Hi,
I was practically born in a float plane in Maine. Both Mom and Dad flew. Being raised on a large lake, the water has always been a big part of my life. By the age of 7, Dad would strap the canoe on the floats and we would head up country. I was allowed to explore all day in remote areas by myself. I have never outgrown that urge.
We moved to the USVI, St. Croix, when I was 21. It was there that I took up flying (and sailing). I bought my dad's PA 12, Piper Super Cruiser and would fly up and down the Caribbean, landing on deserted islands and beaches. Twice, I continued on down into So. America, into the mountains and looking for Jimmy Angel's lost river of gold (at Angel Falls). I started flying commercially in order to pay for the plane. I retired about 5 years ago.
I have flown in different parts of the world (Hawaii, Alaska, the New England Corridor, etc.) but love the wilderness flying most. I flew jets for a SHORT period of time and hated it. It was a job, like going to work in an office and facing a computer everyday. When I look out the window, I want to see a big horn sheep looking back.
I have owned four sailboats, sailed single handed most of the time, and lived on three of them. I had a 17.5' catamaran when I lived in the Rockies. When I moved back to Maine, I had a 1931 34' Alden and a 27' O'Day which I sailed Casco Bay in. At this point in my life, I have a Macgregor 26X. I bought her new in 2002 and immediately headed for Desolation Sound, here on the B.C. coast. That winter I trailered her behind my pick up to Jacksonville, I then sailed her to the Abacos and was away for 7.5 months. The following spring, I hauled her cross country again to Cheasapeak for 3 months cruising.
I broke my collar bone a year ago today and haven't sailed single handed since. It should be healed by now and I'm ready for another adventure. However, I am being more conservative and am going to spend a month or four in the Bay Islands of Honduras before I take The Edge there. If I like it, I will probably take her there next winter.
I would continue on and tell you all the reasons why I love my Mac, but I leave for Utila on January 4th and I don't have enough time ;).
Was that you @ Walkers cay and Green Turtle in 02?? Not that many Macs there.Did you leave it at Abaco Yacht services for storage ??
Frank,
I found another Mac in the little inlet at Green Turtle Key. That's not me. I eventually dragged my Mac back to B.C.
That little inlet is 'blacks cove' If you were in New Plymouth,you had to have stopped at the 'Blue Bee Bar' and at 'sundowners bar' (for those never there,niether is much bigger than an average wreck room) My last trip was Nov 04 after the hurricane.The entire back wall of 'sundowners' was gone!...just washed away!! The huge houseboat at Walkers entrance peer is tore in 1/2 with the front gone and the entrance at the west end was really silted in. Things have probably changed again since then.
Frank,
I anchored next to that Mac in Black Cove. She looked neglected.
Are you telling me that the houseboat "Stranded Naked" is wrecked by the 'cane? The fellow who owns it flys the heavy metal to exotic places. He is the one who hosts the "Stranded Naked" beach parties every year. The year I was there, it was held on Fidler's Cay.
No....people aren't naked! Free burgers and drinks for the islands' locals. The Margaritas and Gumbay Punch comes in 55-gallon drums :D
I departed Lake Worth (W. Palm) and cleared at Green Turtle Cay.
It took me three days to make the crossing. I was there in 2003.
Not sure of the name of the houseboat...but if it was the HUGE one 'on the hard' at the entrance to Walkers...it now is 1/2 a houseboat. i have film pictures of it from 02-before and 04-after. I'll try taking a pic of a pic and posting. That Party sounds like fun
Here's 'a pic of a pic' Thats my Beneteau(33ft 11in) @ the breakwater so you can imagine the houseboat sitting on the breakwater has to be at least 100ft+. I have better pics and 'after the storm' pics at the cottage...I'll try to remember.Does that look like the houseboat you speak of? PS that ENTIRE front 1/2 showing in the pic is literally gone!
hmmmmmm :-\ Did you see the wooden prop?
I presume you mean a prop for a plane with the airstrip at Walkers....Here's a plane 'blow over' at that strip...and a boat sunk @ the dock after the storm.Sorry for the quality...I'm taking a digital pic of a photograph.Both pics @ walker's in 04
Frank,
Thinking about wrecks by air strips makes me feel like I am home ;).
