We are moving a boat and training her owner’s to become proficient with their boat Nauti Paws, a 390 Mainship, just like what ours was.

Yesterday we crossed the Gulf of Mexico from Tampa Bay area to Panama City. When you have too many hours sitting at the helm and your are not a writer, you make an attempt to be poet and clever. So here is my take on our travels of 254 miles at 9.2 knots over 27.5 hours. Enjoy.

The Crossing of Nauti Paws

Weather triple checked, ditch bag packed, food is prepared for a Gulf Crossing from Tampa to Panama City.

Land is left behind as the sun turns the water into a sea of shiny diamonds, God’s artwork, never to be equaled by man.

The sunset is unobstructed in her full glory

With darkness come the anticipation of the rising of the moon, only to be thwarted by the tiniest sliver of the moon becoming visible as it too sets into the same path of the sun.

It is now dark. The stars, oh the stars! Never has one seen so many in the clear moonless darkness.

The only sound is the thrum of the engine and the swishing of the water as the hull parts the sea. No cell service, no radio chatter, the feeling of peace on earth. In the middle of the Gulf the silence is broken by the call of the Loon startled by the boat.

Tiny red light off in the distance give new meaning to “two ships passing in the night.”

Three hours shift seems just about right.  A bit too long for the captain and a bit too short for the sleeper.

Land Ho…she deceives you so… but brings us assurance.  So close yet so far.

Panama City Beach with her white sand, lures us into the inlet.

Another hour to our anchorage seems so small after our long crossing of 220 mile of the Gulf.

The chatter of the chain means rest is in reach. But wait not so fast…the anchor won’t bite.  Alas we finesse her into the mud.  Looking forward to slumber tonight in our bed.