Ed Robinson's Blog, page 6
June 13, 2017
The Legend of Captain Sonny
My wife’s birth father was named Sonny. She never knew him very well, as he left when she was very young. She can barely remember him, but she’s searched for his legacy throughout her life.
Sonny was a fisherman and boat captain. Early on, he ran an offshore boat out of Ocean City Maryland. Kim would spend her vacations at the beach trolling the marinas and fishermen bars looking for him, or someone that knew him. She never picked up his trail.
Then one day when she was twenty, she got a call from law enforcement in North Carolina. Sonny was dead. Could she come to identify his body? She didn’t know what he might look like at this point, but she went. She saw him there in the morgue and collected his meager belongings.
The picture below was in his stuff. The identity of the woman is unknown.
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Two years ago, we decided to look further into the life of a man neither of us knew. We knew that he had fished out of Bud & Mary’s Marina in Islamorada. We traveled to the Keys aboard out boat and began our research. At Bud & Mary’s we learned the names of a few guys that had fished with him years ago. One of them was still fishing. He was based out of the LoreLei these days and lived on Plantation Key. We tracked him down.
John Kipp was good friends with Sonny back in the 70’s and early 80’s. He knew a lot about Kim’s father. We also found another friend, Bert Rogers. Sonny worked on Bert’s father’s boat for ten years. The two became good friends and stayed in touch over the years. The two of them provided us with a picture of the man.
He wasn’t cut out for marriage, and obviously shirked his duties as a father. Though he did keep a worn picture of Kim in his wallet. He was a fishermen and boat captain. That was his life. He could find the fish. He could run any kind of boat. He won the very first White Marlin Open in Ocean City.
He’s on the right:
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Even after he moved to the Keys, he returned each year to fish the White Marlin Open, which is now the richest billfish tournament in the world.
For a while, he made it work. He paid his slip rent on time at Bud & Mary’s and put up with the tourists. Finally, hard living caught up with him. He suffered a massive heart attack while commercial fishing for tuna out of Oregon Inlet. The boat was loaded with yellowfin. He was in his young forties.
His friends hinted at drug use and maybe a few stints at smuggling. Every story highlighted his ability to catch fish and handle a boat. That’s what he did. That who he was.
On one occasion, Sonny and John Kipp were hanging out with some “ladies” who invited them to a party on a sailboat in Coconut Grove. They arrived to find that the boat’s owner was David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame. Crosby brought a young friend who played guitar and sang some songs. No one had ever heard of him at the time, but his name was Jimmy Buffett.
Sail on, Captain Sonny.
May 25, 2017
Jolly Holly and Another Adventure
In my Trawler Trash series of books, Holly is a character. Guess what? She’s a real person. Cool rasta hippie chick sailor girl. She’s about to set off to cruise the world on her sailboat. Bahamas, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Pacific Ocean, Australia and who knows!
This is her trailer from her new Youtube channel. It’s awesome. You really need to watch this:
April 27, 2017
7 Year Itch? (Thought About a New Boat)
Don’t tell Miss Leap! Recently we discovered a boat that we didn’t know existed. We looked at the pictures. We thought about it. We both agreed we loved it.
Only twelve of these boats were ever made, four per year in the late eighties. Kadey Krogen makes some of the finest yachts ever built. We were intrigued by the unique layout and design of the 42′ Silhouette. The exterior lines are ungainly and awkward, as are many of the Krogen designs. The interior and fly bridge worked for us.
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Hydraulically operated fold-down transom.
The bridge.
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Also on the fly bridge. Air conditioned.
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The salon
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The galley
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The V-berth
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One of two heads
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The master stateroom, which is in the back of the boat, opening onto the aft deck. There is a side door to the salon.
We are in a position, where if we sold Leap of Faith, we could buy this fine vessel. It would be a huge improvement in living conditions in many ways. We talked and talked. I called the broker.
In the end, we couldn’t do it. We wouldn’t even discuss it on the boat, so that she wouldn’t hear us. We love Miss Leap. We aren’t ready to part with her.
The boat that we considered is newer, much bigger, has twin engines, a bow thruster, and an onboard generator. It has a King-sized bed! It’s a Kadey-Krogen. It would be a huge step up for us in the boating world. Our old trawler simply can’t compare.
But we aren’t doing to do it. At least I think not . . . . . . .
Meanwhile, we’ll be hauling out for new bottom paint next week. We won’t be doing it ourselves this time, which is also a step up for us. We’ve been paying penance to Leap of Faith by paying lots of attention to her. Multiple projects are ongoing to make her the best that she can be.
Long Live Leap of Faith!
April 23, 2017
99 Cent Sale! (Trawler Trash Series)
Two Days Only. Get the first five books in the series for just 99 cents each. If you haven’t started reading the Trawler Trash Series, now is your chance. Act now. Two days only.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y153R3S/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
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March 29, 2017
Ominous Breeze
Is now live at Amazon.
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Click the link to purchase:
March 2, 2017
Sail On – Jamie Brown
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On that day, we welcomed Jamie and Char to Pelican Bay. On this day, we wave goodbye to our dear friend Jamie Brown.
