Fleet 444 Tentative Event Schedule - 2012                            

Saturday, May 26 – Spring Tune-Up & Spring Fleet Meeting

Location: Lake Pepin; Lake City Yacht Club boat ramp and beach / Ohuta Park

This is a chance to get the boats out of storage and shake off the cobwebs. Casual gathering on Lake Pepin to rig up, talk about the upcoming season’s plans and go for a sail.

Conditions permitting, we could take a run up to the beach at Hok-Si-la campground (2 miles) or down to Pepin, WI and grab lunch or coffee at “The Pickle Factory,” (6 miles) or just spend time work out the kinks off of Lake City.

Cook out afterwards.

Rain Date: Sunday, May 27

Saturday, June 16 - Distance Rally and Fun Sail

Location: Lake Pepin; Lake City Yacht Club boat ramp and beach / Ohuta Park

Here is your chance to introduce a friend to the fun a camaraderie of catamaran sailing.  Bring a fiend, family member, co-worker or anyone else you think would enjoy a day on the water.  We will determine the day's activities based on the participants and the weather with the focus on having fun!

Cook out afterwards.

Rain Date: Sunday, June 17

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 21 - 22 2-Day Fun Sail

Location: Lake Pepin - Hok-Si-La Campground

It's a drag to set your boat up and take it down the same day, so here is a chance to rig up on Friday and take it down on Sunday. Details of camping to come, but figure on coming in on Friday evening for a late day sail if you can, spend Saturday and Sunday on the water and our nights around the campfire at Hok-Si La. Sailing destinations based on conditions.

Saturday – Monday, August 11 - 13 Leech Lake Regatta 40 & Hobie Fleet 444 Regatta

Location: Leech Lake; The Shore of Leech Lake Campground and Marina, Walker, MN

A unique racing and social event for cat sailors in the upper mid-west.

On the water: Distance racing out on Walker Bay and Leech Lake offering a fun format for all makes of catamarans. Portsmouth handicapping makes this an event for any size cat.  Got a chute? This is the perfect venue so bring it along!  This event is competitive and a ton of fun. GPS recommended since you often cannot see the next mark...and you could be leading.

Off the water: It is group camping, cooking around the campfire, singing around the campfire...family friendly event.

More details here in the Notice of Race (coming soon).

Friday - Sunday, August 24 - 26 – Apostle Islands Catamaran Rally

Location: Lake Superior; Buffalo Bay Campground (3 miles north of Bayfield WI)

Hobie Fleet 444's big water event in one of the top cruising grounds in the US. Yes, the water is cold (bring your wetsuit), but the sailing can be spectacular with numerous beaches and lighthouses to visit among the Apostle Islands.

Arrive Friday mid-day for an afternoon sail.  We'll sail as much as we can on Saturday and Sunday morning before packing up to head home in the early afternoon. Camping at Buffalo Bay is right next the soft, sandy beach we will keep the boats.

Sailing destinations will be dictated by the weather. Lake Superior has given us a bit of everything over the years...Please consider this an open water event.

Here are a few photos that might persuade you to join us...

Saturday, Sept 22 – Last Hurrah Fun Sail Location: Lake City Yacht Club boat ramp and beach / Ohuta Park Mid-September on Lake Pepin can be some of the best sailing of the year; there is less boat traffic, the temps are still really nice and the wind can be great. This is a great time to maybe head down to “The Pickle Factory” in Pepin, WI for lunch We will wrap up the season with a cook out following sailing. Rain Date: Sunday, September 23