Messabouts
Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing... about in boats — or with boats. In or out of ’em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not." - Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows
Wild Horse Island Messabout, August 24th-25th 2024
Spend Time with the Best Flathead Lake has to Offer
One of the main aims of WMSBA is to get people on the water in small boats. To this end we're introducing the Wild Horse Island Messabout (WHIM). No matter if your sail, paddle or row you'll find a way to enjoy the lake. WHIM is a multi day event. We meet Saturday night in Skeeko Bay. After an overnight we meet up again in Dayton Bay to before we sail to Big Arm and Back, finishing up back at Dayton.
The hope is no matter how you enjoy yourself on the water you'll have a chance to join the festivities. If you're set up for camp cruising our overnight in Skeeko is just right for you. If you row, sail or paddle and feel a need for protected waters the time in Dayton Bay or Big Arm Bay maybe just for you. If distance is your thing and you posses the kit and skills to venture on slightly larger waters the voyage from Dayton to Big Arm and back should be a good afternoon. And if you'd simply like to come out and look at some fine boats and talk shop with fellow boaters then our morning meeting should be just the thing. Hopefully this event gives you something to to think about .
Schedule
Saturday, August 24th
1700 Meetup in Skeeko Bay. Find a place to anchor out and prepare for the evening. Restrooms are available on the island.
Sunday, August 25th
1000 Convene at the docks of the Old Harbor House and the dinghy beach in front of the Dayton Yacht Harbor for a meeting and boat show.
1130 Depart for Big Arm State Park. It'll be a round trip with a possible stop at Walstad Fishing Access on the way home. Restrooms at both locations. A valid Conservation License is required to access Walstad Fishing Access.
There is a Facebook Event for discussion This is considered an at your own risk event and as such WMSBA takes no responsibility for those who may wish to attend save the announcement of possible WMSBA members. All fees, lodging, and meals are considered to be the responsibility of any and all attending parties. No support or guarantee of any kind is inferred or should be expected by WMSBA.
Smugglers Run III, July 20th-21st 2024
There is always a goal to do more. It's human nature really. The never ending quest to answer questions that need not be asked in the first place. And the question here is "Can a small boat make it from the south trestle (Dayton) to the north trestle (Somers) in less then 12 hours ?" We know the big boats make a race of it every spring at NFYC's Trestle to Trestle race but there is little information on small boats. Vessels are to form up off the dock at Dayton for an 1030hr start, following the race fleet east out of Dayton. From there we head north. This is a "Moving Messabout" the idea being we make our best time but are also free to sail as a group. The plan is to end up on the north shore before dawn. It's only 18NM as the Canadian Goose flies. But it certainly feels much longer. And for those who are in need there is just enough misery to make it an adventure. This is considered an at your own risk event and as such WMSBA takes no responsibility for those who may wish to attend save the announcement of possible WMSBA members. All fees, lodging, and meals are considered to be the responsibility of any and all attending parties. No support or guarantee of any kind is inferred or should be expected by WMSBA.