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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.

Friday, February 7, 2014

The Pelican and the Fish Head


Pelican Sick and the Fish Head

I didn’t see the pelican, honest.  Mr E and I were busy warping the HideAway backwards around C Dock.  We had been out on a day sail with family visiting from Alaska along with our daughter and beau from Chili.  It was a beautiful day on our favorite bay, however as the wind grew, conversation became difficult.  Stories of moose, bear and Chilean culture became lost amid growling commands to come about or gybe amid fervent discussion of reefing or heading to port.  The decision was to port and Mr E, our gasoholic, out board was happy to take us there. 

I suppose it should be noted here that one questionable feature of the Gulfport Fl channel is a fish cleaning station and its proximity that is closer to our destination than desired.  Fishermen, or fisherpersons if you are of that persuasion, clean their catch throwing the fishy remains to the flock of various birds gathered in the channel for a handout. 


Sailing HideAway
The Pelicans Of Gulfport Florida Channel

Our pelican was one of the beggars.  Proving it was not choosey; the pelican received a fish head of epic dimensions then retired to the unattended C dock for rumination and other biological contemplations.

A loud, strangled squawk hung in the heavy air after the pelican flew to avoid the HideAway after lightening his load depositing said fish head on C dock.  The fish head fell to the dock at the precise point where a sailor person would stand to warp a boat around the dock. 

The Fustiest Fish Head This Side of the Universe


A Fusty Fish Head

Or at least southeast Gulfport 
waited the foot of an unsuspecting sailor.

Have you seen the latest boat shoe fad?  Toe Pocket Shoes have toe pockets for each of your little piggys, a sort of glove for your feet as it were.  While their looks describe discomfort, they are quite comfortable I’m told.  All those free toes provide unparalleled ground feedback, the need of which is hard to visualize while trouping about on a fusty fish head.    

A sliding kick knocked the offending head off the dock providing some reeking relief and served to contaminate innocent toe pockets causing olfactory hallucinations lasting months.  

The much flaunted barefoot shoes were put into a plastic bag and thrown into the automobile’s back seat for transport.  This solution was as short lived as the odor was foul. Shorty, the malodorous toe gear was wrestled in a sealed container then relegated to the murky depths of a car trunk owned by our resident double Iron Man competitor.

The offending collection of toe pockets is still soaking in chemistry of unknown composition and probably has given birth to some kind of mutant creature that will likely become an elected official or at least smell like one.

And all of my gloating over the 110 degree temperature difference between Fairbanks, Alaska and Gulfport, Florida hung in the air like the fevering aroma of a fetid fish head.   

SMALL BOATS ROCK!

        

Friday, December 6, 2013

2014 BCYC Christmas Lighted Boat Parade Gulfport Fl

Boca Ciega Yacht Club will hold its 29th Annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade  Saturday December 13th starting around 6 pm.  

The best viewing is along the Gulfport channel, downtown Gulfport and the neighborhoods.  The course below has not changed for this year.  

Here's a video of a past year's parade - it's a bit long but has a nice ending: BCYC LIGHTED BOAT PARADE VIDEO  


SV HideAway All Decked out for Christmas
One of the finer traditions here in the south is the annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parades.  The season swings into action in mid December all along the Gulf Coast.  Our favorite, of course, is sponsored by Boca Ciega Yacht Club on Boca Ciega Bay near Gulfport, FL.  You do not have to be a member to enter the parade but it helps if you have a boat.  To enter call the number on the chart below or follow this link 


2013 BCYC Christmas Boat Parade Route Gulfport Fl
This year's parade is December 14, 2013 starting around 6 pm, touring first the Gulfport Marina then out into Boca Ciega Bay towards downtown, the beach and the Gulfport Pier then on to Town Shores, Pasadena and a long course across the bay to Isla del Sol.  A party for participants follows at Boca Ciega Yacht Club.

Here's a video of last year's parade I shot while standing, and at one point falling, off  a ladder- HO! HO! HO! OW!


SMALL BOATS ROCK!!

Monday, November 18, 2013

2013 St Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show

 DECEMBER 5th - 8th  

St Petersburg Fl Power and Sailboat Show
You know when fall arrives in the south-the boat shows bloom just across the street from melting clocks and the surreal world of the Dali Museum in downtown St Petersburg FL.  Somehow it all comes together in harmony.  After all, surrealism and sailing, at least on HideAway, are often the same. 

 Sea Pearl and the Dali Museum
  Not to be out done, our very own sailing club, Boca Ciega Yacht Club of Gulfport Florida will be at Booth 133 in Tent 1 near the large fountain which is fortunately outside.  

Boca Ciega Yacht Club St Petersburg Sailboat Show


Here you can watch videos and learn all about  the many BCYC programs from a whole fleet of happy sailors.


Cruising, Racing, Youth and Adult Sailing Classes, Oh my!

Bruce Bingham visits with the SV HideAway Admiral


Be There or Be Keel-Hauled!


SMALL BOATS ROCK!
   

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Leading a Sailor to Water Garmin GPSmap 640



Garmin GPSmap 640 on swing arm aboard SV HideAway
Garmin GPSmap 640 on SV HideAway
We were navigating to my son's house in Tampa last weekend using the road mode of our new Garmin GPSmap 640 in an effort to become better acquainted with the high tech device. 

I was growing more upset with it because it was taking us the long way to our destination along all sorts of back streets that were not of our choosing instead of a more direct route using major roads.  

I was about to mention my concerns to the lady in the GPS when all of a sudden she told me to turn right and we found ourselves at a beautiful park right on the Hillsborough River.  

All is forgiven, my son's house was nearby.  

A GPS that knows how to lead a sailor to water is OK in my book.  


Sailing HideAway near Honeymoon Island
Sailing HideAway  anchored near Honeymoon Island FL