Summer Sans Sail Sailing Story- {so sorry}

The storm, Isaac, has passed without causing ill effects for HideAway yet others further north were not as lucky.  As often happens, storms on Isaac's course tend to veer to the northwest unless a cold front drops down  to push it onto the west coast of Florida.  There are always a few anxious days as we wait for the storm move away knowing that some day one will tack to starboard with dramatic effect.

Meanwhile HideAway, stripped of her sails, sits on her trailer like a bug caught in a spider's web of tie down lines. It is one thing to have a fully found sailing vessel that you choose not to sail at this moment and quite another having a fine vessel sitting decommissioned unable to raise sail.

In a place where sailing is a year around sport the idea of placing the boat out of commission for a month should not be an issue. 

Even though we have sailed every month of the year more than once I would be hard pressed to brag that we sailed them all in chronological order during a single year. The reality of work and other events of the average life place harsh limits on time spent messing about on things that float. 

This time of year the fun of boat projects melt in the brutal Florida summer heat and the friendly sea breeze has all the charm of a blast furnace. Still, to be completely land bound, unable to feel the boat heel into the wind on a bright sunny day is more difficult than I would have thought. 

True, the reason for my predicament is honorable, a new double reef, loose foot main sail is at this very moment being sewed together by JSI/Doyle sail makers in St Petersburg.  I’m sure they are working day and night on such an important project.  It’s my fantasy, OK!

Sailing HideAway-St Pete Beach Fl

It won't be long now.  HideAway will be back sailing the low seas.  Yes not long, I'm sure.

SMALL BOATS ROCK!