July 9 2012 - third stop - Silva Bay

Off to Silva Bay, crossing the Straits of Georgia

After a 1 hour motor and then 1 hour motor/sail, then 2 hours of pure sailing experience. One of the most relaxing sails for a long time. Everything was set perfectly, did not need to touch the helm for two hours! Hank took little Tarkie out of the water, and I was carrying her on my stern. By carrying her there, it increased our sailing speed by one knot! "Kids" our just a drag eh! Beside being a drag, she was a lot quieter being carried (hummm like all kids)!

We arrived at Silva Bay, greeted by the Marina staff who helped us dock.

Caroline and Hank took to the showers, as they seems fairly weather beaten by the hot sun. After a nice relaxing dinner in the Silva Bay restaurant, they watched some movie, and watch the setting sun.

Hank noticed that at each marina, fellow sailors love to talk about their sailing adventures and of course... their mistresses (their sailboat).

Bedding down now for tomorrow's adventure... going through Gabriola Pass!

Keeping ya posted.........

Tarka

July 8 2012 - 2nd stop... Gibson

We motor part way, then set the sails for a great ride, under one tack. cruising nicely around 6 knots.

Oh ya, forgot to mention... Hank cleaned my bottom just be before our trip. he found very nasty barnacles growing all over my hull. He cleaned them off with the pressure washer and a wooden scrapper. He found some old bottom paint from last year, but it needed to be thinned out, as it was just like paste.Only enough paint to touched up the bad spots, and concluded that I need my entire bottom repainted when we get back from vacation. The touch up was fairly good, as my bottom is as smooth as a baby's bottom (at least for now).

We arrived at Gibsons, moored in our usual spot, and greeted by our friends Robert and his new girlfriend Lana. They all went over for dinner at the waterfront diner, with drinks back aboard me (Tarka)... of course!

Next morning we had to leave a bit early to go at high tide to clear reef off Gibson.

Now set sail for across the Strait of Georgia... a 4 hour sail into open waters. Needless to say I (Tarka) was looking forward to the open seas... while Caroline and Hank had a bit of apprehension.

Sailing we go..................................

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.