Short story +

[Brian N.]

Last night's "Happy Hour" discussion brought up sailing a catamaran. Too much on the political situation to sit and read the Saturday paper right now, so I decided to sit at the computer and relate my catamaran experience.

Several years ago we took the family to the Dominican Republic for an all inclusive vacation, which included several days at a beach resort. The resort offered Hobie Beach Cats. The required lesson was minimal and the beach front staff warned us not to sail beyond the flags a couple of hundred yards away, or beyond a certain point out in the ocean. My daughter and I grabbed a cat and headed out, and kept going and going. We picked up a good amount of speed, with the windward side lifting out of the water on occasion. We quickly blew past the flag and past the next resort area. Upon our return we were admonished by the management and banned from all water sports. Oddly, the next day a $20 greenback seemed to smooth things over and my wife and I went out on a repeat sail, although the wind was barely five knots that day.

Right now, we have our first snowfall of the year, about 2 inches, and I'm wondering if I removed my emergency bottles of water from the boat, before covering her up for the winter. I might find the motivation to crawl under the tarp, slide the hatch back and take a look. Or, I might just read the Saturday New York Times.

Wishing "All ye Old Salts" a great New Year

[Riggerdood]

That's a great story Brian. Funny how a little palm greasing goes a long way in places like the Caribbean!

You know that's going to drive you crazy about the water bottles. May as well get it over with and climb under there. 

Happy Holidays everyone!

[tjspiel]

Sorry I missed the happy hour and the catamaran discussion. Went skiing with my ski buddies and had some prime rib after at supper club near the resort. Decided that will likely be an annual event on the Friday before Christmas - so I might miss another Happy Hour this time next year.

We had a similar catamaran experience in the Dominican Republic. They sent a boat after us. We were just warned though which sounds like it saved us $20.

Now I'm worried about what I may have left on my boat and there's nothing I can do about it until April.

Thanks a lot Brian.

[Quantico Frank]

Brian, I never planned to buy a boat, but rather just rent one from Quantico when I wanted to go out. But their restrictions— basically having to sail within sight of the marina— got to me since I definitely wanted to sail a lot longer and farther than that. The rest is history.

Then again, they have those brand spanking new 21' Flying Scotts there that I'm going to have to try. I may or may not remember their restrictions, lol.

Happy Holidays, everyone!