no on deuce coupe. Ever since my uncle passed away Merlin belongs to someone else....he has a different cast of characters on board.

When exactly is it?

Buzzelli Multihull Rendezvous with Stiletto Nationals: October 22-24, 2010

Nope, sorry I can't be there, got a -thing- the night of the 23rd up in Atlanta and I'll be flying on the 24th.

Yay!

My boat turned up tied to a dock at a public boat ramp in sarasota. No , there was not a note attached. I dont know exactly the condition, but the guys at the tow yard where the cops had it hauled say its fine. (not that they would be able to tell). Anyway, now I have to go through the process of getting it back, which will no doubt be a pain in the butt from Rhode Island, but thank you everyone for keeping your eyes peeled, I'll let you know if they ever figure it out, but i suspect it was drunk kids pulling a malicious prank by pushing it out to sea and probably a good samaritan who towed it in and tied it up.

thanks again
charlie

awesome !
very lucky to find it

That is terrific news indeed!

when I kept a Hobie 18 on the beach in Charleston, I buried two cinder blocks deep in the sand and ran a security cable through them. When securing the boat, I ran the cable through the dolphin striker (around each side of the post) and then around the mast base and put a pad lock on it. The cable was vinyl coated so it was easy on the boat finish. Something like that might help keep this from happening again. It's not bullet proof but it will keep the semi-honest honest.

Good to hear you got your boat back Charlie.

I leave my boat on the beach in Cape Cod, tied down to buried chunks of 2X10's to the trap lines, and an old chain buried around concrete blocks with a small lock, its never moved. A tented cover over the boom keeps people off the tramp.

It is amazing that people think its OK to use/mess with other peoples boat/gear

occasionally we get some garbage (beers, condoms) on or near our cats when left on our causeway on weekends.


We have had a boat or 2 pushed in the gulf overnight. On 1 occasion my friend found his cat about 3 miles south… with the beach wheels still under it. Recently we had a friends cat filled (tramp/board wells/and I think inside the port) with beach sand.

A few months ago I left my cat overnight (sun) and went back on Monday night to de-rig it. There was a family sitting right in front of a friends cat. The next time I looked over there, the kid (a boy around 13?) was sitting on the tramp. The next time I looked, he was jumping on the tramp. … I decided as soon as my hands were free I would walk over and tell him (and his parents) to get off…when I looked again, he was off the boat.. so I did nothing.

Just as I was about to drop my mast I looked over and the kid was KICKING my friend’s carbon fiber rudders. I yelled at this time “STOP kicking those $1000 race rudders, the guy has a race next weekend and you are kicking his gear?”

The kid stopped. I couldn’t believe the parents thought it was ok to let their kid do that. (that same rudder came apart the next week.. not sure if it was related or not)

On another occasion I went to the beach at sunset with a girlfriend. I parked right next to a friends boat. We walked down the beach and when I returned to my car, there was an older couple (70’s?) making out on the cat’s trampoline. They looked up at me and said “ we are sorry is this your boat?”. I said “no but I know the owner and I am certain he doesn’t want you on his boat” (I felt silly admonishing senior citizens). They responded with “then he should have a sign on it saying STAY OFF”…

I really think I'd put some sort of sign like "Fragile- please don't sit or jump". People have no idea.

BUT...rousting the old folks is just wrong! We have to take advantage of every chance we get!

A sign like that will just encourage people to sit on your boat.

Next time you see someone sitting on your boat, go plop your butt down on the hood of their car and ask them how they like it.

In all actuality though, I think this type of behavior has to be anticipated (though not necessarily accepted) when you leave your boat on the beach. Unfortunately most people consider boats on the beach to be a piece of the beach and part of the public domain.

sm

How about a sign that says:

"I periodically patrol this beach in an effort to preserve my property. While you could act like a child and violate my private property rights - if I catch you doing so, I'll violate your right to personal safety. Have a nice day."

So here is the update. Apparently some homeless dude stole my boat, rigged it up with some random old sails from some random boat and tried to sail it. He was rescued 3 miles off shore by the sarasota PD with a mainsail torn in half. My brother in law saw the sails and says they are totally threadbare. Homeless guy is lucky to be alive. He pushed off the beach with no daggerboards and random old sails. THe boat has some cosmetic damage to the paint job but is otherwise OK, not parted out or anything. Unbelievable, but I am so grateful that my boat is back and that some mentally unstable homeless guy didn't kill himself trying to get to mexico or something. ANyway, that boat is going on the trailer and I am sticking to my stiletto 23 for now. Anyone want to buy an I20?

Here is the sign:

If you can read this sign, my camera just took your picture. Please Keep Off!

After a bum sailed it?!?!

Fixed it for you. I've found the threat of sodomy to be quite effective.

Well, I mean, I wont judge Karl :P

Signs don't work. Sail Honeymoon ( water sports rental op.) has signs that warn the area is under video surveillance.

This weekend he was telling us about two guys being serviced by one girl in full view of the cameras.

People that are drunk,high,homeless or horny don't care about signs.

LOL, And that's a lot of people!

hahah... (Karl, you need help)

I agree there is an element of risk leaving a cat on any beach. I accept these risks. (with insurance)

I also agree posting ANY sign will encourage bad behavior.

I think the best solution is to get a tramp cover made (that will also go over the boom to repel butt's (and feet) from sitting on the tramp... but no guarantee they wont find a way... or sleep / have sex under that cover, etc

our causeway closes at 11pm, but is seldom enforced/monitored as far as i can tell.

Deploy caltrops on the trampoline.

and maybe between the rudders :P