September 20/21 2012 - trip to Gibson

 
Well, another day in paradise...

With the great sunny days, Hank decided to take a trip to Gibson, to see his old friend Robert. But before the sail over, he has to clean my deck and cockpit. While I sat around waiting for my next adventure, I had some visitors who left me and Hank some "presents". Needless to say, before we embark on today's adventure, Hank had to hose down my deck and cockpit... otters looks cute, but their "presents" aren't.

Looking down my channel to my berth... on left side, 1/4 way down.

Looking at the ferry terminal, leaving my berth

light just leaving Horseshoe Bay

Sailing Collingwood Channel, looks at Keats Island ahead

Looking down Howe Sound, the mountain in the far rear is our destination, Gibson.

Robert getting ready for a evening out

All cleaned up now... we motor/sailed to see Robert; only wind was at Collingwood Channel. Nothing much happen on the way over... same, same.

We arrived around 4:30 pm, with Robert waiting at the Gibson's marina dock. The usual, I sat around socializing with a friend from our yacht club "Overdraft II" skipper by Dave. Hank and Robert went to the pub for beers and dinner.

The following day, we set for home, but decided to go on the outside of Bowen Island. At first the winds and waves were great! but the winds died shortly after... now only large waves, pounding my deck... not much fun. With that, Hank decided to continue on the inside of Bowen (if we are under power, why not have no waves to motor home in eh). We did have a bit of wind on the home stretch, from Hood Point to Horseshoe bay.

The super ferry was just leaving the dock at horseshoe bay... Hank found out that this was the WORST time to try and take me home... the under currents were so strong that we almost drifted sideways in my neighboring boats, and four attempts to dock. Hank need to reverse under full power just to get control.

Before Hank left me sitting and waiting for my next adventure, he decided to re-install my anti-otter fence to deter the otters from visiting again.

Friendly otter

So here I sit... waiting...

Tarka Out!

September 16, 2012 - Fall Stag Race - the return leg

SEE VIDEO OF THE RETURN TRIP:

Video of the return trip from Silva Bay to Vancouver

Another day of racing starts! Silva Bay to Vancouver...

The smell of breakfast, drew Hank over to Jason's boat "Lopeka"... a great breakfast and a special coffee to start a race day.

Master breakfast chef... Jason Bowman on Lopeka

The weather for today was sunny, warm, with good breeze and lots of waves with whitecaps... should be another exciting ride for the both of us! I can feel Hank's apprehension as we sailed to the start line (Thrasher Rock). Yes... LOTS of waves with around 15 - 20 knot winds.

and Jason's Dad... Dave, having a special coffee with Hank

We made it to the start time with time to spare, so we sat at the start line, with my main sail keeping us steady with the winds... now getting adjusted to the waves and wind. We drifted over the line, but due to the waves heights and Hank only being solo (again), we opted for a late start. With Hank's butterflies under-control to some degree... giving the first boat out a 4 minute start from our position, we called in and started. Hank was bit upset, as he called in twice, with no acknowledgement from the race committee boat... everyone else got a "good sail" send off but us... humm oh well, we are racing right!

Gold Bug, pulling ahead

The ride was exciting, full main sail, 1/4 jib out while crashing through and sliding down the backside of the waves. Now on a board reach, constant attention to my helm was needed. I thought Hank did a good job reading my hull... no errors :)

Gold Bug under full sails!

We kept pace with Bill on "Gold Bug" most of the way over, until he put up his main jib. It was sure nice to see Gold Bug under full sail!!!

Lopeka diving into the waves

At one spot, Jason with Lopeka passed us... nice to see her lines at work!

The closer to Vancouver, the less winds... by the time we can see the finish line, we were only doing 2 knots... with the other boats in pursuit, flying their spinnaker! We just crossed the finish line with only minutes ahead of the remaining racers.

sliding down the backside of a wave

It was very very nice to know... me, Tarka...a 39 year old racing lady, still can beat these younger, lighter sailboats and with more waterline than me.

Compliments to Hank, sailing solo across the straits for his first time, under heavy seas and winds

The ones I beat!!!

Tarka out!


















Race results:
 SUNDAY finish:

Celtic Blue
Ragusa
Gold Bug/Farr-ari (equal 3rd)
Lopeka/Chesa (equal 4th)
Sorcery
Tarka
Avontuur
Turnagain
NautiLass
Frerari

September 15, 2012 - Fall Stag Race - to Silva bay

Lopeka waiting at the start line

SEE VIDEO LINK:  
First leg from Vancouver to Silva Bay

Finally got to go sailing... Hank has been very busy the last little while (not related to sailing)

    Went to Newfoundland for a few weeks to visit his Newfie friends...
    Then off to Edmonton for a week, to learn new things.
    Then off to Cranbrook with his friend Brian, to pick up his new dog, "Monty".

And now after a good long rest, waiting and waiting at my berth, we finally get to go out and RACE!

All fueled up, my bottom broom cleaned, food and drinks aboard, we motored to our yacht club to be moored beside my friend "Lopeka"... waiting to race the following day ... racing across the straits to Silva Bay and back.

Not much wind at the start line

Finally... our start time... 10:04 am, now waiting at the start line... this will be a pursuit race... slowest boat goes first, depending on the handicap rating. Also, Hank will be sailing solo... just him and me, so he has no help or support from other sailors. During the trip, I did manage to "talk" to him, in "boat" to "skipper" communication. If he does something wrong, I will show him his errors.

We motored from the start line (no wind)... motoring at 6 knots for about 20 minutes... then the winds came and so did the waves. The winds became so strong, to the point I was experiencing a lot of weather helm... Hank picked up on my communication... he reefed my main sail! However he failed to bring in my jib a bit, as I still had a bit of weather helm. (weather helm means too much sail and I will turn up into the wind and he skipper will compensate by adjusting the rudder (basically putting on the brakes!).

nice eh!

Celtic Blue

About an hour into the race, Hank got it right, adjusted my sails to suit the winds, enabling me to sail on my own...no need to "play" with my helm. This gave him the time to relax, go upfront, relax and take some pictures.

Look, Tarka is at the helm (no auto helm!)

Trasher rock marker on the left of the picture.

We arrived at the finish marker (Thrasher Rock) at 1:11 pm. That means it took 3 hours to cross the Straits (20 miles) going just over 6 knots all the way over. Needless to say, we position well in the race!

Resting now at Silva Bay, with Hank drying out the sleeping bags and sheets (he forgot to tightly secure my forward hatch.

The Racers and Hank went out for dinner at Silva Bay pub... from all the noise I was hearing at the dock ... it must of been a good dinner with LOTS of drinks!

Now resting, waiting for tomorrow return race.










Tarka... out.










SATURDAY finish:

Celtic Blue
Lopeka,
Sorcery
Ragusa
Tarka
Farr-ari
Turnagain
Avontuur
Nauti Lass
Frerari
Chesa
Gold Bug