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!

Feb 27 2015 - Getting ready for the sailing season!

Well, it has been a long time since my last sail. Just laying around my berth for the last 4 months!!!

Mind you, Hank has stopped and checked up on me at least once every two weeks and before and after each storm. All in all, I came through this winter fairly well.

For the last few days, Hank has been over re-installing all my running rigging, replaced all my stay covers, hoisted my newly repair jib (UV strip was torn off), gave me a great washing down... removing all the green slime off my decks, etc. Now just need a good waxing!

In addition, Hank had to remove the lifeline netting from my bow. After 4 years of service, the netting lost its stopping power... just rotted away.

Today Hank serviced my engine...

•  replaced primary and secondary diesel filters. There was slime in the glass bowl in the primary filter housing; about 1.5 inches. 
•  



you can see the slime in the bottom of the glass bowl

• This has to be the worst job to do... getting to the filters is difficult, but the worst is bleeding the air out of the system. Needless to say, Hank usually never gets all the air out on his first try! My engine started by died soon after. Bleeding the system is messy... lots of diesel everywhere... but done!! :)
• Because there was a lot of slime in the glass filter bowl, Hank decided to "dip" my diesel tank to see if there was any slime / water at the bottom of the tank. Hank found very little slime. :)
• Next was my oil and filter change. Hank had to borrow a oil remove pump for Murray as the pump that was on my engine failed. Everything worked out fine.
• Next was my raw water cooling system. 
• Cleaned the raw water filter and housing
• Replaced the zinc in the heat exchanger.

My heater exchanger berfore cleaning, note the old zinc at the bottom

Inside of the cap; you can see the old zincs at the bottom

Starting to rod out the heat exchanger tubes.

•  fan belt checked ok
• Battery water level checked ok
• Added spare diesel filters, spare fuses, and spare fan belt in engine compartment

• Checked emergency kit... all good but need to replace 6 outdated flares.

Hank mentioned that I will be pulled out of the water to have my bottom cleaned mid March... ready for the up and coming "Southern Straits Race"

Now resting (still) with a serviced engine, clean decks and fully rigged ready to sail!  :))

Tarka out!

Nov 07-08 2014 - Snug Cove get away

Well winter is almost upon us... getting colder, leaves have turned to fall, and rain of course.

Today... another trip to Snug Cove... Hank and I left on Friday afternoon, while Caroline was busy at work. Winds and waves were none, providing a great ride over under idle, no need to rush... relaxing all the way. the only problem was the amount of logs in the water. With the very high tides and the mountain run off, bring a lot of branches and logs into the coastal waters. You have to keep a sharp watch for logs...I don't like to get my paint, rudders, prop damaged. :)

Now resting after the long trip, enjoying the view.

view from the local harbor dock.

The evening that we arrived, Hank met a new fellow sailor (Erwin). He sailed his boat 80,000 sea miles... traveling almost around the world in his boat.  Not bad at all for a 50 year old sailboat, "Ariel IV"

 Caroline arrived the following day on the ferry... nice lunch at the new restaurant, with dinner at Miksta? I understand from Hank's comments, that will be there last time there... food was not very good, over priced, just plain bad! Frozen french fries, packaged salad and pork something, deep fried in the same oil as the cod fish Caroline ordered. Last time they will be eating there!!!

That evening we all enjoyed a few movies rented from the local movie store. nice...
Over night, we were blessed with a heavy rain shower, banging away on my roof deck... nice and warm and cozy! :)

We had to leave on Sunday morning... too many things to do at home.

Once settled in back home, Hank took off more "stuff" leaving my entire decks bare... all lines, covers, pulley put away for the winter. All there is left is the main sail, main sheet. just in case we are going for a quick sail around the bay.

Till next time...

Tarka resting waiting for the next wind storm.

November 01, 2014 - Motored to Snug Cove

Well, finally got to get out and feel the salt water moving under my hull; Hank and Caroline took me to Snug Cove...just for a motor.
The weather was clear, sunny, but no wind. :(... Just as well, as Hank has taken most of my sailing gear off for the winter, leaving just the bare essentials for sailing. With the fall and winter up here in Vancouver, the weather gets really damp most of the time... in a week or two, my deck and lines get covered in green slime, mold, algae... so the more you take off, the better it will be in the spring.

We arrived finding most of the transient moorage empty, lots of room for us. We motored almost up to the office building. The cost is only $10.00 for day moorage, giving us access to water, power, and the lounge/washroom area.

Hank and Caroline when for a long walk around the area, then stopped for a afternoon beer and wine at Miksta :) Normally they would of gone to Doc Morgan's Pub, but found it was closed for the winter! too bad.

When they returned, Hank took my genoa sail down for the winter; now I really look naked... no lines, no sail, no cushions, no rear seat.

Motored home, docked without any trama. :)

Now resting again... but I understand that we will be going out for a two day trip next week. :)

Til then... Tarka OUT!