Notes From the Gulf of Mexico

Motor Mounts... Volume I

Last Sunday Capt. Ron called me in Tucson and informed me that the motor mounts on Star of Orion were shot...  Bummer.

So Monday morning, I was on the phone and got some ordered from Clearwater, FL.  They were overnighted and came in on Tuesday afternoon.  Today Capt. Ron is bustin' his knuckles on all the hard parts and replacing them.

Yep.  We had to cancel some charters, and I've got some on standby, but I'm sure all will be well soon.  Even better than ever.  I'll keep you posted on how things are going.

You can continue to call and get your reservations in and I'll talk with you on the phone about the progress.

Just call the 800 number and Capt. Ron or I will get your information.  At this time, I'm in Desert Hot Springs, CA and will be driving to Phoenix on Thursday to fly back to Florida on Friday.

The number is 800-975-5824 and choose option #1.

Sailing in Fort Myers Beach.  I'm ready.  The desert is dry and I miss the sea.

By the way, my Dad is doing great.  It's good to see that he is living life well at 87 and is a lot better off than what I expected to see when I got here.  Thanks for all your thoughts.

I'll see you on the dock...

Capt. Paul

Tucson, AZ

Well there's a lot of beach here, but there's no ocean.  The dew point is 12 degrees and it's dry, dry, dry.

I'm here helping my wife Pat with a Garlic show at the 4th Ave. Street Fair.  It's always a good, fun festival. I started working this show in 1984 doing street shows in the intersections, and did so until the early 90's.  Then corporate money got involved and wanted us street performers to pay to pass our hats. Hmmmmmm, not something I wanted to do.  BUT it's a great show even to this day.  Funky and fun. It's Tucson, AZ

On Monday, I'm heading to Desert Hot Springs CA to visit with my 87 year old Dad.  He's had some health issues and I don't get to see him as much as I want to, so it will be a wonderful few days with him.  He's a great guy.  Got me started in boating with a 16 foot row boat with a 7 horsepower motor. It took 3 people to run that boat, one to steer the engine, one to sit in the bow to keep the nose down because it didn't plane and the third with a coffee can bailing as fast as he could to keep her afloat. He paid a dollar from a friend of his at work with boat, motor and trailer.  We took her to Balboa Bay in CA plenty of times.  Puff was a good ol' boat.

For that I will be eternally thankful.  Thanks Dad.  I love you for it.

Then it's back to FL for a couple of multi day charters coming up... 

Here's a shot of Maggie enjoying a day at sea. Now there's a dog that loves to sail. Most of you that have sailed with me know Maggie. She's a special little pooch that keeps us all company. My little girl. Star of Orion is staying pretty busy these days.  Capt. Ron is on the helm as we speak and keeping her healthy and happy as well as taking you guys out to sea.

So let's go sailing, I'll meet you on the dock...  Sailing in Fort Myers Beach.

Remember, you can click on a photo to bring up the larger photo in a new window.

Capt. Paul

The Best Question of the Year...

Man I love this business...  Chartering in Southern Florida is incredible. I have the chance to visit with some of the most amazing people in the world. From Al walks of life and from every country you can think of.  We have a short time together, so we learn about each other fast. We play, we bond and we enjoy what life has to offer us at the moment. It's a common bond that we all have and the sea is the glue that brings us together.

Yet every once and a while, I have to laugh and don't get me wrong, I laugh a lot. Not at a person, but at situations. I answer a ton of questions and I offer suggestions about sailing, destinations, and even how to live a life like I do, but I got a question the other day that I didn't quite know how to answer...

So I get a call.  They want a sunset sail.  Pretty easy so far. At this time of year, the sun is setting at around 7:35 p.m. So I leave the dock at 6:00 p.m. and return at 8:30 p.m. It gives us a chance to catch the sunset and then sail back in and be back at the dock at dark. The full transition.

Here's the question... "Can we have an earlier sunset trip so we are not out so late?" Hmmm  now let me think about this...  I was about ready to call my friends and apologize to them about making the sun go down at 6:35 p.m. instead of 7:35 p.m., but then I figured that wasn't going to work.

I didn't know how to make the trip work to catch the sunset and get in earlier.

