what's going on -- everyone sailing?

[passagesfromtheheart]

This section has been rather silent as of late -- where is everyone? Where are you all adventuring with your Com-Pacs?

My Legacy, Starflower? Still on the hard! 😕

Where can I buy a boat lift??? 😁

(Honestly, tho, I'm thinking it may be time to invest in one!)

[crazycarl]

I go out at least 3 times a week. Nowhere in particular, just exploring the creeks and rivers. They're usually last minute sails. I'll finish mowing and a breeze will pick up so I jump in the boat and head out. I have been keeping cookware and food aboard in the event I find a nice place to drop anchor for the night. Having the boat in the water, in your own backyard, makes it so much easier to go. Our prior home was a 2 hour drive to any lake with adequate ramps so a short day sail was impossible.

[Fastdoc98]

Sadly, I've only been out once so far this year.  Between work, weather, and kids' events it's been difficult to find a good window to get out.  I did have a few repair tasks to complete before I could go out as well, and well, just procrastination hurt me on that one.  Managed to take the wife and Boat Dog out for a day at Carlyle, beautiful wind (from the east of all things), so a really lovely day, but I'd sure like to get out more.  We'll see what the rest of the season brings.

[brackish]

Having the boat in the water, in your own backyard, makes it so much easier to go.

If you think about it that is the most important factor regarding frequency of use.  Not just the ability to go when the mood and weather are in sync, but also to do maintenance more easily. Things like just having it there to frequently start the aux and run it for a while to keep it from doing what it does when it is left for long periods. Or when you plan a maintenance session and get there and see that you have failed to pack that vital part of tool. Seems like you can only complicate that advantage is by having too many boats at the dock.

I'm in water thirty five miles away. Currently I have the parts to repair my broken motor mount ready to go up and do the job.  I also have the motor at home waiting for the parts to arrive to replace the carb and fuel pump.  I think about how much easier it would be if the boat was in the water in my back yard. 

[crazycarl]

Brackish,

Absolutely. As for maintenance, I still forget tools and have to make too many trips from the dock to the garage and back. Also, I never had to clean the bottom before, since she was trailer sailed. Now I pull her out and power wash the bottom 3 times a year. The ramp is only .7 miles away and I don't have to drop the mast to get her home.

[Scousesailor]

Just bought a PC 14 ft.
Been out on Indian River a few times, at least once a week.
Wind has been a bit sketchy but as i am new to sailing it wont surprise me too much.
Had a Searay power boat for 20 years but sailing is a lot more placid , so i am enjoying the quiet and the learning experience.
Be safe !
Graham

[Jim in TC]

We are out often, only a bike ride to the slip. But recent (much of last week) unsettled weather has kept us off the water more than we like. A sudden and violent squall out of nowhere last week, on a forecast of little chance of rain, validated our caution. And the air show for our big Cherry Festival closes access to much of the Bay for 3 days over the 4th weekend (missing out on some steady weather). Near perfect conditions yesterday though (enough wind to be satisfactory, not so much as to frighten the first mate), and a nice sail; visitors coming in soon, interested in a short voyage later today.

[crazycarl]

I'm participating in this years OBX130. I've planned my route there and back, giving myself 3 days to get there and 2 to return home. The event is 6 days. July 19-24.