Where's Everyone Sailing This Holiday Weekend?

[HideAway]

We are hoping to launch HideAway sometime Saturday and sail around Boca Ciega Bay flying the largest flag I have.  Sort of a tradition for the HideAways. We have a berth reserved but don t know if we will stay the night - I have been sick all week.

I did cut the hole for the depth finder - Boy that hull is thin - It did not go well.  We were so wrapped up in filming I did not check the clearance between the thin hull and how far down the nut would go.  By the time we realized the error the 3m 4200 had  started to set so I made a gasket out of it on the interior side.  The depth finder is under the sink in a place where nothing is stored but I m real nervous about it.   Might be a very short sail.   We may have to pry the whole thing out and install a plywood spacer -- As sticky as the 4200 is that may not be necessary lets hope.   

So where are you all sailing ??    Matt

[Bob23]

Matt:
   Currently, my 23 is a driveway yacht. She's sitting patiently on her trailer waiting for her too-busy-at-work skipper to finish the winter to do list.
   I did manage to launch my Force 5 "Linda Gale" last weekend so tomorrow, I may go out for a high speed spin. Forecast is for south winds 11 gusts to 28. Yippeee! And I'll be working on "Koinonia"...finishing up the teak refinishing...minor glass repair to the keek...wire up the new dept sounder...and general cleaning up. I hope to launch in 2 weeks.
Bob23
Happy Memorial Day to everyone and thank you to all who are serving in the armed forces. May we never take our freedom for granted!

[brackish]

Mexico Beach, Florida, one of my favorite places on this earth.  I am fortunate enough to have my sons and their families with me and other extended family members.  Worth the eight hour tow and the retrieve and launch to have "Arion" on the big water, with those steady 12-15 knot winds.

Then on to Pensacola and B.E.E.R. for a four day cruise with the Admiral.

[Pat McL]

Gonna pass this weekend, was 102 degrees here in Eustis FL, and my new Tilley hat (thanks guys for the advice) has not arrived yet. --- Pat

[HideAway]

Its only noon and the temp is already 85 and not a breath of wind - Just putting a few things in the truck wore me out - Methinks we will wait for the sea breeze and maybe do a sunset.

Then on to Pensacola and B.E.E.R. for a four day cruise with the Admiral.

Brackish - That sounds like a great cruise to do.  One of our goals this year is to get the trailer highway ready with the idea of doing the BEER or heading for the Keys next spring - Please post your trip adventures --- Matt

[HideAway]

Still haven t got the boat in the water - complications of heat and tide timing.  But we did have a really cool sunset - - -  in the East   




From our new Sea Breeze Patio - One of the best places in the known universe   Matt

[brackish]

Matt, sorry about the troubles getting launched, but beautiful picture.  I've gotten lucky so far, have sailed the last four days with weather that is almost perfect, mid eighties for highs, no storms, and winds in the 10-15 range all day long.  Made a couple of trips from Mexico Beach to Cape San Blas on a beam reach averaging about 5 knots.

Longer term forecast indicates B.E.E.R will be OK, maybe a few degrees hotter and a stray storm or two, but all in all a good prediction.

[skip1930]

Still in front of the house on the trailer. Have not touched it since I pulled C&J from storage. Too busy trying to stay warm while gardening. More rain, we are at 3-3/4 inch for the month today. And things are growing faster then I can keep up. The wife cut the grass for the 4th time this season on Friday.

skip.

[jthatcher]

Hi Matt,
  my wife and I got to spend Friday and Saturday nights on the boat in Toms River..  it was my wife's first time to spend the night on board..   things went very well.. the weather cooperated wonderfully.   We did our first sail together on Saturday afternoon - a little later after the full heat of the day -   there was a stiff breeze, and she was a little worried on a few occasions when the boat heeled strongly, but  we made it just fine..     I think that she will go out with me again !    jt

[HideAway]

JT  There is just something about spending the night on a small boat - Never figured out what it is but we would be lesser with out them.

I know you re going to have many more adventures on these great little boat.  One word of advice -- write them down.  That way you can relive the details on those cold winter nights.  I started writing in the late 70s and although the methods have changed keeping these memories fresh has been well worth the effort.   I started writing in pencil then typing them up - now its much easier and with the advent of videos its even more fun.


Finally got the boat in the water and it did not sink - the new depth finder worked very well  -- had no idea we sail in such skinny water- The Gulfport channel has places of 4- feet-- no wonder why the big boats are complaining - The slight offset rise in the hull only makes the depth error of just a few inches so it no big deal.

It was a perfect day and we flew the genny for the first time in a year.  And continued our tradition of flying a large flag from the backstay - we were the only ones.    Matt

[Salty19]

I sailed here in the local puddle Sunday and Monday.  'Twas very breezy with strong gusts, plenty of whitecaps, spray and playing with reefing points while listening to the sweet music of the wind through the rigging.   Finally a hot weekend too...considering the cold and rain of late...I'll take it!!  6th sail of the season.

During a lull in the breeze, I too was lulled in removing the reefs.  Well you can guess what happens next, the wind came back suddenly, stronger than before- a good 25 mph gust with sustained 20ish perhaps more --rounded us up with probably the largest angle of heel we've had the 19!   Fun, yet not something I want to do again anytime soon!  Good to know the boat will take care of you.

[Bob23]

Hi Matt;
   It was always my tradition to fly my 3' x 5' Old Glory from my backstay on Memorial Day and 4th of July. Too bad my boat adorns my driveway now...she'll be wet in a few weeks.
   I got out on my Force 5 once and with and old friend on his Precision 15K. A nice boat, although it's no Compac.
   Question: How did you have a sunset in the East?
Bob23

[HideAway]

Bob23

Well you see when the sea breeze from the East coast meets the sea breeze from the West coast a line of thuner storms forms East of Gulport so even though the sun sets like a red ball in the West quite often the real show is in the East exept when there be storms to the South or North or all of the above

You had to ask-didn't ya?


Who's on first?   Matt

[Bob23]

Oh... I knew I was missing something simple and obvious. Thanks
Bob23