I hate to be bored so those are my favorite kinda strips. Stranded Naked sported a wooden airplane prop.
I think the year was 1997 that I went back to St. Maarten after Hugo. 1200 boats seeked safe harbor at the hurricane hole near the airstrip. Only a few survived. It turned me off to boat ownership for a few years :(. Another reason I love The Edge is that I can "afford" to lose her. ) When I finally gave up on my dream to sail my 34' Alden to the Caribbean from Maine, I had $5 to my name - enough gas money to find and work and commute til payday. I owned an old VW Bug, called Spot. This was back in 1983?.
Dates aren't important to me. If I really need to know, I can usually get an idea from an old logbook.
Frank,
Where are you spending your time in the Abacos this year? I have good friends who sail and live near Treasure Cay. I think the "Stranded Naked" party kicks off the local regatta. You can find out for certain on Cruisers' Net. Did you ever believe their weather reports ::)? Did I mention that I really like clearing in at Treasure Cay?
Hope to be back in the Abacos at the end with a trip to the Exumas if I can. I've not yet been to the pink beach Exumas .I'll have about 6 weeks and don't like to rush.The cruisers 'weather man' I listened to was 'Barometer Bob' from Marsh harbour daily @ 8am....great ole guy.
Frank,
I'll never forget the day that "barometer Bob" guaranteed that we wouldn't have rain. I was at Little Harbour in a downpour ::) :D. Did you ever meet Patty?
Barometer Bob...reliable...so so ...entertaining to listen to..you bet !! Nope ..never met Patty
Bye Captn Kurt and you all for now. I'm off to Honduras. I'll try to stay in touch. I'm going to miss you guys. Why not come on down :D.
Have a safe trip.
I missed the sendoff yesterday.
ciao
...zen
Sarah will be back sometime in February, and she also said that she'd post from down there, if she could.
Dontcha know that today she is enjoying warm tropical air and looking at clear waters... I'm so jealous! ;D
I got word From Tonyp that sarah made it to Utila today. He hadn't talked to her yet but his First mate checked her into her room with Flowers and was ordering food. Ah what a life.
That is good to know, thanks! (karma pop)
Keep us updated if you can, and, if you do talk to her, tell her that we're all shivering with jealousy. :D
Yepper, Sarah is very much alive, and well. She's spending most of her time wandering about, as well she can. This is a small rock and there's not much chance of getting lost or into any trouble. Pretty conservative here, too, so nothing to bump into that would be untoward.
Sarah is sleeping in as late as she wishes, strolling down for a bite to eat, going back to the hotel, reading a bit, napping a bit, taking long walks/hikes, and having a drink at the pool bar, then gathering a band of cruisers about her that feel like dinner and holds forth, regaling them with stories of adventures lived to the fullest .
I think her life is far too rough...
3819
Just curious...anyone heard from Sarah since her get away??
nope no word yet...still waiting.
Bill
Maybe she is captured by pirates.......or....maybe she pirated a ship herself !!!
Has anyone seen or heard from Sarah Since Jan of 2006. She was Last in Hondrus and her Hubby who she was not getting along with came down, NO one seems to have heard from her since then. Sounds like Maybe her Hubby had her done away with down there. Does anyone know any different?????????
I posted the same request months back with no replies. Miss her posts..neat gal. Hope all is well with her. I'm surprised she has not even 'checked in'...she was on a lot. Someone solve the mystery.
Still no takers on the 'where's Sarah' question. Should we sent out a search party?? Call the FBI??? Can't believe she hasn't at least 'checked in' once. If..if...someone knows but is sworn to secrecy on the story...at least post 'she's OK'. If not...really...then what the h_ _ _ happened to her??
Frank,
Folks drop off of these lists all the time, for no apparent reason. I wouldn't read anything sinister into it. She's probably out there having a good time. Given the choice, would you post here, or sail full time?