There are people in this world that touch your heart. Jamie touched the hearts of so many here in SW Florida. He was our best friend and traveling companion for many years. We made some great memories, sitting on a sandbar drinking beers and telling stories.
We lost count of the multiple surgeries, chemo and radiation treatments he went through, but through it all, he lived life on his own terms. His boat was his freedom. His lifestyle was his escape from all the dramas of modern life.
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His best “Grumpy Cat” impersonation. Somehow, Jamie made people happy just by his presence. He was a friendly guy, and he gave his friendship freely to anyone and everyone he encountered.
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Our world was certainly a better place with him in it.
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Kim and I were able to visit with him this week. I got the chance to tell him that I loved him. He said, “I love you too”. He was not in pain and his passing was peaceful. God bless his gal Char for being there for him. She’s been through a lot over the past few years. I have to give her great credit for being a steadfast caretaker.
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We will miss seeing Bay Dreamer anchored nearby. We will miss our friend.
Sail on Jamie. We love you.
February 6, 2017
Six Years In!
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Hard to believe it’s been six years since we purchased our boat. Once we left our first marina, we spent several years living exclusively at anchor or on a mooring ball. After many adventures, we’ve come full circle and are resting in a marina again.
We’ve thoroughly explored Southwest Florida and the Keys. We even made it to the Bahamas this past spring.
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Our past two winters have been spent in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida. We stayed a few months at Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda. Now we are at Palm Island Marina, in Cape Haze, Florida. Our Bahamas trip was almost 1200 miles round trip! The old boat has some hours on her now, but she’s been steadfast. We’ve got no regrets.
For those of you contemplating the liveaboard lifestyle, all I can say is go for it. The good days far outnumber the bad.
Cheers, to six years.
December 10, 2016
Too Many Marina Fires Recently
It seems I read about another marina/boat fire almost weekly. The cause is almost always the shore power cord, mostly at the boat connection, but sometimes on the power pedestal. I know at least a half-dozen friends who have their shore cord melt. In one case, it caught fire but was extinguished quickly.
Check your shore power cord or cords often.
Feel for heat. Unplug them. Look for burn marks or melting.
Pets dead, boats razed in North Fort Myers marina fire
http://www.winknews.com/2016/10/16/several-boats-caught-on-fire-in-fort-myers-marina/
Cause of marina fire that destroyed 12 to 15 boats unclear
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/henrico/article_d9d0e794-4d0b-586b-a04a-5a5b33e19d83.html
Shelter Bay Marina fire
http://laconnerweeklynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=62
A quick Google search reveals dozens more incidents.
This happens in the summer when A/C units overload the system. This happens in the winter when electric heaters overload the system. My personal observation is that newer Marinco cords are often the culprit, but so is the boat owners overuse of their product. A 30 amp cord can easily be overloaded by multiple thermostat controlled appliances, such as a water heater and electric heater running at the same time. Sometimes the connections aren’t tight enough or secured properly. Fortunately, most often the cord melts and fails before causing a fire.
It can happen at either end.
I’ve read that using di-electric grease on the connections helps. I know that making sure the connections are tight and secure helps. Do me a favor, check yours when you have the heat on. Check them when the A/C is on. Be aware of the load you are placing on the cord(s).
Ultimately, I think I’ll switch to the Smart Plug System someday.
Have you heard about a boat fire near you? Did you check your cord?
Be safe, and Happy Holidays.
December 9, 2016
November 23, 2016
Thanksgiving Thoughts
It was late December, 2010 when Kim and I began this journey. After having sold all of our stuff and quit our jobs, we came to Florida to live on a boat. A LOT has happened since then, and we have no regrets. We’ve been blessed with an incredible life, and for that we are eternally grateful.
I have many reasons to give thanks. In no particular order, here are a few of the reasons I’m a happy man this Thanksgiving:
Our boat
After almost six years, we are still deeply in love with Leap of Faith. She’s been a great vessel, sturdy and reliable. She’s forgiven our mistakes, and carried us through the storms. We couldn’t have asked for a more rock solid platform to fulfill our dreams on.
My Wife
I’ve got to give it to her. Kim has been a fantastic mate. Through it all, good days and bad days, she’s been steadfast. I’ve put her through too many trials to mention here, but she’s stuck with the lifestyle, (and me). Together we’ve explored most of Florida, all of the Keys, and a big chunk of the Bahamas. She’s huddled below as lightning struck all around us. She’s been through waves bigger than we should have ever been in. She’s gone without so many things that other women take for granted, like hot showers and even a working head. She’s supported me and encouraged me in my writing career. God bless her. Love you, Kim.
My Career
When I wrote Leap of Faith, I had no idea what would come of it. To my amazement, people bought it. They continue to buy it today. I was encouraged to continue writing. To date, I’ve published nine books. My readers have been a loyal bunch. Their support drives me. My success as an author still astounds me. It’s our only source of income, and we’re doing just fine, thank you. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to do what I do. I’ve got no timeclock to punch, no boss to answer to, and no particular place to be. I’ll continue to write as long as the readers continue to buy my stuff. I can’t thank those people enough.
Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. This year we are spending it at Palm Island Marina, in Cape Haze, Florida. It will be filled with gratitude on my part. I couldn’t ask for a better boat, a better wife, or a better career. I’m a lucky man.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU.
