Those in tents didn't sleep too well Friday night. A front came through, and dropped the temperature ten+ degrees, bringing heavy rain, and 25-30 mph winds. By dawn the rain had stopped, but the wind didn't drop...After coffee, we headed for "The Goose". Driving out the causeway to Gooseberry Island, the waves from the west sent spray over the car. There were no beach goers, fishermen, or jet skiers to contend with for parking. We expected 13 boats, but amazingly 18 showed up! As the sun got higher, so did the temperature, but we couldn't tell in the wind. I think I added another layer of clothes every hour. The water was flat in the lee of the causeway and Island, but the winds if anything were building, and we estimated gusts to 35. Only one boat was set up. Tom Therrrien and his brother set up Tom's H16, and took daring shifts of crew out for exciting rides. John had all the food already. so he organized the cookout, and many stayed just to socialize with friends new, and old. Most of Team Goose had hardly slept, and bailed in favor of the campsite at Hummingbird Hollow, on the banks of the Noquachoke River.

We spent the afternoon napping, or trying to, and playing Tom Bosh's lawn game( I'm not at liberty to reveal any more about that ) and enjoying beverages. Later John and some of the others came back from the beach. We had a nice dinner around the campfire, listening to music, sharing stories, and holding playoffs in the game by torchlight. It was the first Island Hop in 12 years, where I didn't get on the water. As some of you know, this is my annual vacation. I tell my boss I need the weekend for my religious holiday, and everyone that knows me is aware of the weekends importance to me. I even got out the year my Dad died. I think the hop was either the weekend before, or right after. I couldn't get there in time to go to the Islands, but was there when the boats came in. Dan Christiensen took me out for a little time on the wire. I needed it. I know the old man would've approved. This year, I haven't been able to get away for a single night since Christmas. So you can imagine what a treat it was to attend what we also call "The High Holiday of Cat Sailing". Despite all that, I wasn't too disappointed I didn't get out on a boat. I was happy to bask in the company of my friends in a beautiful place.

Is that like "Festivus"?

In typical New England fashion, the winds were forecast to be light on Sunday, but many made arrangements to stick around. When we returned to the Goose, the winds were perhaps 4-5. They were supposed to fill as the day progressed. Many were so discouraged by what for a while were diminishing winds, they opted not to set up again! We had 12 boats, and 6 went out. I had gone home and gotten kayaks, and was helping some of the girls get ready to go out in them, when Chris Titcomb called to me "Brian! Got a life jacket? Let's go!" I quickly apologized to the girls, and ran for my gear. I'd never been on a Nacra 20, or any boat with the chute up. The winds were still very light, but Accelerated Chaos sailed like a dream. I've followed Chris and Nate's campaigns for about eight years, and have become what in any other sport would be called a "fan". So to be on Chris' boat was something I'd never dreamed of. Chris moved around on the boat with an ease and familiarity, that only comes from lots of time. That in itself was fun for me to see. Then he said "Want to drive?"

Wow! Chris is no fool, so he kept the main sheet when he told me to take the tiller. I'm a Hobie 17 sailor. The nearest metaphor for this I can think of, is that it's like going from a nice sports car to an Indy car, with professional driver giving lessons. The boat can fly in the lightest of air, and the chute seemed like magic! We took a good spin around that part of the bay, and then it was time for someonelse to have a turn. I believe I'm still glowing from that ride. As I said later, I think Chris gave a few of us religion!

After a quick bite on the beach, I went out with Scot Mackiel on his new to him, restored Prindle 16. It's like a time warp to see such an old boat looking so new! The winds were filling in, and we had a great time testing her on her maiden voyage. She surprised us both with how well she tacked, and pointed! I was out on the wire a lot. He has the best adjustable trap system I've ever seen. Much simpler than the one I have.. The deck lip is substantial and gives pretty good footing. With the large hulls, it's a nice, comfortable, and well behaved boat! Back at the Goose the cookout continued, as did the "game". The cops blocked traffic while they watched the players! It was funny to hear cheers coming from a squad car! Chris Titcomb took Chaos to Cuttyhunk, as did a solo 16 sailor, and another four boats got out for a few wonderful rides. Wally and Cathy's pics will be up at www.thebeachcats.com soon under "Team Goose" in the Groups section of catamaran pictures. Thanks to all that came, and special thanks to John Smith, Chris Titcomb, and Scot Mackiel! What a great time this "one day event" turned into! PS: What's Festivus? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Check this out

You go boy! He had you sheeting in hard didn't he?

Jake, It was such a kick! Chris actually had the main and chute most of the time. Shortly after he gave me the tiller, he was doing the wild thing trying to fly in the light air. I kept going up and up on the hull expecting him to sheet out to drop the boat. When he didn't I turned up, and dropped him over the side! Thankfully, he grabbed the shroud and was aboard laughing in seconds. He is a very patient, and tolerant teacher! I can't really articulate how much fun it was!

I have to second everything Brian said about Chris. I had never really met Chris before, just seen him and his boat at an event or two over the past few years. Brian was helping step the mast and I came over to check out the boat and admire some of the things Chris had rigged up and ask a lot of questions. When Chris was bringing Brian back to the beach I was hanging around by the water so I grabbed his beach wheels and started heading down to meet them. Chris said he didn't need the wheels yet so I put them down and was going to help hold the boat off the pebbly beach when he asked if I was ready to go out! I grabbed a life jacket from my wife who had just got back from paddling around on Brian's kayak and asked to borrow Brian's gloves and then we were off. I'm still grinning! Al tho I have a spinnaker for my 18SX I have never used it as I still have a lot to learn about sailing with just 2 sails so this was a first for me. Chris heads down, sets the chute and stats flying a hull, too cool. He instructs me on how to retrieve the chute and we head up. He then asks if I want to drive. To say I was hesitant would be an understatement but he assures me I'll be fine and I take the stick. He is a great instructor! "Tack over, head down", he sets the chute. Within minutes he as me skimming the hull out of the water, downwind, a first for me. He was very patient and talked me through the transition to spinnaker sailing, "We're getting a little high, bare off to bring the boat down a bit.. We're slowing down so head up a little.." Definitely a patient instructor. After a while we headed back to the beach and Chris took someone else out for a ride, introducing a lot of us Hobie sailors to these big kite boats. It was an awesome sail, with plenty of great advice and racing stories.

His words are still echoing in the back of my mind, "Welcome to the dark side"

I just put a lot of Wally's pics up in the Team Goose Album at www.thebeachcats.com