I arrived at 2:30 on Friday. When I got there I asked Barrett what sail to rig. He suggested a 5.5 but then came back in and said to rig a 6.6. I rigged the6.6 and sailed till sunset with Barrett and his brother.
Temperature was about 60 and blowing 15 to 25.
I will be heading to Fred Howard Park on Saturday. It is a little warmer with about the same wind at CSB but more inline with my trip.
On the way down I picked up a Bic Core 205 lt for summer sailing. It is a 2007 and came with chinook base, extension, boom, fiberspar mast and 2007 camless 5.5 Gastra sail, all for $500.
I think I will sell the mast 430cm, boom ( is for small sail sizes ) and the mast extension ( which is short ) If someone is intersted then call me othewise I will place these items in consignment.
Off to Fred Howard Park this morning.
BTW I found a Main Suites Motel about 2 years old only 10 minutes from the park at CSB. Excellent place to stay for just one night or on last minute notice. $99. includes breakfast.
PeelSkid
We (Lisa & I) are back, came back a day early. NOT a good camping trip. It rained Wed night, then it rained Thurs night, then we froze Friday night/ Sat morning when the temperature dropped to the mid 30's. I know that wasn't cold compared to what Atlanta was having but, we were sleeping in a tent. The forecast for Sat night/Sun morning was for even colder temperatures, so we are back.
Barrett (& Peggy) and his brother, Phil (& Betsy), and Al Luthringer (& Rachel & dog), were also here and David W did stop by on Friday. (Lisa and I were the only Campers.)
As for as sailing/kiting, Wednesday, we pretty much just set up camp, Thurs was windy and warm BUT while deciding where to go, we missed it. I did pump up my kite, and got the Kayak ready for Lisa (& GiGi the dog) and then a dark cloud came over, the wind shifted from the South to the NW and pretty much shut down. Bummer. On Friday, I did kite (12 meter) and the rest of the crew sailed. I launched on one side of the cove and and ended up on the opposite side so did have a walk back. I did take out Al's rig for a few runs at the end of the day. Saturday, it was windy in the morning but too COLD. We packed up the camping gear and did watch Al sail awhile on his 6.0/7.5 around noon, but the wind was dropping. So we headed home.
The drive took us 7 hours, which was an hour longer than I expected. While the area is nice and the little cove is cool with the shallow water along the shore and deeper water in the center, I have to agree with David W. For just a little longer drive, Fred Howard park in Tarpon Springs would be alot warmer. Also, Jekyll Island/St. Simon is only a 5 hour drive.
Gene
Gene Mathis
Gene missed one person. Gail came too. Gail sat in the car and read a book while Barrett, his brother and I sailed. The temps were good but even with 59 degrees and 15 to 25 it was too cold for Gail to sit in a lawn chair and take pics. Gail finished War and Peace while we sailed.
PeelSkid
Sorry about that, I had Gail in there but lost her while editing.
Let us know how Fred Howard is with Kiters and Windsurfers. I windsurfed at Sunset beach park with the kiters and it was no problem.
Gene
Gene Mathis
Fred Howard Park looks the same as it always had but with new pavement and stripping. And that took 2 years to complete - Go Figure!
FH was a 7.5 day but a bit warmer than CSB. More kiters than windsurfers but seems to be plenty of room for both.
Last night we stayed in Treasure Island on the beach. Kinda like being in Daytona. This place is so densely populated that congestion is terrible. I do not recommend Treasure Island nor Clearwater as a good place to go. No beach access for windsurfers and Hobie Cats. Big wide shelly beach.
Tonight we are at Celebration Hotel in Disney's Celebration Town. I found an internet deal for $99 per night and the rooms are usually $250 to $300 per night. Really nice place. Fancy, Fancy, Fancy! Art work on the walls, 3 stories and each is furnished differently. Nice place to hang for two nights and go to Epcot tomorrow.
Tuesday is Cocoa Beach:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Windy, with a northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
I hope Cocoa plans out. That's quite a range, 15 to 30. We'll see.
Then it will be down to Bush Gardens and then back up to either FH or Cocoa Beach.
Beats the heck out of 18 degrees at home. I alreay informed my kids to watch out for frozen pipes.
PeelSkid