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.