Big Lagoon Messabout, May 14-16 2010

[Thorne]

http://www.luckhardt.com/blmessabout10.jpg

Mark your calendars now, please! Event website - http://www.luckhardt.com/blmessabout.html
WB Forum thread on '09 Messabout with photos - http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94448&highlight=lagoon

Big Lagoon Messabout '10 will take place Friday - Sunday May 14-16 at Big Lagoon County Park, Trinidad, CA. Just like last year we should have folks attending from all over northern California and Oregon.

Like most messabouts there is no formal schedule of events. The messabout hosts will be there by Thursday evening, and anyone is welcome to come hang out with us at the small group campsite. We will host a potluck dinner Friday and Saturday nights, and hope for some music and singing too. Weather permitting, we will motor, sail or row towards the north end of the lagoon Saturday morning for a picnic lunch, and plan to catch the prevailing north-west winds back to camp.

We will camp in the small group site at the County Park, near the restrooms and showers, and stake out a few of the other campsites along the shore. Since no reservations are allowed, not everyone may be able to camp at Big Lagoon Campground.

Messabout participant's boats can be pulled up on the clay beach on the north shore of the Big Lagoon County Park campground, or anchored out from the beach overnight. With prevailing afternoon winds from the north-west, the campground beach is a lee shore, but the swell never gets very large and winds die down in the evening.

Camping on boats is not officially permitted , but enforcement is unlikely for boats large enough to have porta-potties. We have seen larger boats anchored further north in the lagoon in the lee of the sandbar in the evening.

The lagoon waters are very protected (particularly near the sandbar) and quite suitable for children's swimming, floating and boating. Come on up and check out one of the California Coast's most spectacular locations!

View from the campground to the beach on Big Lagoon -
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/3534048190_9b728296b3_b.jpg

[Alan H]

This looks like fun. I put it on my calendar. With luck I'll have this 15 1/2 footer done by then.

[JC 72]

Aye Thorne, The lads is already been askin 'bout the next one. It's on the calendar (http://r).

[Thorne]

It may be the only way they'll get their lifejacket, bayonette and powder flask back... :D

[David G]

You know I have it on my calendar. Whether I pull it off or not is another question. It really sounds like a fun time.

[BobW]

At great risk of getting a rousing round of, "yeah, right" I've put Big Lagoon on my calendar, too.

I expect the Goat will make that trip. :)

Bob

[David G]

I almost said, yeah right.

But I stopped myself.

Actually, I have every confidence that you and the Screaming Yellow Goater will make it.

[BobW]

Almost, huh?

Pack your sunglasses. You do have sunglasses, don't you?

Bob

[Thorne]

Yeah, right.

Of course my twin has sunglasses, as he's been known to visit Dirtland and points East where that big glowing thing actually gets bright.

[Thorne]

Bumpity Bump -- only 5 weeks away. Any more Coots planning on attending? How about Bay Area folks?

[North Coast Viking]

I am blessed to live close to Big Lagoon; I had no idea that this event existed until I saw the cover photo of the recent Small Craft Advisor, which was shot at the BL Messabout. I am excited to find out about it, and plan to attend! I did a recon on the lagoon today (4/13/2010) to check out the Spring sailing prospects, and was disappointed to find the lagoon dreadfully low at the county boat ramp. I talked to the camp host, who informed me that the lagoon has breached to the ocean three (3) times over the winter, which is unusual, and the last time just last Tuesday. He says that with adequate rain and runoff, it can refill fairly quickly, but we may be near the end of our rain season. There is plenty of water in the main portion of the lagoon, but if you look at a map or an aerial photo, you will see that the county boat ramp is situated in a long and narrow cove. With the prevailing northwesterlies, when the lagoon is low, it can be a trick to tack out of the narrow cove; (it would have been today, if it could be done at all!). I recommend bringing your oars and/or an outboard, or tow boat, or be prepared to walk your boat out to clear the narrows if under sail, and if the water remains low... I will recon the lagoon again as the Messabout gets closer, and update this thread with water levels. You can carry launch from the campground, but I'm not sure about wet trailer launches there. Pray for rain, me hardies!

[Thorne]

Pray for rain, me hardies!

Yarr!

Almost all of our boats are sail & oar, so getting out of the ramp area to the rest of the lagoon is no problem. And low water can mean nice large areas of clay beach near the campground -- sometimes better than when the water is really high and there is no beach at all, just water up to the trees.

