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!