Notes From the Gulf of Mexico

Sorry, It's Been Busy...

Hey! I'm still here. For those of you that have written me in concern for me, my life and the well being of Panacea... Thanks. It's been kind of a whirl wind around here and I haven't had a chance to sit in front of a computer and put down my thoughts on the situation and get you updated.

First of all, all is going well in putting the pieces back together again. The rigging is done. The transmission is in. The shaft has been re-worked. The PSS shaft seal has been replaced. The packing gland "Thingy" on the rudder post, you know the one that keeps the water out has been replaces with new heavy duty clamps. The ding in the rudder has been repaired.

PANACEA IS NOW BACK IN THE WATER! The initial sea trial went just fine and she is going on a 10 hour charter tomorrow. We'll put her through the paces and make sure all is well during that time.

This coming week she will get new main sail furling and in a week or so, she will get two new solar panels. Then I'm done. I'll be out of money, so get yourself down here and enjoy the ride.

For those of you looking at the Availability Calendar, you can see that time is booking up fast. We have some small sails coming up and may have room for you on a Half Day Adventure or a Sunset Celebration Sail, so call as soon as you can to get onboard.

We also have a 5 day cruise coming up to Key West and back as well as an 8 day cruise doing the Key West, Marathon Loop. Then a 5 Day Dry Tortuga Trip, so a sailing we will be...

ALSO I may as well remind you that as of December 1st 2011 we will start running Half Day Adventures (4 hour charters) and Sunset Celebrations (2.5 hour sunset charters on a daily basis out of Salty Sam's Marina.

Call me now for information. We are very excited to be offering live music & magic, fresh fruit and free souvenirs on all of our charters.

As always bottled water is free and if you're lucky, we'll have some mixed nuts. I mean that in the kindest way, so no one take offense.

 

 

Panacea is a 43 foot Endeavor. She has over 40,000 miles of sailing under her keel and has a lot more left. You will enjoy an offshore cruising experience and feel the magic of the sea and wind. She is a stable and comfortable ride. Almost 50 feet overall with 6' 7" headroom thru out her entire cabin. Two restrooms and a large 14 feet wide. It's amazing to feel 17 tons of boat push through the Gulf of Mexico.

We are also a full service destination. If you want to know about restaurants, entertainment, where to go or what to see while you are in Fort Myers Beach, give me a call. If there is anything I can do to make your stay on our beautiful island more pleasurable, just call and give me a chance to help you out.

You are never alone when you deal with us, unless you want to be.

Thanks again for checking in with me and I hope to be sailing with you soon.

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

  

 

 

Working Hard... Working Hard.

It's been quite a week for Panacea.

I know I need to send you some updates and tomorrow night, I'll be letting you see some of the progress that has been made this week.

New paint, rigging, rudder seal, re-work on the shaft, new seals in the transmission, new main seal on the engine, hull has been waxed and we should be ready to splash tomorrow or Friday at the latest.

It's been quite a ride and I'm looking forward to having new roller furling for the main put on next Wednesday. That means the sail has to be taken off on Monday to be re-worked with #6 luff tape instead of the #8 that's on there now... Whew! But Cool!

In any case, the phone is open, calls are coming in and charters are booking. A very busy spring. I'm thankful and grateful.

Check back in a day or two and I'll have the photos and details of the last week posted here.

Check the "Availability Calendar" on the front page of the website, then give me a call soon.

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

  

 

The Project Continues - On Island Time

 

There comes times where I forget where I live. I live on an island. I have charters coming up and Panacea is, all of a sudden in an interesting "re-fit' mode. Not a full blown re-fit, it's just when the dominos fall sometimes one thing follows another and another and so forth.

I have a rigger working on replacing the rigging on the mizen mast that got broken and I have a diesel man working hard, as well as a yard crew doing a bottom job and a charter that is on hold until the work is done. I guess sometimes things just happen.

You can click on the photos to get an enlarged picture in a new window.

In my last blog entry, there was a little accident that happened that caused me to go to another yard. I will be taken care of very well there. They are fitting me into their schedule and are doing fantastic work. I was sent to the right place. I'll use them again.

Those Angels that I have are working overtime. I always wonder if I'll get to meet them someday and tell them thanks for all their help and apologize for making them work so hard. They must have a crew working together sometimes to keep me out of trouble.

As you can see by the photos, Panacea is blocked well and they are sanding as of today. They have three quarters of her bottom sanded and have some blisters to fill. Once that is done then they'll re-sand and start painting. They say I should be ready to splash on Wednesday. Now that's what the yard guys say.

As for the diesel guy... He started out pulling the transmission out to fix a leaky seal. Then he found a small leak in the main seal and we decided since the transmission is out it's a good time to go just a bit further and fix that seal. When the shaft was disconnected the end needed some work so we decided to take the shaft out. Once the shaft was being pulled the rudder was in the way, so the rudder had to be removed. When the rudder was being checked out to be removed, it was noticed that the packing gland may as well be replaced. What the hell a good time to do it at this point.

GOOD NEWS! The transmission was pulled, new stuff put in, bench tested and ran for an hour. All is well!

The riggers pulled the pad eye's that were stressed and broken and filled the holes with epoxy and once sanded, the new holes will be drilled and new pad eyes will be in place to replace the standing rigging that got snapped when Panacea was bounced in the sling. It's all looking good.

