles with prosthetic flippers after boat-related injuries.

An Unexpected Hole in the Boat

While we were in Key West, we had a bit of excitement back at the boat. On our way from Marco Island to Marathon, Chris accidentally put a screw through the bottom of the boat. It happened while trying to fix a bilge pump float that had come loose. Of course, water started coming in immediately! Deb sprang into action, and while I worked to seal the hole, she kept the boat spotless with a bucket of water and boat soap. We used a fantastic product called Water Weld, which works underwater to seal small holes. After some diving and creativity, the hole was sealed, and the boat was dry again.

While we were worried during the ordeal, we made it through. And while we were away, we kept checking the ring camera at home to ensure the boat was still floating!

Marlin Bay and New Discoveries

Now that we’re settled at Marlin Bay, we’ve had some time to relax and explore. The water here is gorgeous, and I took a quick dive right in the marina (which turned into a little misadventure, but more on that in a second). The marina is beautiful, and the surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature, like feeding ducks and watching fish.

Dinghy Dilemmas and Exploration

We also got the dinghy back in the water after replacing the hydraulic hoses for the davit (the crane that lifts the dinghy). We had some fun adventures with the dinghy, including a great trip west toward the Seven Mile Bridge. The weather’s been great for cruising, and we plan to go east tomorrow to explore more spots. On Saturday, we’re heading out to Sombrero Reef, a popular snorkeling and diving spot that’s only about 45 minutes away. It’s one of those perfect days we’ve been looking forward to.

The Subaru Saga

If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve had some challenges with our Subaru, which was unfortunately sunk during the hurricane while we were in Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda. It’s officially out of commission, but it hasn’t been a huge issue. We’ve been relying on Uber and even took the dinghy to shop at a Wind Dixie grocery store with its own dinghy dock! For getting around the Keys, we found renting a car one way from Marathon to Key West is much cheaper than taking an Uber. It’s worked out well for getting to airports, but otherwise, we rely on Uber or walking around the marina.

What’s Next?

So, what’s next for us? Well, we’ve got plans to head east towards Miami, stopping at Plantation Key and checking out the Founders Park, which looks like a great spot for the family. We’re hoping to get our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson Leon to visit while we’re there. The diving and snorkeling sites in Key Largo are supposed to be fantastic, especially at Penny Camp, so we’ll be diving and exploring over the next month.

In the meantime, we’ll keep exploring the Keys and looking forward to some much-needed relaxation. After a month here, we’re planning to head toward the tip of Florida and then on to the Bahamas by June or July. The plan is always evolving, but we’re excited for the adventures ahead.

Final Thoughts

Marlin Bay has been the perfect spot to take a breather, but we’re also learning as we go—whether it’s diving to fix the boat or finding new ways to get around. The community here is great, and we’ve met many fellow loopers. If any of you are interested in visiting, let us know soon—our calendar’s filling up!

Greetings from Sea Dan! It’s Friday, April 18th, and we’re excited to share that we’ve made it to Marathon in the beautiful Florida Keys. It’s been an eventful journey since we last checked in from Marco Island, and we’ve had quite a few exciting developments, challenges, and triumphs to report!

Diesel Maintenance and Dinghy Drama

We spent almost two weeks at Marco Island, primarily for some much-needed maintenance on the boat. Our engines required a heat exchanger cleaning after a few years of service, which is a regular part of keeping the boat in top condition. As the engines suck up seawater to cool down, the heat exchangers tend to clog, which can cause the engine temperatures to rise. It’s important to get this maintenance done every four to five years, depending on how much you use the boat. Luckily, we found a great company in Naples, Williams Marine, run by Jack, who was hands-on and took great care of the job. We now have our boat ready for many more miles of adventure!

While we were at Marco, we also had a bit of excitement with the dinghy. After getting it back on the boat, we noticed that the bottom of the dinghy was covered in barnacles from being in the water for too long. A few hours of pressure washing (with Deb getting in on the action too) and some learning lessons later, we realized we might need to paint the bottom of the dinghy to prevent this in the future.

