GAM at Eau Gallie

[Marlene A. Sassaman]

This week-ends' GAM sponsored by the 7 Seas Cruising Association had a mediocre attendance. The two GAMS I attended during the past 4 or 5 years had many more attendees, vendors and speakers/seminars. Guess everyone's budgets are low. Or, perhaps, it's just the same old thing.

 On the one hand cruising, with all its technological/electronic gadgets, has made sailing safer. Perhaps, for some it has lost its appeal.  Certainly the median age is within the realm of being considered another pacemakers club. The local yacht clubs can attest to that. Rarely is someone younger than 40 spotted amongst the crowd. For an aging widow this is disappointing.

Other than that Lee ____________ weather seminar promises to be informative. Although at today's general introduction to the more in depth course being offered tomorrow morning, he spoke so fast it seemed more of a review for those in the know than an overview for us neophytes. It was inspiring though as I raced home this evening to check out the new graphics on the National Weather Service's website. Lee also convinced me to start keeping a daily weather chart of my own; always looking for the 96 hour forecast. Never put to sea without knowing the forecast for the next four days. That I have in my brain.

 

Also, for my offshore run to and from New York Harbor this coming June, I promise to go outside only with wave heights predicted to be 3 - 4 feet and winds up to 15. Afterall Lee drove home the possibility that despite the best forecasting available conditions could always move into deeper troughs with higher winds. So, with a sail safe motto, I continue to learn and continue to make modifications to my Marples 35. I'll save those for another entry.

 

Happy days,