Mar 05 2012
There’s an old saying …
“If it’s a nice day to sail a kite, then it’s a nice day to go sailing.”
The converse is also true.
According to NOAA, this week the Keys may expect some very strong weather – variable winds to 25 knots with scattered rain. And of course, there’s a small craft warning. Die-hard sailors might consider those conditions a challenge, but let’s take a look at another forecaster – our local professionals.
This week’s sailing report picture is not of a gorgeous sloop breezing along the sea. Instead we have a look at the serious seamen hunkered down in the harbor. They’ve come in knowing that they’d take a pounding with very poor shrimping results. This doesn’t happen too often. But when it does, you can be sure that the seas don’t plan on behaving tamely at all!
This would be a good time to inspect your lines, safety check your pumps, you’re your electrical system, and anything else that’s been piling on to that “To Do” list. Would be nice to see it diminish, right?
This is not exactly the sort of report we like to give, but hopefully we’ll have better news for you next week.
May you have fair winds and following seas.
Feb 27 2012
Planning a Key West day-sail this time of year is sometimes an interesting challenge. One can usually expect a bright sun and clear sky. On the other hand, the direction and intensity of the wind, not to mention conditions of the seas, are not as easily predictable.
This past week through Saturday we’ve had a mild breeze (5-10 knots) out of the northwest gradually swinging around to the northeast offering sailors multiple opportunities for a very comfortable and tranquil cruise. If you somehow woke up before noon on Sunday, however, you were probably surprised to find the weather coming head-on out of the east with a constant of 12 knots often gusting over 24! There was a small vessel watch in effect with seas 5-to-7 and an interval of 7 seconds.
If you had planned an afternoon sail, your pulse was sure to kick up a notch!
As Captain Bobby Stomberg and his happy crew aboard The First Lady sailed out of the marina, they coasted past the arrival of catamaran s/v Keremeos, a 43’ 2011 Fountaine Pajot captained by none other than Meredith Laitos, the associate editor for Sail Magazine™. She was just completing a week of coastal Keys cruising in preparation of an upcoming article. Despite the challenging wind conditions, she docked the chartered yacht gracefully along the seawall – pretty as can be. Meanwhile, heading south down the channel, The First Lady was skipping out for an afternoon of wave-hopping fun.
Truly, sailing our waters this time of year is an adventure that makes for lasting fond memories. We can’t wait for you to visit Stock Island Village Marina so we may lift a glass and share a few!
Feb 27 2012
Feb 06 2012
SIMV sent two representatives to the Marina and Boatyard Conference in Orlando Florida last week. Over 800 people in the Marina industry attended the conference and it was a great exchange of new ideas and comparing best practices. We look forward to giving some of the new ideas that we heard a try at SIMV.
Jan 25 2012
The SIMV sailing team was out on the water just outside of Safe Harbor in the SailFish (31′ Hunter). The sailing conditions were fantastic, 10 – 15 knot winds, small waves and brite sunshine. Bonus, two dolphins swimming with the Sailboat for a little while. Always cool to be Sailing in January.
Dec 02 2011
The Schooner Western Union
Oct 25 2011
If only I had more time on the water
