Sail Instruction at HCSP

Today was Day 1 of 4 days for 7 students of the 1H Basic Cruising course at Harbourfront. My group of 4 were very keen to start learning how to sail in Toronto's Inner Harbour. All are looking to graduate to become sailboat Skippers in the very near future.

Students at Work Preparing to Depart the Dock

Night Race at Etobicoke Yacht Club

Google Earth with Course and our GPS Track

I crewed on Ron Ander's C&C 29 Mk2 boat ALCHEMIST in a 10 nm race from the EYC Race Mark #8 to the Gibraltar Point TE18 Red Buoy, then an offset to the Mo(A) T Fairway buoy and return to EYC.

Winds were 12 to 15 Kts from the East and waves had been diminishing from  visible whitecaps to make for a fairly comfortable upwind leg. Downwind the spinnaker was used from just before the Morse A buoy to the Gybe before the Finish. Temperature was somewhat balmy and cooling. Skies were clear, some stars were visible in the twilight.

At first our tack was towards shore until deemed less favourable than going onto the Lake - this brought us on a much better course to the mark after tacking.

Saw a few boats on the water - but became much harder to see at night against the lights of the City. Duration of the race was about 2.5 hours done entirely in the dark.

ALCHEMIST ended up finishing 3rd in its Division on elapsed and corrected time.

OpenCPN Chart with our GPS Track

HCSP Charter to Clarkson on Lake Ontario

GPS Track for a Day of Sailing

Today I took 3 sisters out on a cruise - it was a Friday off for fun in the sun for them. They had no particular destination in mind so it ended up being a very nice, easy sail along the North shore of the Lake. We ended of being on a Close Reach the entire trip there and back. The 3 sisters ended up spending most of their on the bow of the boat in the sun relishing the Sun and catching up with what was happening in their lives.

On the way back stopped off the beach just south of the Toronto Island Airport. We anchored and the ladies all went in for a swim in what was deemed to be very cold water by all. Next stop was the beach at the East and South side of Wards Island. This water ended up being warmer and therefore more agreeable, too bad that it was time to head back.

It was a great all day sail for me, basically single handing SIONNEAN, a C&C 29, except to get some steerage assistance when required to drop and raise anchor or to raise and lower the sails.

HCSP Celestial Navigation Cruise

GPS Track for 8 and 9 August 2015

Just back home after a 2 day overnight cruise on Lake Ontario in order to take some sextant sights to practice some Celestial Navigation with a proper horizon after getting out into the middle of the lake.

Accuracy of the shots needs some work - after working up the sight reductions and plotting the 9 Aug 2015 position against the GPS, it showed a significant error in comparison. Will have to do some more sight practice to get more accurate.

Sun Run Sun Sight Reduction - 2nd Sight

Sun Run Sun Position Plot of 2 Sights

Gemini Delivery to Little Current, Manitoulin Island

 This would be my first boat delivery - a 7 day and 600 nm trip from Port Credit on Lake Ontario to Little Current on Manitoulin Island, I had volunteered to help Jean-loup to get a 35 foot catamaran up north. Some of the trip would be through the night - I love night sailing.

Monday - Day 1 - PC Marina to Port Weller

We left around 3:00 pm for the crossing of Lake Ontario to get to the entry of the Welland Canal locks. After setting the auto helm and the course - after 5 hours it was amazing to arrive exactly on course to the canal entry. Of course there was no wind and no current so nothing less should have been expected. It was an easy motor while checking the boat out and getting to know what was where.

Jean-loup and Patsy Enjoying the Sling Seat

 aAfter entering the canal, we tied up to a wall for the night so that we would be ready to go through the locks first thing in the morning.

Tuesday - Day 2 - Port Weller to Mid Lake Erie

First thing was to call the canal folks and announce our presence in order to enter the lock system. There was a possibility that a waiting ship would go first and would therefore cause a delay for several hours as commercial traffic has priority and recreational traffic does not occupy the same lock when going through the system for safety reasons.

As it happened, we were given the call to go through ahead of the ship and had to spring into action quickly. This was a very welcome turn of events that meant we would get through all 8 locks before the end of the afternoon. Once in Lock 1, 2 long lines were dropped down from the top of the wall to be hauled tight bow and stern as the water level rose - to keep the boat close to the wall. This was an interesting experience to be at the bottom of a high walled concrete canyon - to have water rushing in from below and straining to keep the lines tight as we rose higher and higher.

Once the water had filled the lock, the gate opened to give us access to the upper waterway. Out we went to the next lock. It seemed to be odd that for the whole volume of water that gets processed to fill a lock - we were the only boat that got to enjoy the ride. We were the only boat traffic at the moment but there was  the ship waiting to come through behind us.