I contacted Tony P in Utila where Sarah was last seen. He was going to get ahold of her hubby and find out what happened to her but I never did hear back from him. here is his Email _utilalandco_ _gmail_ _com* Maybe someone else will have better luck getting Info from him. She was dealing with him on some land but it never worked out and she left things in a mess. And I beleive that. Sarah Does drink tooo much and turns into a Banshee. I still think her hubby got a Hondurus Divorce and her bones are in the jungle someplace.
(*Edited email address to hide it from spammers. Remove the underscores and insert the usual stuff for the real address.)
I had posted way back that she might have took off with an Argentinian Polo player....maybe I wasn't too far off. Just surprised as she posted often and said she would check in.I know she wasn't 'happy at home' and wanted to take off. As to the 'drinks toooo much and turns into a banshee'.......maybe my ex DID have an older sister ;)
I've posted elsewhere trying to find if anyone knows anything about where she is, but never heard anything...
I do hope she's OK.
I just recieved this from Tony "Hey Frank,
>
> We have fielded a number of requests regarding the whereabouts of Sarah
> after she left here.
>
> We simply do not know where she is, nor have we had any word, either.
> She left here in the company of her husband, (quite a nice guy we all
> thought!) and they were heading off to the Mosquito Coast for adventure
> into the wilds. We have not heard anything since they left on this end
> at this time. We have asked about in the area and no one has reported
> anything afoul to their knowledge, so we are assuming that all is well.
>
> If we hear anything we'll pass it on! "
>
Grog for Frank, and Prayers for Sarah....
well any word on her where abouts yet? did she set sail on a cruise and decided it is more fun to sail then to talk about sailing? just wondering
Has anyone heard from her? I was thinking about her this morning (passed a bunch of McGregors on the way down a dock).
:) Sarah the Edge is still alive and well I just got a PH Call from her. She just got back fro Thieland.
She Sold the Edge 2 years ago After I saw her in Honduras.
She Still wants to do more sailing.
Good to hear. Now get her a.. back here and and tell us her stories ;)
This is great news, so glad to hear it!
And Frank is right, too! ;D
Very pleased to hear.
There have got to be some great stories there!
Great news!! Her MIA-ness has been the topic both here and on other cruising forums.
SOOO Glad to hear she's well.
Hi Folks,
It's nice to be missed (sometimes).
Yes, I've been busy traveling. Since my last trip to Honduras, I've taken cruise ships (don't laugh yet) to the Mediteranean and South America (Chile, around the horn to Brazil). Cruise ship travelling could be compared to eating from a buffet. I was able to cover a lot of territory in a short period of time and sample places I might want to return to for a second helping. I've also been to Thailand twice this past year, for a month at a time.
CaptK caught up with me at Renegade Cruisers. I have described quite a bit about this over there. He said something about transferring my posts to here. I posted at The Pub.
My travels into Thailand's southern Adaman Sea were a real adventure as they have seen few tourists and don't know what to do with them. I travelled by OLD ferries and longtail boats.
It seems like everyone is having a good time around here. I'm glad to be back.
Sarah
MV Suzy Q
Walker Bay dinghy
Cut-n-pased to save Sarah a lot of typing. :D
QuoteHi Folks,
It's great to be back.
Since I sold The Edge two years ago I have been exploring the seas by cruise ships, OLD ferries, longtail boats and my dinghy. I took a quick peek at the Western Caribbean, the Medeterrean and South America (Chile, around the horn to Brazil). I've been to Thailand twice for a month at a time and recently returned from exploring little known parts of the southern Adaman Sea.
