Flicka Voyages and Stories
(The newest stories are on top)
December, 2001 - The Last Voyage of Solar Wind
At the end of June, I had moved Solar Wind into dry storage using the
facilities of Driftwood
Marina located at the eastern edge of Marathon. This was a nice safe
location with low storage rates so I was pleased. ...(continued)
June, 2001 - Long Key to the Marquesas Keys
My base of operations in the Keys has been Sea Bird Marina on Long Key (mile
marker 69.5 Bay Side). This is next to the Channel 5 bridge and just off the
intercoastal waterway ...(continued)
January, 2001 - Time to make a Drifter Sail
The Florida Keys generally have good sailing conditions during the winter
season. The sailboat races off Key West each January attest to the
expected conditions. Unfortunately for me, this winter was not one of the
typical ones.
...(continued)
October, 2000 - Tarpon Springs To The Florida Keys
I had planned to sail in the Florida Keys for the winter season and the first
real cruise was slated to reposition Solar Wind from Port Richey to Long
Key. This is a distance of about 250 miles and would cover much of the
west coast of Florida. October is the time for the winter cold fronts and
the accompanying northeast winds - perfect conditions for the planned cruise.
...(continued)
May, 2000 - The Email Saga
While I planned to be in touch with home base on a periodic basis using my
cell phone, this did not satisfy all of the family members. I was always faced
with the question of "Well What do I do if your cell phone isnt
turned on, or you are out of range, or
This is really an unanswerable
question but my approach was to instruct the most concerned individual to send
me an Email. That way, the message was sent and I will get it the next time I
check my mail whenever that may be. ...(continued)
April, 2000 - The Refit of Solar Wind
No boat is ever exactly like the new owner wants. There are
always changes to be made and often those changes involve redoing things that the previous
owner had spent a lot of time on but no longer suited the purpose of the new owner. I am
no exception – I’ll want things my way – despite the good experiences,
invested time, energy, and money of the two previous owners. ...(continued)
April, 2000 - Baby Steps To The Water
Thursday Night and the weather forecast was perfect for
my introductory trip with Solar Wind planned for the following morning. West
winds of 10 to 15 knots with seas in the Gulf of 1 to 2 feet essentially
flat water.
...(continued)
February, 2000 - Flicka #377's History
According to the hull number, Solar Wind was molded in December of 1988
and manufactured as a 1989 model. She was equipped with an enclosed marine head but
no diesel engine. However, the cockpit and hull were molded as if a diesel were to
be installed at a later date. This means that the cut out for the propeller is
already in existence, the engine bed was installed, as well as the opening hatch for the
diesel engine in the cockpit. ...(continued)
This page was last updated on December 14, 2001 01:43 PM | 
The Comfortable Pocket Yacht 