A.K.A. Hooligan's Chattahoochee Coup

Fleet 77 is well known for their annual Northern Gulf Coast Cruise, which has attracted C22 sailors from all over the country and Canada. The cruise is approximately one week long and follows the Intracoastal Waterway from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida to Wolf Bay, Alabama and back. This year Fleet 77 offered a second weeklong cruise. Paul Gallant, owner and skipper of Hooligan, came up with the idea for this cruise and did the research and planning. It soon became known as Hooligan’s Chattahoochee Coup. Understandably, one may not want to spend an extended cruise or brave an ocean passage on a smaller boat such as a Catalina 22, but adventure awaits the skipper of even the smallest yacht. Hooligan’s Chattahoochee Coup was just such an adventure.

In November of 2002 eight Catalina 22s set off on an adventure known as Hooligan’s Chattahoochee Coup. Launching our boats in Lake Seminole we motored 106 miles down the Apalachicola River to Apalachicola, Florida, and then sailed west to Ft. Walton Beach. It was an awesome adventure, the kind you might hear about and want to do yourself. Fast forward eight years to October, 2010, and a new adventure called Hooligan’s Chattahoochee Coup Too was about to unfold.

Dora and I typically participate in two week-long Catalina 22 cruises a year; the Northern Gulf Coast Cruise hosted by Fleet 77 and a cruise in October that is usually hosted by a member of Fleet 77 or another participant of the Northern Gulf Coast Cruise. Past October cruises have taken us down the Apalachicola River and all along the Florida panhandle from Apalachicola to Ft. Walton, FL. We have also taken our boat and sailed around Charleston, SC with Robert and Bonnie Donehoo.

MO Cruise, October 16-24, 2020

The MO Cruise, on the St Johns River, originated with two Catalina 22 sailboats, The Mari-Lee, sailed by Vernon Senterfitt, and Outrageous, sailed by John and Anita Kjallberg. Sadly, Vernon passed away. Anita planned the trip for us but at the last minute was unable to go. Dora and I have wanted to make this cruise, but time has always gotten the better of us and we haven’t been able to go. This year, due to COVID-19, we weren’t sure we would be able to make it. In spite of the turmoil of 2020 and the increased storm activity in the southeast somehow things worked out and the cruise was on! 

Dora to Receive US Sailing
John H. Gardiner Jr One-Design Service Award

Congratulation to Dora McGee, Secretary/Treasurer of the Catalina 22 National Sailing Association, who is the winner of the 2021 US Sailing John H. Gardiner Jr One-Design Service Award in recognition of distinguished service and leadership in the promotion of one-design sailing and class organization.