March 26, 2015 - nothing to exciting, just a nice relax cruise with Hank

As my title says... just a nice relaxing cruise with Hank.

Hank stopped over today, just to clean / wax my hull, but as the day progressed, Hank decided to go of a short sail or just drift around the bay. Why clean and wax around the marina, if you can do the same out there... no ferry noise, or deal with their wash / wake.

After drifting around a bit, we decide to motor towards Elliott Bay, maybe stop over for coffee. As it worked out, the winds finally picked a bit on the way over to Elliott Bay.. to sail, or continue to Elliott Bay. We are out here to sail... so sail it was; we sailed for home.

The map below shows our route... the black line represents the drift / motor to Elliott Bay, the red line shows the sail route home, and the blue line shows the motor back.

All in all, is was a nice learning sail... solo sailing in light winds... worked great.

Spring has arrived at our Marina!!!

just drifting around - Bowyer Island ahead

now under full sail... 4 knots believe it or not!!

Black line drifting and motoring, red line sailing back, blue line motoring back.

Hank's landing was perfect... of course no one was around to see. :)

Tarka out!

March 23, 2015 - Haul-out time!

One of the most important thing to have done prior to racing is to have a clean smooth bottom! Every mussel and/or barnacle will slow you down. Well today is that day... going on "the hard" at our yacht club.

Just Hank and me motoring to our appointed schedule. The weather was just OK, a bit of rain, a bit of sun, and a bit of wind.

And we are off to the yacht club!

Leaving Horseshoe Bay

Nothing to exciting on the way to the Club, just a nice motor. We were hoping to sail over but lack of wind with the lack of time prevented that... maybe on the way home. :)

At the entrance of Fisherman's Cove, going past the fuel dock

Here is a view of our Yacht Club - "West Vancouver Yacht Club"

 on the home stretch to the elevator

It takes two people to put me onto the elevator, one has to be a certified operator. Hank has placed me on the elevator numerous times, but the club rules have changed... now needs to be certified. Hank will get this endorsement this summer!




 sitting on the elevator....

With the help of the Club's workman, I am now exposing my black bottom!












As you can see from the photographs, not too much growth in 6 months...

just a few mussel at the bottom of the keg.

and a few under my keel.

All in all, not too bad.
Hank power washed my entire bottom.
One thing learned... always bring two spare zincs for my drive shaft!
Needless to say, Hank did not bring any! and to make matters worst, it was Monday and Thunderbird Marine shop was closed. Looks like another trip on the elevator. Well at least I will be clean for the race coming next week!

All clean now - note the worn down zincs

 

now back in the water

Sailing home

The winds were light on the way home, but we did try to sail... doing around 3.4 kts.
About half way home, the clouds opened up and really started to pour down. Needless to say, time to wrap it up and motor our way home.

Now sitting back at the dock in Horseshoe bay, waiting for my next outing.

Tarka out!

March 06, 2015 - Safety orientation

Another beautiful day!

Today Murray Titus will be sailing with us for the first time, he will be part of our racing crew for the 2015 Southern Straits Race.. doing the Inshore race this year. Hank decided that night sailing was not his thing this year... less stress.

Since this is Murray's first time with me, Hank gave him a basic orientation of my safety gear... locations and use of. Our next outing will involve a man-over-board drill, radio communications and hoisting the spinnaker.

The winds were light (10 knots if that), but sailing at a respectable speed of 5.5 knots! Murray at the helm, we sailed towards passage island... stopping into the Yacht Club for lunch. We moored alongside the training dock... nice landing done by Hank! :)

After their lunch break, we stopped for fuel... took $34.83 of diesel.

By the time we got back out to sea, the winds completely died... now motoring.

Since it was still early, we decided to stop over to Snug Cove for a coffee break. Hank called in for a parking spot, to find that Chelsea was at the marina... and that she was promoted to Marina Manager!! Good for her!

After the drinks, we sailed (motored) home.

Arrived safe and sound.

Till next sail...

Tarka out!

March 05 2015 - Solo trip to Gibson

Such a beautiful day!!! sun and sun and sun.

I am so glad that Hank decided to take a trip to Gibson... just the two of us!

There really is not to much to say about this trip, just a nice relaxing cruise... we sailed over and motored back.

We moored at Gibson Marina, on the hammerhead and usual. Hank did call the marina for slip assignment, but no one was around so we just landed without approval. Hank walked to the office and announced our arrival. No problems!

Hank was greeted by his friend Robert McDonald... off to the pub... a few beers and nacho's and catch-up on the news.

Going home was nice, but no winds... dead calm.

Arrived home and waiting for tomorrow's adventure

Tarka out!

sorry no pictures

March 02 2015 - shake down sail

Yippee!!! finally out for out first sail of the year! Sitting around for almost 4 months... it's about time!

A beautiful day with a great breeze, perfect day for my shake down sail...

Richard Grass came along for support. :) Just in case a problem arose.

need to check...

• engine diesel - no leaks or sucking air
• raw water cooling system - no leaks
• running lines correct - needed to move the main halyard - seems to be sticking when raising the main sail... to be checked at the dock

Everything checked out... motor ran well, but due to Hank spilling diesel fuel on my engine while servicing it... there is a lot of diesel smell in the cabin... needs to be air out!

Richard Grass at the helm... doing a fine job

 
We sailed around Passage Island... heeled at 20 - 30 degrees average sailing speed of over 7 knots!!

Home save and sound...

Next outing... Friday with Murray - learning my safety equipment.
Then next week... on the hard and have my black bottom cleaned :)

Til next entry

Tarka out!