Dec 31 2011 - New Years at Snug Cove

I'm happy to say, that we are presently resting at Snug Cove, to enjoy New Years eve with their boating friends. Hank sailed me over with Caroline on Friday, staying over until New Years day. (3 days).

Needless to say, this time of the year, it is very cold.. two heaters, two hot water bottles, good sleeping bags,, hot drinks, kept Caroline and Hank warm. :)

Because of the extremely temperature difference, Hank found that the exposed fiberglass hull at the waterline, has extreme condensation built-up. Hank stated that he needs to install foam insulation in these areas. this will keep me warmer inside and curb the condensation. Sounds like a good plan to me.

When Hank plugged my power cord in, he noticed that the boat side plug-in was melted a bit. This is cause for concern, as it could start a fire. Luckily, Snug Cove had a replacement plug, but this was a "Smart Plug". Regular plug-in end and electrical breaker only deal with current, Not heat! But the Smart plug deals with heat and current. Over $200 dollars later the new Smart Plug was installed. At least now Caroline, Hank and me of course, can sleep peacefully knowing we have a safe connection.

The plan for this evening is to meet our friends, go to the community Bon fire and then to the pub for drinks and snacks.

Talk to you in the NEW YEAR!!




Tarka.

Dec 23 2011 - Howe Sound Tour guide for Jeff and Christine

Good day all!

Just finished providing a wonderful sailing tour for Hank's relatives... Jeff, his girlfriend Christine and Hank's brother Will.

Sunny with light winds, but we did get enough wind to push me over about 15 degree and get up to may be 3 knots or so. I think my crew got a bit of sailing experience today. :) The temperature was cold but was made bearable with proper dress. Hank even heated up some water and filled the hot water bottle to warm up Christine' s hands. The hot water bottle trick works really well in cold weather sailing a must of my hearty sailors.

Both Jeff and Christine loved my bow seat, sitting taking lots and lots of pictures. Drinks were served once we were underway.

We sailed / motored into the sunset, watching the sun sink behind the mountains, in a blaze of reds, yellow and orange.


Hank will add a few pictures later, when his brother sends them over. right?

Dec 15 2011 - Week day outing with Aaron

Another two day stay at Snug Cove... what can I say eh... I guess since Snug Cove is only a short trip over with BC ferry for back-up; Hank must feel relaxed in coming here... winter and all. The storms can get quite rough at times, so it is nice to  have a fall back Hank to go home if needed. For me (Tarka), I don't mind staying here, matter of fact I would prefer to be moored here... no Ferry soot, better shelter from the winter winds, no waves to speak of, better docks and nice boats to be moored with. But I know... Hank and Caroline don't have easy access to me... having to take the ferry over.

Due to light winds, "Serenity Now" and I only sailed over with our jibs, Hank says it is too much hassle hoisting up my main sail for such a short trip. :( It was a peaceful trip over, coming to rest at Snug Cove; tied starboard side, stern to stern with Serenity Now, near the Marina office building.

The next two days, just resting at the dock, with Hank, Aaron and Kia (Aaron sidekick), going for walks, lunches, dinners, frisbee catching for Kia and movie watching in my cabin.

Add caption

Set sail a few days later for home after a great two day "veg out".

Till next time.....




Tarka

December 10 2011 - Overnight stay at Snug Cove

Yup, it is winter, cold!.

Hank called Snug Cove to see if there was room for us... We are the only ones checked in since Thanksgiving, lots of room. They stated not to be alarm with all the white stuff on the wharf, looks like snow, but not to worry, it is only frost...lots of it. When we arrived, sure enough, lots of frost! I kept thinking... I am a sailboat, NOT an icebreaker. :)

It took both of my electric heaters to keep Caroline and Hank warm that night,. However, in the morning, the temperature warmed up a bit, just above freezing and the beautiful frost was melting away.

