What’s a “messabout”,
anyway? Well, a bunch of people who have built their own boats or want to build
their own boats get together, talk about boats an go boating. They are of special
value to anyone who is trying to decide on a design to build. All boat-folks will
be happy to fill your head with our dubious opinions, but the real value is that
you will certainly be offered rides. Maybe even the helm if you’re lucky.
Being in a design for even 5 minutes tells you much more than blueprints can.
This is also a good time for maiden voyages and test-runs. A small gang of boat-types
can bring to bear a whole lot of collected experience in problem-solving.
In fact, it needn’t even be a home-built boat. Most messabouters don’t
mind having a few production boats around, and often welcome interesting ones.
Shoal draft designs leap to mine, such as the Dovekie, Shearwater and “hen”
series (E.g. “marsh hen”). Indeed, Cedar Key is one of the oldest
messabouts, and was organized mostly for Sea-Pearls – a production boat.
If nothing else, you have an excuse to get away from it all for a weekend.
Messabouts are nearly always held in conjunction with camping. Bring your tent
and pack light.
Now on to the list of events!