A Bumpy Start to Marathon

After the maintenance was completed, we were ready for the next leg of the trip—Marathon. We fueled up at Rose Marina early on Monday morning, ready to make the 100-mile journey in one day. The weather was calm at the start, and we left at 7:30 AM. However, once we got out of the shallow waters near Marco Island, things got a little more exciting. The waves were big, and the boat was rocking and rolling. We were dealing with 3- to 4-foot waves in an area where Sea Dan is more comfortable with 1- to 2-foot waves. It felt like the inside of the boat was getting tossed around!

There was a moment when we both wondered if we should turn back, but we were determined to push on. Once we got a few miles out and hit deeper water, the waves calmed, and we could pick up speed—reaching about 18 to 20 knots. Despite a few challenges, including a loose dinghy strap (which Chris bravely fixed), we powered through.

One of the most stunning parts of the journey was the water. Once we were in deeper waters, we were surrounded by crystal-clear, blue water. It was breathtaking. We dodged a few more crab pots on our way, but after that, it was smooth sailing.

Marathon at Last!

We made it to Marathon in the afternoon, around 1:30 PM, after a smooth final leg of the journey. The marina here is fantastic—private, well-staffed, and very welcoming. They even gave us some nice coffee thermoses as a little welcome gift. We’ve rented a slip here for a month, so we’re settled in for a little while. The weather’s been perfect, and we’ve already explored some of the local spots.

Yesterday, we took part in a trivia night at the marina’s outdoor bar while enjoying a cocktail, and today we’re planning to launch the dinghy to explore the beaches and restaurants in the area. We’re also looking forward to some snorkeling and diving—especially because there’s an initiative here to help control the invasive lionfish population. For every lionfish caught and brought to a dive shop, they offer $5. We’re gearing up to do our part with spears and a special bucket!

Family Time and Future Plans

As part of our stay in Marathon, we’re taking a break to head back to Cincinnati for a few days to take care of family. We’ll be back next week to continue our adventures. In the meantime, we’re planning to explore more of the Keys, and eventually, we’ll make our way to Key West for a couple of days. It’s a place we’ve visited before, but there’s always more to see and do.

While in Marathon, we’ve also been meeting other boaters and loopers, which has been a lot of fun. There’s a real sense of community among those traveling the Great Loop. We’ve been sharing tips and stories, and it’s exciting to connect with others on the same journey.

Wrapping Up

So far, it’s been an exciting journey filled with a bit of drama, some lessons learned, and plenty of breathtaking views. We’re looking forward to the next part of our trip, with snorkeling, diving, and more adventures ahead. Marathon has been a great place to relax and regroup, and we can’t wait to see what else the Keys have in store for us!

Thank you for following along with our adventure! Stay tuned for more updates, pictures, and videos from the journey.

Greetings, land lovers! It’s Chris and Deb, back with another update from our journey aboard Sea Dan. We left you last time when we were anchored at Chino Island. Since then, we’ve had some great adventures, and we can’t wait to fill you in!

Heading South to Naples

After spending a few days enjoying the peacefulness of Chino Island, we headed out on the morning of March 27th. Our destination? Naples! The trip was a quick one, just a two- to two-and-a-half-hour cruise out in the Gulf. We kept close to land, so we could always see the coastline in the distance, and while we encountered a few crab pots, they weren’t too much of an issue.

Deb was a little nervous about passing under a fixed bridge just outside Sanibel. With an air draft of about 19.5 feet, we weren’t sure if we would clear the bridge. But after hovering for a bit, we made it through without any issues—much to Deb’s relief! We then continued our journey, and the trip ended up being about five hours, with calm weather and very few waves. It was an easy, pleasant day on the water.

