We got stopped on the water to Marco Island - Log Entry - 66 - Knot Vanilla

This week, we head out on our passage to our next stop... Marco Island. One step closer to our goal of getting south to the tropics. Not much happened, it was a great sail, and even the local law enforcement didn't dampen our spirits.
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Music Credits:
Hakuna Matata - Alvaro Angeloro
Erik Lund - Tokyo Sunset

[@johncollins5021]

You guys are great. Be safe. Heading your way in October. With my boat.

[@knotvanilla7808]

The water here is amazing for sure.

[@sailingsvsaultlife81]

Love watching your videos. Not to mention we are completely envious that your out their and we are stuck on the hard in Michigan. Keep up the great videos.

[@knotvanilla7808]

Thank you so much. Same, we are stuck on a ball right now with all this craziness going on. We will all be out there soon enough.

[@V8guy3500]

Hey you guys ok getting worried we haven’t seen a vlog in a while ,hope you are both well kind regards from Scotland

[@knotvanilla7808]

Back at it. Had to take some much needed time to get some things in order. We are doing great through!

[@davidwarnes5158]

Nice video , are you gonna head offshore into the ocean, if so you may want to move your fenders off the front, bumpers , they will get hammered , stay safe

[@knotvanilla7808]

Yes, we do have plans to relocate the fender holders to the stern. We pull them down and tie them off when it gets rough when we hit open water so they do not get hammered.

[@mechanicdave80]

New saying "Choppity chop, have your docs!"

[@knotvanilla7808]

Always. Mady makes sure everything is in order. Lol

[@mechanicdave80]

@@knotvanilla7808 someone has to...lol Hope all is well.

[@meganote]

I don’t know how far behind real-time you videos are. But we just cancelled our trip from northwest FL to the Keys due to the Pandemic. How are you guys fairing with access to Marinas, fuel provisions, etc. Keep up the good work.

[@knotvanilla7808]

They are a little behind. We are currently locked down at a marina in the keys. We got in 2 days before the lockdown. Still have access to provisions easy, food and fuel. More to follow how it changed our plans.

[@meganote]

Knot Vanilla thanks for the update. Stay safe!

[@upspirate]

Great video, keep them coming! Interesting how people (not you) think land laws apply to boardings and searches on the water by LEO....totally different set of lws

[@knotvanilla7808]

Everyone's experience with them is different. I am lucky (knock on wood) and never had a bad experience yet.

[@dawnhornsby7215]

Love it😍

[@knotvanilla7808]

Thanks.

[@hansjensen7823]

Hi- what documentation did they want to see, as you are in US waters?

[@knotvanilla7808]

Our IDs and registration. We also handed our USCG doc as well.

[@knotvanilla7808]

We asked if they needed anything else, but since we had it all ready to go, they probably assumed it was all legit. Not many people offer it up if it isn't.

[@jayfigg7981]

This bothers me entirely! Traffic stops on a sailboat to make sure of what? I would sure be worried if they stopped me for sailing! My Lord I may have stolen some ones wind!

[@jayfigg7981]

Dude you were fished by the Sherriff! If you had a US flagged ship WITHIN US waters, unless you were in distress or doing something unlawful in plain sight, they had NO right to stop you! They were "just doing their job!" Horse hockey! They were going to try and find ANYTHING to ticket you for, or arrest you. Try and avoid those legal pirates as MUCH as possible. THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!

[@knotvanilla7808]

We actually think they were training some new guys from the looks of it to us.

[@jayfigg7981]

@@knotvanilla7808 I'm sorry they can "train" them without bothering a sailing ship! That was almost dangerous to stop for them. How do you KNOW for sure they were real for one thing. NEVER stop for any boat when under sail in open water! Give them your "intended destination" over the radio. The marine patrol can deal with any issues when you anchor, or dock. When you do dock, and the dock line is secure THEN you are in their jurisdiction. Unless things have changed a LOT since I was sailing you NEVER allowed anyone you did not invite on your boat.Those "police" were on a fishing expedition to see if there was anything they could confiscate under the sun including you, your boat, and any money. ALWAYS call in the coast guard to make SURE they are on the level. DO NOT drop sails. There was a problem with a fake sheriff that way some years back I really don't remember the details, but it wasn't good. If you can get a book on the maritime regulations for anywhere you go. That whole incident seemed fishy to me. Sheriffs should not be doing "traffic stops" on sailboats underway. What had you done to warrant a "stop and show me your papers Gestapo style shake down anyway? Just sailing? Get a lawyer, and sue the friggin badges off of them for violating your civil liberties! TOTAL police harrassment! If they get away with it once then they will do it to EVERYONE! NO, you do NOT stop and show papers in the US - Back in Nazi Germany you did, but that got stopped too. It may seem a small thing but we are still FREE. I think.

[@jayfigg7981]

@@knotvanilla7808 SORRY it would seem, after researching this a bit that things HAVE changed. The police can do what ever the fuck they want including taking you, your boat, and your money under "civil forfeiture laws" therefore, we are no longer free - at all. The rant I spewed earlier was what I was taught as a young man, apparently, some IDIOT with a spine made out of jello, wrote something called "The Patriot Act" right after the attack on the World Trade Center date: 9/11/2001. It was a 90 day, stop gap measure, granting broad police powers "to combat terrorism, and ensure the public well being." It would seem, it has been re-written, and molded into a set of laws, which is even worse than Nazi Germany EVER had. I guess I didn't notice. Apparently as well, almost ALL our lawmakers seem to think Jello is a superb spinal material - they keep on signing this crap back into law. So you stopping was probably a good idea. I would not have stopped, which I am sure would have resulted in several 50 cal machine guns, drilling many large holes in my ship, and myself. Moral - kiss their ass, and hope they let you go on your way.