Catsailing is showing an increase in our area. I feel that Sail Honeymoon has had a positive impact on this increase. Sail Honeymoon is a beach rental establishment located on the causeway, going out to Honeymoon Island. They rent kayaks, Wind Rider trimarans, cats and other water toys. The little trimarans are very easy to sail, and have give the novice the opportunity to experience sailing with a minimal of instruction. I believe a vast majority of our "new" catsailors have seen us "buzz" by on our cats, and have realized that sailing is fun, and yes, it IS something they can learn to do. The rental operation is acting as a "springboard" for introducing new sailors. Every weekend, we see new people showing up with cats. I have noticed that the cats are mostly used, but that also is a "springboard". In our regular long distance races, we also offer participation in our B-Fleet. This is targeted at the smaller, older boats. The entries in this fleet is growing with every race.
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<br>"Hats off to Glen at Sail Honeymoon" You are helping to bring back catsailing to our area.
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<br>Dave<br><br>

I was thinking about heading out there next weekend for the first time (first time in tampa area). Anything I should be aware of?<br><br>

Hey!!!!
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<br>Come on out. We'd love to have you come sail with us. Just had a couple come over from Daytona area last week.
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<br>As far as anything you should know. I'd try to get here early, because if the weather is anything like it has been, it can get busy. I would suggest talking to some of the local sailors about some of the sandbars that are in the bay. Most of us hit the pass and go out in the Gulf. I sail every weekend. Come on over an say high. I have a navy Jeep, and the P19MX with the logo on the main.
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<br>Hope to see you. We welcome out-of-town sailors, and make them feel at home.
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<br>Dave<br><br>

Let us know when you're coming over and we'll make sure that we go out the same time to show you the ropes. Not much to worry about over here, just sail away. Great islands with sandy beaches, open waters, surf if you like it. Just don't tell too many people how much fun you had.
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<br>Mike - Uni 5.5<br><br>

Can the boat be left set-up on the causeway for a few days . And has anyone saled out of Anclote park?<br><br>

There are sailors that do leave their boats set up on the beach every weekend. Usually they leave them in little groups. There are no laws that say you can not. I would not advise it during our stormy season. Although Anclote is just up the coast a bit, I can't tell you about putting in up there. I BELIEVE that it is very shallow at the boat launch area. Don't quote me on that one.
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<br>Don't know if you, or the other poster fron Orlando like to camp, but a number of sailors camp on the spoil islands in the bay.
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<br>Dave<br><br>

i sail out there. the water is really thin at low tide. you gotta pretty much stay in the channel if you want your rudders to stay down. the beach also gets very wide , muddy, and rocky at low tide. don't try to go out the pass on a weekend. the powerboaters tend to ignore the right of way rules and the pass is also pretty shallow. the best place to sail is off to the east near downtown dunedin. the water is pretty deep there. the water does get shallow to the north and south of the keys on the east side, so don't sail too close to them unless you want to stop for lunch or something. don't get there too late, or you will not find a place to unload your boat.
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<br>even with the shallow water, it is one of the best places to sail cats. the wind seems to blow 5 knots harder there than any other place around here.
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<br>dave taylor
<br>P 16
<br>9357<br><br>

Dave - the water is very "thick" out in the Gulf and you don't have any trouble crossing the sand bar on the south side of the channel since you have no boards. I have not experienced the trouble in the channel that you describe. The area you sail in by the marina is choppy from passing power boats and the wind is flukey because of the buildings.
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<br>See you out this weekend for 78 degrees and 10 knot onshores.<br><br>

i agree. the water in the gulf is pleanty deep. it is the water between the causeway and caladesi island that is thin. my boat does not have boards, but it does have rudders, and i did say that the problem is with the rudders kicking up. as far as the choppy water by the marina, most of the waves come from pwoerboats in the channel, not the marina.<br><br>

Hi there UNI
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<br>I have been going out the pass with centerboards, and daggerboards. Your UNI, the various H20's, the N6.0's, and a host of board boats (mine included) don't seem to have any problems getting out to the Gulf??? If we have to get past a little "thin" water, we just jack the windward hull up, and go. Can't all cats do that?
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<br>Dave
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Yeh, when it gets too shallow I just lift one up and go. Sorta like hiking up your skirt - opps, wrong forum.
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<br>Mike - Uni 5.5<br><br>