I'll be up there that week on Thurs evening or Friday noon-ish, depending on multiple factors. We'll be in the group camp near the shower block and several attached sites.

My fave photo from last year showing high water -
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/3534048190_9b728296b3_b.jpg

Low water in 2006 -
http://www.luckhardt.com/blcampbeach1.jpg

Check out these photos from previous events at Big Lagoon -

http://www.luckhardt.com/big-lagoon-06/
http://www.luckhardt.com/biglagoon9-06/biglagoon9-06.html
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_messabout08.html
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?t=79550&highlight=lagoon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkohnen/sets/72157605364085154/
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?t=94448&highlight=lagoon

[North Coast Viking]

Thorne, I dare not be an "enemy of reason," and it sounds like your optimism reflects that your lagoon, uh, your cup, is half full, rather than half empty!;) I'm sure your experience is greater than mine on this matter; I sail at BL occasionally, and my low-water launches at the boat ramp have been challenging and sometimes miserable...especially end-of-season, when that green icky moss is pervasive in the shallows. I look forward to meeting you and your fellow messabouters; no classic craft to show off, just my old-but-fun 'glass Cyclone 13. Just asking, know of any Storer designs, such as a Goat Island Skiff or PDR's that show at this event? As I said in my earlier post, I'm happy to update the water levels just as an FYI as the event draws closer, if that will help your planning for this event--Dry Side Up! Dag (North Coast Viking)

[Thorne]

Please do keep us updated. Your Cyclone is quite welcome, as we've had other similar boats attend. After you get tired of sailing circles around us, you'll wish you had something more stately and trad...

Most of the folks there are locals from Morgan's Companie, ranging from Fortuna to Orick.

If my Twin David Graybeal from that Soggy State of Or-E-gone gets off his duff and drives south, he'll bring his lovely blue GIS along with him. (hint hint guilt guilt guilt)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3464094416_faa898745e_b.jpg

Bob W. from Sacramento will also bring his brand-new yellow GIS up to Big Lagoon, but not sure if he'll have his sailing rig completed -- may just be a pulling boat still.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z98/brewmastermsu/IMG_0252.jpg

And we shall see who else shows up with what new/old boats -- always a thrill!

[Thorne]

Bump!

Looks like we'll have Kristopher / "Westley" there with his new sail & oar boat that he bought in Fairfax last week -- he'll get there early on Thurs to nail down the group campsite.

Twin - still looking good for the biiiiiig drive south? JC - you and the boys going to make it? Inquiring Thornes want to know...

[JC 72]

Yes , Hugh and I will be there with Merryrows. Here you are casting off.http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202009/P5090291.jpg

[North Coast Viking]

As I promised earlier, the Big Lagoon water report... you obviously prayed for rain; hallelujah, it rained--Biblical proportions. Today, 5/6/2010, the nearly non-navigable boat ramp cove is now showing 12' beneath the end of the pier and breadth to sail a dozen abreast; you could launch a deep-keeler there. The clay beach at the campground is non-existant; the water is all the way to the grass line. This will only change if we have another breach. Bring a sound tarp to set up on if a tent is your choice of quarters; the ground is still damp and soggy in some places. High pressure has brought sunny skies, high winds, and 'caps, but springtime in Humboldt Co. that can change like a woman's mind...nice mornings and late afternoons, though. The current tariffs are $18/car, +$3 extra vehicle per night; $16 if you are a Vet, disabled, or Seasoned Citizen 62+, $1 per scurvy dog or ship's cat, and $2 day use fee if you quarter elsewhere. No reservations, first come, first served. Local firewood's pricey, wet, and crappy, bring it from home if you can manage the extra load. Surf Perch fishing is great right now on the adjacent ocean, if you bring your gear. Looking forward to a fine event here! Cheers! NCV Dag.

[Thorne]

Thanks for the report, tarps are still packed from last weekend so no worry there. I'll forward it onto my Humboldt buddies, too.

Looking forward to being there in less than a week, and hoping the sunny weather holds!

[Fej.]

Another local who's excited to discover this event, can't wait for next weekend.

I took my 8' pram out for a quick sail at Big Lagoon yesterday afternoon. Wind was pretty miserable, but had fun nonetheless. Water level is still high, looks like it has dropped about 4-5 ft from the high water mark on the boat ramp. The beach by the campground is still fairly small, but there is plenty of room for boats east of the bathrooms.

