Part 163 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. We are having fun living on our sail boat, even if we have to take cold showers. Anchored at Port Charlotte Beach Park, Ashley prepares to sail to the next location.

Part 162 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Ashley explores Port Charlotte Beach Park. Hurricane destruction and reconstruction is highlighted.

Part 161 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Ashley explores Port Charlotte Beach Park. Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated this beautiful place, but is currently rebuilding. Before and after the destruction is highlighted.

Part 160 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Ashley explores Port Charlotte Beach Park. Hurricane destruction of the fishing pier and surrounding area is shown.

Part 159 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored in a peaceful place, Ashley prepares to explore Port Charlotte Beach Park.

Part 158 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Anchored at Port Charlotte Beach park, Ashley explores and we hang a hammock in palm trees at the beach.

Part 157 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. This unique, rare sailboat allows us to access the most beautiful beaches in our travels. A 2005 Odin 820; German design, built in Poland. Shallow draft, swing keel, water ballast, trailer sailer. A 2013 Evinrude E-Tec 115 horsepower; lightweight 2 stroke, oil injected, modern, reliable outboard engine pushes this vessel to over 20 miles per hour! Ride with us as we arrive to Port Charlotte Beach Park, anchor very close to shore for the night, then prepare to investigate the beautiful beach.

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.