First sail of season (Florida, of course)

[Pat McL]

Well guys, after waiting out the summer heat, Suzy and I finally got the boat back in the water in Lake Eustis! Hurricane Noel is in the process of heading through the Bahamas, and left us with 15mph winds with interesting gusts. Kind of rough, but the 16 is up to it and much more.

Had our 31 year-old sails processed by Sail-Care over the summer, and they did a fabulous job! Had them rebuild the batten pockets, do the usual reprocessing, and add a row of reef points (I have the oem roller reefing). Even though we had to reef in order to stay on our feet, we could point much better than previously, and very little leeway. Very pleased with the sails. They also installed tell-tales. They work great, but I have to get used to looking at them more often.

I built a whisker pole from an Al  paint extension ($13. from Ace Hardware) and a whisker pole repair kit from West Marine. Used the snap-clip on the mast ring, and the plastic insert in the clew of the jib. Got the idea from Dale Smith (thanks, Dale) and it works like a charm.

We installed the Can-Sail tiller tamer which allowed us to beat into steady winds for 20 minutes without touching the helm. Wow!!! (Doesn't work as well wing-on-wing --- not as stable). Poli Glow really works on the hull  --- looks new.

Incidentally, my son, Ryan, has a 4-hp Yamaha 4-stroke for sale at $750. Its in great shape with reverse-n-forward. He found it to be too much engine at 52 lbs for his 16-II, and has been using a 2hp Johnson (early '80s) with success. The Yamaha would be a good fit for a cp-19, or similar. Will list as soon as I can convert the WP formatted pictures into Jpegs. Ryan has paperwork and history. Runs really well. (I'll stick to my British Seagull).

We will be heading out on Fridays as much as business will allow, and will be either on Lake Eustis or Lake Harris. Water is down a bit, but one of the Hickory Pt ramps is still good, as is the ramp at Buzzard Beach on Lake Eustis. Hope to see you there sometime Bill. (Nice restaurant with docks between the lakes on the Dead River, and yes, a 16 can sail under the US 441 bridge 28 Ft clearance).

Next needed project is a down haul for the 110% jib. Would have been handy today. Dale and Marcus have some good advice on the subject. I am also a confessed scupper-plugger.

--- see you'all on the water --- Pat

[B.Hart]

Hi PAT , We also had our first sail on saturday on lake harris. The conditions were perfect.  Winds were about 10 to 14 out of the north. Sailed from hickory point to the hideaway for lunch, then back. It could not of been a nicer day. Is buzzard beach near where they have the drag boat racing?, or where is the ramp located on lake eustis. HAPPY SAILING BILL  Hope to see you on the lake.

[Pat McL]

Bill,
   We missed you by a day and a lake. We went back out on Sunday, but the ramp parking at Buzzard Beach was filled to capacity, and I counted only 6 Fla tags out of over 100 rigs. Turns out that the tourist fishermen have taken over the ramps for their bass boats. (There is a tournament starting Wed through Fri, and these fine, polite folks are, would you believe, practicing and locating their favorite spots. Best to stay off the lakes while they are out, as they do not have a clue about seamanship, rules-of-the-road, or common courtesy. Been there, done that --- would like to see the reaction if one of their spots gets claim-jumped.) So glad to give up our use of the facility to transients who do not pay the upkeep or taxes. Maybe that is the reason that it still called Buzzard Beach. (Actually, 25 years ago or so, turkey buzzards used to hang out there, and it was a swimming beach).

   Wound up launching at Hickory. (Found 3 parking spots there, same reason).  Wind was down, but saw a CP16/I and thought it might be you. We got close enough to see the mainsail, and not only was it pretty well blown out, had no jib. Number was 1451, and was owned by a guy in Dade City. It is in rough, but workable condition. Boy was he trucking!!! Turns out he was using an electric motor. Nice guy, bought the boat for a very fair price, and will probably rebuild it. He may show up here on this site. Told him about it, and it will do him a world of good on the rebuild.

   With regard to your question, follow SR 19 east from Hickory about 5 miles till it ends at US 441 in Tavares, turn left on 441 and get in the right lane. About 1/2 a mile up you will come to Lake Eustis on the right, and the ramps are right there. You can also get there by water via the Dead River from Lake Harris:

    Go from the Hickory Pt. ramps to Big Lake Harris, turn right at Horseshoe Island. Go past Long Island, keeping it on your right, and you will see the entrance to the Dead River ahead on the Leesburg side. It is right next to a small blue roof, and pretty well marked daytime, about 4 miles from ramp. The river is less than a mile long, and very pretty. Harbor Inn Restaurante is on the left just before the 441 bridge. Go under the bridge about 1/4 mile, and you are in Lake Eustis. Turn right, and Buzzards is about 3/4 mile down the shoreline. Eustis is about 4 miles to the East. Clearance under the bridge is about 27 or so ft. River can be sailed, but motor is easier.

   Lake Eustis is a nice sailing lake, and has a racing sail club on the Eustis side. Nice docking facilities at Eustis, but lousy ramps for sailboats, except at the club which wants between $300 and $600 for membership and ramp use. On the north side of the lake is the Haines Creek which has a set of locks leading to Lake Griffin in Leesburg. Fun to go through, but should have motor power. Just south of the Buzzard ramps is the Dora Canal to Lake Dora. Mast will have to be dropped to do this one, but it very pretty, and about a mile long, will need power here as well.

   My son and I both have a CP16, so we decided that we must have a 2-boat regatta on these lakes. More 16's are welcome, but 2 will do. Judging will be done kinda like a spitting competition. You'all know, distance, speed, and content.   See you on the damp  --- Pat

[B.Hart]

Hi pat, I hope to get back to the lake soon as the weather has been perfect. Thanks for the info on the dead river, I had been told there was clearance at the bridge, nice to gut conformation. Hope to see you soon.  HAPPY SAILING      BILL