This last trip started in Phuket at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club. They have a great website. It appears to be upscale but it fulfilled my wildest dreams. All cruisers have to clear at Ao Chalong, a big town that caters to Scuba divers and sailors. The yacht club has been there for a long time and is seedy with lots of character(s) and very clean. Most of the members seem to be expats from Austrailia. I picked up some local knowledge and thought that I might catch a ride down to Langkawi, Melasia, with someone who had to take their boat out of Thailand at least every 6 months. I was too impatient to wait so I took a high speed ferry to Ko Lanta, then to Ko Lipe. Ko Lipe is just being discovered by tourism and it is an enchanting island with a few upscale resorts, a thriving native village. It has about a 200' hill with lots of coves and beautiful beaches. There are only foot paths. There are 100's of deserted islands in the Tarutoa National Park. I also stayed on Ko Bolun and at the park resort. Koh Bolun is difficult to get to (by an OLD, rotted out ferry that I loved) and sees few tourists. Longtail boats are used as taxis and that was fun. If you plan to travel by ferry/longtail boat down there, I suggest you take your expedition pack for lugguage. That worked well for me as I needed to wade and climb into longtail and the old ferry while carrying my stuff. I enjoyed seeing the local fisherman (and their families) living as sea gypsies.
I had to spend the last 2 summers back in Maine, taking care of my mother (nursing home), selling her house and closing her corporation.
I don't know what I am going to do next. I am currently skiing at Whistler and swimming at the local pool. I have a beautiful home located on a mountain just 1 mile from the head of Howe Sound, BC, and feel like a tiger in a cage.
I hope everyone is well and living their dream.
Fair Winds,
Sarah
formerly The Edge or Theedge
and
Quote
My travels, hmmm....they involve boats, planes, motorcycles, kayaks, canoes, river rafts, strong legs, good people (mostly) and the adreneline rush...in places from Alaska to Chile, from Thailand to Turkey...
My most difficult challenge sailing took place about 7 years ago when I and 2 other crew members delivered a J-130 from (just north of Puerto Vallarta) to San Diego during the wrong time of the year with no auto pilot.
Being a member of a crew of 3 on a 43? Beneteau from Isla Juvidad to Cienfuegos, the south shore of Cuba is a beer in itself. Being a single woman getting to and from there (and not speaking Spanish) was another happy adventure.
My biggest accomplishment sailing involved the 7 1/2 months I spent taking The Edge to the Bahamas alone.
The best time I have ever had sailing involved repositioning PDQ 35 from Norfolk to Annapolis.
I am ready for another beer. :beer:
Thanks for asking. I haven't talked about my travels in a long time and it is nice to reminiscence.
and
QuoteKoh Bolun is like no other island I have ever known. It is located in the Santun Province, one of those southern provinces you hear about in the news. I only met one person who spoke English while there. Wouldn't you know...he is an Italian and a retired military pilot. He, like most of the other visitors, spends several months each year vacationing there.
The only commercial transportation to Koh Bolun is by ferry from Pak Bara. Pak Bara is a commercial fishing port that is just being discovered by tourists who need to get to Tarutoa National Park. The people there are very confused by tourists and their needs. :roll: I only met one person who spoke a little broken English there. Most of the tourists are from Europe. I managed to travel by buying a ticket and keeping an eye on my back pack. I just followed it from longtail to ferry, ferry to ferry, ferry to dock or longtail. Often times, you would change ferries in the middle of a bay - did I mention that no one spoke English. I was delighted when someone pointed to my pack back and then to a ferry that looked like a modified fishing boat. It might have been the African Queen. While carrying my pack back, I had to walk an old plank (1X6) from the dock to the deck of the ferry. There were 5 other passengers. I was able to watch the fan belts whirl while seated by the engine. I had stepped back in time by 60 years, at least.
There are about 5 "resorts" and a native village. During my routine predawn walk. I noticed that the villagers seemed quite angry with me. Later that morning, when I ran into the Italian and mentioned this to him, he told me that they are Muslum and we are considered to be infidels. I thought it might have more to do with "Thong" and his buddies who camped out in hamocks by the beach. I noticed that they watched intently as the longtails would beach and offload goods. After the goods had been carried to the only merchant, they would come by and barter. Twice, I heard (understood) "vacationers" complain to the merchant that the price of coconuts was too high and that they were free in the trees. She suggested that they climb the trees and get them. ;-). I had anticipated meeting fellow cruisers at the Bulon Marina Resort. There was no marina, gas, dock or boats - just another beautiful beach.
