Good Day readers...
Aboard was Al Rothenbush (an avid sailor) and Hank of course :). We were loaded up with drinks and plenty of food to last for days (if needed).
We had a great start, with Al at the helm (skipper in training :)). Sails were set waiting for the starting time to arrive; 10:00 sharp... we're off.
With over 80 boats at the start line (one start only) was a site to be seen. Sails everywhere... Al and Hank had to be very watchful for who has the rights of way. Running into another boat would make great news, but I would rather not get involved. I did hear that there were some problems with other boats.I really tried my best to keep up with all the fleet, but due to my age and weight, we started to fall behind.
This was to be expected, as my handicap is 205. Boats with a higher handicap are slower than boats with a lesser handicap. A good portion of boats were around 150 or less.
Just past Passage Island the wind died... now well over half the fleet drifting out to sea. Al and Hank tried everything to get us going... even putting up the kite (with lots of problems), all to no avail. Now the fleet was drifting into other boats... some even had to fed each other off to avoid collisions. This proved to be a fun time for water guns. Coming along side us was a sailboats full of young ladies, trying to squirt us with their water gun. Little did they know, that Hank has a water "cannon" aboard. It is actually his dock pole, designed to exact water from the bilge was well... it shoots out water over 20 ft (3 meters). Needless to say, we won!
Lunch was served... with hot coffee as well.
We struggled to get to Collingwood Channel, but made it there around 2:30 pm (drifting for around 2 hrs).
Hank put up my kite with lots of problems (again)... lines getting tangled up... but once flying... we were "flying" down Collingwood Channel at speeds of 3-4 knots.
We flew the kite all the way down Collingwood Channel and going between Hutt and Bowen Island. Coming out of the Channel, we caught up with most of the fleet sitting in the lee of Bowen Island.
Now drifting again... no wind! I'm glad the race committed planned the race so we can take advantage of the in coming tide... we drifted towards Hood Point. We made it to Hood Point around 5:30 pm... now the race was official over... we "DNF" (did not finish) the race.
We had a good time all in all... being with Al and Hank for the entire day, sun most of the time, sailing with a lot of fellow sailors, learning new things.
Lessons learn:
- Our water cannon is best
- More practice needed on raising and lower the kite / sock.
- Have to add a extra cloth strip to the bottom of my kite.
- They should rename the race to "Round Bowen Island Drift".
- Boom prevent-er works very well.
- Too many lines in the cockpit.
Happy sailing.
Watch our Bowen Island Race Movie - Part One
Click here for PART ONE
Click here for PART TWO
more movies to come at a later time... just need time to publish these.
When you have to make a choice of boat accessories it is always safer that you start with procuring those that are vital to the smooth functioning of your boat and ensure the safety factors you will get from it.
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