Arriving at Naples Marina

We arrived in Naples on Thursday evening, and although the wind was a bit strong, we had no trouble docking in an outer slip. Unfortunately, we lost our aft thruster during the docking process. While the aft thruster isn’t essential, it’s definitely a luxury that helps with wind and maneuvering. Thankfully, we didn’t sustain any damage, and the boat still performed well.

Naples Marina itself was fantastic. The concrete floating piers, excellent shower and laundry facilities, and friendly staff made our stay enjoyable. Deb even did three loads of laundry—nothing quite like the convenience of a clean wardrobe while cruising! We also enjoyed dining out at a couple of spots. One of our favorites was The Boathouse, and we were also lucky enough to visit our great friends, Mark and Sue Weber, while we were in town. They took us golfing, which was a wonderful change of pace after spending nearly three weeks on the boat.

Lessons Learned in Naples

While Naples was a fantastic visit, we did learn an important lesson when docking. Calling ahead to confirm which side of the dock we would be pulling up to would have been very helpful. We weren’t fully prepared when we arrived, so our fenders weren’t hanging out, making it a bit tricky to maneuver the boat into the slip. Fortunately, we managed to get everything situated without issue.

One of the highlights of Naples was the view. As we approached the marina, we were surrounded by gorgeous houses and boats. It’s definitely a high-end neighborhood, and we highly recommend spending a couple of days there if you’re ever in the area. However, be prepared for a lot of boat traffic, especially on weekends!

Marco Island Adventures

After our time in Naples, we left on April 1st, heading towards Marco Island. It was a short trip—only about two to two-and-a-half hours. We docked at Factory Bay Marina, which is well-protected and a great spot to stay. The water here is a bit shallow in the middle, but as long as you stay along the edges, it’s perfectly safe.

We spent our time at Marco Island exploring the area. One of the standout spots was The Speakeasy, an upscale Italian restaurant with great food and a lively atmosphere. We had pizza one night, which was delicious, and liked it so much that we invited Mark and Sue to join us the following evening. The restaurant has two bars and a live band, making it a fun place to hang out.

Dinghy Adventures and a Propeller Mishap

There’s always a dinghy adventure, and Marco Island was no exception! One of our days out, we took the dinghy to explore some local channels and ended up at Rose Marina, where we were able to leave the dinghy for $10 and catch an Uber to restock on groceries and wine. We even stumbled upon the Marco Island Brewery, where we enjoyed some beer and calamari.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. One evening, while taking a sunset cruise in the dinghy, we found ourselves in a bit of a tight spot. The Key West Express, a huge boat that travels between Marco Island and Key West, was coming around the point at the same time we were. The narrow channel and the boat’s large wake made for a nerve-wracking experience. As we tried to avoid the waves, the dinghy engine stalled twice, leaving us drifting along with the waves crashing around us. Thankfully, a fellow boater came to our rescue, threw us a rope, and helped us make it to the dock.

It turned out that a rope had gotten tangled in the dinghy’s propeller, which caused the engine to stall. Chris, ever resourceful, used a knife to free the rope, and we were able to continue our adventure. After the excitement, we headed back to the boat, had a well-deserved cocktail, and relaxed.

Deb’s Quick Trip Home

After a few days at Marco, Deb flew back to Cincinnati on April 6th for a short visit to handle some personal matters. It was an easy trip with no problems, and she was able to spend time with the kids and celebrate Alex’s 35th birthday. Chris, meanwhile, stayed behind to handle boat maintenance and prepare for their next leg of the journey.

Looking Ahead: The Keys

Now, with some maintenance done, Chris is looking forward to a weather window at the end of the week. The plan is to head straight to Marathon in the Keys, where they’re excited to enjoy clear waters and dive and snorkel off the back of the boat—something they’ve been looking forward to for a long time. They’re also hoping to entertain family and friends who love diving and snorkeling.

