Introductions / How did you find sailFar.net?

[CharlieJ]

Welcome aboard. And where on the Florida West coast. Some of my very favorite cruising areas are there.

[lance on cloud nine]

 Our O'Day 23 is docked on Bimini Bay in the interior of Anna Maria island - just off Tampa Bay. My wife and I are still more than full time employed. We have been able to explore just down to Cayo Costa so far.
It was nice to see the boat you did so much work on come back to you. Thanks for saying hello Charlie.

[CharlieJ]

Ah yes- been to Anna Maria a few times, since back in 1964, on a camping, diving trip on the sand island out from the causeway between Anna Maria and Long boat Key. Lived out there for a week on fish we speared. Saw a sign saying "NO CAMPING" there now- sad. Times have changed.

Also spent some time anchored off the municipal pier at Bradenton Beach- love the place. If you get there, go to the "Gathering Place" for lunch. The owner is a Greek lady who is an absolute HOOT. Almost at the foot of the bridge.

Anchored in Cayo Costa a few times also. Twice with the West Coast trailer Sailor Squadron. And several times just me.

If you don't know them, you should-

http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss/

Spent a weekend with them in June. Absolutely wonderful folks. Tell Ron H that Charlie J said hi


Last I was at Cayo Costa was also in June, this year- my fourth or fifth time.. I like to anchor in the little cove just to starboard as you enter.

Stayed at Laishley Park, and sailed down last week of June.

These pics should look familiar. And thank you about Tehani. I do dearly love the boat and she is almost ready to splash again- another week or so yet, but soon. And first short cruise is already being planned.

[CharlieJ]

This is too funny. Just looked at the WCTSS Pics from June 2013, and find several pics of my (now sold) Necessity.

But what is funny is the pic of me, labeled as "an Adventurer" ;D ;D

Just an old fart with some time to travel a bit, preferably by sail ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss/photos106.html

[Frank]

I sailed in that area a few years back (OK..more than a few) as well. The thing I most remember about Anna Maria Island was a funkie hamburger joint near a beach seemingly run by an ole dolly with an awesome outgoing and outspoken personality!!  The lil place had poop hanging all over....and a long line up out the door!!  Food was awesome.  Lance, is it still there???

[lance on cloud nine]

Charlie - I am familiar with the WCTSS, but have yet to sail with them. Three of us sailed the O'Day 23 down to Cayo Costa for one of last years get togethers - I had some kind of alergic reaction to something growing on the island, and had to leave early without meeting them. Their next Cayo Costa outing is the 3rd weekend in November. I hope to make it but not positive yet.

When I first started sailing, I had an older O'Day 23 than my current one. I was reading all kinds of sailing books and magazines. At that time I just thought that everyone got a bigger boat as their skills increased. But shortly I noticed two things -  first, was just how shallow most of the Florida waters were! second, I noticed whenever I was out on a larger boat, after the initial WOW! factor wore off - that I really missed my smaller boat. Charlie, looking through your boat rebuild pics helped me to know I was not crazy in wanting a nicer fully operational but smaller boat.
So I sold my 71 O'Day 23 and bought a better condition 84 O'Day 23 - and am pretty happy with her. I am now trying to talk some of my Indiana sailing friends into getting something similar - so that we can have winter escapes and sail together.
Frank - is the place you speak of right across from the public beach parking, and a half block south? with sort of a closed in porch? if so it is called Skinny's. And it is a favorite stop of mine! You could also be thinking of the public beach concession which is far better than most - and acts like they are happy to serve you.
I couldn't agree more about Bradenton Beach! When other cities zigged toward closing themselves off to boaters, Bradenton zagged and became more welcoming. And it appears to have given the area a little economic boost. Hope it stays laid back.

Have a great weekend everyone.

[Frank]

Yep...it was Skinny's   ;) I couldn't remember the name but remember it once you said it. It was real funkie.....and great food.

[Gerald A. Gotts]

I'm sure nobody remembers but I was on here almost every day a couple of years ago.  I had bought a Bristol 27 and took off.  I am back and living  for a time in the Clearwater ,fl. area.  I sold my boat as I felt too cramped inside.  Perhaps if I lost a bit of weight.....nah,just buy a bigger boat.

I am working to make some money to buy my next boat and should be ready soon.

I sure do miss all of you guys as I had my computer stolen while at a marina and never replaced it  so I have not had any contact for a while.

BUT I'M BACK..but not for long as being on shore makes me itch!!!!

Cheers, Jerry

[Godot]

Welcome back! I hope you will catch us up on your adventures.

[s/v Faith]

I'm sure nobody remembers but I was on here almost every day a couple of years ago.  I had bought a Bristol 27 and took off.  I am back and living  for a time in the Clearwater ,fl. area.  I sold my boat as I felt too cramped inside.  Perhaps if I lost a bit of weight.....nah,just buy a bigger boat.

I am working to make some money to buy my next boat and should be ready soon.

I sure do miss all of you guys as I had my computer stolen while at a marina and never replaced it  so I have not had any contact for a while.

BUT I'M BACK..but not for long as being on shore makes me itch!!!!

