Anyone going to Cedar Keys boatmeet?

[ScottWidmier]

This year the Cedar Keys small craft festival is May 3 & 4th.  I plan on being there possibly with two boats.  I will sleep aboard my 12' catboat.

Here is a blurb on it:

Quote:

Fri. 2nd

[jaxsailr]

Hello,

I should be there with my Peep Hen on Friday.

Niels

Jax, FL

[ScottWidmier]

I am looking forward to seeing your Peep Hen.  I was seriously looking at buying one of those but decided to go with a MacGregor 26D instead.  Granted, those boats aren't really comparable but it came down to a choice of a cruiser for one possibly two people or one that the family could go on.  For one or two people I absolutely love the KISS concept embodied in the Peep Hen.

[jaxsailr]

There should be several there.  They are certainly boats of a different breed.  For me I wanted a boat I could take all over FL and other coasts.  I miss sailing a larger sloop and flying a spinnaker though.  For now I'll just settle for crewing on such boats.

See you there,

Niels

[Doug Cameron]

I'll be there with my Core Sound 20.

[revenger]

:)

    HI All!! Revenger here. I live in Steinhatchee, Fl. I'm going to be there at Cedar Key on the 3rd. I have a Stevenson "Weekender" that I'll stay on.

I won this boat on Ebay about 3 months ago. Supposed to be in good shape.....but WASN'T. Back up to par now.

                                See you all there.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                  LARRY

                                                                      ( boat's name  SALTY)

[ScottWidmier]

The new centerboard trunk is in place and glassed in (replaced the daggerboard setup I had).  The hull has its first coat of paint on...Unfortunately, a bad primer ment I had to scrape and redo all the paint, not just that around the centerboard trunk.  I will paint another coat tonight and on Wednesday roll her back over to start putting all of the bits back on.  So much for testing the boat for leaks before I do it in front of an audience at Cedar Keys but I will be there!!

[Oyster]

Well you have been quiet about your venture? Any reports and pictures?

[ScottWidmier]

Had an absolutely wonderful time at Cedar Keys mess-about. There were 50+ boats there with a mixture of homebuilt and the more interesting production boats. Best yet, everyone sailed most of the day with a nice strong ocean breeze driving the fleet all over the beautiful keys. Unfortunately, there were so many people that I didn't get the opportunity to talk to everyone... they need to add name-tags or something just to help. You have to consider attending this event next year!

Little Gem attracted a lot of attention and, once again, lived up to her name. Everyone noted how fast a boat she is with the Sea Pearls (21' boat) only able to pass slowly. On Friday I averaged 5.20 knots with a few bursts up to 5.8 knots (GPS said even higher but I figure those were false readings). Amazing speed for a 12' boat! Matt Layden was highly encouraging me to use her for the Everglades Challenge!

I slept on the boat off a somewhat exposed beach for two nights...well tried to sleep. The wind kicked up to 30mph + both nights and the tide pulled me broadside to the waves which really tossed me about. Lack of sleep didn't help meeting everyone btw. However, it did give me confidence in anchoring in rougher conditions.

The centerboard installation didn't leak a drop and the boat balanced beautifully (better than with the dboard).  Only 2 hitches were when the centerboard lanyard pulled through the hole on a wild and windy ride in after the 1st night and when some weed clogged the board in the raised position.  Both times I took her to the beach, rolled her on her side (with some help), and fixed the problem.  The kick up centerboard was a dream sailing in shallow waters vs. the daggerboard.

My camera died at the beginning of the trip but here is a link to pictures: http://www.flwwp.com/gallery2/v/Small+Boat+Messabout/