Titusville to Vero Beach

 After a rough night of choppy seas anchored in Titusville, we decided we could do better, so headed south, after picking up packages from an Amazon hub in Titusville.

We wanted to stop in Cocoa, as there is a large interesting hardware store there, and a free dock, but the winds decided otherwise for us, so instead a new anchorage for us south of the Eau Gallie bridge near the town of Indian Harbor Beach, FL.   It ended up being a good stop, with a nice dinghy dock, and easy walk to the important stuff of a WalMart, McDonalds and Publix grocery store.   

Anchorage and dinghy dock near Eau Gallie causeway.

While there, we heard about a Manta get together in Vero Beach, FL, which we did want to attend.

Getting the anchor up was messy, as the bottom was all grass over sand.

We had a nice motor down the ICW to Vero Beach. Although it was cloudy weather.

Cloudy day on ICW

We got to Vero Beach, and took a mooring.  We met up with our friends on "Sojourn" and rafted to them on a mooring, which is common in Vero Beach.  

"Charm" on right, our Manta 42, "Sojourn" on left, a Manta 40.

Another reason to go to Vero, was that we found a used Kayak on Facebook marketplace, and the nice lady agreed to bring it to the marina.  We met her, and finally Kris has her Kayak.  Paddles not included, but on order and should arrive soon.

Fits nicely on foredeck, but we will look for other storage as well

We borrowed a car from past cruiser friends on "Sangaris" that live here in Vero Beach, and are hosting the Manta get together.  Had a good time with "Sojourn" going about town doing errands.   One main errand was going to Marine Liquidators in Fort Pierce, FL.  It is a huge store of new and used marine gear.  We were looking for cheap fabric for repair of our sail covers, and sling seat fabric.  We did get the sail cover fabric, and a couple miscellaneous hardware items.   This place is huge, and has a bit of everything. 

We also hit a couple of auto parts stores, looking for fuses (Kris is doing some alternator work again - not successfully yet), groceries, propane refills, and other miscellaneous.    Got back to boat in time for the Manta get-together, but it was cancelled due to rain, so rescheduled.   No worries, we had our own happy hour time with "Sojourn" and "Skoolz Out", another Manta near us, for a pleasant evening.

We will be here a few more days as weather is rainy and windy, and the Manta get together is rescheduled.   It will give Kris time to work on the alternator issue and change the engine oil and filters.

Dean also has a project, as the dinghy engine has died, and not running.  Parts should arrive soon, so hopefully an easy fix.  If not - then it might be time for a new engine.