Catboat Association turned 50 this year as did Marshall Marine
Just skimming along with a NE 10-12 knot breeze
Looking at the bright side
End of a great day in the South
Just came in from my third sail this week, weather is beautiful but a mild cold front is just around the bend. Getting used to the new Catboat "PUFFIN", she sails like a dream and she is all gigged up for racing, something that is totally new to me. I like most of the innovations, some are yet to prove their value.
I want to give a shout out to my buddies at Beaton's, what a disaster, I have new news and hopefully many pictures to post in the next day or two. All I can say is, that what once was, will never be quite the same. I feel for all the boat owners, worker's and the Beaton family. I have also heard that my beloved Sea Girt was one of the towns that incurred a great deal of damage, my home for all my childhood and some of my adult life. To Marie Darling, this too shall pass, glad that you are well again. I think about you often and have great empathy for what you and your family are experiencing in the wake of Sandy. Take Care, God Bless.
Yesterday I launched my Flats Boat, tomorrow the Catboat goes in, hope to be fishing or sailing this weekend.
You can see by the pictures of the Fats Boat the wind has now subsided and the Bay is getting back to normal after a visit from Sandy. Three days ago for comparison sake, you can see what the Bay looked like in 50 MPH winds. The craft out on the rough Bay is a commercial Stone Crabber, checking his pots.
Wishing everyone who lives on the East Coast and who was affected by Sandy, best wishes. Stay Safe!
Flats Boat at the ready, Bay is like a lake
Three days ago these Stone Crabbers were in some rough Bay conditions
By contrast, this is the same Bay that you saw in the pictures of the Flats Boat.
Last year the UKSC hosted it's first Catboat Rendezvous, with the event attracting Catboats from as far away as Michigan. There were several classes, ranging from 15' Sandpipers to 30' Nonsuch Cats. This year we are expecting a larger fleet of boats to participate in a three day event which will include cruising the Florida Bay, a day of racing and a sail on Blackwater Sound. The majority of the fleet were Marshall Sanderlings, an 18' Cat, that has gained in popularity and numbers over the past few years.
All are invited to attend an event that was very successful last year! Contact information is included on the Flyer.
On Monday, as planned, I met Baydog at the State Marina in Forked river. Our plan was to take a leisurely sail on the Barnegat bay in the morning and return early in the afternoon so we could meet other obligations in the afternoon. After dealing with a dead battery, with help from a battery pack, we headed out to the Bay via Forked River. Since I used to come up this river frequently, many moons ago, I was surprised by the development that has taken place, actually I didn't even recognize the River until we got to the mouth of it where development hasn't taken place.
As we were motoring East on the River it became apparent that the wind was blowing NW at about 10 - 15 Mph with gusts around 20. Deciding that we would rather have a relaxed sail and not to have to hang on, we opted just to fly the Jib. As it turned out our judgement was justified and Baydog, Hazel and me had a great sail on this brisk September morning.
Prior to this sail, I never had the chance to talk at length with Baydog about any particular subject, but now with a captive audience, I was able to learn many aspects of Baydog's life. Looking back, there were not many subjects that were not breached. It was quite interesting, we talked food, families, our childhood years, pets, the changes that have taken place on the Bay, virtually, almost everything about our lives was touched.
After a lunch of fine sandwiches and homemade pickles, provided by my host, we decided to come about and head back to the dock, before the afternoon sun was too low in the sky. We arrived back at the dock about 2:30, more than enough time to let us both have time to attend to other chores before the sun set.
I brought my camera but like Bay Rhumb, the battery was exhausted so I had to turn to my GoPro to record some of the day aboard Bay Ruhmb. Some of the video might seem a bit tedious to you, but I could not get over the changes that have taken place on a quiet river that I spent many days and nights as a small child and young adult. You can see Forked River at it's best or worse, however you think it has become.
When we visit any city or country for the first time, Fran and I always search out the nearest or best Market. Here is what we found in Barcelona! Pictures tell a far better story than I can.
Well, Frannie and I are back from our trip to Europe, it was a great experience but we are exhausted. Here is a tease for you until I am able to put together a slide show of pictures that best represent our trip.
