Garmin

Now it’s my Garmin VHF radio that died. More specifically, it’s my cockpit radio head. I called Garmin this morning and the head is still under warranty. They’re shipping me a refurbished replacement.

A VHF radio is important since it’s the only way to communicate with other ships, bridges, and the Coast Guard. Not having a radio is dangerous and I’m glad I have the backup handheld. Thanks for getting me the radio Dave!

Garmin has been good about replacing equipment as it breaks, but I’m still upset that it’s breaking. Our next marina visit is going to be in Fort Pierce Florida, so I had them ship the replacement there. In the meantime, I have to do a 280 mile passage without my cockpit head connected to the main radio. I’m using my hand held backup unit in the cockpit and Sue is down below listening to the main radio.

The ICW in Georgia meanders, is shallow, and takes a long time for sailboats to transit. There are areas where you have to wait for high tide to make it through. It’s doable, but would have taken a long time.

The storms have passed and we have a week long weather window with calm seas and we’re going to take it. We left Skull Creek Marina at 10 and was on the ocean by noon.

We have 1 to 2 foot waves and light wind. We’re motor sailing while we wait for the wind to fill in from the west. If all goes well, we’ll be in Fort Pierce Wednesday or Thursday and my radio head will be waiting.