Sailing SW FL from Cape Coral to New Pass

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:34 pm

I finally was able to Sail the mac X for first time after doing some standing rigging changes and other things.(new owner)
Sailed to New Pass on FL. W. coast from Cape Coral and went under diffrent wind conditions for a 38 NM trip this past weekend.
I must say, as first time sailing this boat I am satisfied as a coastal cruiser in winds up to 30 knots. (had winds gusting to 20 knots or more).
Here are some Pic.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x25/ ... rip%203-1-
08/
Dave

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:40 pm

Fixed link
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x25/ ... %203-1-08/

RickJ · Post by **RickJ** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:54 pm

Congrats on the first sail Dave (and on returning home as well

). Nice pics too.

I'm beginning to feel envious, as a "new" X owner myself I'm getting impatient to get on the water. For various reasons it's probably not going to be until the start of April though.

I shall be exploring the Solent (Isle of Wight, UK). I must remember to take some pics to record the event

Cheers

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:45 pm

Cool. The first time I went to Key Largo form Ft Myers I knew that the Mac was the right boat.

A really nice trip.

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:56 pm

Alex wrote:Fixed link
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x25/ ... %203-1-08/

Uncle Jim · Post by **Uncle Jim** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:20 am

Nice pics, just wait until the wife sees these: 1. wants to move back to Tampa area, 2. wants to get out on the new (to us)

. There be no peace until the weather hits 75+ on a regular basis

Jim

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:06 am

My old sailing venue. I lived 30 years in Bradenton and Palmetto, but launched boats from the bay side of Long Boat pass, the bay side of New Pass, or the bay side of Gasparilla Pass. I explored the whole coast from Everglades City to Cedar Key, scalloped Lemon Bay, camped on Caya Costa before roads and buildings were built in the park. That was before the huge building boom, cutting the mangroves for subdivisions in surge prone shoreline. bridges being built to and between keys, wall to wall condos, millions of docks and houses, trillions of boats and fishermen on top of one another and the water became too polluted for fish breeding grounds. It was a boater's and fisherman's paradise then. You could catch a mess of large fish off any beach or pier. Six foot tarpon right off the Green Bridge over the Manatee River, or at the Memorial Pier. The scenery and abundant wiildlife is gone, but the water is still there though, ENJOY!

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:15 pm

I arrived in Ft.Myers beach in 1965 fishing on my dads boat, Sea Scribe for 10-15 days for grouper useing bandit rigs (hand, not elect.).It was a wooden boat that leaked like a siv and when sleeping one arm was left hanging down to detect the water comeing up to start baleing even tho 3 pumps were running. Thats when the old swing bridge was there.
In 1985 I returned after a 3 year cruise from Cape Cod thru the intercoastal and jumped off at Beafort NC to St. Thomas for a 1200 mile run with 40 ft. seas for 3 days and than down all the Leeward and windward Islands to S. America and back to Bradenton were I sayed for 6 mo. at the Marina, just before they started takeing down the bridge.
My Grandfather had a place at Holmes Beach.
I remember very well how it use to be and when Sanibel Island one could find the best shell fishing in Florida with cristal clear water before they put the causeway in.
Dirt roads and farms were the thing back than.
Dave

Night Sailor wrote:My old sailing venue. I lived 30 years in Bradenton and Palmetto, but launched boats from the bay side of Long Boat pass, the bay side of New Pass, or the bay side of Gasparilla Pass. I explored the whole coast from Everglades City to Cedar Key, scalloped Lemon Bay, camped on Caya Costa before roads and buildings were built in the park. That was before the huge building boom, cutting the mangroves for subdivisions in surge prone shoreline. bridges being built to and between keys, wall to wall condos, millions of docks and houses, trillions of boats and fishermen on top of one another and the water became too polluted for fish breeding grounds. It was a boater's and fisherman's paradise then. You could catch a mess of large fish off any beach or pier. Six foot tarpon right off the Green Bridge over the Manatee River, or at the Memorial Pier. The scenery and abundant wiildlife is gone, but the water is still there though, ENJOY!

acdave · Post by **acdave** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:17 am

Dave B,

I bought a little place over in Punta Gorda june 06...for a winter home.....just got back from there after couple weeks .....I have a Mac2000X....we love sailing all over the area....favorite spot is still Pelican Cove and Cayo Costa.... for a few days anchored out.

Mary & I had been trailering sail boats down to SW Fl & Keys for a few years, when we decided to make Charlotte Harbor/Pine Island Sound our spot for future retirement home....love the area. Not living there yet (still working) ...but manage to get down 3-4 times over winter months.

We will have to meet up sometime in future and do some cruising.

AC Dave
NY

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:55 pm

AC Dave,
We as a club sail over to Cayo Costa twice a year with the WCTSS.
We have a 3 day plan to sail over there March 21. Ck out the photo section from previous trip.
Join us if you can.
http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/
Dave

acdave · Post by **acdave** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:28 pm

Dave,

Looks like a fun group...really like some of those classy small boats. I have an Oday 17....can be fun sail.

I won't make the Mar 21...but will keep an eye on the cruise schedule...I should join the group!

I'm a member of the New England Trailer Sailors....but have yet to do a cruise with them....possibly this summer. I just got the Mac last summer...as I retired my heavy Classic & F250 trailer rig for the lighter.....more fuel efficient Mac/Dakota setup!

I'll let you know when I will be in the area.

ACDave

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:02 pm

Sounds great, we have a couple of X's and 2 Mac. S's that have recently joined up.
Dave

acdave wrote:Dave,

Looks like a fun group...really like some of those classy small boats. I have an Oday 17....can be fun sail.

I won't make the Mar 21...but will keep an eye on the cruise schedule...I should join the group!

I'm a member of the New England Trailer Sailors....but have yet to do a cruise with them....possibly this summer. I just got the Mac last summer...as I retired my heavy Classic & F250 trailer rig for the lighter.....more fuel efficient Mac/Dakota setup!

I'll let you know when I will be in the area.

ACDave

Jimnkathy · Post by **Jimnkathy** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:33 am

You are all making me jealous! I live near St Louis now and all this talk makes me want to move back to Florida. Someday I will take my X down there!

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Sailing SW FL from Cape Coral to New Pass

Sailing SW FL from Cape Coral to New Pass

Thanks Alex

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