September 20/21 2012 - trip to Gibson

 
Well, another day in paradise...

With the great sunny days, Hank decided to take a trip to Gibson, to see his old friend Robert. But before the sail over, he has to clean my deck and cockpit. While I sat around waiting for my next adventure, I had some visitors who left me and Hank some "presents". Needless to say, before we embark on today's adventure, Hank had to hose down my deck and cockpit... otters looks cute, but their "presents" aren't.

Looking down my channel to my berth... on left side, 1/4 way down.

Looking at the ferry terminal, leaving my berth

light just leaving Horseshoe Bay

Sailing Collingwood Channel, looks at Keats Island ahead

Looking down Howe Sound, the mountain in the far rear is our destination, Gibson.

Robert getting ready for a evening out

All cleaned up now... we motor/sailed to see Robert; only wind was at Collingwood Channel. Nothing much happen on the way over... same, same.

We arrived around 4:30 pm, with Robert waiting at the Gibson's marina dock. The usual, I sat around socializing with a friend from our yacht club "Overdraft II" skipper by Dave. Hank and Robert went to the pub for beers and dinner.

The following day, we set for home, but decided to go on the outside of Bowen Island. At first the winds and waves were great! but the winds died shortly after... now only large waves, pounding my deck... not much fun. With that, Hank decided to continue on the inside of Bowen (if we are under power, why not have no waves to motor home in eh). We did have a bit of wind on the home stretch, from Hood Point to Horseshoe bay.

The super ferry was just leaving the dock at horseshoe bay... Hank found out that this was the WORST time to try and take me home... the under currents were so strong that we almost drifted sideways in my neighboring boats, and four attempts to dock. Hank need to reverse under full power just to get control.

Before Hank left me sitting and waiting for my next adventure, he decided to re-install my anti-otter fence to deter the otters from visiting again.

Friendly otter

So here I sit... waiting...

Tarka Out!

September 16, 2012 - Fall Stag Race - the return leg

SEE VIDEO OF THE RETURN TRIP:

Video of the return trip from Silva Bay to Vancouver

Another day of racing starts! Silva Bay to Vancouver...

The smell of breakfast, drew Hank over to Jason's boat "Lopeka"... a great breakfast and a special coffee to start a race day.

Master breakfast chef... Jason Bowman on Lopeka

The weather for today was sunny, warm, with good breeze and lots of waves with whitecaps... should be another exciting ride for the both of us! I can feel Hank's apprehension as we sailed to the start line (Thrasher Rock). Yes... LOTS of waves with around 15 - 20 knot winds.

and Jason's Dad... Dave, having a special coffee with Hank

We made it to the start time with time to spare, so we sat at the start line, with my main sail keeping us steady with the winds... now getting adjusted to the waves and wind. We drifted over the line, but due to the waves heights and Hank only being solo (again), we opted for a late start. With Hank's butterflies under-control to some degree... giving the first boat out a 4 minute start from our position, we called in and started. Hank was bit upset, as he called in twice, with no acknowledgement from the race committee boat... everyone else got a "good sail" send off but us... humm oh well, we are racing right!

Gold Bug, pulling ahead

The ride was exciting, full main sail, 1/4 jib out while crashing through and sliding down the backside of the waves. Now on a board reach, constant attention to my helm was needed. I thought Hank did a good job reading my hull... no errors :)

Gold Bug under full sails!

We kept pace with Bill on "Gold Bug" most of the way over, until he put up his main jib. It was sure nice to see Gold Bug under full sail!!!

Lopeka diving into the waves

At one spot, Jason with Lopeka passed us... nice to see her lines at work!

The closer to Vancouver, the less winds... by the time we can see the finish line, we were only doing 2 knots... with the other boats in pursuit, flying their spinnaker! We just crossed the finish line with only minutes ahead of the remaining racers.

sliding down the backside of a wave

It was very very nice to know... me, Tarka...a 39 year old racing lady, still can beat these younger, lighter sailboats and with more waterline than me.

