May 30, 2012 - new boom preventer

Hi All,

Just to let you know that Hank has installed my boom preventer... a device that fixes my boom, so it does not do an accidental jybe. A great safety device when working on my deck.

Not sure, but maybe the yellow boom-vang line is a bit too yellow.

May 26-27 2012 - Caroline's adventure

Taxi service Tarka here...

Good day all; this trip involved taking Caroline and Hank to Plumber Cove, the marine part just off Gibson, B.C.

This was Caroline first ever! solo camping trip!... she slept in the tent, while Hank stayed abroad me. Caroline wanted to do something very different and experience camping on her own... complete with an open pit fire, which may I add, she started herself! She braved the elements and wildlife on her own. complete with her ipad, blow up air mattress, and wine.

Her campsite had a great view of Gibson and the dock where I am moored. I understand that she kept the campfire going all night long (well at least until midnight).

The next day, Caroline and Hank went for a leisure walk through the park. This park is something to be seen... great trails, views and interesting beaches. Matter of fact they ran into a wrecked sailboat, wash up unto the shore sometime ago. It looked sad in a way, but at least she is in a place where she belongs... the ocean. Most boats get chipped up and go to a dumping ground... at least she is resting in peace on the shores of her life.

We sailed / motored back home, came to rest into my slip... waiting for me new adventure.

I understand from Hank, that he is going to install a boom prevent er soon and maybe a silencer on my air intake. Nice addition... keeps me quite and stops my boom doing an accidental jib.

Well talkin to ya after my next adventure.

Tarka

more pictures of Caroline's camping







Caroline's camping

May 14 - 18 2012 - Brian's Vacation

Movie Part one
Movie Part two
Movie Part three
Movie four

Cruise Ship Tarka here...

Looks like I am taking Hank's Summerland friend, Brian, for a three / four day cruise around the local waters.
The plan was to sail to Kendrick Island (crossing the Strait of Georgia), but due to the high winds just before crossing, the waves were very high and would not make for an enjoyable sail over. I was happy for that, as I did not want to get beat up for 4 hours straight. :)

Winds were strong for most of the sailing times during this cruise.

Hank and Brian loaded up the cooler with food and drinks... fueled up... we set sail for Elliott Bay, our first stop over. At the Bay, we were greeted by one other sailing group... 4 old farts (just like Hank and Brian). They all had a good time, feasting, drinking and telling old stories in front of the fireplace in the cabin the club.

The next day, after a great breakfast prepared by Brian, we headed up to Gibson. The winds were strong, so I was set to my first reef with only 1/2 of my jib exposed. Average speed was round 6 knots. this gave Brian a taste of sailing, getting his sea legs ready for the sail to Kendrick Island. I was berthed at my usual spot A77. Hank and Brian set out to explore the Town, had a late lunch at Molley's Reach, came back, fueled me up and sailed back to Elliott Bay.

The sail back was a great ride to say the least... lots of wind, but little waves (:)) Brian was now learning to take control of me.. in strong winds.

The next day, the winds were strong again... Hank put in the first reef and only allowed 1/4 jib exposed. Even with that, we averaged 6 plus knots. We had a head wind up Collingwood Channel plus fighting the current as well. We set sail around 9:30 am and finally reached the open waters of the Straits of Georgia around 12:00 noon. It was a long upwind battle, but I made it!

Once we got to the open waters, the waves were very large with white caps everywhere. I was glad that Hank and Brian were discussing whether or not we proceed to Kendrick Island. I vote was taken...Yes, we are NOT going to Kendrick... we will be heading down wind, riding the waves to Snug Cove. Brian was at my helm... now learning how to ride / surf large waves. As he found out, I do not steer very well surfing down large waves when a white cap is under my keel. You have to be in constant alert at the helm.

We arrived at Snug Cove around 3:00 pm; in at my favorite berth (A07). Hank and Brian set off to the pub for a well needed beer. Hank made comment "Brian, I think the bar is moving", Brian agreed... looks like they got the sea-legs and now have to get used to being on land again. After the drinks, they headed off for a long walk to the fish ladders... great place. :)

The following day, set sail for Pam Rocks - about a 4 hour cruise. Finally a light breeze got in the right direction. Hank put up my kite... a new meaning of "go fly a kite". my kite looks and works very well... doing over 5 knots in the light breeze. This type of sailing gave Brian another perspective of sailing... calm and relaxing. We arrived at Pam Rocks, to see the seals resting on the rocks.

The winds picked up to a moderate breeze of 15 knots,  with almost no waves. We tacked all the way home with Brian at my helm. He has become a very good helmsman!

Well that ended another cruise... now sitting waiting to get washed and cleaned up for my next adventure...

stay tuned...

Tarka.

PS this is the youtube address for some of the pictures...