Optimus Pram on the beach.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/BL4.jpg

Loving life...
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/BL3.jpg

Couple Hobie 16's on the beach.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/BL6.jpg

Can see the water level and high water mark on the boat ramp pretty clearly here.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/BL5.jpg

[Thorne]

Excellent! Thanks for the update and photos. Looking forward to meeting you there.

Kristopher will arrive sometime Thurs to get the group campsite, and Barry and I will roll in late Thurs night. I expect most of the others to show up Fri afternoon, but will get there Sat am.

The campsites we want are the group campsite, the site next to it (north), and the little site out on the end of the road that goes past the cement privies/showers. That gives us plenty of room to park all the vehicles and trailers.

[Thorne]

Boat is now jammed to the gunwales with camp stuff, will pack car tonight, then head north after work Thursday. Really looking forward to getting back on the water at Big Lagoon.

[JC 72]

See, While you are all ready to go, I'm running to Richmond to pick up the carburator which had to be rebuilt, yes timing is everything. Then down to the shop to throw it back on the Jungle Bus, change oil. Then its shopping and packing etc. Hoping to see you tomorrow, not too much after 2:00pm.

[Thorne]

Lifejacket is in the boat, will try really hard to bring the powder horn and bayonette..

[banjoman]

Richmond to pick

That place off Cutting in the little commercial building close to the marina?

The burrito truck across the street is good.:D

[Thorne]

Pick up some extra copies of the May Latitude38 while you are near Whale Point Marine, willya?

[Thorne]

Kristopher/Westley reports the water is very low, so launching boats may be difficult from the ramp. Bring boat fenders if you have any, as we may need them for rollers.

See you folks up there, leaving right now!

[JC 72]

Yep, Banjoman thats the place. "The Carburator Refactory". That burito truck did look good, but I had to boogie, to get the carb back on, and a new fuel pump, and thermostat. Now all she needs is a new motor. Still it will do for this trip. Got to pack.

[Thorne]

We all had a great time at the messabout, and met some new friends from the WB Forum too!

The sandbar between Big Lagoon and the Pacific was breached in a huge way, so we had tidal changes and ocean beasties like jellyfish and seals to deal with.

Very cool, but dangerous during low tide as it would be easy to get sucked out the breach and rolled around in the surf -- a canoeist died doing just that at Big Lagoon a few years ago.

We'll all post photos and links to same ASAP.

[Fej.]

We all had a great time at the messabout, and met some new friends from the WB Forum too!

I'll second that! Had a great time despite my pram doing its best to dismantle itself and met some fantastic people.

Seeing the lagoon actively breaching was amazing, looked just like the mouth of a good sized river (except when it was running backwards...). Rather strange to watch the tides affect the lagoon and the presence of jellyfish added some peril to the weekend...


Picture time...

Somethings not right here, can't quite put my finger on it though...
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2388.jpg

It's about yea deep
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00793.jpg

Saturday's excursion
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00811.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00801.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00802.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00807.jpg

[Fej.]

The breach
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00814.jpg

Tide was coming in so it looked exactly like a river flowing backwards
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00820.jpg

Heading back to camp
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00845.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00839.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00840.jpg

[Fej.]

Eric sailing my pram
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00852.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00854.jpg

Me "sailing" Eric's Laser
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00867.jpg


Second voyage to check on the ocean (Sunday morning), , it was still there

Ed out in his canoe
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2398.jpg

Tortuga underway
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2402.jpg

Laura in the little canoe
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2404.jpg

[Fej.]

Ed was just asking for trouble
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2405.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2406.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2407.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2408.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2413.jpg

One of many invaders
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/DSC_2421.jpg

[Fej.]

Thorne's "Tavern"
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00873.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00874.jpg

Ed's tent
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00875.jpg

The resident camp kitty helping us load the tables
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00882.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00884.jpg


Link to my Photobucket album with all the photos I took:
http://s961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/?start=all

[Thorne]

Thanks, Jeff -- some great shots! I'll upload mine as soon as I Photoshop some of the fog away...

The cat is available for adoption, BTW.

[Thorne]

We sailed/rowed to the breach at the north end of the lagoon both Friday and Saturday, and had a lovely picnic lunch on Sat. The tide was low on Friday so it roared out of the breach, and high on Sat so it roared in.


