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Got an invite from my buddy with the Potter 19 to go for a short sail today. Weather was slightly overcast, but very pleasant. Winds were light, probably peaking around 10 kt steady with a few puffs slightly higher. Since we only had a few hours before he had to help keep his grandson after school, we decided to just sail in the river instead of motoring out to the bay. The wind was coming almost straight upriver, so we did a bit of tacking (approximate track shown) for the bulk of the trip followed by a very peaceful downhill run back to his place. Lunch was sandwiches, but everything tastes better on a boat. I think there were three powerboats that passed by during the trip, so we could tack almost without care. About 4 hours of very enjoyable messing about in a boat.

It’s stories like that, which bring smiles to an old sailors face.

It’s the minority (us) who know the peace of a breeze at your back, and full sail in front of you; maybe even wing on wing.

ENVY

You are a lucky man.

What a great day JimmyT!

Thanks for sharing!
(It takes the edge off being in a driveway…)

Best Regards
Over Easy

Where is a good place to launch from? Im getting my 26D ready and hope to launch by end of summer. Right now Im looking to launch from McNally park.

Sounds like a good day. Rivers can be great places. Curious what kind of current/tides you had to deal with.

kenfyoozed wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:36 pm Where is a good place to launch from? Im getting my 26D ready and hope to launch by end of summer. Right now Im looking to launch from McNally park.

I used McNally Park to launch my 26M a few weeks ago. It was fine. There's a good place to put the rig up before launching and you can drop it in without getting close to power lines. There is no charge to launch there. You pass by bucaneer yacht club on the way out. They are in the middle of a harbor renovation, so there is dredging and construction that may cause an access problem from time to time. The rock jetties offer a bit of excitement when the weather is rowdy. Have a reliable kicker, or sail it through if you're game and the wind is right.

I launched at river shack a couple of weeks later. It's $5 to launch, but I can spare that. Launching was fine, but it started blowing like stink out of the southeast while we were out. When we got back, the water was way up and we had to wade from the dock to the parking lot. Then, I had to back the truck through the water to get to the ramp. But, if the wind isn't shoving water up the bay, it's a good spot, too.

You can put in at Navco Park if the weather is too rowdy out in the bay. That will put you in at the far end of the river for a day of river sailing. I haven't launched my M there yet, but a lot of big boats go in there. No charge to launch.

You can go at fowl river, next to pelican reef restaurant. It's $5 to launch there also.

I use to launch at the river shack when its was the previous restaurant 15 years ago while I had my Venture 17. I couldn't remember if there was enough space to launch a 26D there.

I did think about Navco but thought it would make a slow journey to the bay for sailing but didn't think about sailng in the river.

With McNally I did worry about the safety of my truck while we were out sailing. I didn't know how safe it would be there. I have a new Tohatsu 9.8 sail pro so getting in and out should not be an issue, fingers crossed!

kenfyoozed wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 2:27 am I use to launch at the river shack when its was the previous restaurant 15 years ago while I had my Venture 17. I couldn't remember if there was enough space to launch a 26D there.

I did think about Navco but thought it would make a slow journey to the bay for sailing but didn't think about sailng in the river.

With McNally I did worry about the safety of my truck while we were out sailing. I didn't know how safe it would be there. I have a new Tohatsu 9.8 sail pro so getting in and out should not be an issue, fingers crossed!

River Shack looks tighter than it is. The 26 M went in fine there, but I did reverse my way out (the M is most maneuverable in reverse - in tight situations).

You're correct, Navco is a forever journey to the bay. It only makes sense on a day that you want a protected water sail. My buddy with the Potter 19 often elects to stay in the river on blustery days. You get to practice your tacking skills.

McNally is sketchy looking, but my truck and trailer were there after sailing. There are usually a few boats launching there, so maybe it isn't as sketchy as we think. But you always have river shack if you want a little more security.

Sailing on a slightly overcast day can be so peaceful, and the light winds must have made for a relaxing trip. River sailing has its own charm, especially when you get to do some tacking. And you're absolutely right, everything does taste better on a boat! It's great that you had such a carefree sail, with just a few powerboats passing by. Sounds like a perfect way to spend 4 hours. If you're looking for more sailing adventures, you should check out cruisetimetables.com for some amazing cruise options.

Everything is better on your boat!

DarioGill wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 5:25 am Sailing on a slightly overcast day can be so peaceful, and the light winds must have made for a relaxing trip. River sailing has its own charm, especially when you get to do some tacking. And you're absolutely right, everything does taste better on a boat!

Welcome to the forum!