My Picnic Cat, Kim and the dolphins Long Story

Posted By: Jim Fynes-Picnic Cat
Date: 8/23/05 1:07p.m.

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Kim's dolphin watching adventure and why I love my Picnic Cat! Recently, one of my favorite Step Sons in law, Scott and his charming new wife Kim favored us with a very enjoyable visit to sunny Sarasota. They did the usual shopping, beaching, dreaming about moving down here and the restuarant scene. For some reason Kim thinks I know something and am a pretty neat old retired guy. I live on the water, have boats, play golf and have a seemingly adequate income stream for a non working person. ( No one else in the family holds that opinion ) Therefore I always look forward to Kim's visits. 'Unfortunately during this trip we had the dreaded Red Tide for most of the time and that took some of the pleasure out of the beach scene and the beauty of the gulf and bay. One evening Kim wanted Scott to take her out on the local sightseeing boat for the usual spectacular sunset and dolphin watching. The last time they did it, there were no dolphins. I voluntered to do better, a sunset coctail cruise on the Picnic Cat and I absolutely guaranteed the dolphins would appear plus I said, you couldn't beat the price. The girls made snacks, packed Champaine on ice, proper stemware and we made ready. Thankfully, the red tide had abated somewhat that evening. Kim had never been on a sailboat before and was excited but a bit aprehensive. I have complete confidence in my Picnic Cat and assured her all would be well. ( And it was) The crew was Scott the body builder, somewhere well over 250#, me @ 205# and the girls combined weight @ about 250#. The girls weight is an estimate, accurate information is unavailable. The boat took the load easily and balanced well, it was steady, sturdy and in no way overloaded or tippy, very solid. Although probably a bit sluggish compared to the way it handles when I solo. We had a southwesterly wind off the Gulf at about 8 to 10 mph. That gave us a glorius broad reach out of the canal to the ICW and then we had to tack our way windward to Big Pass and the Gulf. Kim enjoyed every bit of it, even asking Scott, "Hon, when we move down here can we get boats like Jim, a sailboat and a Boston Whaler? "No problem my love" After about the 10th tack upwind toward the gulf, Kim asks, "Where are you going? Me- out to the gulf, K-Why do you keep going back and forth, Me- you have to work your way up wind, (Scott sits comfortably up front smiling.) K-why not just go that way, pointing to the gulf. Me-( grinning and laughing) well you have to work your way out, that's how sailboats do it, K-you're not going very fast, Me- oh yeah! watch this, I pull the tiller over and take her off the wind onto a broad reach and we are clipping along about 5-6 mph. water gurgling up out of the centerboad hole,chop slapping the bow, it doesn't get any better than this. Me- How's that? Kim-you're not going to the gulf any more, how come, Me- It's getting late and we better turn around, OK hold on, kiddo we are really going to get moving. But-- now we are going downwind so everything seemed to slow down even though we were hitting 5 to 6 mph. Kim- were not even moving now, Me- sure we are look at those markers going bye. Kim-Oh yeah, unimpressed, Me- Kim, I'm thinking that you are not a sailboat person and you should just buy the Boston Whaler when you come down. Kim-big smile, Jim you're right again. The sunset was fantastic, the Champaine was cold, the snacks were great, I loved the company and the dolphins did appear on the way in. As advertised! That was the most people I've had on the boat and she was very comfortable, the high boom clearance so that no ducking is required, the ease of tacking with one line and the comfortable stay put seating for all is a huge plus. I guess it's the combination of the broad hull form and the heavy centerboard but this boat is really solid. The Picnic Cat is a really big little boat. Jim Fynes, Picnic Cat #115