Part 156 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. After running from a storm, we find a safe harbor in Alligator Bay at Port Charlotte Beach Park. Anchoring dangerously close to the beach is achieved because our trailerable motor sailer, has a very shallow draft.

Part 155 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Sailing into a storm in the Charlotte Harbor, the sails are reefed. The decision is made to lower the sails completely, raise the swing keel and rudders, then motor to our intended port while allowing the ballast water to escape.

Part 154 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Stormy weather approaches while sailing Charlotte Harbor in south west Florida. Sailing to a secret location, the wind increases and the main sail is reefed.

Part 153 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Sailing Charlotte Harbor, toward a secret location, mistakes are made. An accidental jibe, along with not filling the ballast tank are two missteps highlighted. We reminisce about our successful sailing journey from Miami to Key West.

Part 152 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Ride with us as we begin sailing in Charlotte Harbor near Pine Island. Watch Ashley at the helm as Mike raises the sails on route to a secret location.

Part 151 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored in Jug Creek, Pine Island, Florida, Ashley catches a spotted sea trout. We replace the furling line and prepare to sail our 2005 Odin 820: A German design, built in Poland, shallow draft, trailerable sailboat, to a secret location.

Part 150 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Floating in Jug Creek, Pine Island, Florida, Ashley catches two catfish. We reminisce YouTube episode 159, where Mike's hand is punctured with a catfish barb.

Part 149 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored at Cayo Costa, Ashley walks the beach in search of wild life. After returning to the boat, Ashley pulls anchor and we cruise to Jug Creek to begin fishing.

Part 148 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored at Cayo Costa, Ashley is able to practice naturism while sun tanning. More nature is observed when a manatee swims under our 2005 Odin 820 sailboat. This German, water ballast, shallow draft, trailer sailer allows us to anchor very close to the beach. Swimming, paddling and a beach walk showcase the beauty of this remote island.

Part 147 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored at Cayo Costa, sea life is abundant. A shark comes close to the boat and Mike gets in the water with it. A manatee also swims close to Ashley as she is on the inflatable paddle board.

Part 146 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Heading to Cayo Costa from Tarpon Lodge, Pine Island, we immediately have a shark encounter. The shark reminds us of our YouTube episodes 72 and 73, where we catch a similar shark. Ep. 72 https://youtu.be/6x7_iwtnI_U Ep. 73 https://youtu.be/Pob8hDNTHbE

Part 145 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. The historic, Tarpon Lodge in Pineland, Pine Island is a perfect place for a high-class meal. Over-night docking was available, and in the morning, Ashley and I were "On Our Way" to the next location: Cayo Costa State Park.

Part 144 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored near Pineland on Pine Island, Ashley prepares to visit the historic Tarpon Lodge. We successfully pull anchor and dock at the Tarpon Lodge Marina.

Part 143 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Pineland on Pine Island is home to the Tarpon Lodge. Boating to the historic fisherman's paradise requires an exciting journey through Wilson's Cut. Anchoring in the basin adjacent to the marina at Tarpon Lodge is extremely tight quarters.

Part 142 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Cruising on our shallow draft, trailerable sailboat, we explore the tiny stilt homes of Pine Island Sound, Florida.

Part 141 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Paddle boarding near Part Island, Florida, we remember earlier YouTube episode, 38, sailing in Biscayne Bay, Miami: https://youtu.be/738al0apTBk Mike was stung by a Puss Caterpillar: https://youtu.be/vtk1N2HY7X8 YouTube Ep. 121, rope caught in propeller: https://youtu.be/evvvNOIed3Y?si=iL4qRJ0VNC-rkyqH YouTube Ep. 155, Bad Weather, Dragging Anchor: https://youtu.be/F4HXhyauX-8

Part 140 of a series, Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Ashley rides an inflatable paddle board to a mangrove tunnel entrance. The beautiful tunnel is explored, found between east and west Part Island, Pine Island Sound, Florida.

Part 139 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Have a close look at life on our sailboat while we are roughing it. Anchored at Part Island, Pine Island Sound in southwest Florida, Ashley rides an inflatable stand-up paddle board to the entrance of a mangrove tunnel.

Part 138 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Part Island in Pine Island Sound was for sale. Ashley explores, and we imagine what it would be like to own this island.

Part 137 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored at the Part Islands, Florida, Ashley experiences an inflatable stand-up paddle board. After retrieving the anchor, we travel to the dock on West Part Island.