Bulon is one of two islands in the archipelago that have Government approval to be inhabited. The other is Ko Lipe. For a unique experience, I recommend you see it. By the way, take a flashlight. The generators MAY run from 7 PM to midnight. I would have enjoyed it more if I weren't alone - darn.
Along with this pic from Dave/Auspicious:
(http://www.skolnick.org/images/sarah_personal017.jpg)
and a post about it:
QuoteHi Dave,
That picture was taken 5 years ago while I was cruising the Abacos with The Edge. The Edge is off to the side. SAILING REALLY DOES AGREE WITH ME. :flirt:
A simple little dinghy has turned into an adventure in itself.
I'll tell you about it with my next beer. I have to go work out :( on the cross country skiing machine and the pool now.
and here I figured you had taken off with an Argentinian Polo player.Hope all is well.
Doh!
Guess what I forgot?
Welcome back, Sarah!!!! and Grog to ya'! ;D
Glad to hear from you about your adventures and all that. For a time, we had no idea how or whether you were doing, so it is good to sea that all is well. :)
Grog for Sarah.
She is the one who got me thinking about small boats again.
Hi Dave,
.....Thinking about small boats again......and how is that working for you?
Quote from: gltea on January 19, 2008, 08:40:05 AM
Hi Dave,
.....Thinking about small boats again......and how is that working for you?
Well I'm keeping my 40 footer, that's for sure! <grin> I've been racing a J/22 and keeping my eyes out for a sailing dinghy that's small enough for the foredeck of
Auspicious and big enough to go camping in while gunkholing little creeks. Dunno.
Hi Dave,
I am very happy with my 10' Walker Bay RID dinghy. It is 5' wide, which makes it roomy and stable. It is so versatile with sailing/rowing, motoring options. Flotation tubes can be added for additional stability and safety. It also fits in my van so I can travel and splash to my heart's content. Empty weight is 126 pounds. I love to row so I kill two birds with one stone - exercise and being on the water.
I have discovered that poking around in various nooks and crannies then pulling in to a nice little inn for the night is pretty nice.
Give it some thought....Have I ever steered you wrong?
Thanks Sarah. I know there are a couple of Walker Bay RIDs around. I'll keep my eye out for owners (it's a might chilly these days and people are hunkered down) and borrow one for a row and perhaps a sail.
A WB10 with a little canvas dodger and some kind of removable platform at seat level to spread a sleeping bag on might be interesting.
Just what I need - another project. Today is project day incidentally, fortunately all below where it is warm.
Hi Dave,
That was my thought. Someone has suggested rigging a hammock, but I don't know. I am only 5'1". I have it made. If I remember correctly, you are about 6'4".
;)
I don't have the flotation tubes installed as it is more difficult to row that way.
Have a good time sailing with WindRose Monday. It sounds like he could use some of your cheerfulness.
I've considered rigging my WB8 that way, for car cruisin'. Too bad the seats are not removable, for that. Maybe if you mounted them with wingnuts. :)
My WB is old school - maybe ~8 yrs old now, I don't recall. My bro-in-law bought a new WB10 last year, it's almost an entirely different boat.
From the pictures I was thinking of running wooden cleats down each side of the boat 1/2" below seat level and putting 1/2" plywood across from side to side so that you end up with a platform at seat top level. That also would give overnight storage for food and gear under you and maximize sleeping space. A fold down dodger with a single bow forward would be nice for when the spray is kicking and to keep drizzle off your face while you are sleeping.
All just fancy right now. I'm foolish enough to be going sailing tomorrow in the cold, but not on a little teeny boat. I'll wait for warmer weather.
Hi Dave,
I have been thinking about the same thing. I would want it to be in two sections so I could access the bow area separately. What do you do with the plywood while sailing? Perhaps a taught material could be used instead - like a canvas boat cover or tonu cover on a pick up bed? - with a zipper in the bow area for easy access.
I have hesitated talking to many people about this as they might put me away, hee hee haa haa :D
I have considered having two or three dinghies in different parts of the world so I could be more mobile. The Adaman Sea in southern Thailand would be nice. I am considering visiting the Greek Isles again. They may be an option.
