Start on our Vacation through the Gulf Islands - Snug Cove Fist stop

July 6 - 7 2012 Snug Cove

Off for our Vacation to the Gulf Islands... All fuel up, water, food, drinks, ice, clothes, sunscreen, etc... motoring all the way to Snug Cove, Bowen island our first stop for our vacation.

A07 was our mooring spot... best place to dock at. Great food at Leftbank restaurant, The Cove celebrated "Steamship day", a yearly town celebration, in memory of their heritage. Jazz bands playing at the Snug Cafe, and that evening a Swing band played at the government dock. Not too many people danced the night away, but overall it was nice.




Caroline and Hank when for a few walks around the place, met their friends Linda and her husband, aboard Smokey II. In addition, made friends with "Kevin and Andrea" aboard a beautiful wooden ketch, completely restored...

Set sail for Gibson...

Jun 20 2012 - Two day trip - Plumper Cove

Hi All,
Just took Hank over to Plumper Cove to be with his friend Aaron and his parents.
Twas a great sail over... nice breezes, cruising at 6 knots... made it from home to Plumper Cove with only three tacks. I have been known to do it in one tack, but this time the winds were a bit mixed.

We were greeting there by Aaron and his step father (both sailed their own sailboats over). Nothing much different... the usual... Hank took a nice walk around the park (see pictures). We slept peaceful, rocking to the gentle waves that evening. The next day, Hank had breakfast with Aaron and his family, then kicked back to relax around the harbor.

railing BEFORE cleaning

Railing AFTER cleaning

During that morning, Hank finally cleaned up and painted the area underneath my toe-rail... see pictures. As you can see, it was way over due. It looks great now! another finishing touches. In addition, Hank waxed my entire hull, looking real smart now.

That afternoon, Hank and I set sail (motored) over to Gibson, to be greeted by some of his friends there. We stayed over night, had a steak and eggs breakfast with his friend Robert. Later on, Robert's friend came over... then all set sail to Elliott Bay for the afternoon.

The trip back was through a minefield of logs... with the Fraser River at it's highest level in years, all the logs and debris, floated down into the ocean. With careful navigation, we avoided any collisions.

After dropping Hank's friends off at Gibson, he and I set sail for home... winds died, sky opened up, making for a not so interesting trip back.

Now tied up at my dock... waiting for the next trip out.

I understand the Caroline and Hank have made reservations at various marina's for the two week sailing trip through the Gulf islands... so stay tuned for that adventure.

Tarka signing out.......

June 09 2012, Bowen Island Race

 Good Day readers...

Well, another Round Bowen Island Race (or I should say... "Round Bowen Island Drift") is over! another stamp on my hull. Well over 80 fellow sailboats and I raced (drifted) around the island. Total distance was 18 miles, starting at 10:00am, and to finish at 5:30 pm the same day.

Aboard was Al Rothenbush (an avid sailor) and Hank of course :). We were loaded up with drinks and plenty of food to last for days (if needed).

We had a great start, with Al at the helm (skipper in training :)). Sails were set waiting for the starting time to arrive; 10:00 sharp... we're off.

With over 80 boats at the start line (one start only) was a site to be seen. Sails everywhere... Al and Hank had to be very watchful for who has the rights of way. Running into another boat would make great news, but I would rather not get involved. I did hear that there were some problems with other boats.

 I really tried my best to keep up with all the fleet, but due to my age and weight, we started to fall behind.
This was to be expected, as my handicap is 205. Boats with a higher handicap are slower than boats with a lesser handicap. A good portion of boats were around 150 or less.

Just past Passage Island the wind died... now well over half the fleet drifting out to sea. Al and Hank tried everything to get us going... even putting up the kite (with lots of problems), all to no avail. Now the fleet was drifting into other boats... some even had to fed each other off to avoid collisions. This proved to be a fun time for water guns. Coming along side us was a sailboats full of young ladies, trying to squirt us with their water gun. Little did they know, that Hank has a water "cannon" aboard. It is actually his dock pole, designed to exact water from the bilge was well... it shoots out water over 20 ft (3 meters). Needless to say, we won!

Lunch was served... with hot coffee as well.

We struggled to get to Collingwood Channel, but made it there around 2:30 pm (drifting for around 2 hrs).
Hank put up my kite with lots of problems (again)... lines getting tangled up... but once flying... we were "flying" down Collingwood Channel at speeds of 3-4 knots.

We flew the kite all the way down Collingwood Channel and going between Hutt and Bowen Island. Coming out of the Channel, we caught up with most of the fleet sitting in the lee of Bowen Island.
Now drifting again... no wind! I'm glad the race committed planned the race so we can take advantage of the in coming tide... we drifted towards Hood Point. We made it to Hood Point around 5:30 pm... now the race was official over... we "DNF" (did not finish) the race.

We had a good time all in all... being with Al and Hank for the entire day, sun most of the time, sailing with a lot of fellow sailors, learning new things.

Lessons learn:

1. Our water cannon is best
2. More practice needed on raising and lower the kite / sock.
3. Have to add a extra cloth strip to the bottom of my kite.
4. They should rename the race to "Round Bowen Island Drift".
5. Boom prevent-er works very well.
6. Too many lines in the cockpit.

Well that is it for now...

Happy sailing.


Watch our Bowen Island Race Movie - Part One
Click here for PART ONE
Click here for PART TWO
more movies to come at a later time... just need time to publish these.

June 03, 2012, Lunch stop along the way to Elliott Bay

Well, today... just a short lunch cruise, ending up at Elliott Bay (one of Wet Vancouver Yacht Club's outstation.

Nice moderate south breeze towards Hood Point, rounding the Point... winds always dies, so we our floating lunch break there. Caroline made a great fried egg sandwich with hot coffee.

We arrive shortly after lunch, at Elliott Bay, greeted by the Bowman family.

We only stayed an hour, and decided to head for a leisurely sail home. The winds were light.

Arrive safety at my berth, now waiting for my next adventure.

Tarka... PS Hank has finally install all my new windows! Lookin good!

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