Annual SSCA Gam

November 10-12, 2000 marked the 25th annual SSCA Gam in Melbourne FL.  For those of you that don't know what a "gam" is, it can be described as follows - "a visit or friendly conversation at sea or ashore especially between whalers".  This was our 3rd gam, and each one has been very fun and informative.  Here's a link to their web site - www.ssca.org We took a few shots of the activities that made up the weekend, including the boats at anchor, the flea market, the banquet, the BBQ and a shot from one of the seminar sessions.

First things first - the BOATS! There were quite a few cruisers that managed to attend via the waterway.   Indian River runs right past the Eau Gallie Convention Center, where the festivities are centered.  Many boats anchor right off from there and use the dingy dock at Conky Joe's for coming ashore.  As you can see from this shot, they came in all shapes and sizes.

On Saturday the Flea Market gets started - now's your chance to scarf up on items large and small.  Some of the folks are swallowing the anchor and have tons of stuff to get rid of (usually at attractive prices), others are just paring down, or have upgraded certain systems and are reselling the old system.

Bits & Pieces, Sails, Dorades?

Sailing Dingy anyone?

How 'bout a Bicycle?

On Friday evening the gala banquet was held at the Melbourne Airport Hilton.  It featured a cash bar, a fairly lavish meal and offered recognition to those cruisers that had completed a circumnavigation during the course of 2000.  The featured speaker this year was Tami Oldham Ashcraft - sole survior of a hurricane disaster at sea.  There were probably around 600 attendees this year - quite a turn-out!  Most folks usually bring out their finery as dress-up opportunities for fulltime cruisers are few and far between.

Our table at the Banquet

The Banquet Room at large

Each day there are seminar sessions for all manner of topics of interest such as Intro to HAM, Blue water insurance Q&A, Watermakers - everything you need to know, Diesal Engine Maintenance, Women's Forum, Fishing for Cruisers, Refrigeration Solutions, Canals of Europe, Sails - Making them last and more.

On Saturday, we attended several sessions.  It can be really hard to choose since they run parallel sessions in 2 or 3 different rooms, and all the sessions are useful. Some sessions are presented by members of SSCA, based upon their practical experience, particularly the travelogue sessions, which were great.  Many sessions are hosted by a professional in the field, such as the Diesel Engine Maintenance session.  It was presented by Sherri Ouellette, a fulltime mechanic from Ft. Lauderdale.  Most have handouts that help us "lazies" who don't want to take copious notes!

Diesel Engine Maintenance

On Saturday evening, the wrap-up BBQ was held at the Wickham Park Pavilion.  It was alot of fun.  A "BYOB" affair, with catered chicken and pork BBQ plus all the trimming's.  It also featured live entertainment in the form of a band.  Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Gam next year!  We'll see you there.

The use of the various organization's logos is purely meant to assist in site recognition and hopefully won't offend anyone.