Cape Dory 33's Rendezvous via the internet

[Zeida Cecilia-Mendez]

Cape Dory 33's Rendezvous via the Internet.

Key Biscayne, Florida. Three Cape Dory 33's are rafted together at the small and quiet anchorage next to Crandon Marina. It is an unusual sight. The identical boats swing gently in the ebbing tide of a lazy and sunny afternoon. On board, instant friends exchange boat stories, boat upgrades, plans and destinations. As we move from one boat to another, taking "the boat tour" we admire and inquire about each other's differences and similarities. But one thing is obvious. We are all Cape Dory lovers.

Through the fabulous Cape DoryWeb Site, I had been corresponding with several other sailors about their experiences with their yachts. Most of the readers may recall entries from Canadian Liz Robinson and her CD-33 "Wind Chime", or Derek Hillen, (New England) from the CD-33 "Galileo". I own the CD-33 "Bandolera II", and through the Web, had been comparing notes about our boats. I learned about Liz and husband Tom's plans of closing up the house, moving on board and going sailing South via the Intercoastal. In the same manner, I had read Derek's notes regarding getting his boat ready for a major singlehanded adventure.

I corresponded with Liz and Tom and invited them to stop in Miami during their voyage to Key West and arranged for a transient slip at my marina in Key Biscayne, Florida. On their way down, in the Chesapeake, they spotted another CD-33 at anchor, and recognized the name "Galileo" from the Web Site. They dinghied over and sure enough, introduced themselves to Derek Hillen, who was already on his way too! The two CD-33's then sailed South together via the ICW. Through the Internet, Liz kept me informed of their progress. When they told me of their meeting with Derek, who was also familiar with some of my comments from the Web Site, we all agreed to meet somehow. They arrived at Ft. Lauderdale in time for the yearly Christmas Boat Parade, and I drove up to meet them. We introduced ourselves in amazement. Some weeks ago we were still writing to each other via the Web, and now here we are, in person! We bought some food and drinks, and found a place in the dock from where we could watch the parade together and had a great time that night. It was quite exciting to finally see in person people you had been corresponding with, and to see their boats! "Galileo" went out of the water in Ft. Lauderdale to have her prop repitched, hopefully to improve her ways thru the water.

"Wind Chime" has the most incredible bimini top and dodger combination and mainsail cover. Tom is a canvas maker, and a perfectionist, so all the canvas on Wind Chime is perfect. It makes the boat very cozy and cruise ready. His total re-wiring of the electrical system is awsome. Into a state-of-the-art panel, every cable end is labeled properly. It is a beauty! After a 4-day stay in Ft. Lauderdale, both "Wind Chime" and "Galileo" sailed down to Miami and Crandon Marina, where "Bandolera" was waiting for them. We rafted the three Cape Dory 33's together in the anchorage, and spent most of the time of one wonderful afternoon comparing our boats, taking pictures, looking over at the small different arrangements we each have, marveling at how beautiful our boats are, how well built they are, and in general, showing off!! All three boats are in great condition, Wind Chime being a 1980, Bandolera and Galileo both 1981's.

The next day, at daybreak, it was time to say goodbye. "Wind Chime" continued to Key West, where Liz & Tom will stay through January; they plan to round Key West and go up Florida's West coast, gunkholing to Tampa and St. Pete, then cross back to the east coast via the Okeechobee waterway, and leave their boat in Cape Cañaveral while they return to Canada to work some more. "Galileo" and Derek are now under way to Australia, via Cuba, Guatemala, the Panama Canal, etc. For me, it was such a thrill to meet and make new friends - all Cape Dory sailors! We turned out to be very similar in our tastes, styles and priorities. We hope we can all meet again at some time, and if not, we will follow each other via the Internet...And it all happened because of the great Cape Dory Web site. Thank you, Walt Bilofsky!
Sincerely,
Zeida Cecilia-Mendez / "Bandolera II"



zcecil@ibm.net

[Ryan T]

Cape Dory 33's Rendezvous via the Internet.

