Mar 17 2013 - MORE safety items installed

Good Day all!

Only 11 days left until the big race!!!

More pulleys!

Hank is still updating and adding to my safety equipment. He has now installed the second reefing system. From my last experience in the Southern Straits Race, three years ago with the 50+ knot winds, Hank is taking more precautions to help deal with this type of high winds. The only draw back with the additional reef is that I now have another line running back to my cockpit, and makes it a bit more difficult in raising and lowering my main sail. The safety aspect is worth the extra line, plus in the summer, Hank can always removed the line

Lots of lines now on deck, but they all lead back to the cockpit.

Crew-mate +Alan Rothenbush  installing my second reefing system.

  In addition, Hank has installed an additional way of retrieving a "man-over-board". Before, he was relying on the rear ladder for getting the person out of the water; however, if the person has been in the water too long (10-15  minutes around here) their limbs would too cold to function. With the new system now installed, this will give the deck crew a block and tackle, leading to the anyone of the two speed winches, to haul the person out of the water.

The man-over-board block and tackle (just need to replace one block)

Next week I get haul out and have my black bottom painted!

That is all for now...

Tarka resting...

March 05, 2013 - Trip to the mast tower

Good Day readers...

Today, we set out to replace my topping lift (the wire that holds the boom up), with a much stronger cable.

This cable will be used for my dingy lift and the man-over-board system.

The old cable is OK, but is old and a bit on the light side for the purpose it will now being used for.

We motored out of the marina, with moderate winds blowing from the north; however, as we rounded the point, the winds picked up some and the waves were becoming a concern. Hank was in a position to return to the marina, and beat up the wind, or just ride it out to the yacht club. He decide to unfurl the jib by 50% and ride it to the yacht club. Good choice as it was an exciting ride to say the least (winds reached 30 knots).

We got to the yacht club without incident.

Hank position me under the Club's master tower, ready to replace my topping lift. Needless to say it started to rain.

picture taken a few days after. You can see the height of the tower...you can lower the arms to any height you need. Great piece of equipment.

With Hank all suited up with the safety hardness and tool bag in hand, up the lift he went. The mast tower is around 50 ft high, doesn't sound like much, but 50 ft is sure high. Once at the top, he proceeded to get at the job in hand. He tried to remove the old cable, but the cotter pin and the pin itself was seized into place, in-addition he found the new cable / shackle was too large to fit around the pin. So much for replacing the topping lift, at this time. It will have to wait, until we have the tools to cut and remove the old line and obtain a shackle that will fit around the pin.

the line needed to be replace is the s/s line in the middle of the picture

A picture taken last year, giving you a great view of Thunderbird Marina.

looking down, Tarka sure looks small from this height

After a long exhausting climb down, back on the ground again, took the safety hardness back to the club office, had coffee and a bite to eat.

Due to the northerly blowing winds and downpour of rain, Hank decided to spend the night with me. :)

Next day, Hank did some minor repairs that needed to be done.

• replaced the joker valve in the toilet
• replaced the engine zinc
• replaced the safety line around the life ring
• re-secured the sewage holding tank
• and he rig the existing topping lift with the block and tackle with new bright yellow propylene line. This type of line floats, so if it falls in the water, my propeller will not catch it.

After the work and coffee, we set sail...enjoying a 15 knot southerly winds to push us home.

Now resting at dock.
still to be done...

• repair hatch cover (this was done the following day)
• relocate electrical power plug in (can not be done)
• raise the jib track
• replace some hinges in the cabin doors (this was done as well)
• Bottom haul out... paint and new zincs(will be done on March 25,2013)

Out.

March 3, 2013 - Snug Cove over night

Another time at Sung Cove... with Aaron and "Serenity Now".
The weather was great!, but a bit cold... got below freezing that night.

Here I am getting ready to sail

It was a bit cool in my cabin over the night, as Hank thought my heater was set on high, but was actually set on low. Oh well... he survived the night, with extra blankets and a night cap.

A few from the dock

The next day we set sail to Passage island... great light breeze, with sunny skies.

Aaron sailing "Serenity Now"

Arron make a video with his new camera... see attached link.

Aaron's video showing us sailing around Passage Island

We arrived back home at our Marina, greeting by Richard Grass.

Hank working on my motor the falling day... getting ready for the sailing and racing season.

Work done:

1. Both diesel filter replaced. A lot of work! as one filter is located at the back of the engine. Hank needed to bleed the diesel line a few times to get my motor running.
2. Changed the engine oil and filter.
3. Changed the transmission fluid.
4. Installed the newly purchased jennaker line and shackle.

That's it for now...

Tarka out!

Feb. 27, 2013 - Getting Race ready

What can I say... going to do the Southern Straits race! and I heard a rumor that we may go in the Swiftsure race this year as well.

We are all registered to race the race!

Hank is getting me race ready. The main concern at the moment is to ensure that I am well equipped to race at night, and have all the required safety equipment on board... and tested as well.

Battery operated Bow light (red/green)

Battery operate stern light (bicycle light work great!)

