Lured by the Beach

Still haven’t been to the new Hard Rock theme park in Myrtle Beach?  Don’t worry, it appears you still have time.  Looking at the posted schedule at www.hardrockpark.com, the park will be open on set days through the first weekend of November and then perhaps on a to-be-determined basis from then through December.  I’m definitely a little disappointed in myself for not having been yet–I guess I’m still a little depressed that I didn’t get word the park’s amphitheater was being christened by an Eagles concert upon opening several months ago.   Even so, I’m such a rollercoaster junkie that I should’ve been down there to check out the Led Zeppelin or Eagles-themed coasters by now, especially since it’s a hop, skip and jump down to the new park as opposed to the 3.5-hour drive to make it to Carowinds outside of Charlotte for decent rides.

C’mon!  Let’s all go eat as many hotdogs and funnel cakes as we can and then see what a ride called “Life in the Fast Lane” is all about!

I saw a one-page article in Details magazine awhile back regarding the now attainable art of sailing. Once thought of as a leisure time activity for the well-off, sailing’s now come within reach of those with only a modicum of disposable cash. For the price of a mid-size car, not only can you get a pretty sweet starter sailboat, but you’ll get a starter sailboat you can be proud of (and can still keep trailered). I wasn’t quite satisfied with the thumbnail size photos of the following 4 sailboat models within the article, so I decided to go out on the ‘net and get some larger versions to get a better view (see below). So for those of us boating purists, who think having a 20-foot Sea Ray is like having a Jeep with an automatic, here are a few models to get you started.

Catalina 22 Mark II	The Catalina 22 Mark II’s wide hull makes for smoother overnight on-the-water stays, perfect for those of us who don’t have our sea legs (or sea stomachs rather) fully adapted to life on the ocean blue. Length: 21′6″ Base: $18,029 Coolness Factor (based on 1 to 5 Maltese Falcons, 5 being the coolest. ): 2 Maltese Falcons
Precision Boatworks most popular model, the Precision 23 comes with standard features only available as options on most other boats in the same class. With cabin room for 4 adults, weekend island getaways are no longer a thing of pipe dreams! Length: 23′5″ Base: $28,295 Coolness Factor: 3 Maltese Falcons	Precision 23
Hunter 25	Now, for a little bit more than the Precision, the Hunter 25 gives you more than a foot of length and such a shallow draft (the depth of water it draws) that it’s a cinch to get it in and out of places most other 20ft+ boats can’t go. Couple that with its low-maintenance (it’s estimated that owning a boat will cost you essentially 10% of the boat’s cost each year in maintenance and upkeep) and you’ve got yourself a great first-time buy. Length: 24′6″ Base: $30,000 Coolness Factor: 3 Maltese Falcons
Finally, while the Jeanneau Sun 2500 is definitely a bit pricier than the other models, what it loses in price it makes up in coolness factor. This French-designed boat is the same length as the Hunter 25 and is foreign to most US waters. You’ll be the talk of the marina in this European-styled yacht with it’s wood grain cabin, available inboard or outboard diesel engine and separate head (restroom) compartment. Length: 24′6″ Base: $57,000 Coolness Factor: 4.2 Maltese Falcons	Jeanneau Sun 2500

Ok, so…now that you’ve picked out your boat of choice, what’s next? It sure doesn’t do much good to have a nice, snazzy new sailboat and no one to skipper it. Have no fear! There are plenty of sailing schools up and down both coasts that’ll have you off to Bermuda (and comfortable doing so) in as little as a week!

II Dolphins Sailing
Wrightsville Beach, NC
www.iidolphins.com
(910) 619-1646

Priority Sailing
Southport, NC
www.prioritysailing.com
(910)454-4479

Charleston Sailing School
Charleston, NC
www.charlestonsailingschool.com
(843) 364-4123

Annapolis Sailing School
Annapolis, MD
www.annapolissailing.com
(800) 638-9192

SailTime Virginia Beach
Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA
www.sailtime.com
(757) 480-7245

And once you’ve got your new boat and logged a few hours on it out in the open ocean, be sure to come back here and drop me a line. I’ll be more than happy to accompany you on your next offshore ocean regatta! I’ll even bring the margaritas!