Some more pictures of their adventure

May 13, 2012 - Gibson Sail

To continue with that day,

We sailed to Gibson right after the sail-past... greeted by Hank's friend Robert and his new lady friend Mary.

Usual time there... walks around Gibson,,, dinner at Black Fish Pub, relaxed aboard, restful sleep.

The next day, I heard the Hank was quite sick. His breakfast from the Water front Restaurant was not up to his stomach's liking. but it all came out in the end. :)

Caroline left the following day on the ferry, as she has to go to work on Monday. Hank stayed over one more night... took Mary and Robert for a sail around Keat's island... great winds... I even got to show off my kite:)

Monday morning came, with Robert taking Hank out for breakfast. Hank and I sailed home with a nice breeze behind our stern... clocked up to 6.8 knots running with the wind.

Resting now... ready to take Hank's friend (Brian from Summerland) out on a few day sail adventure...

Til then... happy sailing.

May 13, 2012 - Sailpast

Our yearly sail-past was something to be seen; unfortunately Hank's camera was missing the SD card,,, so no pictures again.. :(

If you could image... over 60 sailboats and 40 power boats in a single line...some site to be seen.

Winds were perfect for this occasion. However, Hank decided to only put up my main sail, as there were so many boats going in every direction. My summer headsail comes down to the rails, so you can not see past it. Good thing he did because I would hate to collide with another boat.

This was my first sail-past with Hank and Caroline.

Hank spent a lot of time cleaning up my starboard side for this occasion, as this is the side they normally past by the Commodore's boat on the starboard side. He took some time to install the my new windows on the starboard side (port side are not done yet). However, due to the wind direction... we pasted on the port side :(.

Oh well, I still look good on the port side too!

We ended up rafting with Lopeka at the Yacht club. Caroline and Hank had lunch and heard the Commodore's speeches.

another sail-past done!

May 09, 2012 - Wednesday Race

Well this tops it all...!

I had to suffer through an almost gale winds (25 knots) during the Wednesday night race. Our division 5 was last runner up... good thing as our heavy boats would of caused a problem at the start line I'm sure. Plus for Hank's sake... it is a lot less stressful being the last division out... less sailboats to contend with.

Paul was Hank crew mate, working the sheets as best that he could.

Going up wind, they had me leaning to my rails most of the way, with my bow plowing through the waves, breaking over the deck. I held together OK, but I did hear sounds from my "body" that I have not heard before. (Hank checked me out after, and found all is OK). Going down wind was great!, riding the large waves... max. speed was 7.8 knots with only a reefed mainsail and small jib.

Hank made a big mistake by installing my summer 180 genoa (large jib). This sail was way to large for this type of wind, so he could only put out 50% of my sail. This is OK for cruising type sailing, but not for racing... you loose a lot of speed as my sail does not shape very well. He did pull it all the way out during the first leg, but proved to be a big mistake... over powered me to say the least. He had to pull up and furl it back in.

We rounded the mark twice, which means that we were out there a long time... too long for me, let alone Hank. We came in 4th out of 5... but we almost came in third.

Back at the dock, Hank had to give me a good wash down to remove all the salt spray, which was over my entire body.

It was great action, action that I have not seem for a long time, but in my old age now... I could do with a bit of rest; at least for a few weeks or two :).

Resting now... waiting for the Club's sailpast this coming weekend... it is where Hank gets to show me off to the club.

Til then... happy sailing.

(sorry no pictures... just too rough of weather to take pictures.

May 05 2012 - Stag Race to Elliott Bay

 Well another stag race and adventure is behind us. Hank and his friend, Dave Bowman set sail for this year's Spring Stag Race. Long side was my sailing companion "Serenity Now", sailed by her dad Aaron and crew mate Kaya. Six sailboats in total, set sail for Elliott bay. Nice light following winds, was the perfect conditions to try out my kite.... worked great after a lot of deck work on Hank's part. The kite was in the sock, but Hank found out a lot more about kite flying... Only one halyard forward of the fore-stay, not two; you need two lines to fly the kite, not one. Once up and untangled, to worked great!

My kite flying high

Dave Bowman at the helm

Starting dinner

Dave was my skipper and Hank ran the sheets.

We arrived at Elliott bay around 3:00 pm (4 hour sail). Hank and the rest of the stag racer relaxed around the BBQ, had dinner and drinks, while I rested long side my friend "Serenity Now", and a new sailing friend "Wild Winds".

After a cool night's sleep, my crew was readied... we set sail for home... moderate winds under sunny skies.

Tarka, with 160 Summer sails

 

by Gary Wildman

Moored at home again, waiting for this coming weekend... going on the Club's sail-past and then off to Gibson... home of the Beachcomber's TV series back in the 70's.

A sunset moment