Small Boat Restoration: May 2014

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Florida 120 Mile 4 Day Small Boat Sailing and Camping

The weekend after Mother's Day a group of small boat enthusiasts have been descending on NW Florida for a 4 day, 120 mile sailing and camping event. 2014 is their third year. The group puts in at various ramps in the area, but the general starting point is Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze.

From their Yahoo Group FL 120 page: "The Florida 120 is an annual cruise-in-company for small boats. It takes place every year in May, starting on the first Thursday after Mother's Day and runs through the following Sunday. The route each year is subject to change, but it typically is in the bays and sounds in the Florida panhandle.

The 2014 event is scheduled for May 15-18.

The route for 2014 is the same as last year with the first night destination (and first meeting) being Specter Island 8 miles East of Navarre and 30 miles from the recommended launch point of Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. This whole day is on Santa Rosa sound and is generally a windward slog.

On Friday, we all sail west back down Santa Rosa Sound and across the mouth of Pensacola Bay to Sand Island, a distance of approximately 40 miles. The last 10 miles is on Pensacola Bay which, being a bigger body of water, can develop some chop.

Saturday we sail approximately 25 miles northeast up Pensacola Bay to Redfish Cove and into Blackwater Bay to Skull Island. Again, Pensacola Bay can be choppy especially by Sand Island where a pass lets out to the gulf. East Bay and Blackwater are beautiful bodies of water not often frequented by powerboats so very peaceful sail. The poker run and wrapup of the Florida 120 happens on Skull Island.

Sunday's sail is a little shorter at about 25 miles as the fleet returns to Gulf Breeze or wherever you launched.

The challenge is to do the entire route relying less on an outboard and more on oar and wind. However, all are welcome."

We intended to intercept them on East Bay, but this year the course got cut short due to high, unfavorable winds. On day 2 the group stopped near Juana's Pagoda on Navarre Beach and camped for the night. We went over to chat and took a few pictures, saw at least 30 boats out there.

ODay Daysailer with a local abandoned boat behind.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014-

2 more Daysailers.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014-

Drascombe Coaster.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014-

Penobscot 17.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014-

West Wight Potter.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014-

We hope to work up to doing the event one year, but this year we went out and did a "Florida 10" on Saturday in our Drascombe Lugger. SW wind 8-10 knots, 80 degrees.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014-

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Drascombe Lugger On Ka Hy E Day Sail on Santa Rosa Sound

Took out our Drascombe Lugger OnKaHyE for a day sail on Santa Rosa Sound. We wanted to watch the last few boats in the Florida 120 depart from Juana's and head to Sand Island. The boat rigs in about 30 minutes.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014 - Jun 2014

Got to the ramp by Juana's on Navarre Beach early and had it all to ourselves. Skipper keeps an eye on the boat while I park the trailer.

From SBR 3: Jan 2014 - Jun 2014

We have a small 12v trolling motor to get clear of the dock, then we can set sail. Jib is roller furling. Line on the right of the mast is the main halyard, line on the left is the downhaul for the main. Remember to keep a throwable PFD readily accesible :

From SBR 3: Jan 2014 - Jun 2014

Helm position 1