Last Day of Spring Sail

We had a breezy but sunny day so we decided to get out for a couple of hours sailing.

A nice run and broad reach down Soames Channel and then into the lee of Keats Island.  The stiff headwind and flooding tide meant that we motored back to Gibsons Marina and the take out ramp.

Wind calmed right down as we left Soame Channel into the lee of Keasts Island

Sailing - not Farley's favourite activity.

BC Ferry and Mt. Garibaldi

New wind vane working like a champ

This kit boarder sailed circles (literally) around us.

Crew watching the show

2020 Launch Day!

After all the pandemic associated worries, restrictions and closers this year our 2020 initial launch happened on May 15th at the Gibsons Marina.

After a few wacky moments like me hitting the motor throttle at the dock leaving Lisa and Farley behind and losing two fenders (as different times) we got underway for a fairly gusty (triple reefed) sail on Shoal Channel.

Stopped at Plumpers Cove Marine Park to stretch our legs and again at Granthams Landing to pop in on a little unofficial (socially distanced) happy hour group that meet there on Friday afternoon.

Nice to finally get out on the water!

PS - Found a fender washed up on the beach the next day.  Not ours but a suitable replacement.  Broke even!

A few pictures....

A Few Modifications

Here are a couple of little mods that had been in the back of my mind and now made it to reality.

Boathook and Paddle Holder

The smaller the boat the more important to have a secure and organized storage for things.  I discovered the telescoping paddle and boathook both fit cross ship against he inside surface of the transom.  I had a little shock cord hook fitting left over from Chebacco so I extended the cord and screwed it onto the doubler plywood.  Nice and tidy and ready to deploy.

Sail Tamer Furling

I saw this clever idea as 'Stow-A-Way' kit sold by DuckWorks:  https://www.duckworks.com/product-p/bb-sawsts.htm.  Very reasonable at $24 but after experiencing the brutal shipping charges to Canada I just bought the component bits and made it myself.

The idea is the bungee cord is permanently attached in a crisscross fashion on the underside of the boom.  Plastic hooks are positioned on loops midway.  When the sail is lowered you simply stretch the bungee loops across the sail bundle and hook the two sides together.  Works a dream in the driveway but certain this will be great at sea too.

Footwell Grate

An neighbour at our old home gave me some boaty bits after her husband passed.  Included was this nifty snap together rubbery grate.  Assembled and cut down a shade with utility knife it fit 

beautifully.  Thanks Lynn!

Radio Operator

I have had a icon VHF Marine Radio for years and to be honest, aside from some longer trips with others, rarely turn it on.  However I did not go through the process of getting my official operators certificate which is the law.  Until now...

I signed up for the one day certification class that includes the exam.  It was put on by our local Power Squadron group and scheduled for May 9th.  This ended up being scuttled due to the pandemic but rescheduled as an on-line class via Zoom.  The sixty question exam was also administered over Zoom a few days later. 
Passed - now I am a legit!

My license includes the DSC (digital selective calling) feature that is now available in radios.  This is very cool but my radio predates this and for now I will be satisfied with the basic VHF and mobile phone for communication needs.