http://diysailboatmeetup.blogspot.com/
Call out to all the gypsy-rockers, voyaging-travelers, do-gooders and do-baders, and sailors
2012 has been prophesied to be the end of the world as we know it. Apocalypse or not there is nothing stopping us from making our own changes. I'm calling a summit. (or a sailboat d.i.y. workshop or a general "finally everybody is ready to do this really fun boat meet up thing”)
Most of us started sailing to gain independence known only in the "land" world through literature and imagination otherwise attainable only through a total disregard for society’s impositions. However, we are a community. In recent years a small group of vessels and individuals have had, or rather have made, an opportunity to work together bringing our close community into the sailing world and sharing that with other communities. The energy generated has been overwhelmingly supportive.
So far the idea of having this meet up, ( I'll be calling it a summit, thank you very much ) looks as if the last week of February and in Rio Dulce Guatemala is the opportune time and place. The backpackers Hostel there is run by Casa Guatemala, a non-profit orphanage on the Rio Dulce. All proceeds from the Hostel including the $10 per night boat slips benefit the orphanage and they have enough space available in their common areas to make it the perfect venue for workshops. The work shops shall be free for contributors and hostel guests (4.50usd per night) and something like 20Q (payable to the orphanage) for day time only participants. Sponsorship, donations, and fundraisers should cover workshop materials.
Workshop ideas are:
1) Collective name and Logo contest ( like a yacht club insignia, but a lot fucking different )
2) Boat Maintenance steel, glass, wood
3) Radio licensing and operation of unregulated maritime bands
4) Batteries and alternative power (how set them up and how to build your own generators)
5) knots and rigging
6) dinghy handling and races ( mostly just for fun )
7) L.E.D. making
8) on board bike maintenance and Rio Dulce Free Community Bike Repair Workshop
9) onboard gardening and animal husbandry
10) bicycle powered desalinators?
11) Darrin's gel-coat fundamentals, wifi, and cannons all-in-one workshop
12) Candle light book reading of "The Compleat Cruiser"
13) Improv or otherwise bands playing at the orphanage
14) Free Boat Rides! possibly even to forbidden lands.
15) Low watt "portable" FM radio transmitters
16) ongoing support for "overseas bike project"
17) making and fishing with cast nets, maybe get some local kids involved.
-outboard motor maintenance,
- maybe a discussion about crew dynamics? hierarchy on board?, i feel like there's allot i could learn from such a discussion....
18) first aid.....?
19) electronic / celestial navigation???
20) sailboat "crew change" for all our favorite anchorages, bridges and trash bins
Tyler En Cavale and there is good anchorage and any boat a little too deep can be pulled across the bar and any boat with out a motor can be towed up the river( a boat train would be rad.) Also there are the free riverside hotsprings.
What we need from friends and Family:
More workshop ideas and a commitment to be there!
Every year we meet tons of kids from all over the place who halve always wanted to get into this way of life but feel intimidated either by lack of knowledge or lack of funding or both. We especially need to hear from you! what do you want to learn?
Please respond to this and then repost it. Please include whether or not you will be there with or without your beloved vessel, workshop ideas that you would like to attend and/or teach. and suggestions for raising material funds>
And after the summit (now i feel like calling it a festival) there will be nothing to do but load up the boats and explore all the little islands and mountains and start other projects. I've been getting pretty excited about Belize myself.
