2010 trip?...

steve&penny · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 25 Location: tampa, florida

is anyone thinking about a 2010 trip... ???

Lowell Carrington · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:54 pm Post subject: 2010 Trip

Just a couple of thoughts for a 2010 trip. I have been to Bimini 3 times. Last year we found out that most of the restaurants were closed. I guess they are experiencing hard times to.

The Chesapeake Bay is a very interesting sailing location. There are many small towns along the southern bay. Tangier Island, where old english is still spoken, is one of my favorite stops. There is a great ramp and marina in Crisfield, MD to launch from that puts you in the middle of the bay across from Tangier. If you look at a map of the southern bay you will see many towns that are interesting to visit. There is the Chesapeake Bay bridge that is 15 miles across. Norfolk has great marinas and waterfront sites including the Naval Shipyard. You can sail up the James River and visit the mothball fleet near Williamsburg. The fishing is great to.

I have sailed the bay for many years and would be glad to answer questions. Sorry, but I am only sailed the southern part.

Lowell Carrington · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:26 pm Post subject:

How about the Bahamas? Any members interested in a trip to Bimini or the Grand Bahamas Island in May or June? I have been to Bimini 3 times but never to the big island.

Rick26S · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Cape Coral, FL

Wow, I just noticed their are over 300 registered users now. You'd think we could generate a little interest in getting a group together for a trip this summer or fall.
I only have a week of vacation time to spare, so the Bahamas are off the table for me. Same goes for a long drive to a sailing destination (like Chesapeake Bay or the North Channel). Does anybody have any other suggestions? There's lots to do and see right here in SW Florida, from Crystal River all the way to Marco Island. Put in your ideas. Let's talk!

Rick
Mac 26S
Mental Floss

steve&penny · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 25 Location: tampa, florida

rick.....

penny and i are planning on bringing our mac down your way early this summer.... we are thinking about gunk holeing in and around cayo costa.
what do you know about launching at the marina on pine island?
thanks in advance,
steve (as in steve&penny)

Rick26S · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Cape Coral, FL

Hi Steve,

Launch at the Bokeelia ramp. It's on Barrancas Rd. about 5 blocks east of Stringfellow Rd. It used to be a real dive, but the county just spent six months renovating it and it's nice now. I think it's $10 day for parking. You'll have to follow the canals out to the pass into Charlotte Harbor, but that's a piece of cake.
When do you expect to be in this area? Maybe we can meet up. Cayo Costa is one of our favorite destinations.

Rick

steve&penny · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 25 Location: tampa, florida

rick.....

feel free to email me at - piratesteve26x@aol.com

we can write back & forth without overloading the forum......
penny and i just came back from fort myers and stop by a marina
located on pine island that looked real nice.... new ramp... nice facilities
and long term parking.... the ramp you were talking about.... is it a
country park/ramp? city? private? ..... we are thinking about coming
down late april - early may .... want to make the trip before school lets
out.... (i hate kids, not really but you know what i mean)......
penny says that jimmy buffet uses a line in a song "mental floss" is that where your boat name came from?.... we named our boat "heard the call"
from the song "a pirate looks at 40".... anyway... like i said... feel free to
email me....
seeya,
steve

Dave Barnicoat · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Cape Coral

Rick,
Sorry we missed you and Linda on the recent WCTSS cruise to Cayo Costa. Hope the new Trailer works for you.
Here is pictures of the 3 day cruise.

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x25/dbarni/

Bokeelia ramp is only good for max. 2.2 draft at low tide, ramp falls down after that and may need 4x4 to pull out. Other than that has double loading and 45 parking spaces at $10 a day.

Dave

Dave Barnicoat · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Cape Coral

Are you talking about walking the Line?
Were did you Cruise in my Back Country? What ramp did you use in Pine Island?
Dave

steve&penny · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 25 Location: tampa, florida

dave,

penny and i haven't made it down yet..... plan on a week long trip late april or earyl may..... our plans right now are to launch from pine island.
and gunk hole in/around cayo costa..... would like to meet other conch cruisers in the area ..... oh, loved the photos .... thanks for posting
steve
"heard the call"

Rick26S · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Cape Coral, FL

Dave,

We talked about going to Cayo Costa, but we would have had to sail from Cape Coral, since I don't have a trailer right now. I looked at the weather and saw predicted 20-25 MPH winds from the south-southeast on Sunday. The last thing I wanted to do was slog into that for 20+ miles. No thanks. So we stayed home. I wanted to do the thing this weekend too, but my sister and her family are supposed to arrive Saturday from Wisconsin, so that's off now. We will be out for a daysail on Sunday. Probably around Sanibel or Ft. Myers Beach.
I lauched at the new Bokeelia ramp a few weeks ago. No problems, even at low tide.

Rick

Dave Barnicoat · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Cape Coral

Rick, I got hammered in winds of 25 knots gusting to 32 knots at shell Island returning from Cayo Costa.
Getting to the Cape Coral Ramp took 2 tries with 3 ft. seas on our tail.
The winds picked up rapid from 12 knots to 25 knots in 15 min.
We got help from 2 people on dock to handle lines and all fenders out. we had manage to haul out with no damage.
Maybe will see you next trip.
How is your new Trailor?
Dave

Rick26S · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Cape Coral, FL

Dave,
That doesn't sound like much fun. I'm glad I didn't go.
The new trailer is done except for mounting the fenders. I want to get the boat on it so I can see how much it will drop. Maybe next week.

Ric

steve&penny · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 25 Location: tampa, florida

rick/dave.....

looks like penny and i will be down towards the end of May... but not to include the weekend of menorial day, don't know about your area but up here the ramps are full and the people are too (if you know what i mean)
one day i'm going to sell a t.v. show to a network showing people trying to dock a boat after drinking all day....
steve
"heard the call"

Rick26S · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Cape Coral, FL

Sounds good.

I always enjoy a crowded boat ramp (when I'm not trying to use it).

Some of the best entertainment around is watching dumb people trying to launch and retrieve their boats. Did you ever see the video that MacGregor made, touting the ease of launching their boats. It's hilarious.

Rick