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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.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BCYC Fun Day Results and the Cruise

I hope you were among the 500 or so folks who attended the BCYC Fun Day this last weekend. 270 sailboat rides were given on club members boats in a four hour period.  What a great way to introduce people to sailing.  You may have noticed also the only trace of the HideAways this year was an empty trailer. 

We had planned a cruise to Anclote Key near Tarpon Springs Fl last year but had to cancel due to health issues. We made a promise afterwards that nothing, not even the weather, Fun Day, broken bridges, contrary tides, No-See-ms, See-ms  or a gas guzzling Mr E would stop us this time.  

As I write this on our first land based evening in six days, my computer is rocking like a Compac 23 in a windy anchorage and we both have yet to regain the ability to walk a straight line. We have found that  a convenient wall or piece of furniture useful to prevent nose damage but really have no interest in helping the effect end soon.   


COMING SOON-THE REAL STORY AND VIDEOS

We shot a boatload of video. My favorite  is a screaming 5 mile reach along St Joseph Sound in 15kn winds with the 150 genny and full main doing 5.5 to 6.2kn pulling the dink! If you have ever doubted what a loose footed main sail can do on a Compac sailboat this will convince you.  What a ride! We liked it so much we did it again and then tried a couple of runs under main alone. Wow!

Another will discuss how you can sleep when you depth finder shows 3.2, 4.6, 8.4, and 2.5 all in a few seconds while the wind howls in the rigging and the sun clocks out for the night.   

Just how do you drift into the gas dock without knocking the gas pumps into the drink? 

Do some mathematics. For instance say your GPS is showing 3.7kn under power alone, your gas gauge is zero, John's Pass Marina is closing in 10 minutes, the fuel dock is in sight  when you realize the out going tide is on your beam at 3.0kn. 

GARMIN GPS 640maps-A review of sorts

Next up will be a review, both written and video of our new Garmin GPS640 that features road maps and nautical charts.  Can one GPS do the work of two or is it better used as ballast?   We'll show you what we liked, didn't like and couldn't believe.   

So follow us as we call at Dunedin, Three Rooker Bar, Anclote Key - the back waters, Caladesi Island State Park, several unnamed islands and every marina that has gas for sale.   Gotta talk to Mr E about his drinking!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Boca Ciega Yacht Club Fun Day 2013

Can I interest you in a hot dog?  We have about 900 with plenty of soda, or "pop" if you're from the Great Plains.  There's lots and lots of door prizes and none of them are doors.  Really  


You can learn all about one of the most active sailing organizations in this part of the known universe. Browse the marine vendors. Join the Sea Scouts. Check out the Racers. Sign up for the fall Sailing School. View our list of monthly cruises of local and some far away gunkholes. Need a home port? We have wet and dry slips available with club membership. 

Be sure to ask about our fleet of Catalina 16 keel boats.  Yes real keel boat water rockets. We also have prams & Sun Fish all for club member's use.

Hang out on the porch or lounge under the Jasmine covered patio. But, trust me, the best view in the house will be on the Sea Breeze Patio. (Look for the BCYC on the bricks) 

'COURSE THEN THERES THE SAILING!!

Yep, that's right, FREE sailboat rides on member boats.  See Gulfport Fl like you never have before while you're tacking and gybing the day away.  It's a blast!

THE DETAILS

  
THE LINK 


Free Parking on site by the way!

Did I mention the free sailboat rides?



Sunday, March 24, 2013

Sunken Sailboat Rises-Gulfport Florida

Camo Sailboat or Felon?

Boaters in the Gulfport Fl area have one less navigational hazard to worry about after the Gulfport Police raised this boat.  It sunk about a year ago in fairly shallow water, but no owner of record has been found as yet. 

Word on the water is that a variety of government agencies would like to speak to the owner.  It seems that  law enforcement has a gift to present to the capt..  A nice set of chrome bracelets connected with a chain so he won't lose them.  The charge is Felony Littering.  Just sounds nasty doesn't it?

Always Get a Bill of Sale

Notice they are looking for the owner of record.  Not necessarily the person who allowed the boat to linger  below water.  If you sell a boat, car or such and do not get a Bill of Sale to prove you no longer own the item the new owner may chose not to register it.  If the new owner causes damage like this vessel has and cannot be found the owner of record is responsible.    

Friday, March 8, 2013

Joys of Trailer Sailing Seminar Boca Ciega Yacht Club


If you reside in the Tampa Bay area and like to put your sailboat on a trailer this free seminar at Boca Ciega Yacht Club is for you. 

 Noted yacht designer, Bruce Bingham (designer of the 20 foot Flicker among many others.) will make the presentation and discuss the advantages of trailer sailing, how to raise and lower you mast without drama, how a trailer tongue extension makes launching and retrieving more fun, and how to make a road trip and come home with everything you left with.   See how many of  Bruce’s of favorite cruising gunkholes you have been to.  Bruce always puts on an entertaining and informative seminar. You will learn a lot and laugh a lot. 

West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron will be present.

 In our pre-HideAway days, we made several successful if not humorous attempts to cram two average sized adults and a small dog into our Sea Pearl 21 for something approaching a comfortable night’s sleep.  In a moment of creative bliss I built a removable wooden deck to cover the main cargo area while Linda stitched a customized a small tent to pitch on it.  Once installed on the Magic Pearl we had a tent on her decks and a basement!  Even with such decadent luxury the experience left us with some interesting experiences but wanting more boat. 

At the time we day-sailed out of BCYC on my friend Tom's Mariner.  As a sailor’s providence often dictates, I was introduced to Ron Hoddninot, a long time BCYC member. Ron had sailed, raced and cruised his 27 Catalina just about every place one could find along the Florida west coast with a four foot keel.   

Then One Fine Day

I brought my Magic Pearl to the BCYC ramp for an afternoon sail on the bay with Tom when Ron happened by and joined us.  Ron took the tiller and at some point nearly caught a fisherman with one of the masts as we sailed a bit too close to the Gulfport Pier.  But it was Ron who was caught: hook, line and sinker by the Magic Pearl. 


Our Magic Pearl at Summer Resort Cay Fl
  
In a blur Ron had sold his keel boat, found Whisper his Sea Pearl, left BCYC and started the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron as we joined BCYC and found HideAway, our Com-Pac 23.  We are both sailing the same boats after all these years, sometimes to the same destinations, the difference being that HideAway has yet to find a highway. 

 So if you have a mind to, come share your stories with some old and new salts at Boca Ciega Yacht Club March 21, 2013.  Social hour begins at 6 pm with the presentation at 7.  Did I mention there is no cost?

Here’s the link:  Boca Ciega Yacht Club


SMALL BOATS ROCK!