We are probably pretty close as I live in San Jose. I've not had the boat out in Santa Cruz other than it's shake down after I bought it (although that is Jeremy helping me with the boat in the photo). I've been mostly sailing up on Beardsley reservoir off highway 108. Every time I've sailed it there other cats have been out on the water and it is always nice to have company.
The weather has turned unfortunately in the last couple of days, so I suspect my season is over unless I get lucky.
- that is by far the safer way to go... i used to not drink when i sailed (actually i didnt drink at all last year) but then i decided no one likes a quitter! :)
I would say from my perspective that we have a steady state in Chicagoland. We never have open beach spots at Glencoe but at least a third of the boats never seen to leave the beach. That said, we are seeing new and younger faces every season. Our hardcore group even has new faces. Our local Hobie dealer seems more interested in Kayaks, Sunfish and racing mono's. Hobie sailors round here are getting pretty frustrated with them. One wondershow long they will keep the dealership. My Nacra dealer in Mi seems like he's pretty busy. There used to be a Hobie dealer out on the Fox Lake area (Ex Urban Chicagoland) but they went out of business. I'd say Kites and Paddleboards and the new thing from what I've seen here and in Naples Fla where much of my family is.
that is by far the safer way to go... i used to not drink when i sailed (actually i didnt drink at all last year) but then i decided no one likes a quitter! :)
Used to but not since we moved to Chicagoland. Too much to deal with a big dangerous lake (even on a nice day). We make up for it, in a big way, after the boats are all put away! A treasured tradition! Of course, I also can't find a good place to put a cooler on my Nacra. The best party boats are the Getaways and the Magnum 18's. For some reason my 5.8 seems like it's all business and not a place for being anything less than 100% focused.
agreed:
most folks I encounter in pontoons look bored and want in my boat
particularly when I fly by them in a no-wake lake
esp women it pisses off their boyfriends
For Hobies, I found it very helpful to join a fleet where there are tons of experienced skippers to help out the newb kid on the beach...not get frustrated with the simple but common stuff early on in the learning curve
In general I do think there is an "up-tick" in B-Cat interest. I have run into several guys who have gotten their cats out of the "back 40" for the first time in years. It is a great way to spend some quality time with the kids, of either sex, and an easy way to connect and make friends.
My MO this past summer is to stop by and talk with every cat owner I come across with. We trade info and then can always just spend a minute or two calling around when ever we are thinking of going out. It is always more fun with more boats on the water!
Also, you can get Email addresses and make up a "group" in your Email program and just shoot out a note a week or so ahead of time. The more the merrier! ....And, when your older P18 breaks a cable, one of your new found friends can help haul your sorry butt back to the boat ramp!