Blog entries - April 2009

They Went the Second Mile

Administrator — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

At 0720cst, Dan and Old Geezer passed green marker 27 on their way toward the bridge at the mouth of the Gulf County canal. Winds were 5-7, with flat seas, except, for a touch of wind chop. A pair of outbound shrimpers met him as the three ships started their day.

Dan had just checked out of St. Joe Marina, and recapped the excellent staff, service, and facility. Having a newspaper, tide, and weather report brought to your dockstep each day is the icing on an excellent cake. ThrRead More...

Out of Touch Geezer

Administrator — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

I should have known.

I was unable to reach Old Geezer and Dan this morning. It seems that they were out of range, since they cast off early this morning to explore St. Joe Bay and take bottom samples.

There was swell, chop, spray, and the odd wave into the cockpit as the intrepid team explored the peninsula, managing to stay off the sand from time to time. Two other sailboats were out, and a few fishermen. Reefed main and lapper were the order of the day. NeaRead More...

No-See-Um Report

Administrator — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

I am pleased to report that small biting insects are fewer in Port St. Joe than in Carrabelle or Apalachicola. Mosquitos are plentiful, though. Hungry, too.

St. Joe Bay was frothy most of the day, so Old Geezer stayed in her slip. dan reports that the PSJ Marina is first rate, with a helpful staff. He was surprised to learn that transients there get a newspaper delivered to their slip each morning.
The food and service there are good, too, and fairly priced. Check 'em out. Read More...

Geezer Chasing

Administrator — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

At the upper right is Carrabelle, where Dan launched and did his first bottom testing. Below the point where he came into the sound is the western end of Dog Island, and the pass to the Gulf of Mexico. His route took him under the bridge to St. George Island, then under the bridge at the mouth of the Apalachicola River. He docked just off the river, on Scipio Creek.

When the Expedition cast off , it went upRead More...

What a Perfect Day!

Administrator — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The Potter Expeditionary Force has checked in from the marina in Port St. Joe.
Dan recounted his trip upriver in terms of near perfect sailing conditions, particularly since he was going upstream.

When he left Apalachicola, he was under reefed main, but as he neared Lake Wimico, he used Jerry's lapper to good effect. Locals seemed surprised to see a boat under sail up there. I'm guessing it's because there aren't many suspects in the area.

Dan found aRead More...

Expeditionary Update

Administrator — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The winds were strong on Scipio Creek last night, provoking Dan to move Old Geezer into the lee of a big boat for shelter. He reports that he finally got some rest, and slipped his lines this morning.

Getting underway, Dan was visited by a Park Ranger, as well as a gentleman from Pensacola, and both were impressed by the objectives of the Expeditionary Force.

When Dan turned up the Apalachicola, winds were off the gulf, and he was having a grand time, making 4.Read More...

You All Will Understand

Administrator — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

We had arrived at the boat show in search of Dan, and I was scanning the crowd ahead when my eyes twitched involuntarily to port. "WOW! Look at THAT!"

It was so pretty, so red, with such a pretty sheer. If she'd been human, I'd have gone to jail, because I just had to touch. It was ten feet of pretty, built for oars and a two horse Evinrude. It had a centerboard trunk with a pRead More...

Saturday Dispatch

Administrator — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The Expeditionary Force was foraging Saturday morning, so we vectored Dan to the Piggly Wiggly for bananas and planned to link up. We were soon en route to rendezvous.

The weather was spectacular and, unlike the day of Dan's trek, winds were not howling. In fact, along the way, we saw dozens of small fishing boats on flat, shallow water.

Arriving in Apalachicola, my handler and I set out to find Dan. Then things took an unexpected turn......

Apalachicola Update

Administrator — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Dan reports that he is in fog this morning, and that it is purely weather related.

Yesterday's adventure was more than just exploring the bottom and staying dry. Dan reports a close encounter with a beautiful two masted smallish boat busting moves near Apalachicola. It was too rough and wet for the camera, so its image escaped us. We hope to see it at the antique and classic boat show tommorrow.

I was reminded again of our community of smallcrafters when Dan poiRead More...

Intrepid, Wet, Tired and Full

Administrator — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

We should have known.