It's Friday night and the work has stopped for the weekend, so I'll re-do my list and prioritize it so when Monday rolls along, I'll be able to make the right phone calls, in the right order and talk to the right people and move this project along. Everyone is working with me. I'm a blessed man to have the team that I have and am Grateful every moment. Thanks.

Here's just a reminder:  The phone is still connected and I'm taking reservations for sailing dates. Sailing in Fort Myers Beach is amazing this year. The weather is in a zone that I haven't seen in years. Sure we need some rain, but at the moment, and for the past few weeks and the week or so to come, the winds are good, seas are calm and sailing on the Gulf of Mexico it at the top of it's game for the season.

I also want to say thanks to all of you that drop me emails. You are giving me some great ideas and I'll be introducing some new sailing packages in the near future. You can use the link below to leave comments on this page too, so others can chime in and get discussions going. It's up to you, but it would be nice.

In any case, check the Availability Calendar on the front page of the website. Pick a date and give me a call. I'm here for you.

 

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

  

 

Killing Time This Week

Or "Panacea is on the hard, freshening up." 

Ok... Here's the story of what's been going on since last Friday... It started out as a normal day with winds from the NE at 20+. Alex and I were getting Panacea ready to take to the yard to pull her out of the water. It was time to put some new bottom paint on before the trips that were coming up and it would be nice to pick up a knot or two.

You know sometimes, well all of the time I feel that Angels watch over us and help us along the road or seas. All we have to do is listen and take a action. First we were sailing in the slip with all the wind trying to make a high tide appointment at 2:30 p.m. We were delayed with a 125 footer blocking the fairway so I called the yard to tell them that we were going to be 15 or 20 minutes late. 

They told us that the wind was high and wondered if I wanted to wait till Monday since I had a very small turning basin and had to back into the lift.  I conversed with Alex and John on the dock, as they were retying Panacea. I decided to push on and take the appointment.

Second, once the fairway was clear I worked out the details in my head on how to pull out and said ok, let's go.  We were just getting ready to cast off and when I put her in reverse, nothing... Forward, nothing... I told them to stand by, cut the engine and went below to check the linkage. It was disconnected. No problem. I hooked it back up and once again we were casting off.

We got to the yard, which was just a few minutes away, realized that since I was backing in that we needed to take the back stays off the davits so they would not hit the lift. Once that was done, I spun her around and backed into the slip with the lift. Once they caught us and worked us in, we were strapped and we got off the boat.

We were watching her being lifted and Alex said he didn't like the way the strap was placed forward on the iBeam. We both knew that they knew what they were doing and so let them do what they do. Not more than 2 minutes later, they lowered the stern a bit and the strap jumped from the center of the iBeam to the back dropping Panacea about 4 feet, landing in the sling, sliding her back and pushing the mizen mast against the lift. Of course the other back stays were in the way, but with 17 tons of boat, they didn't have a chance.

You can click on a photo to enlarge it in a new window.

The lift was rocking back in forth so badly that the tires were lifting 2 feet off the ground. We saw all of this over our shoulders as we were running away to get clear in cast the whole thing went down.

It was a heart dropping experience. The owner of the yard said he blew a seal and sent me to another yard to be pulled. Of course it was too late for Friday so Panacea sat on their dock until Monday when she was pulled, pressure washed and blocked. She dried out today and tomorrow she is going start the sanding process and have some blisters repaired.

I have the riggers getting the parts together to replace a couple of stays and plates. While she is up I'm having a Perkins guy come in and pull the transmission out to fix a seal. May as well change a couple of hoses while I'm at it and I'm going to install a new electric head in the aft cabin.

A couple of port lights were cracked in the accident so they will be ordered and replaced when they come in.

Within the next couple of weeks I'll be replacing the roller furling on the main sail and shoot I think I'm going to put on a couple of solar panels to keep the batteries charged while on the hook in the Dry Tortugas. I've got a couple of trips heading down there the first of May as well as Key West.

So when you hear those Angels and there are road blocks put up, pay attention. I know I'm going to listen in the future. How many times do I have to learn this lesson. We're here to learn you know.

So lots of work going on. Panacea is glowing from all angles. She's an exciting vessel to sail on. She looks like a duck out of water on the hard. Boats are meant to be cradled by water not a few sticks. All of this work is important to make her better than she is right now. I Love her a lot and I'm excited to share the cruising experience with anyone that wants to feel what it's like to cast off those lines and play on the sea for a few days.

I'll continue to keep you updated on her progress and drop some photos here so you can see how wonderful she is.

Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico is a fun way to spend a day or two on the water. Remember when you are this far south, you will want to go sailing in Fort Myers Beach. There is so much to see and enjoy. I can promise you that you will have a great time and we are looking forward to showing you our neck of the sea.

Look online at the Availability Calendar to see if I have some dates open for you, then call me so we can talk in real time and get the planning of your trip scheduled. 1-888-582-9046.

You will come as new friends, but after you spend some time, you will leave as family. We cherish our sailing family which means you'll be back... Again and again.

If you live here in Fort Myers, remember you can use my boat like your own. I have some special packages. You let me know when you want to go out. I'll keep your 43 foot sailing vessel, clean, safe and ready to go at the ring of a phone.

Thank you all for all of your support.

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

  

 

Early Sailing With Jimmy

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