Island Cutter

I might be able to help here... Fayma was my Secret Santa (Wow! Thanks again, Fayma!) and I was Pew's

You can't go wrong with the advice that Dutch has offered... both the mast and boom need to be rigid, and it helps if the boom light. Start out simply and traditionally, and you will find that you can get your rig together fairly inexpensively. I would bet that a suitable sail could be found on eBay for only a few bucks. ...and if you really want to make yourself crazy (in a good way) check out The Cheap Pages - Poly Tarp Sails http://thecheappages.com/oddsails.html The current issue of WoodenBoat Magazine (February 2010 Number 212) has a great section on "Sailing Rigs - A Beginner's Guide" The $6.25 that you spend on the Magazine will be money well spent. Find a rig that appeals to your eye, and go with that. I would suggest the Sprit Rig... no boom to smack you in the head. Take things slowly. Keep things simple. You can do all is needed to bring this sleeping beauty back into her natural element. (BTW: I have restored several boats professionally, and I would be glad to offer any advice that I can. PM or e-mail me if you have ANY questions.)

Congratulations on the launch of the new website. Glad to have made your aquaintance at Ft. Taylor. Sorry that we didn't get to stop by St. Augustine on the way home, but I am sure that we will be back down there agin soon. Fair Winds, Cutthroat

Lots to consider first... I have an entire woodworking shop that would need a new home; and then there is what to do for a living. I do imagine that your area might be an even better marker for carved & gilded signs than here in NY... if the economy ever picks up again. Must make a pilgrimage soon.

I have only recently learned of this project and I am very interested in helping in whatever way that I can. I do live a bit of a distance from you, but I have been giving some serious thought to a relocation. Perhaps a few weekends of volunteer work over the coming months would be mutually beneficial. I have a bit of experience that you might find helpful... At various points in my life I have been a boatbuilder; done some wooden boat restoration, and even worked several years in a sail loft. I currently turn out carved & gilded signs from my workshop in NY's Hudson Valley. Probably a little too soon to be thinking of the Name & Hale for Luna, but please keep me in mind.

um... um... I am a man of few words, and now I am speechless! "Thank you" does not seem like a big enough phrase but it will have to do for now, as that is all I can come up with. Thank you "Secret Santa" !

Just finished a pint (!) of Tröegs Mad Elf Ale. Our friendly (and very attractive!) bartender was only told after she pulled the pints that "the Tröegs Mad Elf is to go in the small glasses... It's 11% alcohol !" We didn't want to interfere. Where's my car? Where are my car keys? Where is my pocket? I know where my heart is. It is shipwrecked on the "Mahogany Shoals"!

I understand totally! We "rescued" feeders and had some friends that were as loving as our Border Collie... even after they were fed. They lasted only three years but they still come up in conversation five years later. We see that which we are willing to look upon.

William, I am glad that you made it to PIP and very glad to have made your aquaintance. A very Happy Birthday to You!

My humble offering to the photo album Island Cutter's PIP 2009 album

My special moments are many and the list is growing as I am slowly returning to "the real world" and great memories are begining to resurface... Actually managing to arrive on site after burning out the wheel bearings on the trailer and nearly giving up the trip in Brunswick Georgia. Getting over a protracted bout of newbie shyness, and finally mixing in with the Crew of the Archangel. Edward O' & Haunting Lil's hospitality helped tremendously. The big hug from Fayma for actually managing to deliver her order despite every challenge that Fate had to offer me. The time that Cascabel took to sit and welcome a PIP first-timer. You are one of a kind my brother! Experiencing the pure joy that is watching Mr Cross in action. Meeting the Famous Captain Sterling in person. Meeting the Infamous Green Fairy that ocassionally attends the Famous Captain Sterling much as Tink does her Pan. Kip's Haunted Fort Tour surviving the amature Goth impromtu theatrics that bedeviled Kip's Haunted Fort Tour. Calmly drinking Grog and playing dominoes while the Gale tore away bits of the "GarageMahal". Major Dan's "...is that all you've got?" came to mind, but even I dared not utter the words, for I knew that it was in fact NOT all there might have been. Putting real faces to all of the names, and having those now become the names of friends. Thanks to all of you who made me feel so welcomed, which is basically ALL of you.

Here's one of my boats... s.v. moondance

Since our actual arrival and departure date is still a source of speculation, The Zeewolf Camp will hold off for the moment, but gladly jump in to fill some more open work slots when we arrive. BTW: We will also have in our possession, an enclosed 8'x4'x3' trailer that might be pressed into service, as it will probably be sitting empty once we set up camp. see...

Glad that this is still a "go" I am really looking forward to it.

Thank you all for the Birthday Wishes. We're holding off the celebration until PIP, so join us there! (Coincidentally, I had been in the habit of trying to celebrate my Day down on Cayo Hueso. I had even succeeded several times in the past. One particularly long stay resulted in me finding out about the Fort Taylor event. This year it seems that I will have my calendar properly synced and all future festivities will be held during PIP!)

City Island is still there, but hardly recognizable... All of the funky, nauticalness that used to wash right over the Boulevard has retreated back to barely lapping at the few remaining marinas. A bit heartbreaking to go back there now. I actually had my Woodcarving workshop on the Island for a while. It was fun while it lasted.