Today's weather was forecast with uncanny inaccuracy, and great wind astern turned into greater wind on the nose, and a 29 mile sail turned into 18miles+ of motoring. The remainder was reefed and wet.

For the unfortunate among us who do not know the area, Apalachicola Bay is beautiful, shallow, and produces as fine an oyster as ever graced a cracker or a cracker's table. It also produces a chop that can make for a long day in a smallRead More...

Geezer, Launched

Administrator — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

After observing that 20-25 mile an hour winds on the nose might be more than enough fun, Dan and Old Geezer waited out the weather in Panama City. In the interim, we explored the area by land, stopping frequently for refreshments. On east bay, we were treated to a long and spectacular display of dolphins chasing mullet. The show was so impressive that we raised repeated toasts to them.

The end of the week promised better conditions, so on Tuesday afternoon the Expeditionary ForcRead More...

Geezer's Journey Begins!

Administrator — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Dan called this morning at 0657cst and reported that he was underway, following some fishing boats out of Carrabelle. At that point, he had run aground only once, and I encouraged him to notch his tiller for each grounding, gunslinger fashion. He declined, claiming that Old Geezer may lack sufficient tiller for that job.

Dan and Geezer entered St. George Sound, and he was planning to sail close by the west end of Dog Island and environs. Winds were set to be 5-10 from the easRead More...

Geezer, Interrupted

Administrator — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The launch of Dan, Old Geezer, and The Expeditionary Force has been delayed by prudence, high winds, and sea stories. The wind has lessened, and Expeditionary force is about to set forth for Carrabelle. Pictures of me and my very cool new hat will follow. There will be pictures of Dan, too.

Sunday Cat Sails

Administrator — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The Geezer Has Landed

Administrator — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Dan, Ambassador from All The Usual Suspects, arrived Saturday morning, and quickly won favors by presenting the natives with gifts. After fresh shrimp and oysters, Dan sailed BOB (Seaward Fox) in St. Andrews Bay under conditions which were at times "sporting." We should have reefed, but were too busy telling sea stories. As we tied up at the end of the trip, we repeated the ritual phrase: "Cheated Death Again."

Maybe we should have called it a day earliRead More...

Longyard's Boat

Administrator — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Interesting photos here of author and recent SCA interview subject, William Longyard's boat design. Hopefully we'll here more about his design soon. —Eds

Geezer's Sou'Easter VI

Administrator — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Dan set a record for the Expeditionary Force today, rolling out of Texas, across Louisianna and Mississippi, and nearly out of Alabama! After 534 miles, and an argumentative GPS, Dan was treated to a supper of marginal food and loud rap music at a one-star eatery off I-10. He is recovering in Geezer's cockpit.

Dan is around 170 miles from Goose Bayou, and will be met north of here and escorted directly to Sam's Oyster Bar to celebrate his arrival. After we get him settled in, plRead More...

Tide, Sun, Moon

Administrator — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Hey, Coastal Smallcrafters!

If you're exploring new territory along our coasts, this site can help you plan your trip. It has 2,299 links to tide, sun, and moon information in 22 states. You can get information by region, specific location, and select a starting date and a number of days.

Some of the sites provide information on out of the way places you might pass through or drop the hook for the night. Places like Allenton, Farmdale, and WettRead More...

Geezer's Sou'Easter V

Administrator — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Long Green, Old Geezer, and Dan Phy pushed through wigh winds and rain as they continued across Texas. Near Columbus, Dan was stopped by a Texas State Trooper after he and the rig were bounced around a bit by the winds. When the Trooper realized that the only problem was high winds and a light rig, he became very interested in the boat and Dan's trip.

Dan called it a day near Columbus after knocking off another 503 miles. Tonight he will consult the map and Jose Cuervo, and tommRead More...

Geezer's Sou'Easter IV

Administrator — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The Potter Expededtionary Force encamped east of El Paso, Texas last night, knocking off another 500+ miles. Jose Cuervo's whereabouts are unknown, but we "suspect" that he is near Van Horn, Texas.

Warm temperatures and lack of air conditioning continue do not add to the comfort level, but all's well otherwise. As of this morning, 4/16/09, Dan is less than 1,300 miles away from his first destination, in Panama City, Florida.

Dan will be welcomed Read More...