Heck, I still have the Catsailing for the 90's book on my shelf. It's a fun read even today. I still remember the iconic whistle and coach-shorts he wore.
I fondly remember the Steeplechase / Tradewinds regattas in Blackwater sound (FL) with the huge mash-up of boats all crammed in Rick's Place yard (or the little bar with the power lines). What was that greasy spoon door (past Kelly's and Amore)? Hobo's burgers?
Funny Snippets:
- the Wave "Hooter"
- the franken-Taipan he built and won a bunch of stuff with
- The two noobs who had bought a H16 the day before Steeplechase and entered. Mary was pissed. I think they finished late Sunday at sunset after everyone had packed up.
- Having to finish day 1 of Steeplechase dragging the boat through knee deep muck to get across the finish buoy which was laying on what looked like dry land (tide had gone out). I think someone's Supercat 18 sailed across about an hour later when the tide came back. And tying your boat to the mangroves at Ann's Beach hoping it didn't sail off overnight.
- The Tradewinds it blew 25kts + both days and temps dropped into the high 30's. Randy on his Javlin F18HT ripped the transom off, introduced his reefed main, and I think only 4 boats finished (Jake maybe?). First time I pitchpoled going upwind and without a spinnaker.
I had to make glass repairs after collision on my N20. Laid the heat gun down which sucked up dirt and slung it into the curing glass. oops, probably should have set down the rum rather than the heat gun.
- the 14 hour 1st day of T-winds in drifter conditions with wind finally piping up after sunset. Todd zipped in front of me/Karl (the 1st) and Ding's boat and then promptly hit a reef.
- The only Hogsbreath I tried the fleet got destroyed about 12 minutes after the start with a 180 degree windshift, lightning and something like 30 kts. Only 4 finishers if I recall (the flesh-rocket under it's original owners, JC/Silent Jay, Kenny/steve, and possibly Les Bauman/ Mark Herenden)
- being the last person to smack the Jewfish creek Bascule bridge waiting for it to open at the Steeplechase start. I think the next year they couldn't sail under the bridge (I saw the videos). And then they put in that tall fixed bridge.
