The Fuel Chase

Day #44: We'll go to great lengths to save on the cost of fuel. Given the choice between $4.25/gallon and $3.75/gallon, we'll take the latter every time; even if it involves a little extra work like filling from a truck. The problem is getting the boat and the truck close enough together. Actually the refilling part went without a hitch. It was leaving the spot close to the truck that proved problematic. The ebbing tide, coupled with the 900 pounds of new fuel, left Nellie firmly aground. In today's picture Bicki's sounding 2' depths next to Nellie's 3-1/2' keel. The good news was that a rising tide floats all boats and that the marina's nice restaurant doesn't mind at all if you take a two hour lunch. As to all the money we saved on fuel--we blew it on lunch while waiting for the tide.

My dad, Spence Howell, has joined us for the ride to Savannah. He loves to steer and we love to let him.

It was a short 3nm ride today from the St Augustine City mooring field to the River's Edge Marina but it did up our trip total to 690nm. DBH