February 28, 2011
It's hard to believe that Pat's Birthday has come and gone, and yet it took a while to celebrate. We started a week or so ago and it took us from Fort Myers Beach, FL to Myrtle Beach, SC. I loved it all we toasted, we laughed, we played, we sailed, we just enjoyed friends and family. It was all good. I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Now I'm typing this on a 737 heading south. A few moments ago, I was using the head and trying to keep my balance reminding myself that I need a sign in the heads on Panacea that read, "The Captain Requires All Passengers Take a Seat." My bad. But I clean too, so it wasn't too bad.
When I got back to my seat, I popped on some Jimmy Buffett on the iPod and settled into thinking of sandy beaches and warm sunsets on the hook. II think I dosed a bit and when I cam back to a conscious state, I was thinking about my old friend Jimmy Thomas. My best friend in high school and through a good part of my adult life. I just saw him last June at my Dad's memorial in California. I miss that guy and need to re-connect. That will be done this year. It's a good goal.
Anyway, I remember a time where Jimmy and I took my 26 foot, (well it was really 23, but 26 was the overall with bow sprit), McGregger cutter rigged, retractable, trailerable boat. Her name was Undine and we sailed great and bounced like a cork. She was light and carried some sail.
Jimmy and I decided to take a Pacific crossing well, l a trip from Long Beach CA to Catalina Island. I checked the charts, after I bought one and made sure the compass was correct. This was a big jump for me. I was a coastal sailor and considered this an open ocean crossing. I mean it was 27 miles to Catalina and my first time across the "pond." What did I know, it was the early 70's and I'd been sailing on lakes for the past 3 years or so. This was the first big jump.
We slipped Undine off the trailer at 3:00 a.m. and headed out around 4:30 a.m. and went right into the fog. Right into the shipping lane. Sure we could hear the big tankers, but I couldn't see my bow. Not really a good position to be in but I was on a mission to conquer an ocean. I had a radar reflector and a bell and all the confidence in the world… What fun.
The sun popped out late morning and we were out there and still couldn't see Catalina. The fog bank was still out to the West and the island was beyond our view. I kept an eye on my compass and shot a bit north so, just in case, we would hit the North end of the island and could just follow the coast down to Avalon. That's just what happened.
We pulled into Avalon a couple hours before sunset and there was no room on the moorings so we went outside and decided to anchor. My Danforth didn't want to hold, so I decided to use my Dad's fishing anchor... It was a rubber boot filled with cement with an eye bolt in the top. To tell you the truth, that anchor stayed with me for many years. It just worked when others didn't sure we dragged a bit that night , but we'd had enough to drink on the island that we slept through it all.
Next morning we headed back to Long beach with a great wind and moderate seas. Jimmy got fried in the sun. He's a red head and slept on the uncovered cockpit bench until I noticed the top of his feet looking like lobster. All in all a great trip.
The feeling of making that first crossing was the most amazing thing in the world. I guess I'll never forget it.
So here I am, 3 boats later, thousands of miles of water have crossed under my keel, and the thrill of just heading out for the day or two or three gives me that feeling of things to conquer. Every, and I mean every boating trip is filled with wonder and challenges. I wouldn't have it any other way. Sure I've learned to take things as they come. Just one thing at a time and keep them in a prioritized list. Most important keep the water out of the boat, make sure the bilge pump is working and keep your feet dry. The rest will fall into place.
Come play in the sun with me. Panacea is an amazing sailing vessel and we will create memories together. They're all good. Stories that are made get so much better with time. I wouldn't trade these memories of travels, cruises, day sails, races, good, and tough for anything in the world. I learned from them all. The experiences and the people involved were all my master teachers so for that I will be forever grateful.
There are so much more memories to create. I want you to help me out with them. So I've put up some great specials this season. Look for the link on the front page of the website. It will bring up a window with the information. Contact me and lets get out there on the water and created some memories together. I didn't know what to call these specials, so I guess it's just a "Sail Sale." They will be up soon.
Sailing in Fort Myers Beach and sailing on the Gulf of Mexico will be the place to be when you come to visit our neck of the sea.
Go to the contact page, shoot me an email or give me a call and we'll put something together. BUT call quick! The season is here and we are booking overnight sails and adventures now. It's a first come first serve situation, so call now to get a shot of the dates you want.
Remember: Coming Soon! - Half Day Adventures, Sunset Celebration Sails & Full Moon Voyages. Call now for information.
I'll see you on the dock...
Capt. Paul
FantaSea Sailing
"Sailing the Sun Coast of Florida to the Keys"
623-203-2698 Nationwide Direct
888-582-9046 Toll Free
CaptPaul@FantaSeaSailing.com
http://www.FantaSeaSailing.com
Member:
Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce
N.A.C.O. National Association of Charterboat Operators
Sailing in Fort Myers Beach • Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico • Sailing in Florida
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