Tony brought his red pram for Friday, but had to leave to fly back East on Saturday. Tony and Laura sailing to the breach in his Piccup Pram -
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-3.jpg

At the breach, any closer and we'd be pulled out into the surf by the outgoing tide -
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-4.jpg

The breach at full roar during low tide -
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-9.jpg

Brian and me posing at the breach -
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-10

Attempting to tow the boats away from the current at the breach, slight confusion amongst the mules -
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-5.jpg

[Thorne]

Singing the Eire Canal mule song...look out, Jeff!

http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-6.jpg

Sat am with my dory skiff doing a balancing act -
http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-1.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-2.jpg

A rather blurry shot of Sat night's potluck dinner -

http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-7.jpg

John and Hugh Carlson rowing, fishing and dodging sailboats short-tacking up the lagoon -

http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_10-8.jpg

[Thorne]

Some photos from my iPhone uploaded to Facebook -

The campground beach at low tide Friday -
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs608.snc3/32032_426176003645_519763645_5401200_984340_n.jpg

Kristopher at the breach -
http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs608.snc3/32032_426236218645_519763645_5402363_7047647_n.jpg

Sat am visit to the bar -
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs562.snc3/30732_426459813645_519763645_5405912_7544594_n.jpg

Yep, the ocean is still there. Hey, look at all these agates!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs582.snc3/30732_426461168645_519763645_5405961_1085845_n.jpg



Sat picnic lunch near the breach, John and Pia stylin' with shades and chapeaux -
http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs582.snc3/30732_426516393645_519763645_5407200_519157_n.jpg

John Carlson also stylin' and passing out some great salami -
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs522.ash1/30732_426516738645_519763645_5407209_6943975_n.jpg

[Thorne]

Agate hunting Sunday am at the bar.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs584.snc3/30832_426848523645_519763645_5416996_6267452_n.jpg

High-tech taxi service was provided for Brian who texted me asking for a boat pickup, so we sent Hugh in Merryrow.
http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs564.snc3/30832_426848863645_519763645_5416999_8328399_n.jpg

Some cool driftwood, wild strawberries and flowers -
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs584.snc3/30832_426850293645_519763645_5417018_2022643_n.jpg

[North Coast Viking]

Hello, Messabouters! Although I didn't get the same view of the surroundings that others did (there's something just wrong about a sailor on a beach, and no boat under him...) I enjoyed the opportunity to meet some great people before and after the "fleet" came back from the breach on Saturday. If I had gotten there just a little earlier, I might have tried to bum a boat ride out... My boat is now fixed, four days and one Messabout too late ... Thorne, Ken, Jeff, Ed, John--my pleasure to have met you all, and hope to see you up here next year, if not sooner, hopefully with a wooden boat under my aftside. Jeff and Thorne, great photos! Thorne, if you are projecting a date for 2011, let us know as soon as you can; I know I speak for many, that I (we) live and die by a far-ranging calendar. And Thorne, kindly express my disappointment to the Goat-boaters that no-showed on us...:( Well, I'll go pray for a healing to the breach and another week's worth of big rain to fill my Big Lagoon back up... A fair breeze and no Honey-do's! NCV Dag

[Thorne]

Great to meetcha, NCV, and sorry we weren't able to drag you onboard as a galley slave....er....crew member. Any kind of boat is welcome at this messabout, as long as it can go to weather and not drown the sailors.

We will plan on it being the 3rd weekend of May 2011, which is also usually the local university and college graduation weekend.

[banjoman]

You folks sure don't travel lightly...judging by the tents.:p

[Thorne]

You are telling me! On the way up I loaded the boat with most of the heavy stuff, but it started bounding a bit more than I liked on the rough pavement. So it took well over an hour to pack the little Jetta wagon and boat for the trip back -

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs608.snc3/32032_425930993645_519763645_5396807_5099200_n.jpg

[Thorne]

My friend Lauraven has her blog updated to cover the messabout. Some nice commentary and a great randomized selection of various folk's photos in a slideshow at the end -

http://networkedblogs.com/3Ycsa

[Songololo]

Looks like fun was had by all. These sorts of happenings/trips don't seem to take place in Switzerland.

Hhmmmmm ... maybe this is the chance to get something like this started...

Lance

[JC 72]

Thanks for a fantastic weekend. As Hugh said, " why can't we do this every weekend, or month or sooner. Nice to meet all the new to us folks. Looking forward to next year. Thanks Thorne for draging the party pavilion up.