Oh ya, remember, a few weeks ago, Hank fixed the leak in my cabin ceiling... he used spray foam to seal the large hole.... well it worked great!, but now I have lost a bit of head room in my cabin. Apparently, the foam expanded a lot, enough to push the fiberglass ceiling down. I think Hank has now learnt the hard way, only to use the foam spray sparingly. Finishing the ceiling off will now be a major chore. Oh well, live and learn.

Not much happened at Snug Cove... a lunch at Doc Morgan, a walk about, dinner at the sushi bar, rented a movie, breakfast at the Snug Cafe, and a nice motor home (no wind).

Arrived home... Hank reinstalled the snow fence to keep the otter from visiting me. It does not look very nice, but works really well so far. :)



Tarka sitting by... ready for her next sail.:)

Nov 15 - 17 2011 - Time away with Aaron at Bowen Island

With my engine repaired, oil changed, fluids up... we set sail for a short trip to Bowen Island with Aaron in his new sailboat "Serenity Now" as company.

On the sail over, we ran into hundreds of Pacific Dolphins. Dolphins everywhere, going in every direction. While Hank was filming Aaron, he noticed that a sea-lion surfaced at Serenity's stern, dolphins seemed to be all over him. The sea-lion surfaced the second time, with his large flipper exposed, seemingly to ask Aaron for help. He surfaced a third time, then he was gone.

Hank check the web, and found that dolphins do eat sea-lion on occasion. Humm, maybe they were wearing him out before the kill. Wish the sea-lion best of luck.

We moored at our old slip at Snug Cove (A07); the dock was frozen! so a cold night tonight. Hank and Aaron when out for dinner, then watched a movie with me. It took two electric heaters to keep them warm!

That night the winds and rain where very strong... so Hank and Aaron decided not to sail the next day.

I just laid around with Serenity Now, with nothing to do, but wait for the rain / snow to stop

Hank found a few more leaks in my cabin roof... where my old instrumentation wires when through the ceiling. Oh well, he likes working on me :)

Sailed home on Thursday.... as we came into my slip at home, we found it was completely plugged with logs. Hank had to clear out the logs before I could be moored.

Now sitting at dock once again, waiting for my next adventure.

Nov 13 2011 - First Video attempt

Hi all, this is my first video - taken from various locations... Race back from Sliva Bay, around Howe Sound, by passage island

Nov 13 2011 - Anti-Freeze change - Problems!

On a boat, no job is small, what you think should take minutes, could last up to days! Changing the anti-freeze is "normally" around 15 minute job. Well, it has been three days now, since Hank started, and is still not complete. Richard and Arron (Hank's friends) and Hank must of spent over 10 working hours on this.

As Hank was opening the drain valve, it BROKE! right at the engine block. The valve was pot aluminum! why would they install that type of soft metal? the engine block is cast iron!

To get access to make repairs, Hank had to remove the alternator, cooling hoses, electric wiring, and oil filter. To repair this, you have to remove the broken off piece inside the engine block. To make the story short... after a lot of work, they finally got it out by retapping the threads. All better now!

As said before, no job is small... while hank was working in that area, he noticed that the oil drain pump was rubbing against the  rubber cockpit drain hose... wearing down the rubber. Good thing he noticed this as it could of been a major problem, if left unchecked. A simple fix... move the oil drain pump to another location and replace the drain hose.

All to do now is the replace the antifreeze, change the oil, and relocate the pump.






Til next time... more adventures eh!

Nov 08 2011 - on the "Hard"

Some phrase eh..."on the hard"... meaning... your vessel is in dry dock. At first, I didn't like that phrase, on the hard, but now, being a boater... it makes sense to me.
Anyway...
Hank finally took me to the yacht club for my hull cleaning... looking forward to this, as I know I have a few pounds of mussels growing at the bottom of my keel.

Richard Grass came over and helped out... great guy to say the least. My hull was power washed, mussels removed, and they added one additional zinc near my brass propeller. However, they did not paint my bottom this time. Hank could not get any bottom paint, plus it was raining so they could apply it anyway... next time eh!

Hank felt a bit better, knowing my bottom was clean and the all is well down there... zincs secured, propeller good, rudder is strong, through-hulls all looking good.