Ok. It just struck me funny. Maybe it was me, but it was the question of the year and I had to share it with you.

Oh yea, last night there was a shuttle launch.  I forgot about it until I noticed a gold ball in the sky, on the way back in and then it started to move...  It then began to have a vapor trail. There it was. We got to see the shuttle launch from the water at Fort Myers Beach. Now I'm not sure the full distance, but it has to be about 250 miles away, by the way the crow flies. It was incredible. We saw the vapor trail, the separation and then the small little light, looked like a star, slipping out of our world. I was truly spectacular.

So we've seen jumping spotted rays, sea turtles and dolphins in the last couple of days and I'm enjoying life as it surrounds me. You should be here. Sailing in Fort Myers Beach is one of the best experiences that you can do for yourself and your family.  Call me soon.

Star of Orion is enjoying her time on the sea and you can too.

See you on the Dock...

Capt. Paul

Click to see where I'm at recently.

Click to view videos.

Things Sure Change In a Hurry...

Boy my list was so perfect.  I blocked out the time to get it all done.  Then the work began.

Fuel filters went smooth quick change with no leaks after bleeding.  Engine ran great.  But while I was back there in the far reaches of the engine, I see this clamp.  This rusty ol' clamp.  No problem.  Just change it.

Well an hour later, I have the clamp in my hand and now things are dripping, so quick, put the new one on.  Well I had to do it one handed in the dark, threading the new one and turning the screw at the same time.  All is well now.  New clamp, no drip.  Yep, all is well.

But I only had time to change the 2 fuel filters and change the oil and filter.  Everything else will be done as the week progresses, between sails.

Star of Orion is happy though.  She purring like a kitten and she really does like fresh fuel.

See you on the Dock...

Capt. Paul

Click to see where I'm at.

Click to watch videos.

March is Rockin'

March's weather here in Fort Myers Beach is amazing. We have been in a nice 7 day window that is keeping the winds in the mid teens and the seas quite.  Perfect sailing weather. I should be in Key West or the Dry Tortugas or...  BUT I can't complain.  I'm sailing everyday, meeting great people and getting paid for what I'd do for free. Life is truly good and I don't expect it to change.

As for Star of Orion, she's shut down today for general maintenance and cleaning. Her bottom was just cleaned by Capt. Glen of Calypso. He's my diver and goes down every 3 weeks to keep her running smoothly and fast. Seems that she'll have to be pulled out of the water in a few months to have another coat or two of bottom paint put on.  She's due. It's been a couple of years now and I like to maintain than repair so on the hard she'll go for a couple of days to make her pretty down there again.

I've got some nice overnight adventures coming up...  Now here's a nice package that someone came up with...  Jump on Star of Orion for a half day sail, noon to 5, and then I take you around town on my Tuk-Tuk.  We'll hit bars, restaurants and have a sunset on Bowditch Point.  Then back to Star of Orion to spend the night.  I'll cook breakfast in the morning and off you go.  Check out is at 9:30 a.m.  A boat, land and breakfast adventure.  I like it.  Give me a call and I'll set you up for one.  Simple easy and a lot of fun.

Then a part of 4 for the Cabbage Key package. It will be nice to head up there again. It's been a while for me.

This is what our water is looking like a little off shore lately...   

Nice color and great sailing.

Then a party of 3 for a 3 day sail to Pelican Bay / Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key. I'll have a 10 year old boy onboard that has a passion for sailing. I'm looking forward to that one. There all fun, so what's not to look forward to.

So if you find yourself heading to Florida, call me. Let me put together a package for you and your guests.  Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico is fun. Sailing if Fort Myers Beach is wonderful.

Capt. Ron and I are looking forward to sailing with you.  Many of our regular clients are bringing back their guests time after time.  For that we are truly thankful.  We always tell them we will keep their boat clean, maintained, insured and ready to go.  And that we do.  So make Star of Orion your vessel too.

Now I've got to get down to the dock and get some work done.  Today oil change, transmission fluid change, fuel filter changes, clean the bilges, check hoses, clamps belts and electrical connections, rewire an arch light, clean Marsha and general cleaning.  So off to work I go.

I'll wait for you on the dock...

Capt. Paul

Click to see where I am lately.

Click to view videos.