[JC 72]

Here is some of my pics from last weekend's Messabout. http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/P5150870.jpg

[JC 72]

Picnic lunchhttp://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/P5150869.jpg

[JC 72]

Ed's cozy stove heated tent.http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/P5150892.jpg

[JC 72]

Thorne and Laura head to the breech.http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/P5150866.jpg

[JC 72]

The Artist and his workhttp://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/P5150895.jpg

[JC 72]

Hugh brings Brian over.http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/P5160910.jpg

[JC 72]

The rest of them are here.http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Big%20Lagoon%202010/?start=0

[Thorne]

Some great shots, thanks JC!

[Thorne]

Can I use some of the photos posted here by Laura, Jeff and JC? Let me know if not, and I will attribute them to ya on the photo page for Big Lagoon Messabout 2010. Didn't get a page up for last year's pics -- so easy to just reference these WB Forum threads!

[JC 72]

Thorne, JC says, yes go ahead.

[Fej.]

Can I use some of the photos posted here by Laura, Jeff and JC? Let me know if not, and I will attribute them to ya on the photo page for Big Lagoon Messabout 2010. Didn't get a page up for last year's pics -- so easy to just reference these WB Forum threads!

Fine with me

[JC 72]

Hey Fej, Did you and Ken get a chance to look at the dory yet? Sounds like it would make a good thread.

[Fej.]

Hey Fej, Did you and Ken get a chance to look at the dory yet? Sounds like it would make a good thread.

Yeah, he came over on Sunday right after the Messabout. Pretty much confirmed my observations. And also informed me that it is technically a wherry, but somewhat dory-ish. Some stem rot (most likely just some of the outer laminations towards the bow and a near the transom), need to pull the center board trunk to fix the leaking problem and funky fiberglass inside the trunk, and replace the rotting outer "bump railing." Other wise the boats in good shape, all the wood inside is in good shape, rest of the hull looks sound. Need to do some work on the rudder, mainly fixing a quick & dirty repair I did some years back, and fix/replace the sprit (started to spit in high wind, lashed together pretty well right now, but I wouldn't trust in high wind).

Gonna move into the garage/breezeway soon, once I get started on it I'll probably create a thread.

Thanks for uploading the pictures, they're grrreeat! It was great meeting and talking to you guys. Hope to see you next year, if not sooner. I'm definitely interested in the pirate festival.

[JC 72]

Great, we look forward to watching you fix her, and looks like Ken is willing to give a hand. Wish we lived closer.
Let me know on my e-mail about Norcal Pirate Festival. We most likely have enough loaner sailor duds if you don't have your own. As Thorne would say, just watch "Master and Commander" a dozen more times to get the idea.

[North Coast Viking]

I was up at the Lagoon y'day (5/30) and it is still as low, if not lower, than at the Messabout--grrr! The breach is apparently still open, as I saw fresh high tide foam lines, and I cannot get my boat to the water save having about three more bodies to help me lug it down to the H2O. Bilgewater!!

So, what exactly is this Nor Cal Pirate thing? It sounds interesting; is it a Humboldt event, or elsewhere? Also, if one of you would tell me who Ken is on this forum, or PM me his email, I would be most grateful--Thanx! NCV

[banjoman]

http://www.norcalpiratefestival.com/mainpage.htm

[JC 72]

Hej North Coast Viking, Here is a shot of Hugh getting some training with cutlass last year.http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd168/jomac721/Pirate%20Fest%2009/P6200545.jpg

[Fej.]

Great, we look forward to watching you fix her, and looks like Ken is willing to give a hand. Wish we lived closer.
Let me know on my e-mail about Norcal Pirate Festival. We most likely have enough loaner sailor duds if you don't have your own. As Thorne would say, just watch "Master and Commander" a dozen more times to get the idea.

Don't need to ask twice, I love "Master and Commander." I'll definitely keep in touch about the festival, and if I could borrow the necessary kit that would be fantastic.

Ended up moving the boat into the breezeway this afternoon. Gonna let it dry out a bit before I start messing with it.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Dory.jpg
A little tight but it will do, I can easily move it to where my wagon is parked (much more room) if I need to.

Somewhere, probably on an old laptop, I've got at least one picture of me sailing her up at big lagoon. Just need to find it...

[Thorne]

As above, looking forward to seeing her repaired and in the water!

I went up to Big Lagoon this past Sunday, after coming over for Tony's 50th BD party on Saturday. Picked up the cat in my cat carrier and took him back up 299 to Lewiston Lake where my dory skiff, tent and trailer were left on Friday. Brought him home yesterday afternoon.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00882.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs566.snc3/30932_432464613645_519763645_5570579_8273131_n.jpg

Turns out he's an un-neutered male and capable of spraying (who knew?), and we are working at getting him settled at home with our existing 20-year-old cat and 4-year-old dog. Everyone but him is rather put out about the whole thing...