There are 8 locks in the system, 3 very close together to get up the escarpment and a very low last step near Lake Erie.

Along the way a good number of lift bridges had to be raised to let us through. A couple of times we had to wait while a ship come down from the other way. At lock 7 we watched the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin barely get through - she is a very wide ship that I am sure scraped the side walls as she slowed came down and out of the lock. There is about 25 nm of waterway connecting all the locks which made for a pleasant journey under clear, blue skies.

Shipping Traffic in the Locks

Much Bigger Than Us!

At Port Colbourne on the edge of Lake Erie - we picked up some supplies and fueled up. Tonight we would be making our first all night passage out and across the length of Lake Erie.

We implemented a watch system - 2 on and 2 off for a three hour rotation. On one watch we picked up a small log that decided to embrace the prop. We also saw a flshing yellow light in the middle of the lake that was uncharted and of mild concern until it was deduced that it was a new weather buoy - similar to others that recently been encountered on Lake Ontario.

Our main navigational challenge was to ensure that we gave Long Point light a wide berth as the spit projected out into the lake a good bit.

Wednesday - Day 3 - Mid Lake Erie to Scudder, Pelee Island

There was little wind but where possible we had the main, jib and/or code zero out to assist on the motor sail. The code zero hadn't been rigged before so it was interesting to figure it out and get it up.

An uneventful day crossing a big body of water. On approach to Pt. Pelee towards the west end of the lake - we had to navigate through some shallower areas and major shipping buoys.

The early evening also brought us a brief thunderstorm that blew through quickly. We prepared by getting in our rain gear and pfd's. All of our mobile electronics were put into the microwave. The wind blew up, waves rose and it was a challenge to keep the boat pointed in the right direction.

After 30 minutes, things started to calm down and we made our way to the marina at Scudder on Pelee Island. We made dock and stay overnight here.

Overnight Stay at Scudder Marina on Pelee Island

Dinner was perch caught from the lake, with chips and beer. A great meal after a long day on the water.

 Thursday - Day 4 - Scudder, Pelee Island to Lake St. Clair

The wind was up today - about 15 knots - so we had a very nice sail to Leamington where we planned to empty the holding tanks and fuel up.

Enroute to Leamington

Fill Up at Leamington Municipal Dock

The vac at Leamington was down so our next option was to hang on and try at Sarnia next day.

The goal for today was to get through the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River through the night for arrival in Sarnia in the morning.

With the help of our GPS charting program we navigated up the Detroit River on the late evening while crossing Lake St. Clair in the night. Some ship traffic come onto us quickly and surprised us a few times. We were always clear but it was disconcerting to not see them until the last moment while their lights were lost in the background lights of the city.

The river segments were quite windy and we had to carefully navigate between the buoys along the way while staying on the starboard side of the channel in order to avoid pssing ship traffic.

Friday - Day 5 - Lake St. Clair to Mid Lake Huron

Morning brought us to the St. Clair River and the approach to Sarnia. We would be docking at a local marina for fuel and a holding tank vac. Nothing much happened other than a ship turning out into the middle of the river forcing us further to the outer part of the channel.

More Shipping Traffic in the St. Clair River

Made for some provisions while in Sarnia in preparation for another big lake crossing of Lake Huron. The wind had picked up so it looked like a good sailing day today.

After departing Sarnia we had some great wind as we sailed northeast across the lake towards Tobermory - similar to what might have been expected as trade wind sailing off the port side beam. As the day progressed we started to see patches of squalls on the western horizon. After a time they got closer and then very close by - but it seemed that we were always in a spot between and therfore always avoided them directly.

The waves were a bit choppy and it was the goal to keep adjusting our course to fine tune how we crossed the waves to minimize the bumping. We had also started to motor sail mid afternoon to help with the chop.

Late evening came on and we developed a 3 person staggered watch system for the night. Wind and waves remained unchanged and it was a steady ride through the night. Saw a few boats on the water, no ships as we were far from normal shipping channels. One sailboat was on a collision course with us but was avoided as we slowed down to let them pass.

A long but satisfying passage that brought us within reach in the morning of the top of the Bruce Peninsula.

Saturday - Day 6 - Mid Lake Huron to Tobermory

As we reached the top of the Bruce Peninsula towards Cape Hurd there was a naviagtional exercise to stay within the Cape Hurd Channel which was the approach from Lake Huron in towards Tobermory. It was well marked and very visible and brought us safely in.

Sailing on Lake Huron

A Replica Sailing Vessel in Tobermory

On arrival into Tobermory - which was a well anticipated stopping point - we fueled up and made arrangements for a marina berth overnight. After two days and nights under passage it was great to be able to stop awhile, get cleaned up and not be on a watch rotation.

