About Me

My photo
Our Sailing Hideaway Blog and YouTube videos will remain active. Join the HideAways as we tell, through blog stories and videos, what life really is like on a small, 23' Com Pac sailboat. We'll show the joys, thrills and chills of the sailing life, but also what it takes to maintain a boat, trailer and truck. You are just as likely to learn how not to do something correctly as to do it right. That's important too! New! The Hideaways take to the road! Follow Traveling Hideaway: Winds of Wanderlust Transitioning from Sailing Hideaway to Traveling Hideaways as sailors learn to travel without heeling, well, not much, anyway. The Paint Wasters Society unlocks the art of paint squandering with sheer delight, free from the shackles of remorse or guilt. Trust me, a century down the line, nobody's going to bat an eyelash, so why not indulge in some paint splattering shenanigans today? Let's turn those pricey pigments into a canvas of laughter and joy.

Friday, December 24, 2010

There Be Magic

Bound for Boca Grande and Cayo Costa State Park, her waterline had long since disappeared under the weight of gear and supplies making the HideAways southward slog along the Florida coast painfully slow. Her crew, lulled into the easy roll and rock of the boat, barely noticed the Venice Inlet to port in time to jibe towards its entrance.

Motor sailing while running before the wind into the narrow channel as the tide raced out piled swells nearly four feet high and pushed HideAway far too close to the rocks as she rolled almost to her beam ends. The outboard motor alternately roared in pain then quieted as its prop submerged. Accurate steering became a gamble at best. Her sleepy crew struggled to deal with the new dangers that easily could end the cruise with a loud crunch.





With no ceremony the channel deposited the wide-eyed HideAways into the calm of a small bay in smooth emerald green water that included a small island in full tropical splendor. Hearts racing and knuckles whitened by the experience, the HideAways ran aground taking the starboard turn towards Higel Park too wide. Pushing off the shallows with a pole left over from their Sea Pearl days the HideAways made their way towards the dock full of cheering sailors.


Happy Hour commenced immediately with sailors sharing their adventures enhanced a bit perhaps by bourbon and wine and snacks as the after-light of sundown graced the Eastern sky.

Higel Park during that era was a popular stopping place for boats traveling to or returning from Key West. You never knew whom you would find there and even the parrots could be caught sneaking a snack and a sip of your whiskey.


The Crow’s Nest was a short walk away where the hamburgers were large and hot, the beer ice-cold and the laughter constant. A stumble back to HideAway sometime later and instant slumber followed the fine meal.
  
   

And in the morning There Be Magic.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Sailing a Dolphin Reach

When we set out to record life aboard a Compac 23 sailboat the goal was to capture the essence of sailing from the joyful to the "What the H am I doing here" moments. 

We were prepared for the difficulty in shooting good video from a technical standpoint but were surprised how physically challenging the effort is aboard a small boat.  In "Sailing a Dolphin Reach" the fun really begins!



Small Boats Rock!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

What to do in a Dead Calm

You can read all about the excitement and challenges of high wind & stormy seas.  But what the heck do you do when its calm and you don't want to motor home?  Here's a few ideas in this edition of the Adventures of the HideAways.




The next HideAway video will show what happens if you wait long enough in a dead calm. Stay tuned.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Preparing HideAway for Winter Sailing



Boca Ciega Yacht Club - Gulfport Florida
 
Believe it or not the seasons change in Florida as well.  The tropical heat is a not too distant memory as the first of the cold fronts bring great sailing weather.  Time to stow the genny and find Hideaway's storm jib.  I know it's in the V berth somewhere.  Hmmmm...

After a search I realized we haven't needed the genny all summer thanks to Bruce Bingham's insisting I change HideAway's main sail to loose footed.  If you haven't made the conversion on your Compac you should and soon.


HideAway sails herself with ease, points higher, and did I mention she is noticeable faster?  "Sailing with a Loose Foot" shows the set up and "HideAway Sails the 3rd of the 4th" shows the system reefed.  You'll see Bruce docking Niki as well.



Bruce Bingham - Niki  

Small Boats Rock !!!