Compliments to Hank, sailing solo across the straits for his first time, under heavy seas and winds

The ones I beat!!!

Tarka out!


















Race results:
 SUNDAY finish:

Celtic Blue
Ragusa
Gold Bug/Farr-ari (equal 3rd)
Lopeka/Chesa (equal 4th)
Sorcery
Tarka
Avontuur
Turnagain
NautiLass
Frerari

September 15, 2012 - Fall Stag Race - to Silva bay

Lopeka waiting at the start line

SEE VIDEO LINK:  
First leg from Vancouver to Silva Bay

Finally got to go sailing... Hank has been very busy the last little while (not related to sailing)

    Went to Newfoundland for a few weeks to visit his Newfie friends...
    Then off to Edmonton for a week, to learn new things.
    Then off to Cranbrook with his friend Brian, to pick up his new dog, "Monty".

And now after a good long rest, waiting and waiting at my berth, we finally get to go out and RACE!

All fueled up, my bottom broom cleaned, food and drinks aboard, we motored to our yacht club to be moored beside my friend "Lopeka"... waiting to race the following day ... racing across the straits to Silva Bay and back.

Not much wind at the start line

Finally... our start time... 10:04 am, now waiting at the start line... this will be a pursuit race... slowest boat goes first, depending on the handicap rating. Also, Hank will be sailing solo... just him and me, so he has no help or support from other sailors. During the trip, I did manage to "talk" to him, in "boat" to "skipper" communication. If he does something wrong, I will show him his errors.

We motored from the start line (no wind)... motoring at 6 knots for about 20 minutes... then the winds came and so did the waves. The winds became so strong, to the point I was experiencing a lot of weather helm... Hank picked up on my communication... he reefed my main sail! However he failed to bring in my jib a bit, as I still had a bit of weather helm. (weather helm means too much sail and I will turn up into the wind and he skipper will compensate by adjusting the rudder (basically putting on the brakes!).

nice eh!

Celtic Blue

About an hour into the race, Hank got it right, adjusted my sails to suit the winds, enabling me to sail on my own...no need to "play" with my helm. This gave him the time to relax, go upfront, relax and take some pictures.

Look, Tarka is at the helm (no auto helm!)

Trasher rock marker on the left of the picture.

We arrived at the finish marker (Thrasher Rock) at 1:11 pm. That means it took 3 hours to cross the Straits (20 miles) going just over 6 knots all the way over. Needless to say, we position well in the race!

Resting now at Silva Bay, with Hank drying out the sleeping bags and sheets (he forgot to tightly secure my forward hatch.

The Racers and Hank went out for dinner at Silva Bay pub... from all the noise I was hearing at the dock ... it must of been a good dinner with LOTS of drinks!

Now resting, waiting for tomorrow return race.










Tarka... out.










SATURDAY finish:

Celtic Blue
Lopeka,
Sorcery
Ragusa
Tarka
Farr-ari
Turnagain
Avontuur
Nauti Lass
Frerari
Chesa
Gold Bug

August 13, 2012 - German tourist tour

Good day to my fellow readers...

Today... providing a German tourist cruise for my brother's friend Peter. Peter's granddaughter (Leslie?) and her friend (Sophia?), came over from Germany to spend some time exploring the Canadian country side. Me, Tarka, was part of that exploration. We took a slow cruise to Snug Cove, motoring and sailing a bit. The winds were light, but enough to give them a taste what sailing was all about.

Most of the trip, the girls stayed on my bow seat, taking hundreds of pictures, while Peter was behind the helm. Needless to say Hank's brother Will,  was all over  my deck taking hundreds of pictures too!

We arrived at Snug Cove to find the place was almost empty of other boaters... looks like the tourist industry here too is affected. We pulled up along slip A11, docked safety and my passengers disembarked to have a relaxing lunch at Dock Morgans.

