| As I sit here putting this edition of
the Hunter Sailing Association of Lake Lanier newsletter to bed, my
mind wonders to this time last year when I joined the bareboat
chartering crowd. After spending over a year on the lake in my
Hunter 23.5 I was ready to step-up to a larger vessel in the coastal
cruising world. Our association in February 1995 offered (and
encourage) us sailing newbies to take an ASA Basic Keelboat
certification course custom tailored for HSA-LL members through
Lanier Sailing Academy. (This is an example of one of the many
opportunities and benefits of HSA-LL membership.) This certification
is the first stepping stone in ASA sailing certifications and for
the seven HSA-LL members taking the course it was quite fun
(freezing and wet, but fun)!
After a little research in February I chose an Island Packet 27,
named Ex Liber, through South West Florida Yachts at Burnt
Store Marina (north of Fort Meyers, FL.) for a Spring break
bareboat. I also set my objective and succeeded in challenging the
ASA Coastal and Bareboat Certifications during the first few days of
the charter.
Charlotte Harbor and the coastal islands is a great spot for
gedunking in coves to hob-nobing with the rich and famous
(not us) at well know resorts. For our family it was our first
experience seeing manatees in the wild. We even escorted for several
hundred yards one manatee off our bow during a trip back to the
vessel's home slip, this gave the kids a thrill. We stopped for a
day and a half at Pelican Bay off Cayo Costa Island. This is a must
stop and see spot as the island is a natural setting maintained
by the state as a park with a local ranger or two (the only island
residents). A 30 minute walk crosses the island from Pelican Bay to
the Gulf side with its white beaches, beautiful water, and numerous
shells. After a grilled chicken dinner on board Ex Liber, we
swung at anchor and watched a picture-perfect sun set over Cayo
Costa's mangroves and oak trees.
Mark T. Bell
Visit Southwest
Florida Yachts |