Before heading to the Keys, Chris will be putting the boat in a nearby slip to get the necessary heat exchanger maintenance done, which is scheduled every four to five years. With the maintenance handled and a clean boat, it’s full steam ahead toward the Keys!

That’s it for this update. Thanks for following along with us! We’ll check back soon with more adventures from Sea Dan.

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Stay tuned for more videos and photos of our journey, and don’t forget to leave us any comments or questions. We’ll catch you next week!

Hello, everyone! It’s Chris and Deb from Sea Dan, back with another update from our Great Loop adventure. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and we wanted to share all the exciting things happening on the water.

Back in the Water

After five months of boat repairs at Safe Cove Boat Storage following the hurricanes that swept through Punta Gorda, we are thrilled to announce that Sea Dan is back in the water! The repairs were necessary, but it gave us the perfect opportunity to do some upgrades. One of the best additions was installing solar panels on the roof. These solar panels will help keep the batteries charged when we’re not connected to shore power or running the generator—perfect for when we’re anchoring out for extended periods.

We arrived on March 16th, but the boat wasn’t quite ready yet. There were still a few tasks to complete, but we finished everything up and got Sea Dan in the water by 10:00 AM on the 21st. We made sure to test everything out, and thankfully, everything worked just as planned. The boat was ready to go, and we were off!

Our First Lock Experience

Our journey started with a passage through a small lock—probably the smallest lock we’ve ever seen! At first, there was a sailboat waiting ahead of us, but the lock master suggested we go ahead since the tide was low, and the water depth was less than four feet outside the lock. We anchored and waited for about three and a half hours until the tide came up enough for us to pass through safely.

When we finally made it through, the journey continued. We headed toward Burnt Store Marina to fill up with diesel and water. However, when we arrived, it was already getting late, so we decided to anchor instead, right outside Fisherman’s Village. The marina was still closed, and there was a sunken boat right in front of us, so it wasn’t the ideal spot to dock. Nonetheless, we were able to relax and enjoy the beautiful night.

Cabbage Key and North Captiva Adventures

The next day, we ventured out in the dinghy and made our way to Cabbage Key, a quaint island famous for inspiring Jimmy Buffett’s song Cheeseburger in Paradise. The island is known for its eclectic atmosphere, complete with dollar bills covering the walls of the restaurant. After adding our own dollar to the collection, we had a delicious lunch, including blackened redfish and shrimp.

Later, we explored North Captiva Island, where we found two lovely marina spots. However, our return trip in the dinghy became a bit nerve-wracking as we realized we were running low on fuel. In the end, we managed to make it back to the boat, but not without a few moments of anxiety. The next day, we set off to find gas for the dinghy, but not without more adventure! We stopped at Gasparilla Island, only to find the nearest marina didn’t have fuel. Fortunately, a kind fisherman gave us directions to a nearby marina, and after some tense moments in shallow water, we finally made it.

Beautiful Manatees and Gorgeous Views

After filling up the dinghy and having a relaxing lunch at a beautiful marina, we spent the rest of the day exploring the canals and taking in the stunning views. We even spotted some manatees hanging out near the shore. The next day, we headed back to the boat, stopped at a nearby sandbar for some shell collecting, and prepared for our next leg of the journey.

Next Stop: Sanibel

We’re now anchored just off Chino Island, which is just across the bay from Sanibel. We plan to stay here for a couple of days, exploring the area, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and maybe even hitting a restaurant or two. After that, we’ll be heading down to Naples to visit some good friends, take a real shower, and do some much-needed laundry. It’s going to be great!

That’s all for this update. We’re so glad you’re following along on our adventure, and we’ll see you next time!

Catch the next update from Chris and Deb on Sea Dan as they continue their Great Loop journey.

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If you’re interested in keeping up with Sea Dan’s adventures, be sure to check out the attached videos and photos for a closer look at their recent travels. From locks to marinas, beautiful islands, and even the occasional challenge, there’s never a dull moment on this adventure!