Hank lowered me into the water, without problems. Just we were going to sail / motor away, Richard mentioned that we should check the dripless bearing... I forgot all about this, as we have to open up the valve to allow the air to escape and water to come into the bearing! If not, 30 seconds later, would destroy my PSS bearing. Thanks to Richard!!

We motored home, tied up .... now waiting for my anti-freeze change over.

Til next time...

Oh ya... did you know that sea-gulls eat mussel whole! Yes, shell and all!!




Tarka

Oct 29 - 30 2011 - Snug cove

Just a nice weekend away at Snug Cove with Caroline and Hank.

Motored over and back... no sailing this trip :( Caroline pulled her shoulder muscles, so it was in the best interest just to take it easy.

they went out for dinner at one of the local restaurant, chatted with the locals and came home to me. :) We all watched a comedy on my HD DVD.

Next day, Caroline rested her shoulder and hank worked on the computer... then motored home, greeted by my sailing buddy "MoJo". Fantastic race boat, skippered by Pierre. They just finished the first "Snowflake" race of the season. It was great seeing the entire crew working on MoJo.

Oh ya, almost forgot... hank finally found where the water was coming in. Apparently, I have a major leak in the mast... either at the top or sides... the water was running down the electrical lines and filling up my mast, empting into my bildge. I guess hank has to climb the mast tower again, and plug the leaks. While he is down at the yacht club, he might as well clean my bottom!@! :)

Take care all

Tarka

PS photos to follow....

Oct 25 - 27 2011 - Trip to Gibson

Another day sailing the Howe Sound... light winds, sunny and a bit cold.

Hank went over to spend a few days with his friend Robert McDonald,. He must of had a good time, as he was away from me most of the time, spending  only time to sleep with me. Hank brought his guitar along this time, assumed he was going to play a few songs with Robert.

 That night it froze, my deck was all frosted over in the morning... Hank kept warm with a hot water bottle and a electric heaters.

Robert and Hank went for a short sail, just before Hank and I sailed for home... nice, short, gentle breeze. Robert seemed pleased with the sail. :) I dropped him off at the Gibson Marina dock and watched him head for home.

On our way home to Vancouver, we met up with Aaron...sailing his new mistress "Serenity Now". Arron is extremely proud of her, but I'm sure he misses old "Puddin" to some degree. "Serenity Now" has great lines and has super looks (But not as good looking as me haha).

We ran into a pod of dolphins again... I guess they must be here to stay for awhile longer.

Rounding Hood point, the winds died, so was both motored home...


Ah home again. :)

Oct 18 2011 - sailing with the Dolphins

Good Day, all... and what a good day it was!!!
Perfect weather, sun, warm and a very light breeze; a PERFECT day for another one on one with Hank!

Yup, just me (Tarka) and Hank, sailing around Passage Island.

this sail was very special... we were greeted by a pod of dolphins! Must of been at least 50 or more!

At first we motored to the pod, with the hopes that our engine noise will attract them and have them ride our bow wave... Well that was the plan, but no one seemed interested in joining us, they kept to themselves. Hank did manage to get some pictures and a few video shots. Finally Hank turned off the engine just drifted with the current amongst the pod of dolphins.

The sail home was relaxing... had a mini race with an unsuspected sailor, he seemed to be game for a race, as he appeared to be adjusting his sailing a lot closer than before. We sailed very close to him, to the point that he was always blanketed our sails, making it impossible to pass him if we continued on the tack. Hank jibed me, so we can change course... A good move on hank's part, as after that we gained a lot of speed. With our bimini top off, Hank could now easily see my trailing tell tales and adjust my main sail. Needless to say we "won the race" :)... of course. :)

Arrived home safe and sound.

Oh ya... Hank installed brand new dock lines... even braided all the connections, complete with eye-hooks... take a look!

Sept 28, 2011 - Wednesday Race - last of the Fall Series

Hi all...

Looks like I'm going racing one last time this fall season... the last race. The weather was picture perfect, nice warm sunny evening with light winds... just perfect for Hank and me to do a one on one!