Catalytic heater to keep the crew warm in the cockpit

New life-sling

Man-overboard-pole - c/w strobe light, drogue, 50 ft poly rope and life ring.

Hank has purchased my new topping lift and tackle, (to be used in retrieving the person over-board). All Hank has to do now is to climb to the top of the mast and install it.

Last weekend, Hank to us on our first shake down sail, getting his crew (Jason and Alan) familiarized with my layout and sailing abilities. The winds were light, so it was a good time familiarizing with me.
Below is some pictures of the crew...

Alan behind the helm, with Jason looking on.

View from the bow, looking to the stern,
note the snow covered mountains.

Sailing into the sunset.

February 14, 2013 - Getting Race ready! :)

Well not much new with me lately, just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
Hank as had the flu for the last 6 weeks, and now Caroline has got it. That is why I have been sitting around.

Hank has stopped over briefly, to make sure everything is alright with me; still floating and  warms up my motor.

But  today was different... Hank came over (looking a lot better), and started to take off my spare anchor, chain, my old lines, scuba suit, fishing gear, all my electric power tools, plus a lot of other stuff I really have no use for. I would estimate at least 1,000 lbs!
My neighbor sailboat "MoJo", asked me if I am getting a new owner, as all the "stuff" was being uploaded. I smiled and said hell no... just getting ready to the the Southern Straits Race!!! Yup, Hank is going to take me this year. If you can recall, we tried this race three years ago... with winds topping at 70 kts. We made it as far as Passage Island, then decided to withdraw from the race... too much for us. Needless to say the race was cancelled.

We are now getting ready for this race. We will be doing the short race, only 55 nt miles; See website....
Website to Southern Straits Race

Things to do...
Haul out and repaint my bottom
Add battery night lights - bow lights and man-over-board pole.
Continue to lighten my load
Practice Safety drills and crew (Jason Bowen and hopefully Alan)
plus a few other things, I'm sure.

Well that is it for now, so keep posted!

Tarka... out!

January 1 - 2 2013 - Snug cove

Well, I have been sitting around for some time now... only with the occasional visit from Hank to ensure that I am still afloat. :(
He did however, install an electric "forced-air" heating system a few weeks ago. This was to get rid of the portable electric heaters.
I am happy to say it all works out extremely well, moving the air from front to back. For less that one hundred dollars and you too can have this system!

Electric heater with Heat duct

Air intake

Well today, it seems that we are going to... where else... Snug Cove. a short hop over... winter sailing is very limited due to the quick changes in temperature and winds, so this will have to do for now.

Caroline busy with her Iphone

 
On our trip over to Snug Cove, we were escorted by a pod of Pacific Dolphins! Caroline's first time seeing these wonderful animals. They seem to love riding my bow waves and scratching themselves on my keel. Hank took a great video of one of the bow riders.

Pacific Dolphin hitching a ride to Snug Cove

Beautiful to watch these wonder dolphins

Please click on the Video link showing the dolphin riding my bow wave!

We got to Snug Cove to find someone else was in our assigned spot. No problem, as they were just about to leave.

Out for a walk in the park!

Cold snowy covered mountain tops

The marine dock was all covered with frost... a bit cold, but you got to "suck it up eh!".

Frost covered docks

Caroline and Hank rented movies and had dinner aboard. During the grilling of the steak and salmon, he was greeted by a young lady, looking for a meal and coffee. Needless to say, Hank took pity on her and invited her in. Nice lady but a bit mixed up. She enjoyed the food and drinks and left to meet her friends in the village. We looked for her afterwards, but disappeared into the winds... Strange to say the least.

The following day, Hank and Caroline left me sitting at Snug Cove, as they had to go back home on the ferry to look after some business.

A view out the BC Ferry's window, looking at Snug Cove.

They arrived back shortly, had a long walk, dinner out at Miska, watched a movie, and off to bed. That evening the temperature was around -3, the heater worked well.

Next morning, everything was covered with frost, Caroline and Hank went off to Snug Cafe for breakfast, talked with the locals, then departed for home.

Nice landing on Hank's part. :)

Now I sit here again... waiting for my next outing... Not looking forward in the Northern winds while I wait.

Tarka OUT!

Oct 13, 2012 - Trip with Tamara and Jim

After about a month of great weather, and now cold and rainy, I'm off to Plumber Cove.

Tamara at Plumber's Cove

Hank invited his friend from the past... Tamara and her husband Jim, for an overnight sail to Plumber Cove.

The plan was to go camping in a tent, with Hank sleeping on-board and Tamara and Jim sleeping in a tent, but due to the big change in weather, it was decided that Gibson Marina was a better place to stay overnight, something about being dry and warm.

Jim giving Tamara instructions

They were hoping for a open fire, but due to the fire restrictions still in effect that was not possible; so the firewood was given to one of the "local" campers.

Tamara and Jim, now sailors!

We motored to Gibson later than evening; dinner and a tour of the town was in order.

The following day, we motor/sailed to Snug Cove, for tour of the town.

Arriving safely home now... waiting for my next adventure.

Me and Hank

Tarka out!