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#41

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Going to the "dark side"

Last post by brackish - July 19, 2026, 12:32:19 PM

Yes, every day.  There were five of us who sailed together through our late teens and on until our forties. We all had sailboats or if between boats we still sailed with each other.  We did bareboat charters together.  Girl friends became spouses, kids came along and we still sailed on.  At about fifty, they all went to the dark side except for me.  We got scattered around the country so impossible to maintain that closeness except on the bareboat charters. 

I'll be eighty on my next birthday, and I'm afraid age will push me to the dark side to keep me on the water.  I've looked at Rangers, Rosborough 246, Eastern Sisu's and others of the semi displacement mode. What I'd really like is a Dianne's Rose, but have done my build and don't want to start another.  But it would be perfect for my current sailing grounds, particularly if set up with electric power. My first mate wants a private head not under the bunk we sleep on, standing headroom, and a much better boarding ladder arrangement returning from a swim.  And she is perfectly happy not hearing "ready about" any more. I think I'm ok with that. 

#42

Journeys, Anchorages, Destinations / Re: Northern Lake Michigan and...

Last post by cw021382 - July 19, 2026, 09:51:28 AM

Morning Fred,  I appreciate the thought.  I just bought some standard wet cell deep cycles that were available.  They will get replaced over the winter when I refit the boat.  We've been anchored in government bay the last 2 nights and only used 20% of one battery so they should be fine for this trip. 

#43

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Going to the "dark side"

Last post by crazycarl - July 18, 2026, 08:01:57 PM

I love those little Rangers. There are several here that cruise together. As for me, like you I will always own a sailboat. I have been looking at the Ranger 25 and 27s. They would be so much easier for my wife to move around on, and everything but the birth is on the same level as the aft deck. On board genny means a/c while cruising and at anchor. If i had one, it would very hard to keep me from doing the great loop. At around $100-130k, I wouldnt be able to keep the Orion, but their shallow draft would allow me to keep it at our backyard dock so no renting.

#44

Sun Cats and Sunday Cats / Re: 2009 SuCat New Sail

Last post by passagesfromtheheart - July 18, 2026, 07:49:54 PM

Hi, not sure about folks out your way who sell sails second-hand, but there are a couple of outfits out east -- I posted the info over on your other thread under the Classifieds section. As for new sails -- the sky is probably the limit with places to order, but I did have a great experience with North Sails recently and was very happy with the sails I received. I also reached out to a former seller of Com-Pac sails, Mack Sails, I think was the company, out of Florida, I think, and Precision Sails was also very helpful and attentive when I inquired there, too.

#45

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: Going to the "dark side"

Last post by Fastdoc98 - July 18, 2026, 07:37:58 PM

Was on the dark side with 2 powerboats before getting into sailing.  Big fun for the kids and the dog during those years.

#46

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Going to the "dark side"

Last post by passagesfromtheheart - July 18, 2026, 07:22:57 PM

I don't know if any of you other sailors out there ever heard of "going to the dark side" before -- but, when I was growing up, back in the era of the first Star Wars movie in 1977, there was a saying amongst our sailing community about some folks "going to the dark side" -- meaning sailors who transitioned from a sailboat to a powerboat of some fashion.

Well...

...I've been giving this some thought with the First Mate, however, I don't think I could be sailboat-less, ever.

I saw this 1998 Ranger Tug 21 for sale, for a steal, and we tried to buy it, but someone beat us to the punch. She sure was a beauty!

Anyone else out there ever give thoughts to transitioning to the "dark side?" :-D

#47

Journeys, Anchorages, Destinations / Re: OBX130

Last post by crazycarl - July 18, 2026, 05:57:45 PM

Pics of the "navigation aids" in the campground entrance. Dinghy as deflated as my sailing prowess. Campgrounds.

#48

Journeys, Anchorages, Destinations / Re: OBX130

Last post by crazycarl - July 18, 2026, 05:37:58 PM

Miserable night. Goid wind through the cabin and no bugs, bit hot. Didnt sleep well. After a breakfast of coffe,sausage, and scrambled eggs the anchor was pulled and we sailed out of the anchorage about 730. Light winds, but a nice sail up Taylors creek to Core sound. Once in the sound there weren't trees to block the wind and with it pushing 20mph, the sail was...spirited. Lots of trouble with navionics. It kept showing me heading west, but we were heading straight at the rising sun. I deleted the app, reinstalled it to no avail. Everyone i spoke to warned me how shallow Core sound is, but I cut all the corners i could and never had less than 2' under the keel. The wind picked up to 25mph, but no gusts and it was on the stern. Not having a whisker pole made running wing on wing tiresome, I furled up the genny and took it easy. I had to turn east to get to the campgrounds and that was "exciting". She heeled over and took off like the devil was chasing us. Wmtering the narrow channel to the campgrounds I kept inside the markers, but still ran aground. I made like Bogart and pulled into deeper water before setting the anchor. I blew up the cheap dinghy and started rowing in, but just then the gusts arrived and pushed me into an oyster bed. The was punctured and a camper drive out to the point and hauled me in. The office was closed and I tried to call, but my phone was dead. Im still not used to this iphone and apparently on must use their cords, which I dont have with me. An older gentleman, think kickingbug but a gentleman, offered to tKe to my boat in his skiff. He then showed me the correct way in. Im currntly tied up to a seawall and on the hard. The wind is still increasing, but we're sitting stable. 2 OBX participants offered to pick and stay at their pmace tonight, but Im here and grateful Im not spending the night anchored on the spending with 30mph+ winds predicted. Also glad I brought my old phone so Joanie can get a hold of me if needed.

#49

Journeys, Anchorages, Destinations / Re: OBX130

Last post by crazycarl - July 18, 2026, 05:16:25 PM

Carl, how did you figure out how to post pictures?  You were previously having difficulty?

Im using my old Samsung S10. It has an edit feature to reduce the size and saves in jpeg/jpg.

#50

Journeys, Anchorages, Destinations / Re: OBX130

Last post by kickingbug1 - July 18, 2026, 01:13:35 PM

im green with envy