Cheers, Jerry

Welcome back Jerry!

Great time to buy a boat, on a windy cold day like this I bet you could find a bunch of southbound boats cheap!  Especially if you talk to the less committed spouse (you can tell them by the layers of clothing and lack of smile).  ;D

[Sailor4You]

Hi All,
Newbie here. Found this sites link in a message located on the Columbia group message board. It was in relation to painting a badly cracked gelcoat finish. Found a lot of great information on the SailFar site, so decided to stay around awhile.

I started sailing while stationed in Iwakuni, Japan during an 1972 overseas tour with the Marine Corps.  The Nai Kai Yacht Club had taken possession of the MC Special Services  boat fleet at the base.  The club kept the Lightnings in good repair and had sailing lessons for those who wanted to learn.  Records were kept  ;) of how many hours of work we performed on these boats and were substituted for hourly fees of boat rental.  If memory serves me correctly, a lot more hourly rental fees were waived than work performed.

Nancy and I just ended a relation with a 1977 Columbia 8.3.  This was a wonderful boat, but needed more TLC than we could give.  It was located about 4 hour drive away from our home.  Slip rental every month was a big hit on our Social Security income, so we gave it to someone that hopefully could complete what we had started.  However, we are NOT boatless!

Sitting in our front yard is a 1964 Tylercraft 24, which was purchased on eBay about five years ago.  Purchase price was $99.00 and I was the only bidder.  Had to go to Port Saint Lucie, FL to pick it up from Sanford, NC where we still own our home.  At least the boat is in our front yard and can be worked on anytime, and not have a slip rental fee. 

In between 1972 and today there have been a few sailboats.  Had a San Juan 21, two West Wight Potters and a Rainbow 24.  Have a derelict 1977 Hunter 27 in the back yard purchased for repairs on the Columbia 8.3, but now might be used on the  Tylercraft 24.

Noticed someone on this site had recommended me for information on a Tylercraft a few years ago.  Entered Tylercraft in the search box.  I still own the Tylercraft_Sailboat Group on Yahoo.com.

Hope to gain a lot of information on boat repair and other information concerning sailing in general. Perhaps I can also offer whatever information concerning questions anyone has as well.

Bill Corder
Sanford, NC

[s/v Faith]

Welcome aboard Bill!

  Glad you found us, and I look forward to hearing more about you plans and adventures.  D you have any pictures of your TylerCraft?  There is a section here to discuss different boats, maybe you could start a thread on it there.  I would like to see a couple pictures if you have them.  Just let me know if you need help posting them.

Welcome!

[yachtsecurity]

Stumbled across the site - from International Yacht Club page, I think.

Currently boatless, working on it.

Don

[s/v Faith]

Welcome aboard Don,

  Glad to hear ou rink is still active on the international Yacht Club page, our member and moderator here "Zen" was (is?) a commodore with IYC.  Very cool guy, had a setback a while back sailing back from Japan...

  What waters do you sail (or will you sail again)?

Good luck in finding the right ship for your future adventures!

[seachange]

Hello All,

We stumbled across the site by meeting S/V Faith's trusty captain in the Exumas a few weeks ago. My lovely wife abandoned ship when she heard what sounded like a penny whistle being played and returned hours later with good reports of the captain and crew.

We joined Sailfar because it right up our alley. KISS is our mantra.

S/V Sea Change II
Currently in Georgetown, Exumas

[s/v Faith]

A hearty welcome aboard to Sea Change and her crew!

  Glad to see you online Shane, I really look forward to hearing more as your journey progresses!

[jotruk]

Welcome aboard you will in joy this site. We look farward to seeing any pictures you might post and read stories you might wish to pass along.

[DarrenC]

Hi Folks,

Just a quick note of introduction - I'm a 44 yr old complete newbie who manifested 20+ years of dreaming last Augiust when my wife and companion in adventure insisted I pull the trigger on a near-bristol Annapolis 26 at a too-good-to-pass-up bargain, tactfully pointing out that I never do anything for myself, I'm not getting any younger and I can't keep reading and dreaming forever.

We only had her out a few times before running out of season and I am still discerning my ass from my elbow, but from all accounts so far we find this craft  to be a perfect (and even luxurious) size for a couple interested in simple, uncomplicated cruising - we spent many years as canoe campers and feel spoiled at having a bed that's always made, a toilet that flushes and room to carry a beer cooler.

It is only in my off-season internet prowling that I discovered how few people share our enthusiasm for what we considered ideal.  Enthusiast groups seem to focus on either very small or very large boats, largely ignoring the masses in between.  I was therefore grateful to find SailFar with some dilligent Googling and look forward to learning more about sailing and my boat while dreaming about distant horizons in the future.

I currently moor and sail in the Eastern end of Lake Ontario and Bay of Quinte - largely considered one of the best freshwater cruising areas in the world.  I will enjoy participating in this board while counting the days until my put-in date in May.

[Tim]

Welcome Aboard Darren, I think you found the right place. I too kayak camped for years before getting back into sailing and my first 20' boat seemed luxurious. Of coarse now I moved up to 25'  ;D

[DarrenC]

Thanks for the welcome, Tim!