MacGregorSailors.com

Launched out of Fort Myers and sailed out into the Gulf and after setting her up with a furled main and full genoa let her settle into a grove which was heading south. She got into such a grove that I left the helm and sat on the bow for half hour then came back and ate lunch and settled into an afternoon rest all while the mac kept her course and continued to head south for the Keys. The dolphins were all around as usual and now the bait fish were all over the surface with the other sea creatures chasing them. The bait fish would make the water dark and you could tell when they would be chased by the fish jumping out of the water. Of course the seagulls would attack from above and this went on all afternoon. As I sat on the edge of the bow with my feet over the side and the boat going up and down the troughs the warm sea water would cool my leg off from the warm Florida sun. I was thinking where should I go on my vacation this year? Now miles off shore with Fort Myers out of sight and the Mac still on course for the keys thats when I decided we would go down to the Keys for vacation for Memorial week and do some diving, sailing, fishing. Yes this is the life and that is the reason why after being up north for 52 years I gave up my job and moved south to paradise, the best thin I've done in my life. When they tell you to get rid of the stress in life this must be what they mean. Heaven on earth!
ken

That's what I really enjoy about sailing. Finding that perfect combination of water, wind, temperature, sail set, and lot's of room to let go and be one with the boat and environment. Best thing of all is when you have unlimited room so you can prolong that wonderful feeling as long as possible.

It can also happen when you are sailing at 1 mph on a warm, full moon night on an 8 mile long lake, too.

Ken,

Great Story! Being a small lake sailor, I can't imagine what that must feel like...

Keep the board posted on your Key West Cruise

Tom
Annies Song
Denver

Yes, please do.

Jim and I often laugh at the times she seems to sail best without our help...When I was first learning he went below to nap. I couldnt get the durn thing to do what I wanted it to do...so set the sails and said to heck with it....she sailed the lenght of the lake without my help....kinda humbling...but evidently I had hit the right combination and didnt have sense enough to know it.

We sailed in the Gulf abit and spent one whole day in the Atlantic. We wernt out of sight of land but it was so far it was almost invisible. What a great feeling. I didnt mark our positions on the chart...having always sailed on lakes I wasnt in the habit. Good thing we didnt make a wrong turn...did have the GPS, compass etc...just never gave it a thought. Now I wish I could look back and check the time we arrived at each mark etc. Oh well, next time.

Cant wait to hear the rest of the story.....

Ken - from Ft Myers to Marathon in the keys is 130 miles. Easy enough to motor in 1 day with good weather (i'll be leaving on May 18 if you want to go with me). Everglades is real nice and you are within 8 miles of land or closer all the time. It is 90 miles from Marco Island to Marathon, easy 2 day sail and you can anchor in the Everglades at night (very buggy) but LOTS of wild life (non-people related).