After lunch, we sailed towards Passage Island, on the hopes that we can sail into English Bay. Unfortunately, the winds died, making passage to English Bay impossible this time. Decision was made... going back to Horseshoe Bay for a beer for the men and a walking tour for the ladies.

resting now, for my next adventure...

Tarka out!

August 24-26 2012 - Bowfest days

 Well here we are again... Hank was gone to Newfoundland for a few weeks, visiting his friends made in Fort Nelson, so not much in the way of sailing... me, just laying around my berth waiting...

As soon as he returned home, he packed me up and headed to Bowen Island, Snug Cove. This was there "Bowfest" weekend... complete with a town parade, music festival, and amusements in the park right across from the marina. By luck, we got to berth in my favorite berth "A7". the best spot in the marina.

Hank and I had an easy sail across from Horseshoe bay to Snug Cove, just flying my jib... cruising at 6 knots. Hank settled me in, got the sunshade up, cleaned up my cabin, and restock my cooler with wine, beer and cooler... waiting for Caroline to arrive my ferry that evening.

Later that evening, our friends Bruce and Linda in their Yamaha "Smokey II"; berthing right next to me.
They all went out for dinner at Miska.

The following morning... the Bowfest parade was right on time (10:30am). Great parade... prehistoric days was the theme.

Music played all day long, ending with a battle of the bands in the evening. The band "3D" was the evening closure band, having people dancing the night away. From where I was moored, I could the music as clear as crystal; good music for sure.

The following day, Hank cleaned my deck, refilled my water tank, disconnected me from the power outlet, and sailed back home. No problem except for the minor misjudgement in berthing me in my slip... wind and current was the issue.

All unload now waiting for my next outling...I hear that I will be going in the fall stag race to Silva bay and back... should be good fun!

Till then... happy sailing.

Tarka

August 03, 2012 - Worked done

Humm, Hank just installed my intake silencer! Now no one can hear me coming. Hank stated that now my engine is almost as silence as a car engine... the loudest noise is my exhaust pipe! a 100% improvement!!

additional work done today...
Hank was up the mast tower, replacing my missing jennaker shackle. My old one fell out under sail, last time out.
He also replace the engine zinc and changed my diesel filter.

July 26 - 29 2012 - Gibson Sea Festival

Set sail again... this time to the town of Gibson

Hank's friend Robert, came over by ferry this Thursday morning... to sail with Hank back to Gibson, loaded up with food and supplies.

We stopped over to Elliott Bay for a lunch break and to stretch their legs; for me... it was nice just relaxing at the wharf.

Robert McDonald with the future dive site warship wreck in the background

The plan was for Hank to only have a day trip with Robert, but decided to call Gibson Marina, to see if there would be a spot for me (Tarka) to stay overnight, and possibility for the weekend to partake in the Gibson Sea-Festival. As luck would have it... there was a spot for me, only for one night at first, then the marina called back and stated they could fit us in the the weekend. :)

Gibson Parade - note the mini bus on the right (The Ukulele Bus - with Robert begin the lead singer and player)

Caroline on the government dock, just below Molley's Reach restaurant

The sailing trip to Gibson was the usual...arrived safety and on time.

Looking back towards Molley's Reach

Hank complained about a very sore stomach.. something he ate at Elliott Bay... we found out later that it was the cheese that Hank ate was off. (The cramps lasted for 5 days after). Needless to say, that Hank stayed aboard resting his stomach most of the time at Gibson.

Caroline came over by ferry on Saturday morning, just after the Sea-Festival Parade. Besides Hank's stomach problems, it was a great day... walking around the town, fine dining (at least for Caroline) and people watching. That evening there was a street dance and then the fireworks., a great display of colours and lights.

Crowd waiting for the fireworks to begin

Street Dance for the young folks - with a Rapper band in the background

The following morning it was back to sea, to sail Caroline and Hank home. As we left Gibson, we were treated by a four airplane formation display, doing their aerial tricks. A nice ending for a nice weekend.

Came home without problems...

That is it for now...

Tarka out.