Hank spend the afternoon, working around the dock. Made a temporary companion way hatch cover out of plywood, to replace the acrylic one he broke, and finally stuff my jennaker into the new sock he got a month ago! Maybe we will get to use it this year!

Well, were off to the races at 5:00pm to arrive at the start line at 6:00pm. Nothing exciting except when we were approaching the windward mark, Hank had to slow me down!! We were on a collision course with another race boat coming up on our starboard side. Hank luffed my jib and finally had to maneuver to get behind the on coming race boat. This took a minute or two to get back on course. It's a great feeling that Hank finally is learning the rules of racing... who has right-of-way!

We rounded the mark, in "hot" pursuit to beat "Windsong"... my competition. As it was, we were second overall. Hank got a plastic mug for my efforts. Oh ya... only two boats were in my division. :) 

By the time we got home, the sun had sank into the ocean, and had to return with my running lights on. I'm always worried about sailing or motoring at night; as mention in my profile... logs are not good for my paint job, let alone my hull. But we got home and landed safety home...




Another racing season over..... :(

Sept 17 & 18 2011 - Race to Silva Bay - with Killer Whales!!

Hi, to my readers

Well this was a race to remember!

My race to Silva Bay, and back, last weekend was great!... going over, the weather was perfect... sun, so called warm, and good winds 10 – 15 knots... doing a broad reach all the way over. It took about 5 hrs. (max. Speed was 6.4 knots, averaged about 5 knots). We all tied up at Silva Bay Marina as a group, With Hank the sailors swapping stories of the race, having a few beers on deck, and then went to the Marina’s restaurant for a great dinner. For me, I just rested at a wonderful moorage waiting for Hank the crew to come back.

 

The following day, was something else... I think it was the worst conditions Hank sailed in... driving rain, with head winds of 20 - 25 knots, making my motor work to the max ... doing only 1 knot at full r.p.m.; we just made the start time! But the worst was the waves. With the wind and the shallow waters at Silva Bay entrance, made the waves very steep and close together. My bow dung in very second wave... but I'm used to this and handled them very well... but my crew (Paul) and Hank did just OK. I could feel Hank's tension as he held onto my steering wheel. 

We started about 5 minutes behind time, with a reefed the main sail, but used the entire 120% jib. This seemed to be a perfect combination... heeled almost to the rail, with the occasional times the rail was just under the water. As always, I handled the situation wonderfully, ploughing through the waves without any problems. It took Hank about ½ hour to get used to this type of condition, but once Hank relaxed and having more confidence in me, I could feel Hank and Paul were having a lot of fun! (max. Speed was 7.6 knots with an average of 5 knots).

About a ½ hour into the sail home, (heeled to the rails, wind screaming in the shrouds), I seen a “sharks fin” come out of the water, about 100 feet from our leeward side, going in the opposite way. Within seconds, she came out of the water... a killer whale! I looked around, to find that were going through a pod of Killer Whales. Dead ahead (about 100 feet) I seen a 6 foot fin come out of the water... a male. For a second, I thought to myself... I sure hope that he senses us, otherwise we would be in a lot to trouble... rammed by a male killer whale! But fortunately, he must of sense us, as that was the last I seen of him.

The race results... one the way over... six boats in the race... we came in 5^th! Not bad for the smallest and oldest boat, eh! One the way back, we came in last, but two boats withdrew for some reason... I would like to say they “chicken out”, but I’m not sure why they withdrew.. could be many things, equipment failure, crew problems, etc.

All in all, a good day out on the water! I survived another race!

Till next event... happy sailing......

Tarka.

September 9-11, 2011 - Gibsons's Landing

Me again... Well, I took Hank and his friend Robert (from Gibson). Robert took the ferry over, just to get a ride back on me! nice eh!

The sail over was just OK, light winds and had to motor most of the way. We arrived after 2 hours, Hank had Robert call the marina on my new VFH radio. Robert never did that before, and wanted to try something new, I think he had a great time with it. :)

We stayed at A10 slip, not usually my side of the dock... when the tide went out, I could almost feel my keel sliding in the mud below.

