The West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron is a group of Florida sailors who like to gather in different locations to camp out on small boats. I have been aware of the group for several years, but have never made it to one of their cruises. At the … [Read more...]
Sailboat Cruising
Cruising in a sailboat... Unique challenges, unique fun
Hunter 376 Sailboat Delivery
The delivery sail crew Brief cruise from Charlotte Harbor through the Florida Keys and up to Miami Working at a SW Florida yacht brokerage, the opportunity occasionally arises to deliver a recently purchased boat to a new location, and in … [Read more...]
Adventures With A Cruising Spinnaker on an Island Packet
When you go to test a new sail, use your binoculars to take a close look at the parts up top. We would have had a much better trip back from the Bahamas if we had taken a little time to test the spinnaker and observe how it was rigged. In the late … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 11: Another Crossing From He**, and Home
Was that jet doing aerobatics, or what?Our last sunset of the cruise was really spectacular, and I took several pictures. Part 11: Oct. 25-26, 2006The Trip Home: We Decide To Make A Run For It Our plan evolved once again in response to the … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 10: The Weather Changes Our Plans Yet Again
Part Ten: Oct. 24, 2006 Carabelle, Not Carabelle, Cedar Key, Not Cedar Key Morning coffee was enhanced by aromas from the galley of toast frying in butter, to be topped with the last remaining avocado I had brought from home, which was slightly … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 9: To Carabelle We Go
We passed many friendly boaters on our trips along the inland route. Nicki the Navigator has found her sea legs and is enjoying the trip. Part Nine: Oct. 23, 2006 Cold Weather, Even in Florida I woke up around 6 am and it was COLD! Made … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 8: A Relaxing Day in Port St. Joe
The marina's breakwater was a popular fishing spot. These "fish havens" are sprinkled around on the bottom of the bay around Port St. Joe, making it a fine fishing spot. Part Eight: Oct. 22, 2006 A Day In St. Joe Marina With not much going on, … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 7: We Make Port St. Joe
A heron taking flight A pine clings to the bank for dear life Winner of the junky boat contest — and there were a lot of entries on this trip! It was rough and crudely built, but this makeshift gangway did its job. Part Seven: Oct. 21, … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 6: To White City and the Alligator Hunters
Apalachicola is prettier from out in the river than it is up close. A sunken sailboat at the city marina. The spate of hurricanes turned a lot of docks into just pilings. Many have still not been repaired or replaced. A barge … [Read more...]
Cruising Florida’s Panhandle — Part 5: Kayaking in the Bayou, Repairing the Boom Vang
Anchored sailboats at dawn in Scipio Creek Sunken and derelict commercial fishing boats were a common sight along the waterway. A cypress appears to be levitating above the water. It was actually bolted to a piling, and had a bird house for … [Read more...]