Key Biscayne, Florida. Three Cape Dory 33's are rafted together at the small and quiet anchorage next to Crandon Marina. It is an unusual sight. The identical boats swing gently in the ebbing tide of a lazy and sunny afternoon. On board, instant friends exchange boat stories, boat upgrades, plans and destinations. As we move from one boat to another, taking "the boat tour" we admire and inquire about each other's differences and similarities. But one thing is obvious. We are all Cape Dory lovers.

Through the fabulous Cape DoryWeb Site, I had been corresponding with several other sailors about their experiences with their yachts. Most of the readers may recall entries from Canadian Liz Robinson and her CD-33 "Wind Chime", or Derek Hillen, (New England) from the CD-33 "Galileo". I own the CD-33 "Bandolera II", and through the Web, had been comparing notes about our boats. I learned about Liz and husband Tom's plans of closing up the house, moving on board and going sailing South via the Intercoastal. In the same manner, I had read Derek's notes regarding getting his boat ready for a major singlehanded adventure.

I corresponded with Liz and Tom and invited them to stop in Miami during their voyage to Key West and arranged for a transient slip at my marina in Key Biscayne, Florida. On their way down, in the Chesapeake, they spotted another CD-33 at anchor, and recognized the name "Galileo" from the Web Site. They dinghied over and sure enough, introduced themselves to Derek Hillen, who was already on his way too! The two CD-33's then sailed South together via the ICW. Through the Internet, Liz kept me informed of their progress. When they told me of their meeting with Derek, who was also familiar with some of my comments from the Web Site, we all agreed to meet somehow. They arrived at Ft. Lauderdale in time for the yearly Christmas Boat Parade, and I drove up to meet them. We introduced ourselves in amazement. Some weeks ago we were still writing to each other via the Web, and now here we are, in person! We bought some food and drinks, and found a place in the dock from where we could watch the parade together and had a great time that night. It was quite exciting to finally see in person people you had been corresponding with, and to see their boats! "Galileo" went out of the water in Ft. Lauderdale to have her prop repitched, hopefully to improve her ways thru the water.

"Wind Chime" has the most incredible bimini top and dodger combination and mainsail cover. Tom is a canvas maker, and a perfectionist, so all the canvas on Wind Chime is perfect. It makes the boat very cozy and cruise ready. His total re-wiring of the electrical system is awsome. Into a state-of-the-art panel, every cable end is labeled properly. It is a beauty! After a 4-day stay in Ft. Lauderdale, both "Wind Chime" and "Galileo" sailed down to Miami and Crandon Marina, where "Bandolera" was waiting for them. We rafted the three Cape Dory 33's together in the anchorage, and spent most of the time of one wonderful afternoon comparing our boats, taking pictures, looking over at the small different arrangements we each have, marveling at how beautiful our boats are, how well built they are, and in general, showing off!! All three boats are in great condition, Wind Chime being a 1980, Bandolera and Galileo both 1981's.

The next day, at daybreak, it was time to say goodbye. "Wind Chime" continued to Key West, where Liz & Tom will stay through January; they plan to round Key West and go up Florida's West coast, gunkholing to Tampa and St. Pete, then cross back to the east coast via the Okeechobee waterway, and leave their boat in Cape Cañaveral while they return to Canada to work some more. "Galileo" and Derek are now under way to Australia, via Cuba, Guatemala, the Panama Canal, etc. For me, it was such a thrill to meet and make new friends - all Cape Dory sailors! We turned out to be very similar in our tastes, styles and priorities. We hope we can all meet again at some time, and if not, we will follow each other via the Internet...And it all happened because of the great Cape Dory Web site. Thank you, Walt Bilofsky!
Sincerely,
Zeida Cecilia-Mendez / "Bandolera II"

rdtec@aol.com