73 degrees on February 3! With sun and a breeze!!
What to do? Why - go sailing!
I haven't been sailing since the P'cola trip in October, so I hitched up the CIY and headed to the lake for a short afternoon sail. I thought about an overnighter but passed on that option.
Winds were a bit fluky, like they usually are on the lake, but I got some good puffs. Just sailed back and forth in front of the ramp. Was floor to seat, side to side, sheeting in and sheeting out depending on the wind speed and direction. Got a good workout.
When I arrived at the ramp there was a large houseboat taking up most of the ramp. They were working on the motor - looked like some major work. Boat's name was Nauta Big Deal - ha! Pretty big actually.
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Still working on it when I finished. In fact, when I finally got the boat out (had to wait for one boat and a jet ski before I could get in) I heard them say "See you tomorrow" as they knocked off for the evening.
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Pic of lake while waiting in the wind shadow of the shore:
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It was nice being out.
I will be sailing later this week if I get the chance and the wind. We had good news yesterday when we heard the word remission from Carol's doctor. So yesterday was a good day for both of us.
Quote from: Doug SC on Feb 04, 2025, 09:52 AMI will be sailing later this week if I get the chance and the wind. We had good news yesterday when we heard the word remission from Carol's doctor. So yesterday was a good day for both of us.
That's great news!
Mid 70s here too. The Compac 19 is on the trailer being readied for a 4 week trip around the keys this April, so I decided to take the Orion out. However, with everything going on, I haven't registered it yet and as I was readying the lines to depart, a DNR boat passed by and waved. :-\
After dinner I'll be online registering her.
Glad someone was able to properly enjoy this day.
Quote from: Wolverine on Feb 04, 2025, 06:55 PMMid 70s here too. The Compac 19 is on the trailer being readied for a 4 week trip around the keys this April, so I decided to take the Orion out. However, with everything going on, I haven't registered it yet and as I was readying the lines to depart, a DNR boat passed by and waved. :-\
After dinner I'll be online registering her.
Glad someone was able to properly enjoy this day.
4 week trip! Now that sounds exciting. You'll have to post a little about your prep and then, of course, keep us updated during and full report after!
An immediate question comes to mind: is this entirely aboard or a split between ashore and aboard? I guess a follow-up would be in marinas and/or anchoring out?
A friend with his Compac Suncat will be sailing with me. This time 15 years ago I sailed around the keys for 6 weeks to celebrate my 59th birthday. I had an '83 Starwind 19 then. I never had the right weather window to make it to the Dry Tortugas, so we're hoping to make it there.
On that trip I only spent 4 days in a marina. Things needed repairing after spending the night on the hook with 45mph sustained winds and 60mph gusts.
Quote from: Wolverine on Feb 04, 2025, 10:32 PMA friend with his Compac Suncat will be sailing with me. This time 15 years ago I sailed around the keys for 6 weeks to celebrate my 59th birthday. I had an '83 Starwind 19 then. I never had the right weather window to make it to the Dry Tortugas, so we're hoping to make it there.
On that trip I only spent 4 days in a marina. Things needed repairing after spending the night on the hook with 45mph sustained winds and 60mph gusts.
Guess you had the right ground tackle!!! Hope you had a protected anchorage.
Strange question but one we have to ask: do you have a holding tank?
I started out using a porti-potti, but went to "wag bags" and have been using them since.
As for the anchor, she dragged 4 times that night. With the waves breaking on a shoal to my stern, I didn't sleep at all. It was a night that taught me a lot. I have an account of the whole trip written out on an old computer, perhaps one of these days I'll bring it out post it.
It's been 80 here! It's NEVER 80 in February here. After the snow, it has warmed up dramatically. It's been really nice although I've been crawling under a house working on plumbing BECAUSE of the snow. Took a break today and headed away from the coast and sent some downrange. Almost got the scope zero'd in. It's respectable now, within 4in at 100 yds. but ran out of ammo. O well. Sooner or later I might get to sail, but there's a Mardi Gras party to get ready for and water is top-o-da-list.