Mary,

I'm not familiar with the cat rental market, but your post made me think that I'd try and fit in some sailing when I visit Stuart this winter. I have a question, however. Are the prices listed for Miami Catamarans what I would expect to find in the rental market? ($200 for a half-day on a Hobie 18)

Since I never did see a reply to my previous post about cat rental prices, I thought I'd bring this one back to page one.

Kevin,
I do not have any idea what the norm is for rentals, but you could get a good idea by calling Scott Hubel at Performance Sail & Sport in Melbourne. They have a full-service sailing center there, with rentals, sales, lessons, youth sailing, etc. Talk to Scott or his wife Dior. Phone is 321-253-3737.

I was just wondering how Jersey ranks over Florida for water activities. I don't think California comes close. Who wants to sail in 50' water in summer let along swim in it. Try traveling to Hawaii on a regular basis, better own the bank or be a ENRON exec.

With well over a thousand miles of coastline FLORIDA is #1.
No matter where you are in this state your never more than 75 miles from the coast.

Mike

Mike,

It seems you are confusing 2 factors concerning our favorite enjoyment (DA beach / Hobies).

California: Yes, the water is cold, but it's the lifestyle of the environment a glaring example was Bay Watch in which a person entire being was surrounded by living and enjoying the beach in a 24 hour mode. Yes, you may sail in the day in Florida, but the environment is not present. I lived in Spring Hill for 3 years and enjoyed the beaches, but only one time it was truly a beachin lifestyle (spring break). Now take spring break and make it 6 months out of a year.

Jersey: We enjoy over 100 miles of coastline. The hot spots for the beachin and sailing lifestyle Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Long Beach and finally the namesake Surf City. We enjoy average water temps of about 60 degrees, and 100,000's of tourists a season, have you ever seen a boardwalk packed to the hilt at 2 am in the morning. If not come on up, and enjoy a beachin environment. Our season lasts from about May 1/Oct 1 in which you could literally party, surf, and sail in a 24 hour mode. Once again like spring break, but in monthly length.

My wife and I are of the beachin mindset; if the night is hot we will party, walk the beach/boardwalk, do a little bodyboarding and finally crash out in a hammock, only to do it again the next day. It was our intention many years ago to live at the beach. Now we do it, and whew it is a lifestyle. We are finally empty nesters and as the old expression said, "live fast but leave a good looking corpse".

Once again don't look at the forest, but the trees. It is the lifestyle, not only one factor.

Look at pic typical day of happiness.

Mike

well I beg to differ...I live in the Virgin Islands and here you are never more than 5 miles from the beach....lol......and I use to live in Fl...45 minutes from Daytona and New Smyneria....went twice in 4 years....after living here then going to FL the beaches just arent the same.

Also, out her in California we keep the endless strip of developments and mini-malls away from the beaches! For most of the 700 mi.+ coastline ther is no building at all on the beach side of the highway. We have been doing a pretty good job of keeping the beaches free and open.
Granted, the majority of our coastline up North here consists of giant, freezing waves smashing against huge rocks!

Re: Good Beach access in CA-- So what was that thread in Doonesbury last week about the old hippies and beachbums trying to get onto the beach in Malibu and Santa Monica thru the estates of the rich and famous?

Kerr Lake, North Carolina, Saturday evening.

Its big, but beautiful. Desktop-wallpaper quality.

Just another sunset from Holden Beach, NC in August with my old H16 sporting Hobie's 1976 "The Flamer" colours. (Yes, I am missing the "1" from both sides of my sail--does anyone know where I can get a couple of self-stick 1's in original Hobie size?)


Mark
H16
sail #19857