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[dserrell]

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[Bob23]

   Wonderful story of a wonderful vacation, Dave. Thanks so much for sharing. Too bad Kit had to experience how morons treat some people. If that's how they treat visitors, maybe no one should come back. That should be good for thier economy!
   You certainly are creating some fabulous memories for your daughter. Keep sailing!
Bob23

[bmiller]

Good story, sorry to hear about the A-holes. My wife wants to head down to the keys sometime with Pooka. I'm rather cool on the idea and stories like that make it even less appealing

[HideAway]

David,

Sorry to hear about your troubles in Key West with law enforcement.  It has been a long fought battle in all of Floridas waters for years with these henchmen.
Southwinds Magazine locally written and published has been a leader in trying to stop this abuse.   Steve Morrell the editor would be interested in your Key West experience.   Please contact him at    editor@southwindsmagazine.com   and don't be afraid to name names!   Southwinds covers 8 southern states and I don't mean this as a plug but they are the best source of sailing news  in our area.  I have no affiliation with them other than Steve doesn't care for my writing style.

Key West in my opinion is for adults only -Its great fun but watch your back.

Now that HideAway is on a trailer we will at some point head to the Keys but Key West is unlikely to be on the float plan.   Matt

[Potcake boy]

Dave,

Marvelous trip and fantastic experience for your daughter.  I am so happy to hear that she is responding to sailing as she is because I can't think of a better way for a young person to learn that there is more to the world than cell phones and malls.

As far as your Key West experience - I say "welcome to the world of minorities".  Tragically it seems that with a lot of support from an overwhelming majority bullies revel in persecuting helpless minorities.  As sailors, we are clearly in the minority and I feel it every time I venture outside the realm of sailors.  From loosing a place at the pier for which you have patiently waited because a power boater was able to dart in before you, to being harassed at the launch ramp.  Thank God there are a lot of really good folks out there and the good Samaritans are invisible until needed, but the small minded group as you referred to can certainly be disheartening.  I have experienced similar rudeness and offensive behavior from Annapolis to Florida.  I am grateful that we still have open water to call our own - at least for a while.

I think that Kit and you would really, really enjoy a stay in the Bahamas - especially Abacos area.  Spent a week there a few years back aboard my sister's Morgan 38, and found as close to paradise as I've been.  The culture there was one of real humanity - no signs of class or racial strife, everyone was smiling.  But don't wait too long, the golf course - high rise condominium cancer is gaining traction, and threatens to ruin the environment and the culture.

If I didn't have a commitment to continue working to support the stimulus to support the nations financial system I'd love nothing better than to put together a small group for such an adventure.  It is really no big deal to make the crossing with proper preparation, and once on the banks there are plenty of bad weather hidee holes.

My sailing has been pretty stagnant lately because of many projects that have moved from distant to pressing status - even put off boat projects.  If you'd like to do some sailing in SW Florida or even in Eastern NC waters perhaps we can plan a get together.

Turn your ear from the deafening cacophony of society and toward the soothing sanity of the sea, where right is right and wrong is perilous.

Ron

[mrb]

Let me add my congratulations on building good memories with your daughter along with too bad about experience in Key West.

I urge you to follow up with notice to city administrators and include names as others have suggested.  I don,t think you would be to far off base if you told them that you have informed other sailors of experience and some have indicated they will cancell plans to visit their community and spend their money somewhere else.  I for one had plans for March 2010. I will try spending my money in Mississippi and Alabama gulf area with maybe a sneak raid into Pensacola.

There was a discusion on sailfar.net concerning Florida bad treatment toward out of state boats. Appears that they are serious about the 30 day thing.  Also give tickets for such things as wet life jackets?

[Bob23]

Gee, friends:
   After reading about how Florida treats sailors, NJ doesn't sound too bad anymore. Here, we have a very rich and old sailing heritage that we are proud off, at least I am. I never liked the hot weather anyway although I'm a bit envious in the winter.
Bob23

[ka8uet]

It seems that the percentage of jerks in any group of humans is pretty fixed.  Too bad you ran into all of them at once!  We are a tourist area up here, too, and I HOPE that you wouldn't have a similar experience, but we also have our percentage of jerks!  I suppose that they considered the damage to the gelcoat to be pretty minor, and that you shouldn't have made a fuss.  However, if the dink that damaged you is a representative sample of boats in the conch republic, maybe they have no experience of  GOOD boats, well maintained!  However, it sounds as though you and Kit had more than enough good memories to overcome the collection of rif-raff in Key West.  Keep sailing!

[Steve Ullrich]

I guess I need to count my blessings as well. Sailors are certainly outnumbered in Minnesota, but the power boaters I've run into on the ramp or in the lots have been curious and helpful for the most part.  People really seem to like the look of a Com-Pac 16 and it seems there is always someone that strikes up a conversation with me about sailing or volunteers to help me launch if I need it.  Kids are always curious about the cabin and want to peek inside.  Some of the dad's too.  On the water can go either way but  I believe most of the power boaters that have created monster wakes for me to deal with weren't even conscious of the effect they had on my boat.  Most do yield the right of way, though I don't push it, and are more considerate.  I wish we had a longer sailing season, Minnesota is a pretty nice place to sail.