Now there aren't too many people in my little town who I could discus this with. :)
You can always talk to me Sarah, and the other folks here are just as insane as I. <grin>
I was thinking about two pieces between the middle seat and the forward seat and two more pieces between the aft seat and the middle seat. Those should be small enough so that they could be stacked under the aft seat when not in use, or turned 90 degrees and tied to the turn of the bilge on one side or the other out of the way of rowing and sailing.
At the BEER cruise in Florida two years ago, a guy did the entire cruise in an 8 foot dinghy named Nano. He had the boat all rigged for cruising and kept up with many many bigger boats- he could cut across flats ;D
Anyway- he had some thing like a Conestoga wagon set up as a cover and for sleeping, had a really neat arrangement. He had a canves cot like cover, with sewn sleeves on each side. He had notches in the bulkheads fore and aft. Slid his oars into the sleeves, propped them into the notches and went to bed, ABOVE the floor. Actually on the same level as the seas.
I have some pics of the boat but they are on another computer and I don't have time to fire it up right now. I'll post some later today.
I'd like to see those pictures. I think I might have a winter project coming up.
When you are in the Abaco's we can talk. Just let me know where.
Hi Lynx,
I hadn't PLANNED on returning to the Abacos. Hmmmmm
I guess Suzy Q could do it ;D
I can understand. Planing on a easy summer. Doing the ICW to around Hudson river and trailering to Erie and then 1 to 2 months on the cannal and then south. ::)
Lynx,
When I took The Edge to the Bahamas, I left Vancouver in mid January and trailered her behind my pickup to Jacksonville. From there it was the ICW to Lake Worth. Three days later, I cleared at Green Turtle Key.
Because there had been no new snow in Colorado for 2 weeks, I decided to take a short cut by Telluride to Durango. I will never forget those hair pin turns which had 5 mph signs posted. I forgot about clear ice and had visions of ending up thousands of feet below with The Edge up my hiney. The entire length of my rig was 54'. I wish you could have seen the looks on the faces of the oncoming traffic who's load consisted of skies.
Once I passed the Continental Divide, I entertained myself (and many others) by asking gas station attendants "Is this the way to the Bahamas?) ;)
Have you taken your Mac to the Abacos?
Hi Lynx,
I just read your other thread about the Bahamas. If you haven't left yet, please let me know. There are things I would like to share with you about Macs.
Things such as auto pilots, senders, anchors, West End, beer, etc. etc. etc.
I had forgotten about all the fun I had.
Sarah -
Lynx has been kicking around down there for months now, having fun and sending us back jealousy cool pictures and good stories... ;D
Hi Capn K,
I have to watch myself. I am so envious that I am tempted to head there with Suzy Q.
I finally got around to adding my picture to my profile ;D.
If you do, I bet you get in the magazines... ;D
Remember, for the crossing - to bring your WB sail kit, and/or your oars! :D
Capn K,
I'll just bring a tow rope ;)
ok - let's see how this picture deal works. Here's a couple shots of Nano, the cruising 8 foot dinghy, riding to anchor in Night time mode
Hi Charlie,
This is too much. I just might do this. I would modify it with screened-in, large windows.
When I grow up, I want to be a character. This might help me along the way :D
....and due to 2-feetitis, my Walker Bay is 10'.
The Seattle Boat Show is coming up. I think I'll head down there for the last day, Feb 2nd, and kick this about.
I am still in Man of War Cay. I may be moving toward Fox Town and Crown Haven sometime. Not leaving Abacos until May or June.
Really a good life style. Beats W...
Careful Sarah...if you go to the show, you'll probably come home with a 12fter ;)
Hi Frank,
Yep! I did have a fleeting thought of getting another real boat if I was going to put that much time and money in a dinghy. Scary.
The Seattle Boat Show ends this weekend. I am not going to go. I'm afraid of what I might bring back.
I should have taken time to read more then just a few boards. oh well my bad.
welcome back Sarah, there was something awhile back I was going to ask you but it was so long ago I fogot what it was..
any how glad your safe and sound and looking forward to hearing all about the adventure...don't leave out any boat stuff!..lol.
Bill