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#11
sailFar.net Discussion / Adventure sailing (Everglades ...
Last post by Godot - July 31, 2026, 06:35:44 PMI'm planning on calling it a career on April 2nd, 2027, a few weeks before my 58th birthday. I'm done and can't (or at least don't want to) do it anymore.
Thinking about it I realized I have a great opportunity. I'll be relatively young for a retired guy, and if nothing happens over the next seven months I'll also be reasonably healthy. For the first time probably since I was a boy living on someone else's labor I'll have the magic trinity: Time, money and health, all at the same time!
I was watching videos about the Race to Alaska (R2AK) and that seems insane and awesome and worth dreaming about. But, a little closer and perhaps more reasonable is the annual Watertribe Everglades Challenge.
For those not in the know, the Everglades Challenge is an unsupported, expedition-style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats covering roughly 300 miles from Tampa Bay (Fort De Soto) to Key Largo, Florida, that must be finished in 8 days or less.
I've got the buy in from the wife. I didn't even have to fight for it (should I be worried?). So, I've been thinking of little boats to build or buy to do that race...
I'll most likely do the challenge in 2028, alone as I'm a bit of a grouch and I don't know anyone who'd be willing to deal with me on a tough adventure like this for a full week. Small boats only. The primary filter is that the boat has to be beach launched from above the high water line, by the crew. There use to be a bridge filter (ten foot high, 8 foot wide) but I think that has been done away with. Some manual propulsion when the wind is down, and from reading about past ECs, this is not uncommon, would seem essential.
I don't have a lot of experience with kayaks, and certainly not with long distance kayaking. Worth considering, but I'll probably lean towards the small sailboat side.
The 12' Welsford S.C.A.M.P. seems interesting.
The Windrider 17 trimaran is a cool option. Setup a tent on the trampolines if not camping ashore.
The W17 Mike Waters Trimaran also looks cool.
I think the Chesapeake Light Craft Northeaster Dory might work for me. It should be good to row and sail and holds quite a lot of weight. Maybe a little uncomfortable to sleep aboard, but I'm sure it can be managed.
The Angus Sailing Rowcruiser looks really cool with a little cabin.
So many other options, dozens, more maybe, that I looked at that I can't even remember right now. I thought convincing my wife was going to be the hard part. Instead the hardest part might be trying to figure out where to start.
I still have a niggling at the back of the brain, too, that if I can successfully get to the start line (and hopefully the finish line) that maybe I actually would to the R2AK someday as well. It would be cool to choose a boat that could do both, though they have very different conditions to deal with.
Thinking about it I realized I have a great opportunity. I'll be relatively young for a retired guy, and if nothing happens over the next seven months I'll also be reasonably healthy. For the first time probably since I was a boy living on someone else's labor I'll have the magic trinity: Time, money and health, all at the same time!
I was watching videos about the Race to Alaska (R2AK) and that seems insane and awesome and worth dreaming about. But, a little closer and perhaps more reasonable is the annual Watertribe Everglades Challenge.
For those not in the know, the Everglades Challenge is an unsupported, expedition-style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats covering roughly 300 miles from Tampa Bay (Fort De Soto) to Key Largo, Florida, that must be finished in 8 days or less.
I've got the buy in from the wife. I didn't even have to fight for it (should I be worried?). So, I've been thinking of little boats to build or buy to do that race...
I'll most likely do the challenge in 2028, alone as I'm a bit of a grouch and I don't know anyone who'd be willing to deal with me on a tough adventure like this for a full week. Small boats only. The primary filter is that the boat has to be beach launched from above the high water line, by the crew. There use to be a bridge filter (ten foot high, 8 foot wide) but I think that has been done away with. Some manual propulsion when the wind is down, and from reading about past ECs, this is not uncommon, would seem essential.
I don't have a lot of experience with kayaks, and certainly not with long distance kayaking. Worth considering, but I'll probably lean towards the small sailboat side.
The 12' Welsford S.C.A.M.P. seems interesting.The Windrider 17 trimaran is a cool option. Setup a tent on the trampolines if not camping ashore.The W17 Mike Waters Trimaran also looks cool.I think the Chesapeake Light Craft Northeaster Dory might work for me. It should be good to row and sail and holds quite a lot of weight. Maybe a little uncomfortable to sleep aboard, but I'm sure it can be managed.The Angus Sailing Rowcruiser looks really cool with a little cabin.So many other options, dozens, more maybe, that I looked at that I can't even remember right now. I thought convincing my wife was going to be the hard part. Instead the hardest part might be trying to figure out where to start.
