Key West Fl.

After a grueling 3 day passage, sailing all but the way out and into the harbors, we make Key West Fl. from Isla Mujeres Mexico. We knew that there was a possibility of some squally weather but it was the best window we could see in the forcasted weather. There were 2 other boats traveling with us, Isla Bonita ,a catamaran and Serene who we have been traveling with since the Dominican Republic. On the second day out it seemed more likely we were going to get hammered off the Cuban coast. So far the sailing had been fast and wet with frequent waves splashing into the cockpit. By day 2's evening we seen the front moving down on us. Serene moved off to the north 12 miles from Isla Bonita and ourselves and ended up experiencing nothing more than heavy rain. We, on the other hand, saw gusts up to 50 and 62 knots with 40 to 45 sustained. All in all it was not to bad being we anticipated this and had a triple reef in the main and the storm jib up and the wind being behind us. In an hour and a half it was all over and back to the usual 20 to 25 knot conditions. Our 3'rd day we hit the gulf stream adding 2 1/2 to 3 knots to our speed hitting almost 9 knots over ground for a couple hours. Getting to the sea bouy at 12:30 am we started the motor for the first time in almost 3 days and had it die right away. Again we got water into our fuel. I emptied almost 2 quarts of sea water from the water separator. It must be getting forced down the fuel vent on the stern with following seas. Getting the motor running again we get to the anchorage at 3:45 EST.
Key West is a very touristy party town where Mel used to have an office. He and Joni introduced us to their friends and took us on a tour of the lower keys. We hung out playing tourists for the next week until the next available weather window. 349 NM. sailed all but 6 miles. 65 hours.