Geometry

It is a good thing I paid attention in geometry class! Here is the problem I am up against now.

How to fit a 16 foot kayak on an 18 foot powerboat.

Now before you say "oh crap! That is easy! The powerboat is a good 2 feet longer than the kayak!", let me fill you in on a few powerboat facts.

1. The length of a boat is measured from bow to stern.

For the kayak, this is no problem. The "actual" length and the "measured" length is the same. But for the powerboat, this is not the case. The "actual" and "measured" lengths are not the same. Here is why!

1. There is a small engine well at the stern, where all the engine related crap hangs out. Steering cables, fuel hoses, and so on. So, subtract about a foot and a half from that 18 foot overall length.

2. The bow area has a deck that is not usable for passengers. The anchor, anchor line, front navigation lights, and horn hang out here. Under this deck is storage space for other stuff, like more lines, the spare prop, and so on. So subtract 3 or 4 feet from the 18.

What is left over is the space available for people.

Then there is the beam problem. The beam of the boat (width for all you non-boat people) is about 6 feet. But the boat gets all pointy at the bow. So you do not have a full 6 feet of beam all the way to the bow.

So basically, the kayak is about as long as the boat - unless I lay the kayak down the center line of the powerboat. But this is impossible, the center console gets in the way. Plus, this would seriously limit the people carrying capability of the boat.

This weekend is Columbus Day. While this minor holiday is not a big deal for you, in Miami this is a HUGE boat day. There is a sailboat race (LAME), and somehow the sailboat race evolved into a massive free-for-all anything goes floating party for everyone who does not care about some stupid sailboat race. Everyone goes to a place called Elliot Key (located in Biscayne National Park) and lets loose. There is an anchorage area everyone uses. At least 1,500 boats will be there Saturday. Of course NOBODY has any alcohol, and so there is absolutely no nudity at all.

Now with all these boats, in such a small area, it is hard to move around. You end up dropping anchor anyplace you can find room. Of course you TRY to get into the crowd as best you can, but this is not always a good idea. It is not easy to maneuver a boat in such close quarters.

Which is why I need the kayak! The kayak can get right into the thick of the madness. No problem. It is highly maneuverable.

So far, here are the options I have:

1. Tow the kayak. PROS - the kayak is never onboard the 18 footer. CONS - I would have to tow the thing slowly and it would take a long time to get across the bay.

2. Find a way to lash the kayak on board the 18 footer. PROS - I can cruise at normal speed. CONS - there is this huge thing on the powerboat I have to deal with. It could be an uncomfortable ride for anyone else on board.

3. Leave the kayak at home. PROS - more room for people, beer, and food. CONS - no kayak to get into the thick of the madness.

With this unexpected time off, I will be able to get the boat out this weekend. Now all I have to do is decide if it is worth it.