[JC 72]

Glad the camp kitty got a good home. What was his name again? Yes we know about his marking habit, don't ask...
Fej, She is a looker, what is her history, make etc. Start a thread on her, as this one has drifted a bit already. Meow.

[Thorne]

The wife tells me he's "Artimis", to be known as Artie or Art. Name is MUD until we get the scent outa the living room, however...

[Fej.]

Glad to hear the Campground Kitty/Artimis/MUD went to a good home. Good luck cleaning up after him...


Fej, She is a looker, what is her history, make etc. Start a thread on her, as this one has drifted a bit already.

I'm still hunting that elusive picture of her on the water, but I'll get one started soon.

As far as the boat, my dad bought her quite a few years ago. She's 14ish feet long, lapstrake, sprit rigged, some sort of wherry/dory. Don't really know anything else. Appears to be someones first boat, some aspects seem fairly crude, but she's solid (apart from the stem rot).

[North Coast Viking]

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Big%20Lagoon%20Messabout%202010/SNC00882.jpg


Turns out he's an un-neutered male and capable of spraying (who knew?), and we are working at getting him settled at home with our existing 20-year-old cat and 4-year-old dog. Everyone but him is rather put out about the whole thing...

Your new Artemis ("MUD ") was the topic of conversation around our digs as well after I came home... We already have four cats, all adopted from less-than-desireable life circumstances. Mrs. J said no mo' kitties for a while until the herd thins out a bit. Glad you got him, Thorne, hope he stops marking--a bettin' man would put money on the probability that the marking problem is why he ended up at the campground anyway; he seems to be a very sweet kitty, otherwise. All else failing, he might make a good outdoor cat, with closely supervised indoor visits... Good Luck! Dag

[Thorne]

It is amazing how difficult it can be to type with a cat drooling on the keyboard, trying to climb on your shoulder, and generally distracting you from the computer.

Built a cat door and ramp out a side window above the garden, but don't feel very confident that Artie would come back once he started visiting the neighbor's yards -- or know to avoid the cars on the streets. We'll see how that cunning plan works...

Here's some photos from this weekend at Lewiston -
http://www.luckhardt.com/lewistonmaysail1.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/lewistonmaysail2.jpg

Artie took to the water really well, sounded like a small outboard when he lay under the sternsheets and purred loudly -
http://www.luckhardt.com/artieboat1.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/artieboat2.jpg

With a small storm coming in on Monday afternoon, I decided to row the mile or two back to the ramp rather than sail - a wise decision as it turns out. The camp host took pity on me and pulled the trailer with his 4x4 Ford and it was MUCH easier than launching with my little lowslung Jetta at the beach ramp.
http://www.luckhardt.com/lewistonmaysail3.jpg

[North Coast Viking]

I'm thinking at that you should start a new thread here, Thorne, title it "The Swashbuckling Tales of Artemis the Nauticat" (not "naughty cat"...) or something on that order. He obviously has a fan club already, including his dedicated new Dad, who drove all the way up here to adopt him. Funny how cats can wrap their claws one's barnacle-encrusted heart (mine too...:p) despite being less-than-perfect. Go figure...

[Fej.]

That's just fantastic, I can't imagine any of my cats being any sort of comfortable on a boat.

Also, I finally found that damned picture of my dory/wherry on the water. I only had to search three computers and three external hard drives.

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/FejB/Dory1.jpg

[Thorne]

Sweet! Looks like Big Lagoon, too.

I'd call it a wherry or lapstrake skiff, as most dories (and some wherries) have flat bottoms of various widths. A small flat botton is sometimes called a plank keel in wherries as opposed to a vertical keel-like-object where the lower strakes come together.

[North Coast Viking]

Ditto on "sweet" there, Jeff! Looking at the other photos, it's easy to see that she'll need some TLC, but she appears to be well worth the effort. Get her finished, and I'm sure you will have a right proper boat for the 2011 Messabout. Look forward to seeing (getting a ride in?) the finished product! Dag

[JC 72]

Cool pic Jeff. What Dag said. Get her fixed.

[Thorne]

I've finally done the work, and put the 2010 photos online! Thanks again for everyone's help, and for letting me use your photos.

http://www.luckhardt.com/bl_messabout10.html