Association Forum - B.E.E.R. Cruise 2006 Report (long) with Pics

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

B.E.E.R. Cruise 2006 Report (long) with Pics

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/08/2006 : 20:53:24

B.E.E.R. cruise 2006 was outstanding! Our starting point had us leaving out of Pensacola Shipyard Marina with three destinations: Juanas Pagodas at Navarre Beach, Quietwater Beach in Pensacola, Mosquito Cove at Sand Island and back to the Pensacola Shipyard Marina. There were 77 boats signed up for this trip so I knew dock space at the Marina was going to be tight so we headed down to Pensacola a few days early. Having a wing keel I needed deep water and wanted to make sure I had a slip. We set out on Wednesday morning May 31 for our 7 hour trip from Atlanta. I pulled Knotty Cat down the road at a whopping 60 mph and got 10 mpg.

Once we arrived, we set the rig and launched with no problems, found us a slip with plenty water under the keel. After dinner we settled in for the night. When we awoke the next morning I could see a few other boats had arrived and were setting up and launching. We headed into town for provisions and when we returned the ramp area was buzzing with activity. All during Thursday and Friday boats from all over the country were arriving. Boats of every make and model, from 27 foot Trimarans to an 8 foot sailing dink. Catalina was well represented; we had 3 C25's, my 250 and several 22's. Friday afternoon was the skippers meeting and Cajun Gumbo cookout.

Saturday morning we set out for the 28 mile run in the Santa Rosa sound toward Juanas Pagodas for our first stop. The sailing in the sound was great, the weather could not have been better. To get to Juanas you have to navigate a very tight shallow channel about a quarter mile to reach the anchorage. We bumped bottom in the shallowest part but I was able to motor over it. Once we arrived at Juanas we set anchor and watched the other boats arrive. (even the 8 foot sailing dink). Most of the boats with shallow draft beached and the party started, a band started later and played into the night.

Sunday morning after breakfast of Juanas acclaimed pastries the fleet began an 18 mile run back down the Santa Rosa sound toward Quietwater Beach. After the fleet arrived and set anchor we all headed for dinner at Flounders Restaurant. After a fine meal and fellowship we took the dingy back out to the boat for the night.

Monday morning we awoke to a strong 25 knot North wind and a 14 mile run across Pensacola bay to Sand Island. We were a little worried about the smaller boats in the bay, it can get kind of choppy, but the wind backed down a little and we set sail. The sail across the bay was the best of the trip. We motored into the anchorage, found a spot and set a bow and stern anchor. We took the dingy to the beach, climbed the giant sand dune and took a couple of neat pictures of the boats in the anchorage.

Tuesday we awoke to the sound of freedom. Sand Island is at the foot of Pensacola Naval Air station, home of the Blue Angles and today was a practice day. We set topside drinking our morning coffee as the Angles put on a 40 minute show. They flew right over the anchorage so low you could read the writing on the wings. Once the show was over most of the boats started the trip back to Pensacola shipyard to pull out and start their journeys home. We headed out the anchorage also but when we got to the inlet leading to the Gulf we made a sharp turn and headed out the bar. We sailed out for 10 miles and cruised around before heading back to the shipyard later that afternoon. We decided to stay over another night to wait for high tide to pull Knotty Cat out.

Wednesday morning we woke and started tear down prep, by 10am Knotty Cat was on the trailer and noon we were on the road back to Atlanta. What a great trip, This was our 3rd B.E.E.R. cruise and it was the best. If you ever get the chance to make this trip you won't regret it. Thanks to all the G.R.I.T.S.-ters for their hard work in organizing a great sailing adventure!

[url="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CYtWLVs3cMKW"]B.E.E.R. Pictures[/url]

1997 250 TR WK (sold)
1984 O'Day 28 (sold)
1979 SISU 22
Bath, NC.

Edited by - on

sailorman
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2006 : 21:59:36

Great pics Tom. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a blast.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2006 : 23:08:09

Great pictures Tom. One of these days maybe a new truck and trailer minus the General's Caddie equals B.E.E.R cruise. A person can dream can't they.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2006 : 07:01:28

Tom, thanks for sharing the pics with us... spread the envy!

Nice to see at least one boat is wearing the Florida Sailing medal on his rudder (IMG_0322.JPG).

Paul

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2006 : 08:03:23

WOW !!!

Great pics Tom, thanks for having us along. Some exciting photos of the BLUE ANGELS as well. EXCELLENT!

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2006 : 19:25:19

Spent the day today cleaning out the boat and putting her back in the water. She is tied up back in her slip. Tomorrow we will be going down to scrub topsides and the inside. Three people living 7 days on board can take its toll down below.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2006 : 19:58:51

Tom,
Great report. I will "try" to forget missing it this year. I know..... " poor me". I will take on a little more of the Puget Sound this weekend. Having the boat in the back yard is pretty fun.

Tom

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2006 : 18:24:50

Great pics Tom, thanks. Pensacola is my old cruising grounds of 20 years. I'm now on West Point Lake and after a great day of sailing last Wednesday while driving home I passed Knotty Cat on I 85, somewhere around La Grange.

Next June I hope to be a part of the festivities on the Gulf Coast.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2006 : 21:09:44

Hey Steve, hope I didn't hold you up to bad. I was taking it easy all the way back (60mph). It would be great to have you join us next year.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

Members Avatar

880 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2006 : 07:44:29

I was kinda worried at first when I saw Kevin in the back of a COP car. But it looked like he was smiling.

Great pictures, wish I could have gone. Well there is always next year!

Edited by - on

Tanglefoot
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
76 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 13:27:49

Thanks for the pictures, makes me wish my fixed keel was a swing and didn't need a crane to lower the mast!

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

Members Avatar

793 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 14:16:29

<font size="2"> <font face="Comic Sans MS">
O.K. I give up. What does “B.E.E.R” stand for.

</font id="size2"> </font id="Comic Sans MS">

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 14:53:29

[url="http://bellsouthpwp2.net/b/s/bs_allen/index.htm"]Backwater Environmental Escape Rendezvous[/url]

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.