Too bad that it is a hike. Nothing like being able to keep you cat with its stick up and ready to go. Gone are the days of a Hobie way of life along the Bay where you could easily keep your boat on the beach without a hassle.

As recently as 2004, I kept a Nacra F-18 on Chick's Beach. Hobie Fleet 32 is active in that area, www.hobie32.org, more than just Hobies and can give good advice on launching beaches. As you know, it's good sailing on the Bay outside of Lynnhaven inlet, wind is dependable. Just be careful of the tides along Fort Story side of the inlet. They can be strong and in opposition of the wind, making it hard to get the bows into the wind for righting. Had a hell of time righting the F-18 single handedly once in that situation there, 30+ mins seemed like an eternity.

Duck Inn is gone now, so no more beaching and grabbing a bite to eat there. Alexander's is still open.

Having sailed and rigged a catamaran as heavy as the I-20 single handedly off of the trailer (mast stepping and rigging), I sympathize with you. It gets old and tiresome. Wished I had moved to a smaller cat sooner.

Fast Approaching 50.