May 21 - 26. 2014 - Swiftsure Race - on "Snow Leopard"

Well, ah, hum... I guess I could allow Hank to show a little of his "Big Adventure" on MY blog site, even though he raced without me! He sailed on a Leopard 44, her name is "Snow Leopard". Apparently, she is pretty good, brought Hank and her crew back safe and sound... hummm...Hank sure talks a lot about her... should I be worried??

anyway... here is his story....

Swiftsure Yacht Race 2014... racing from Victoria, BC... up the Strait of Juan De Fuca...

over 180 race boats on the entire course!

our race course...

The Cape Flattery Race for Multihulls (PHRF handicapped yachts)
         • Start to Neah Bay and return to Finish – 101.9 NM

our boat...
"Snow Leopard" was chartered from Island Cruising, out of at Port Sidney, racing with a compliment of 9 crew members.

My vacation trip starting point was at Port Sidney, arrived on Wednesday.

The "vacation" trip agenda:

• Wednesday: Arrive at Port Sidney - BBQ at the dock, getting settled in and getting to know Snow Leopard.
• Thursday: Leave dock in the morning, sailing to Victoria. Learning to handle Snow Leopard.
• Friday: relax around Victoria, took "Snow Leopard" out for safety orientation, rising and dosing the sails, etc., attend the skipper's meeting.
• Saturday: RACE! 
• Sunday: RACE! and back in Victoria for dinner and rest.
• Monday: take "Snow Leopard" back to Sidney.

Below is a picture of the crew taken at Victoria, at the Safety inspection dock

Hank is on the left.

Thursday: Sailed over to Victoria, getting acquainted with the crew and "Snow Leopard".

Crew getting to know each other at the BBQ.

Some of the other members of the race at the BBQ at Port Sidney

"Snow Leopard" with her new asymmetrical

Leaving the dock at Port Sidney

Good thing the Snow Leopard have only 4.5' draft! at low tide there must be only a few feet of water below her keel, if that, before she hits the bottom.

John and Neil Jr & Neil Sr

where it all happens

 Victoria Harbour - Boats arriving for the race

Rod and Larry getting ready for the another day of training...

Jason Bowman accept award at the skipper's meeting

Jack Sparrow visiting Snow Leopard

and we're off to the races

one of the sailboats gliding by in the very light winds

Passing Race Rocks

At the safety inspection dock - soup for all!

some of the other multi-hull sailboats.

Picture perfect!

Flying the spinnaker was a lot more difficult that expected. at times, it took 6 crew members to put it up!

Great food aboard - being prepare sailing in 15-20 kt winds

crew taking a rest (no sleep at night) under motor, it was found that sleeping in the rear cockpit was a lot more restful than in berths next to the engines.

Great sail on the way home to Sidney, lots of wind!! :))

on the trip home on BC Ferries

 Well, we did not finish the race! :(
The start line was perfect I think, we were on time, at the right starting point... just a great start!

Below is our track line, you will notice we had a bit of difficult early in the race... the crew learning curve. Once we got it together, and the winds agreed... we were off again.

I the middle of the course going to the mark, the winds picked up to 23 - 25 knots... now reefing the sails. Snow Leopard handled the waves and wind without problem. However, the cat sure does rock a lot (three crew member got sea sick). I was ok, but on the verge myself. when the winds exceeded 20 knots, we needed to reef the main sail. If the cat is overpowered, she does not sail well at all, just placing too much strain on the rigging. She does not heel at all, so she just side slips with little headway.

Night sailing was interesting... in the shipping lanes now, with lots of traffic. All eyes on our instruments. To bad it was not a full moon!

Early morning... light winds, the current taking us to the mark.

Around 11:30 am, we called in that we were unable to make the mark by noon (zero winds) . If we did not round the mark by noon, we would be recorded at "DNF"(did not finish).

We motored the entire trip home, flat water all the way!

We arrived back in Victoria around 5:00 pm, just in time for a nice dinner out in the town.

Next year, we will try again!

"Snow Leopard's tracks

May 13 - 15, 2014 - Sail over to Gibson to see Robert McDonald

Weatherman predicted great weather for the next few days... time to sail! Hank and I are off to Gibson to see Robert McDonald.

The motor/sail over was the standard... nothing exciting... motor to Hood Point, then a light breeze to Collingwood Channel, then moderate winds across the Channel, then motor the rest of the way.

By going up Howe Sound, you are always on the lee-side of the Bowen and Keats Island (no winds to speak of).

Going across Collingwood Channel

When we arrived at Gibson, we notice lots of slips available. They have opened their marina for transient moorage. I guess local community got involved. :)

We met Robert at the marina... then norm... Hank left me at the marina, and he took off with Robert.

I understand he had a great time... drinks / dinner at the Blackfish pub, then off to Robert place to help him with his computer.

The following day... all three, sorry, four of us (his dog lucky came along too!) went for a sail to Elliott Bay.

Having a dog aboard a boat a sailboat has a major draw backs... namely... the owner is constantly involved looking after it. But it was nice have Robert aboard.

Deck hand / helmsman Robert McDonald working the jennaker

ah... lets see... nice shoes eh!

Just me (Tarka) on just a beautiful day at Elliott Bay

We spent most of the time just hanging around marina... then back to Gibson.

Hank decided to stay an extra night over at Gibson, returning home the following day.

In the morning, hank and robert took a nice walk along the ocean side, just up from Gibson...

a view along the boardwalk at Gibson

a stroll on the beach near Gibson

Hank's tour guide

After the walk, Hank and I took off for home. The trip back was a bit much... winds 15-25 knots, gusting to 30. the first leg from Gibson to Collingwood Channel was nice with a moderate breeze, but as we were heading towards Collingwood Channel, Hank noticed that all the water was WHITE! extreme winds coming down the Channel.

Staying nice and close behind Keats Island, Hank got prepared for the worst...
don spinlock life-jacket and tether in... close all hatches tight! reef the main sail, reef the jib to 25%, check

Too bad the camera battery packed it in... would of have some nice shots.

Average speed across the Channel was 7 knots, heel was constant at 30 degrees. We were doing a beam reach part of the way, but due to Bowen Island, the winds were going over Bowen and coming down to the water... gusting and changing direction all the time.

the winds got less as we entered behind Bowen, but still make for same interesting time... the main problem was the wind gusts and changing direction.

As we approached Hood Point... the seas were again WHITE!

When we passed Hood Point, the winds were around 25 knots, but no gusts and steady direction... One tack from Hood Point to Home... not bad eh.

We arrived save! Only Hank over strained is chest muscle... not good... having a second person aboard would of been nice.

Now Hank and Tarka are resting... until the next time.

I understand the Hank is racing the Swiftsure Race 2014 next week, but in a Leopard 44 catamaran, her name is "Snow Leopard", should be a good experience for him. As for me... resting....

Tarka out!

May 10, 2014 - Sail Pass

Every year, our Club has "Sail Pass"... a club tradition. I think all yachting clubs follow this tradition. This is where ALL the boats registered in the Club sail / motor pass the commodore's boat... starting from the small to large sailboats followed by the power boats; dress is white shirt and pants, blue jacket and tie.

Now following our division leader

Sailboats starting to form a line... with power lined up in the background

Commodores crew on deck, like wise for the passing vessel.

Caroline all dressed up

Hank all dressed up

Our Commodore...Jason Bowman and his family

end of another Sail-Pass

Followed by a grand reception at the club house.

The next day, we sailed to Center Bay for the club luncheon...

We all had a great time!... nice winds, warm weather... with great friends!

Till next time...

Tarka out!