Stockton - July 11-12

by Harry Gordon

I was pretty late arriving at Buckley Cove with my lateen-rigged Potter 14, Manatee, and there weren't any Potters still around, so I just leisurely tacked up the river to Windmill Cove, not expecting to catch up with anyone. But there were two P19s docked at Windmill Cove when I pulled in for lunch. One was Jerry Barrilleaux's, who was single handed this day, and the other belonged to a cordial couple whose names I've lost. Jerry and the couple had decided to spend the night at Windmill Cove. The Kinseys from Stockton, sans Potter, had also come to join us for lunch.

After a leisurely lunch and good conversation, from the deck overlooking the river, we departed to sail up to Lost Isle. Jerry Barrilleaux had mentioned that it wasn't too hard to sail a P15 in through the several turns to the dock at Windmill Cove, but it would probably be difficult to get out under sail; so of course I had to sail out, which wasn't so difficult, except I had to fend off from a piling once. Sure nice, sometimes, having only one sail to mess with.

I had a headstart up the river but didn't wait for the P19s, thinking they were faster and would soon catch up with me, but they didn't until I got to Lost Isle and turned around to meet them. Again, having only one sail is nice when tacking up a river.

If you've ever tuned in to one of those "Spring Break" shows on MTV, you'll have some idea of the party atmosphere at Lost Isle. It's a wild scene. The shore was lined with boats pulled up and other boats tied out between stern anchors and bow lines to shore. Other boats and PWCs were cruising back and forth along the shore. I easily cruised among them in Manatee. Loud music was coming from various sources. People were dancing in a boat. A public address system was announcing, "We'll have our contest in about an hour; the women aren't drunk enough yet!" I can only guess it was some kind of bikini or wet t-shirt contest. No, I didn't attempt to land.

I couldn't stay for the overnighter, and it was time to head back, so I cruised on around Lost Isle, motoring the last leg where there wasn't much wind, and reentered the river, parting company with the two P19s, which were going to stop in at Tiki Lagun. It was an easy run all the way back to Buckley Cove.

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