I still have a niggling at the back of the brain, too, that if I can successfully get to the start line (and hopefully the finish line) that maybe I actually would to the R2AK someday as well. It would be cool to choose a boat that could do both, though they have very different conditions to deal with.
#12
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by Jim_ME - July 16, 2026, 04:39:32 PMQuote from: CapnK on May 30, 2026, 12:57:33 PMRE: the A-30 - the big teak coaming boards are showing their age...
Anyone have input on the idea, yay or nay?
I wonder whether there was a way to set up a fence or a jig on a bandsaw and to cut the coaming boards in half with a good straight cut, and then to add flat material in the center, laminating them to retain a good depth of solid teak at the surfaces that might be more durable for refinishing or oiling in the future? You could then just sand the bumps at the fasteners down flat, and keep the existing rounded edges? Might be able to use a different wood species that glues up well?
#13
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by Jim_ME - July 16, 2026, 04:23:01 PMQuote from: CapnK on May 30, 2026, 12:40:22 PMIn other news, the video below was 13+ yr old Crewdog Barque about 2 weeks ago:
It seems like it was not long ago that you got Barque as a young crewdog... time seems to be passing by so quickly.
Glad to learn that he is doing better, too. :)
#14
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by s/v necessity - June 07, 2026, 03:33:31 PMRegarding the epoxy and teak, sounds like a plan to me! Prep and clean well before you epoxy. I've never glued teak, but I hear it can put up a fight (natural oils within). I would consider a vacuum bag for clamping. Based on experiences with similar projects, getting even pressure on ALL the veneer can be a challenge, even with the Vacuum bag. (Disclaimer, just spitballing here, I make this poop up as I go along.)
#15
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by Frank - June 07, 2026, 05:34:06 AMThat's awesome he's improving!
Nice that the supplements helped 👍
Nice that the supplements helped 👍
#16
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by CapnK - May 30, 2026, 03:59:48 PMQuote from: Bob J on May 30, 2026, 03:27:49 PMFunny thing about boats. If you're bored & need a project to occupy your time or take up/waste your time, a boat is a good bet :)
Quote of the Year?
;D
#17
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by Bob J - May 30, 2026, 03:27:49 PMFunny thing about boats. If you're bored & need a project to occupy your time or take up/waste your time, a boat is a good bet :)
#18
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by CapnK - May 30, 2026, 12:57:33 PMRE: the A-30 - the big teak coaming boards are showing their age, with the fasteners standing proud about 1/8" or better as the wood around them has been worn and sanded away over time.
I have a large roll of teak veneer, and am thinking that prior to refinishing them, I'll take them off the boat and epoxy a layer or two of veneer over that face before trimming the edges back to the original shape. Seems like it would work, to me, and should be fairly simple to do, while MUCH cheaper than finding some new 1" thick stock, or switching to mahogany/ipea.
Anyone have input on the idea, yay or nay?
I have a large roll of teak veneer, and am thinking that prior to refinishing them, I'll take them off the boat and epoxy a layer or two of veneer over that face before trimming the edges back to the original shape. Seems like it would work, to me, and should be fairly simple to do, while MUCH cheaper than finding some new 1" thick stock, or switching to mahogany/ipea.
Anyone have input on the idea, yay or nay?
#19
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by CapnK - May 30, 2026, 12:40:22 PMQuote from: Godot on May 26, 2026, 06:57:34 PMIt's like you can't even give boats away anymore.
I hope that's not the case for at least the I-36...
In other news, the video below was 13+ yr old Crewdog Barque about 2 weeks ago:
You cannot view this attachment.
His rear legs had quickly gotten weak in the prior month, then suddenly one stopped working at all, and the other only part time, a week or so before the video.
I made him the Hot Wheels attachment (with a personalized "BARQUE" South Carolina 'license plate'), and have been loading his food up with supplements like Omega-3 Fish Oil, UC-II collagen, powdered New Zealand Green Lipped mussels, etc. Basically, these things which are the active ingredients from various doggy hip/joint health products on the market.
So very glad to report that the supplements are working - a week ago both legs started moving again, and 3 days ago he was walking on his own by the boat, and then followed me 200+ feet up the dock before tiring.
Today, he made it over 900 feet before needing the wheels. :D :D :D
#20
sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I'm NOT about to buy a GIA...
Last post by Godot - May 26, 2026, 06:57:34 PMIt's like you can't even give boats away anymore.