Some of my sailing past, in pictures and stories. Hope this isn't a bore..... but here goes...

I can remember it as if it were yesterday (at least the way I remember it). I suppose many sailors can identify with the first time they had  the "moment" when they knew that sailing would become a large part of their life. For me, it was when I was a kid of about 10 years old. My family of 8 kids with Mom and Dad took a trip to the Florida Keys. My Dad  built a 13 foot wooden pram with  dagger a board which we took with us strapped to the top of the pop-up camper. My Mom had sewn the sails of cotton sailcloth and stitched the bronze mast slides in place.On a beautiful day that summer of 1966 (?), my Dad took me out and it was love at first sight.. I remember sticking my hand over the side and was surprised at how fast we were moving through the water with no effort but the breeze. We made our course for a small island in the distance and it was as if I was living something of an adventure.. Dad explained the basics of wind direction and sail arrangements as well as how to steer. It all made sense  and felt quite natural after a short time. You could feel the forces of wind on the boat with your hand on the tiller. I sailed as often as I could during that short trip. I also fell in love with the clear waters of the Keys. This place wasn't at all like the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay where we grew up and sailed. This place was magical for a 10 year old kid with limited exposure to the outside world. Dad finally finished his dream accomplishment; the 18' LWL Rabl designed wooden sloop, "Pickeroon". He got the idea from a book called "Boatbuilding In Your Own Backyard" (I think). I still have the book... somewhere. She was 3/4" mahagony plank over white oak frames with a full keel and hard chine. Spent some serious time on Tampa Bay and the Gulf in her. In all the boats Ive sailed, none has ever felt so solid. When we moved to Delray Beach on the other coast in'68, he had her stored in our new backyard and never sailed her again. I've got a picture somewhere... she was a thing of beauty! UPDATE: 11/07 - It's been exactly one year since my Dad passed away (11/6/06). I really miss him!

Click on the pic to see a larger version...First picture above is of a trip I took with my first wife in April of 1980 to the Abacos in the Bahamas. Rented this Hobie 14 and cruised for the whole day from Elbow Cay to Hopetown (picture 2) to Man-O-Way Cay to Lubbers Quarters and back. Explored all the islands fully. What a great sailing day! Finally moved up from a MFG 14 foot daysailer to this 1971 Cal 21. The third pic is of the family in my first Columbus Day Regatta in 1983 and then a pic of me upon our return. The last picture is a tribute to my friend Pete Firehock. He is here pictured with my son Jeff on Petes' dads Hunter 36 (I think) in about '84. Pete was the consumate sailor and always ready to do anything on or in the water; dive, fish, sail, etc.  Pete was murdered a couple of years ago because he witnessed a crime. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time just out for an early morning bike ride. I will always remember him with the greatest respect and affection.

Hope to find and upload some really old pics ... stay tuned...

The trip to the Keys ('98 I think). Tried to get to the Dry Tortugas but got socked in at Stock Island, Key West. Click to enlarge....

Dad, me and  my brother Mike in Bahia Honda State Park after a long day. Came from Marathon on a brisk wind and choppy water.

Mike with me heading home. This was a beautiful brisk day on Biscayne Bay. Miami is in the background.

A stiff wind ... alot of weather helm but no way was I gonna reduce sail!

My wife, myself and our good friend Janet aboard during the 1990 Columbus Day Regatta. Here we are heading south to Elliot Key on Day 1 of the race. The wind finally picked up about 1PM on Biscayne Bay so the fleet could get moving. Someday I'll make it back to the Regatta. It is a blast, I've been in about 10 of these I think and can't wait for the next!

Where it all began... this is where we stayed when I was a boy. The Fiesta Key KOA was a magical place for a kid of that age...

To sum it up, here is the complete list of boats I've sailed to date. Almost all of which I owned over time... 13' homebuilt plywood pram, Rabl designed homebuilt 18 "Pickeroon", MFG Rattlesnake(?), Sunfish, Hobie 14, Hobie 16, AMF Harpoon, Compac 16, Cal 21, Hunter 25, Hunter 36, Sirius 28, Beneteau 35, CSY 33 and others I'm sure I've forgotten... Now I'm looking for a bigger boat (as always).....