June 2010 Blog Posts (14)

Well, as we waited, the oil from the oil rig disaster hit the barrier islands off the gulf coast then, migrated inside and close to our harbors and wetlands. It is a sad week, and it will take years for this to resolve itself. The sailing/boating has come to a stop...as all our boats are boomed in the harbors,,,Many thanks for our Federal Government who really messed this up...., and it dosen't matter conserative or liberal, the damage is done because of in action by the folks… Continue

How many times have you been so mad at someone that you swore you would never sail with them again? If you've sailed with half as many people as I have then you know what I am talking about. Although there is one man who I believe I will never sail with again. Sorry folks but his idea dwelled on the disgusting side. Other than that there are probably a handful who I would prefer not to sail with and certainly do not encourage our sailing together.

Then, there are those select…

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Ever wonder why we do what we do?? Boating that is, for me it the "rush" every time I can get the rail in the water on a broad reach..or trimming the sails to get that last half knot going to windward. And there are the times when things happen that you have no control over at all, like "lighting strikes". A couple of weeks ago, not sure when, lighting hit something near the harbor, and we all walked around saying "sure glad that didn't hit me", well wouldn't you know many of us were…

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After growing up in the Western Med and taking the time to cruise the area extensively, I realized I always end up recommending the same favorite waypoints to fellow cruisers. Most of them are not even on guides but were recommended to us by others. Others we simply stumbled upon. Now I am sharing my list with you below (click on the coordinates for a map view). If you are in the… Continue

Does anybody know that dangers the oil in the Gulf of Mexico presents to sailing?

1. Will it damage my hull, or paint?

2. Will it clog my engine cooling water intake?

3. Will it burn out my AC?

4. what is the best defense? Should I take the boat out of the water for the rest of the year? Or maybe take it up a river and moor it in the river?

What says you?

DJ

You probably have all heard the time analogy that goes something like this: when counting down to the start of an olympic race, five seconds can seem like an eternity; when you are 5 years old your birthday takes a lifetime to arrive. When you are in your sixties, holidays come around quickly. Similarly, I have learned eight weeks of vacation goes a whole lot faster than eight weeks at the office. Not that I am complaining rather I am just feeling like my summer at home is whizzing by. No…

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What a day for sailing,,,the wind was really honkin at two knots with gusts to four, boat was flying at 1.5 knots,,,,What a Rush,,,LOL,LOL, and did I mention it was "hot"....but....Any day on the water is a great day.....

If you haven't visited my Examiner articles lately, and you like big boat racing photos, check out my articles on the Louis Vuitton Trohhy matches in Sardinia on America's Cup Class boats, and the Copenhagen Cup races in RC44 boats. There's also a video of the complete first race in the finals match between Russions and Kiwis. Here's the link: http://www.examiner.com/x-7657-SF-Boating-Examiner. If that doesn't work Google…

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Some of you know I have gone mad and bought another boat. She has been on the hard for 7 years in Reedville VA.

Larry Willson had pointed me to a few boats down there. I found this one by chance. Really like these boats and got such a deal just couldn't say no. It looks like i bought myself about a year of work.…

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Is the iPad the future of marine electronics? Well, now I'm convinced it is.

When I heard that the folks at Outback Marine Australia had come up with a way to transform Apple's iPad into an integral helm panel instrument I realized that we're only a couple of steps away from turning it into the actual…

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What a great night for TV. Today I received my VANS one of a kind sneakers with Abbey Sunderland's date arriving in Cape Town (a place dear to my heart, having been there). Now, in about two minutes 20/20 is hosting a show on things kids are doing. One is some kid climbing a big mountain and another is Abbey. Gotta go get inspired. I may not be the youngest, so maybe I'll be the oldest lady getting around.

It's officially Hurricane Season here in Florida. O Town radio stations add a hurricane lingo line into their weather forecasts. The words we love to hear are "...it's quiet in the tropics." YEAH!



And now, in addition to the dreaded SEASON, there is the VERY GRAVE potential of oil washing up on the (for now) western Florida coastal beaches. The beaches over there are beautiful white sand. My heart breaks with the knowledge that oil IS coming and yet there is nothing to do about it… Continue

Sorry about this one; But new here

Look at the word cens us Well ..... just got the 6th person at my door asking for my full name, Date of birth, and all persons in my house info. toooooo... Not to mention.. the person spoke broken" American" that wanted all the info. Unreal Ya.

6th time refused to give info. and now got a notice at my door " GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP SENDING SOMEONE UNTILL YOU COMPLETE THE INTERIEW "

Please let me know that others are…

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Well, just got back from a week-off sailing to the east of Mississippi, to Pirates Cove, Alabama and areas around Pensacola Florida. It was sad, because we had to cut our cruise short by a week, due to the the threat of the oil looming in the gulf and headed our way. Figured that, at the start of Hurricane season, once they closed off all the booms along the coast we would not be able to get back and didn't want to leave the boat 90 miles away. Now the scary part, the oil has been spotted 6… Continue