Looks like I will take the boat to the Keys from T-Day to at least New Years. Looking to see if anyone knows a good place to launch or keep my trailer and van.  

Thanks,

Bob

Arrived in Key West today after 2.5 days (1800 miles) of driving.  

Splashed the boat and stepped the mast by myself.  Quite a challenge but better than driving.  Am now sitting on a mooring about a half mile offshore.  The boat is a complete wreck but FLOATING!!  Will sort things out tomorrow.

The City Marina here will let you park your van and trailer and rent you a mooring for $300 per month, including showers and use of the dingy dock.  Will use it as a home base until I get my bearings and head off.

Got quite a few nice comments on the boat and am very happy to have the swing keel and adjustable rudder.

Bob

Have been in Key West for a couple of weeks now.  One thing I would do differently is to launch the boat farther north and sail to Key West.  The winds make it a tough beat to get anywhere.

Finally got to sail my boat out into the deep blue sea.  So fantastic to see the inky blue color and have the waves spread out!  Have seen quite a few dolphins and turtles thus far.  Coming from Wisconsin all this is a big deal.  I have sailed offshore before but never on my own boat.

Tough keeping up with power requirements.  Had to replace my batteries and add a second solar panel to the aft rail.  I now have a 26W Brunton flexible panel on the aft cabin and a Sunsei 22.5 watt glass on on the aft rail.  

Really wish I had spent more time this summer working on the boat.  So many little details that had to be handled once I got here.

My wife and two of my kids arrive on Sunday for 10 days.  Will put the Dawson to the test, once again.  

Bob

In the gallery