2019 Florida 120 - Day 2 of 6 - Precision 18 - Pensacola Bay

[@squallyheiferadventures]

Great vid. Love fishing from sailboats. Spanish mackerel is good eating.

[@livingmatt3729]

Thank you. That was a great day. Thank you for letting me know the name of the fish. We didn't know.

[@coalfieldbeelovergerald3687]

Nice fish 🐠! Great gentle sail ! Papa J

[@livingmatt3729]

Thanks! That was a great memory!

[@coalfieldbeelovergerald3687]

Porpoise always make the cruise more interesting n fun. Papa J

[@livingmatt3729]

Yes they do. Its always exciting to see them!

[@stardusttravelers4410]

and I see you are fishing in the gulf.... how far offshore are you guys to do any good fishing from the sailboat... and I really like your videos!!

[@livingmatt3729]

We threw a line out behind us that day and sure enough we hooked one. That was fun! We were never more then a half mile off the beach. Just running parallel with it up to the next inlet. I am glad you enjoy them. I enjoyed making them.

[@LttlewoodsDoc]

Nice shade! Did you have to put the boom higher and use a smaller main sail in order to have more space?

[@livingmatt3729]

The bimin fit just under the boom at its lowest point. I had to make sure I got the Bimini set up to accomplish that though. It sure is critical to have the shade

[@huntsail3727]

How reliable did you find your autopilot on the Precision 18? Was it worth the investment? Considering joining one of these rallies, but I do not have self-steering system. I just tie off the tiller when I need a break day sailing. It works Ok, but I could not go 15 miles like that. Curious to see how it worked for you. Thanks

[@livingmatt3729]

Adding an autopilot was one of the best modifications I made. It allowed me to single hand much more effectively. It made setting the sails and retrieving the sales much safer. I also enjoyed the longer sailing days more. I could take a break from the tiller from time to time. In a bit of a way it also helped me to learn to sail better. It removed one of the variables "me steering" and allowed me to focus on adjusting the sails and learning the effects.

[@huntsail3727]

@@livingmatt3729 Thanks for the explanation

[@stardusttravelers4410]

I noticed you were not sailing in the ICW. was there no wind or is that not allowed? learning

[@livingmatt3729]

We did a bit of loop that day. For the first half of it we sailed in the ICW and for the return trip we went out into the Gulf to sail back up along the beach. There is wind in both areas and you can sail in both.

[@sailingeden9866]

Why is it called FL 120?

[@livingmatt3729]

FL 120 stands for Florida 120 miles. Its not exactly 120 miles all in. Sometimes a bit less and sometimes a bit more. It's also what you make of it. Most don't travel the full course. The course changes from year to year as well.

[@cletusj.5364]

@@livingmatt3729 I'v been 4 times and never sailed with the bunch once,