Later in the day, I took the Robert and Hank of them for a ride around Keat's Island, and they even flew my jennaker! It was a great ride for them. At first, the winds and waves were great, but to a point that my passengers where getting uncomfortable with my heel, so Hank took us down wind from there. Going downwind has a lot less heel.

Caroline arrive the following day, by ferry.

We set sail on Sunday at noon, for home. We raced back with another boater friend we made... they won, but I think they used their engine... JUST not fair, eh!


Arrived safely home....

Aug 26 - 28 2011 - Bowfest Days

Hi all,
Another year has gone by, back at Bowfest on Bowen Island - Snug cove. I laid happily at my favorite Slip A07, unfortunately next to mostly all power boats.

Caroline and Hank really enjoyed themselves... watching the Bowfest parade, having great dinners at Milka, and hearing the performers on stage only a clam shell throw away. The party went on until 11:00 pm, with music and wine and beer flowing like Dodson Narrows.

With regards to sailing... none... just an easy rest of all of us.

Oh ya, I did see some otters on the dock next to me... no, they did not chrissen me with their "presents"... they have respect for their movie star "Tarka". But did leave their mark on the others people life-jacket left on the wharf.

Hank made reservations for next year's bowfest... :)

talkin to ya later.... :)

Summer Touring

Another beautiful day in Vancouver... took my parents for a wonderful sail around the neighbor. Great winds, reaching up to 7.0 knots on a board reach. We tried to have a drink break at the yacht club, but the place was full, with no temporary moorage :(. Too bad, it is always great to be sitting next to those larger sailboats.
Caroline and Hank were not too happy to hear about the no moorage, but oh well, a great sail anyway.

Coming back into my new slip, we had too much speed and ran into the end of the slip. Now I need a bit of blue paint to cover the collision point. I guess it could of been worst, we could of had a audience, but luckily no one was around to see the grand entrance. It goes to show, even the best has the occasional mishap.

Sitting along side me, is Tarkie... I can see her bottom is getting a little green from sitting too long... hopefully Hank will take her out and clean her bottom soon.

Tarka signing out.............

Aug 11 2011 - sailing trip for Hank

Here I go again...
Taking Hank to Elliott bay, by himself. The winds going was great 10 - 15 knot winds. sailing at 25 degrees, all the way over. only had to tack 3 times... great ride.
Got there, to find only new people with lots of kids... Hank was a bit bored.
Early next morning we set sail, (or should I say motored - water was like glass) for Gibson to see Hank's friends Robert and Dan. Hank went for lunch with Robert, while I sat calmly at Gibson marina.
After lunch we're off to Plumber Cove where we met up with Tim, an old racing buddy of some sort.
Sailing back to Gibson, dropped of Robert, then set sail for home... nice strong breeze taking us all the way home.

Aug 7 2011 - drink break at the club

I took Caroline, Hank and two new friends (Rob and ? oops forget her name) for a tour around Passage island and then to the Yacht club for drinks.

Nothing really to mention, but the winds were great going there, but very little coming home.

Oh, not sure if I mentioned it... Hank got me a new berth to sleep in. It is only a few slips down from my old place. this new berth is much wider, has better electrical and water connections, and has a double wide finger (walkway along side me). The only possible problem is that this berth is next an otter entrance. The previous  vessel berth here was used as an otter sewage dumping ground. I'm hoping that since I was named after a famous movie star otter... "Tarka the Sea-Otter", they will leave me alone. :). So far so good.

...

