Another good time. Raised the mast by myself again. Twice in a row means I'm a pro at it right? However, by the time I had the boat rigged, the wind was just too much. Luckily I found someone willing to serve as rail meat so we went out around the island and back. I was hoping the wind would die down and I'd get to go out again, but it wasn't to be.
The two young guys in the Hobie 16 went out though. They were having a tough time going up-wind. I hope they got back okay. Also, a Weta went out. I talked to the guy and he said the wind was a bit much for them, but it would be their last chance to go out before going back up north.
Also, a Weta went out. I talked to the guy and he said the wind was a bit much for them,
Probably drank too much sea water that was sprayed off the bows of that thang! they don't call it a wet a for nothin'
MN3
Oops, the above post was from me. I didn't realize I was not logged in.
Any word on the condition of the launch area at the causeway? I've heard rumors that the south side of the road is closed but I haven't found anything official...
Edited by danielt1263 on Sep 29, 2024 - 04:40 PM.
Sorry - i realize this is on the wrong thread now but i dont know how to delete...only lets you edit.
Just dropping a note here to see if anyone has any interest. I had my Prindle 19MX stored at the Clearwater Sailing Center and it was heavily damaged by Helene storm surge. The boat has probably sailed its last day. Please reach out if you are interested in a boat project or you know somebody would might want some undamaged P19mx parts. The only damage is to the hulls but i dont know how to estimate the effort and i dont even know who does this kind of work anymore.
Edited by cataholic on Oct 04, 2024 - 07:24 PM.
Bummer.
Down here in Fat Point we got 2 feet of water in the house.
But I found a Rick White book from a long time ago. Phil Berman's book may or may not survived.
I drove down to the Dunedin Causeway on Thursday and it was open, although the entrance we normally use was closed, another one further down was open.
Of course it doesn't matter now with Milton bearing down on us... Stay safe!
Edited by danielt1263 on Oct 06, 2024 - 08:31 PM.
Went out today in some fluky winds. Ended up sailing downwind to the Clearwater Causeway then while sailing back, the wind shifted so I was going downwind again. I had lots of quality time with the spinnaker.
Gary was there when I got back. He said he was sailing Friday and Saturday and didn't feel like going out again today, so he was just hanging out on the beach.
I also had a hat overboard incident so I got to practice my overboard drill.
It was a good day sailing today. The wind was kind of light in the morning. I went out into the gulf to try to find wind and all I found were 4 foot swells. So I turned around and came back in and sailed along the ICW.
I discovered that one of my spinnaker blocks was broken last trip. It's still under warranty so I sent it to Harken and they are mailing me a new one. It won't be here until Saturday so I didn't have a spinnaker today. It felt odd without the spinnaker pole leading the way...
Daniel, where do you store your cat when not on the causeway? I recently moved to the area (Valrico) and have left the 5.7 in PA. If I could find a reasonable storage solution I would bring it down and join you.
I have a two piece mast and my boat is only 15' so I store it in my garage. The Clearwater Community Sailing Center has boat storage for about $100/month which includes a membership that gives you access to their boats as well. Otherwise, it would have to be one of the out-door storage parks.
For example CubeSmart Self Storage in Palm Harbor has 20' parking spaces for about $85/month or something like that. It's about 10 minutes from the launching beach.
I live in a HOA neighborhood in Valrico, and the 18.5' boat, 30' mast and long trailer are a non-starter here. I looked at the CCSC information online. Looks like a great way to get started. Is the boat storage mast-up? We left our kayaks and the catamaran in PA, and would really like to bring them down here. Lots of places nearby inland, as well as on the coast for our 12.5-13.5' Eddyline kayaks. I also have a Precision P-24 which is a real pig to haul around. My current plan is to sell that. I just enjoy the cat more. Like a lot of old beachcat owners, I'm 71, so trying to hold on to some sailing, but don't go on the wire anymore.
Yes, boat storage at CCSC is mast up. There's lots of kayak action on the causeway, as well as SUPs.
tominpa wrote: Daniel, where do you store your cat when not on the causeway? I recently moved to the area (Valrico) and have left the 5.7 in PA. If I could find a reasonable storage solution I would bring it down and join you.
check out Clearwater RV & Boat Storage. around 5 miles south of the causeway. I know a few cat sailors used this place.
MN3
Clearwater RV & Boat Storage.
All of a sudden, the forums are showing the most recent post at the beginning rather than the end...hmmm. Had to change the Forum post order preference.
I'll check out Clearwater RV Boat Storage, but at the point I don't have mast-up storage, I can pretty much look anywhere, and someplace local east of Tampa may be less expensive than Clearwater.
Edited by tominpa on Dec 04, 2024 - 11:13 AM.
tominpa wrote: ... someplace local east of Tampa may be less expensive than Clearwater.
For sure. Not only that, but having the boat close to home will make minor repairs easier to deal with.