Sailing in Gainesville
Florida or Georgia?
We live near Gainesville Florida. There are lots of places within two hours but only one lake that is suitable, Lake Santa Fe near Waldo.
There is an old landing there where you can keep a boat or launch for a small fee. There used to be a very active Prindle fleet but all of that is gone now.
Best group to sail with is at Dunedin but that is 2.5 hours. Jax has some activity and the Mug Race. Best ocean beach is just North of St. Augustine inlet. You can still drive onto the beach and launch right in the surf just like we could almost everywhere in the seventies. No racing there though. Eustis has a club and several regattas each year.

Gulfport is the best club for cat racing in Central Florida ... HOWEVER, you'll find it to be 2.5 hr drive from Gainesville.
Gulfport is the best club for cat racing in Central Florida ... HOWEVER, you'll find it to be 2.5 hr drive from Gainesville.
It's a 2 hour trip one way for us and it's worth it.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. We have 6 A-cats on Lake Santa Fe, mast up storage. We go zooming out at least every other weekend all winter, testing speed, tacking etc.... 3 1/10 boats were out in 14-25kn last Sunday, warm & sunny. But it was way too puffy. We washed a Marstrom 3 times in 1 1/2 hours, then came in to stop the 4th boat from coming out. The waves build up in the 3 miles of fetch leading to pitchpoling--- well at least the A2 guy was worried.
No other racing at all. But it is a Great sailing venue. Room for many many more. One small marina on the lake very near to our lot has cheap mast up storage. No Hobies or P boats have been seen for years: I am the last still-breathing Hobie Fleet 153 member AFAIK.
No other racing at all. But it is a Great sailing venue. Room for many many more. One small marina on the lake very near to our lot has cheap mast up storage. No Hobies or P boats have been seen for years: I am the last still-breathing Hobie Fleet 153 member AFAIK.
I knew you were in Gainesville Dave, but I didn't realize you were still sailing at Sante Fe.
Are you talking Buddie's Landing? 6 A-Cats? OMG.
I guess I will have to get back on my A-Cat quest.
oh dear. Should I be inquiring as to how to acquire a title for mine?
Yes. The forum topic died down but the law definitely changed to required title, registration, and bow numbers on ALL sailboats in Florida. It's just a question of time until enforcement begins. It wouldn't hurt to be ready.
Tad,
I'm pretty sure you can get a SC title with only a bill of sale. I need to do that for TL so I can be legal in FL. I'll let you know how that works out.
Dave, thanks for reminding me.
BTW, I never did find those blank MSOs.
I thought that was all worked out where the title was not required, or was that the registration. I'm so confused. When was the last time you were asked for a title while sailing? Now back to sailing in Gainsville?
Jeff, nothing has been worked out..
Law has ALWAYS required all boats (with exceptions) be titled (but never checked)
the law recently was changed to all boats over 16 be registered. (used to be 20)
I don’t think we have to have numbers on our cats…
no one has been asked or ticketed to date
Dunedin passed a law last year that you can only leave your boat on the beach 2 nights a week (w/$100 permit). to date.. no permits issued, no tickets either
the worries are that we are ticketed/towed/confiscated when we leave our cats on the beach for the weekend.
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