Underway off the Space coast

A superb day for sailing as you can see from the photo.

The breeze is out of the west at about 8 knots and so I am reaching along at about 4 gentle knots. I was up at 4am this morning to catch the wind shift and tide out of Port Canaveral. I had a bit of a dilemma earlier when my Genoa halyard got caught in the mast steps and I had to climb the mast while underway. I have climbed up the mast plenty of times at a marina but only a few times while underway and it is not something that I like to do, especially when there is no one around. I did take my VHF radio up with me in a backpack just in case I got stuck. Anyway it all turned out ok.
The wind is supposed to die down this afternoon and then pick up again later on this afternoon to carry me southward all the way to the keys. Unlike my trip down from North Carolina,  this trip will be close to shore so that I stay out of the north flowing gulf stream.  As a result, I should have Internet coverage all the way and be not only able to check the weather closely but also be able to post to my blog.

Leaving Cape Canaveral for the Florida Keys

The wind has clocked around here at the Cape and so I will be heading south in the morning.  I hope to sail straight through to Marathon but there is some nasty weather forcast for Saturday,  so if I don't make it there by then, I will hunker down south of Miami.
Here is a photo of Onapua,  racing last Saturday at the westsail rendezvous here at the cape.

The other westsail 32 behind her is Froya belonging to James Mccomas who lives here at the cape. All boats are beautiful,  but Onapua is particularly so, don't you think?

Video of my sail from North Carolina to Florida

I took some video clips of my sailing trip from Wrightsville Beach, through Southport, and then onto Cape Canaveral, stopping off on the way to refuel in Savannah. Enjoy

Bud Taplin and Dick Mills at the Westsail Rendezvous

I can't believe that I have a photo of both these icons together.

Bud Taplin is 83 and still going strong. He was the manager of the boatyard that built my 40 year old boat out in Casa Mesa in California. He can still supply any westsail part, brand new.
Dick Mills is also a westsail owner and he has probably the best sailing blog in existence  at

Www. Dickandlibby.blogspot.com

I am honored to have known these fine 2 gentlemen.

Arrived in Cape Canaveral for the westsail rendezvous

Some lessons learned on my week long sail from North Carolina. 

1. Always clip on when going on the bowsprit.

2. Always sit down when eating on a boat.

3. The gulf stream is closer than you think and getting caught in it can slow you down a lot.

4. When cruising,  count on motoring a lot more than you anticipate. 

5. If you haven't been on your boat for a while and you go sailing in rough weather, you will get seasick.

6. Lip balm, sunglasses and sun tan lotion is a must.

7. Always use the head on a boat, don't try the over the side thing.

8. When the boat is moving so much, it is very hard to do anything except sit and be amazed by mother nature. 

Brief stop in Savanah to refuel

Stopped off at the Landings in Georgia and was greeted by a hot lunch, a pleasant staff and a shower! BRian was so nice and helpful.

Am facing some light winds but hopefully I will make it to Cape Canaveral in time for the Westsail Rendezvous this weekend.

Leaving Wrightsville Beach

I am joining the exodus south out of the oncoming cold.

I plan on heading offshore out of Southport tonight and making a beeline for Cape Canaveral where there is a Westsail Rendezvous next weekend. In the meantime,  happy Halloween!