Carolinas pocket cruiser group forming

[Neil D]

First event at Lake Wateree, South Carolina,  Launch at Taylor's Creek.  Day sail or overnight as you please. Plan to be rigged and launched between 9-10 am.

So far we have a SunCat, my Legacy, and 2 Potter 19s,  all located around Columbia or Charlotte NC area.

All trailer sailer models welcome.  Venues will rotate around Lake Murray, Lake Wylie, Lake Wateree,  and coastal areas such as Charleston Harbor.

The Com-Pac forum on TSBB (which begs for more traffic) will be the digital meeting place for sharing times and events, as well as right here.

Roll Call!

-Neil, Mike, Doug, Cliff

http://forum.trailersailor.com/forumcond.php?id=19&n=0

[BruceW]

Well, that sounds like fun.

I don't trailer my CP 23, or would try harder to participate. My boat is on the Neuse River near New Bern, and if yawl want to come up to eastern NC some time, we have facilities at the sailing club to host, launch, etc. Several Com-pacs there too, so several guys can host guests.

Regarding any model of boat, I also have a WR 17, which is my version of trailerable. Maybe I could join you with that boat sometimes to learn those sailing venues. If you only meant any model of CP, well, okay. I'll read about the adventures I can't join.

Bruce

[Catawampus]

Neil,
I used your link and saw that the lake Wateree outing is planned for April 29. I'm recovering from surgery and that date is too soon for me to join you.
I would be interested in joining you in the future, especially for lake Murray events (my Sun Cat rests on her trailer there and I rarely tow her elsewhere).
I see that you have proposed naming the group South Carolina Order of Trailer Sailors, or SCOTS. I'm afraid that Flying Scot sailors may resent that name. (Lots of Flying Scot sailors on Lakes Murray, Norman, Hartwell and Keowee.) I don't know about the age of you and the other members, but with me in the group, it could be named South Carolina Old Fart Trailer Sailors, or SCOFTS. That should keep the Flying Scot crowd off our backs.
Steve

[BruceW]

Oh, SOUTH Carolina; well, nevermind then. You might like to amend the original post subject to match.

Carry on.

[Neil D]

Totally open to other name suggestions, and invitation to host at Neuse River is appreciated, thank you. For me, still 3 years from retirement, the five hours to get out there would be problematic for day or weekend trips, but others would certainly jump at the opportunity.  NC sailors encouraged to participate. Maybe Lake Jordan for a central location now and then? Personnally, I am only 10 minutes from the NC state line close to Charlotte.

Also, ALL boats welcome, not just Compac.

Prior to coming here, I sailed a Montgomery with the Potter Yachters and we had Compacs, Montys, ODay, and more in the fleet.

It seems like many of the yacht clubs are one design racing oriented, and all I am trying to do is to loosely organize our Carolina area trailer sailors to sail in our own boats at different locations, in the company and with the comradarie of others.

Lake Murray is sure to be a regular location, as it is a beautiful, big, wide, and clean lake. Many points to launch there over a wide area, so coordination of launch place and time will be key.

Thanks all!

[BruceW]

I will try to keep apprised of the locations where yawl will be sailing, in case I can bring my runabout WR 17.

Totally understand the drive times.

Lake Jordan would be a good place; what about Kerr Lake? It is bigger, further from town, so less crowded. Campsites, also are nice.

[Tom L.]

Neil good luck on your newly formed club.  We here in Florida have a group of trailer sailors with a similar goal. It's called WCTSSS which stands for West Coast Trailer Sailor Squadron founded by Ron Hoddinott. West coast being West Coast of Florida. The group is very active and plans regular get togethers all over Florida from Key Biscane to Panama City and everything in between.
There are a number of Sun Cats and other Com Pacs involved along with many others from sea pearls to home builts to Potters and MacGeregors.
The key is to set a date and place and they will come. Ron publishes the dates early in the sailing season. Down here that's winter so we are winding down right now.
Check out the WCTSS web site everyone is welcome all the time.  http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/index.htm

Again Good Luck.

Tom L.

[Neil D]

Tom, how is the sailing / camp cruising around Captiva and Sanibel Islands?

Also at some point, perhaps in a year or two, I would like to check out the BEER cruise our of Pensacola.

[Tom L.]

One of the best areas the group goes to in that area is Cayo Costa. We anchor/beach just inside Pelican Bay on the sand spit. Very spectacular beach and for any young ones they can hike acrossCayo Costa to the Gulf.

Haven't made it to the Panama Beer cruise but hope to some day. Others we sail with really enjoy the party and it is a big party.

Check out the link I put in and take a look at the picks. The areas we sail are generally part of the ICW on both coast and the inland lakes of Florida. That means shallow water but perfect for our skinny water boats.

Tom L.

[Neil D]

Thanks for the tips, Tom.

Bruce, yes Kerr Lake and, to the West, I have been interested in Lake James since ir looks like one would enjoy a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop.

[BruceW]

Thanks for the tips, Tom.

Bruce, yes Kerr Lake and, to the West, I have been interested in Lake James since ir looks like one would enjoy a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop.

Cool, Neil; I have thought of Lake James also, on a proposed western multi day/multi lake trip.

[Catawampus]

Neil,
Thank you for leading this Carolina group. I applaud your efforts and look forward to meeting and sailing with you. Please do post future plans.

Bruce,
I have not thought of Lake James for many moons now. Have driven past it and admired its beauty in the past. (We honeymooned in that area almost 22 years ago.)
Do you know anyone who has sailed there? What are the winds like?

Thanks

[wes]

Lake James is beautiful - I took my 19 up there for a day once. There was no wind whatsoever so we motored. It has the deepest water I've ever seen in a lake. Less than 100' from the dock the water was 180' deep. We saw depths of 220' in other spots. I thought my depth finder had lost its mind.

Wes

[hoddinr]

Good luck with your new group, Neil.  Keep us posted on your events.  I've found a Facebook Group to be a big help also.

Letting people know when and where your events are held, how to register (if needed) and where suitable ramps and accommodations are located are also very very important.

As Tom said, our WCTSS group is very active.  We have a Facebook Group as well as a Yahoo Group, so folks can discuss things.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wctss/

http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/

If we can help with a Florida outing or you wish to join one of ours, let me know. 

Ron Hoddinott
Founder ~ West Coast (Florida) Trailer Sailing Squadron ~