Buzzelli Rendezvous at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron

The annual Buzzelli Multihull Rendezvous has become a bit of a tradition.  I'm not a racer but it's fun and interesting to check out what go-fast boats show up.  Hugh Horton came down from Cedar Key for the weekend and we carpooled to Sarasota on Saturday.  On the way there we stopped at Lucas Boatworks and Happy Hour Club.  Hugh had not been there before so Dave gave us the grand tour. Dave had his hip replaced recently and was getting around just fine, amazing.

When we got to Sarasota Pat Ball was already out sailing a beautiful 49 year old George Luzier daysailer.  George Luzier did the restoration so it's as authentic as can be.  Pat invited Hugh and me to go for a sail so we hopped aboard and had a great time cruising around the bay.

 Luzier daysailer.

Before taking off with Pat we helped Mike McGarry launch his foiler trimaran.

Nice beaching legs.

Hugh and Pat enjoying the sail.

"Chasing" some of the race boats like this Stiletto.

Randy Smyth's F-25C "YO" blasting by.

We stopped by the committee boat "Roseate" for a few refreshments.  "Roseate" is a Dave Gerr designed shallow draft trawler built by Charlie and Pat Ball.

Back on the beach we spotted a Tornado, highly modified for the 2014 Everglades Challenge.  Those wings look mighty comfy.

 Calm at the docks before all the race boats come back.

Here's Meade Gougeon talking to catamaran designer Peter Wormwood.  I think Peter Wormwood has designed some of the most beautiful cats on the water.  This is the gorgeous 35ft "Merlin".

 "Merlin" on the right.  The 40' white cat docked aft of "Merlin" is OH Rodger's race boat.

Playing with the iPhone auto panorama mode, it's come a long way.  I've manually stitched a lot of panoramas and aligning wooden planked docks is a royal pain.  This thing does it flawlessly.  Call me impressed.

Crystal River Boat Builders Launch Blockade Runner Scow Replica "Spirit"

For the last two years the Crystal River Boat Builders, CRBB, have been diligently building a replica of the 36ft blockade runner scow "Wartappo".  They only used tools and methods that were available during the 1860's.  That means no DeWalts or Makitas in sight.  Here's a description of the Wartappo: http://www.tsca.net/CRBB/scow.htm.  Today was the christening and launch of the scow. The operation went smoothly and "Spirit" slid into the waters of Crystal River as the crowd cheered enthusiastically.  Well done you crazy boat building fools!  Go to the CRBB facebook page for lots more info and pics: https://www.facebook.com/crbbs

 Tractor ready for the pull to the ramp.

 At the ramp the tractor was unhitched and moved to the bow where it pushed the scow the rest of the way down the ramp.

 Massive tabernacle.

 Happy papa.

 Thumbs up for the final push.

 T-1

She floats!

The Queen approves.

 The crowd is happy.