July 31 2011 - Overnight stay at Snug Cove

Going again... so I thought! The plan was to go early to Snug Cove today... all loaded up, overnight supplies, drinks, ice, etc. Hank started my engine, but after a few minutes my engine was being to get very hot, like no raw water being circulated to cool it down, something is wrong!! possible: stainer plugged, empellor not working, or intake plugged. Hank shut down my engine right away, and began looking for the problem. after a lot of exploring, he found that the intake valve was plugged. Quick thinking, he used the curved brush, in hopes to clear the valve... having my bottom rubbed was great... and it worked!!
We sailed under jib only to Snug cove.
Great stay as always....We met up with three of our sailing couples there... seems like they are always there, when we are there. Great time catching up with their lives.
We went out for dinner at the local pizza place - Tuscany... WORST PLACE!! never go again...

expecting good food and service- none of all - Caroline even got sick.
When it was time to come home... Hank got all the normal stuff done prior to leaving i.e. take down and store the sunroof, begin Tarkie along back and remove her motor - mounting on my stern rail, replace all sheets, etc... As Hank pushed off and got behind my steering wheel, something was missing... MY STEERING WHEEL! Hank removed it, as it is always in the way when docked. With quick actions, the wheel was replaced and all is well again.
Seems like a lot more learning needed. :)

So Ends another weekend... til next time... Tarka.

July 19 2011 - Family outing

Finally got to take my Dad's sister... Wendy... her daughter Michelle and Will out for a day of sailing / motoring to Elliott Bay. Due to lack of good wind, it was disappointing for me, as I wanted to show off my sailing abilities. Oh well, next time. :)
We arrived at Elliott Bay, with Will and Wendy taking pictures all the way over. They all had a good time at Elliott bay... All went for walks along the mountain trails.
Afterwards, the entire family had a picnic on the wharf right next to me. It sure was nice seeing the family enjoying themselves.
The home voyage, was the usual sail / motor trip... light winds.

All and all, a great day out on the water.

Trip down to Gibson (from Secret Cove...

Well, this was a trip to remember. Extremely rough water and high winds; everything below was on the cabin floor, ripped our Canada and Dutch flag from my stays, broke the starboard spinnaker winch, motor overheated (but thanks to Hank, the problem was solved)

We traveled for just over 8 hours (should of only taken 5.5 hrs) One of our friends in a 42 ft Benteneau stayed with us, but the other fellow (Patrick from Gibson) turned back to Secret Cove.
Believed it or not, Caroline made lunch along the way... some trick eh! it was greatly received.
Caroline remained below in the protection of my cabin, during most to the trip... she even had a short nap!
We all arrived safety to Gibson. For me... I have seen all this before I'm sure... after 38 years of racing, I'm sure I've seen it all. For an old lady like me I can still hang in there... it's just Hank and Caroline are new to this type of weather... I'm glad I held together!!

Hank and Caroline were greeted by Robert McDonald at Gibson.... going for a well deserved dinner at Molley's Reach.

Secret Cove again

Raining, got my deck washed by the rain.
We sat back and relaxed... for me clean water this time
Hank and Caroline just sat back and relaxed, enjoying the view and the local boater and staff.

Next morning, I overheard Hank talking to some of the other sailboaters, they were heading back to Gibson as well.

Arrived at Pender Harbour Marina Outstation

Upon arrival, we found that we were the only ones at our Outstation, to be joined later with yacht member. Hank found the place clean, great marina staff (had a tour of some of their cabins), showers were just ok, but the grounds were picture prefect, and the swimming pool
Hank and Caroline took that day tour I mentioned early, a great way to see the Harbor. The tour guide gave a great history lesson of the bay...

We stayed at our outstation for one day, then move to Garden Bay Marina... they have a Pub and closer to the "Town Center", so they can take little Tarkie out and explode the bay.

Tarkie had it's first big ride out into the ocean.... over to Madeira Park... they have a shopping center, coffee shops, liquor store. It was a nice ride around the neighbour (even ran out of gas... but they had extra gas with them).

The plan was to leave early next morning, but the weather was too rough, so they decided to stay for a bit longer and see how the weather progresses.
 In mid afternoon it was decided to at least go back to the outstatio.. On route Hank decided to continue on to Secret Cove.

Lesson learned the hard way... Hank! because we were only traveling to the outstation, the electrical cord, jib sheets, skylite covers, etc. was still topside. Hank found out the hard way, when we were out at sea. The sea and winds were a bit more than expected. All the "top gear" got in the way of sailing; after two hours we arrived at Secret Cove.