It was a very busy Saturday of a long weekend in Tobermory with many people on the streets. After a shower, a nap and some walking around - plans were made to have dinner at a local restaurant on the nearby wharf.

A quiet evening with just one more day on the water to Little Current.

Sunday - Day 7 - Tobermory to Little Current

The early morning departure brought some sunshine as we left Big Tug Harbour. Flowerpot Island shone in the morning light.

Flowerpot Island

Flowerpot and Escarpment

Swing Bridge in Little Current

It was an uneventful motor sail northwards to the beginning of the North Channel.Storm clouds were forming to the west which looked as if to meet up with us as we drove northwards and then west to Little Current.

On approach to Little Current, we had to wait until it was time for the swing bridge to turn allowing us passage through - a short wait and fun to watch.

Unexpectedly, we were treated to a terrific fireworks display as part of weekend festival. One of the best shows that I have ever seen.

Monday - Day 8 - Little Current to Toronto via Parry Sound

We got a drive into Sudbury, then to Parry Sound - where I caught a bus back to Toronto. Traffic was good considering it was a long weekend.

Got picked up at Yorkdale by the Family and home finally after 7 days and 600 nm away.

Lake Ontario 300 Offshore Race - Scotch Bonnet Course

Our GPS Track for the Race

This would be my 2nd long distance offshore race on Lake Ontario. A 190 nm race expected to be over the next 3 days and 2 nights, and again on the Ron Ander boat ALCHEMIST. 

Day 1 - PCYC to Scotch Bonnet Island

 

On a Spinnaker Run Just South of Toronto

Saturday was a clear and sunny day with a good start from PCYC and a long spinnaker run off the North shore of Lake Ontario. Into the evening and the night, it became a challenge to find some wind to keep us moving.

Some of Our Competition to Starboard

A number of boats were seen during the night - all trying to find the right course.

Day 2 - Scotch Bonnet Island to Mid Lake Ontario

In the morning we found some wind that finally took as to the mark at Scotch Bonnet for the rounding Westward. The decision on which tack to take was difficult with neither being an obvious choice to be favourable. The one chosen was felt to provide us with better wind in the middle of the lake but it seemed that we would be returning on the same leg that we had just completed.

After a wind shift which soon died we were now going in the direction we wanted to be going - to the Niagara buoy.

Shipping Traffic

Winds died again through the night and seemed that besides keeping our eyes open for shipping traffic - we were admiring how slow we were going to our destination.

Sunset in the Middle of Lake Ontario

Day 3 - Mid Lake Ontario to PCYC

 

Coming Up to the Niagara Buoy

The morning brought us another beautiful day with the breeze firming up a bit and finally taking us to the mark. After the rounding, the breeze freshened some more and soon enough our boat speed under spinnaker on a close reach (Yes!) was soon 7 Knots.

Using Spinnaker on a Close Reach

It was a quick crossing to PCYC, and with a rousing finish in dousing the spinnaker, making a tack towards the Finish Line we ended up with Line Honours in our Division, but coming in 2nd on PHRF.

See you next year.

Georgian Bay Boot Camp

GPS Track for the 2 Day Passage

Day 1 - Thornbury Municipal Harbour to Echo Bay

Tuesday - I had arrived the night before and slept on Malaika with Jean-loup in order to have anearly start on the day. After considering the wind and weather forecast, it was decided to head Northwards via the Western Islands in order to anchor in secluded and off the main track Echo Bay in the Eastern archipelago of Georgian Bay near Parry Sound.

We had a nice 15 Knot wind from the West which made for a nice brisk sail to the islands. As per the GPS Track no leeway took effect until closer to the islands. The crossing was pretty easy to handle until I had a few bouts of seasickness - no reason for that to have occurred but it did.

After entering the Small Craft Channel, we had to careful navigate some narrow and shallow channels to get to the anchorage. Very quiet and very pleasant - no development as this was within a local Provincial Park.

Through the evening we prepared our list of ATONS to navigate Southwards through the Small Craft Channel.

A restful and quiet sleep got us ready for the next day.

Day 2 - Echo Bay to Thornbury via Small Craft Channel

Wednesday -After a great breakfast, we starting cruising Southwards along the very well marked channel. All buoys were easy to see, one after another - no difficulties in seeing the next one after getting to the intended approach.

A few hours of this brought us out of the channel just East of Giants Tomb Island. After the motoring it was great to finally get the sails up and head towards Christian Island.

A look at the forecast for Thursday strongly suggested that we keep going all the way back to Thornbury with winds being expected to calm the next day.

It was a very pleasant sail across Nootawasaga Bay after passing past Campana Shoal off the Southeastern tip of Christian Island.

Returning to Thornbury via Nottawasaga Bay from Christian Island

The auto helm again showed off its merits by allowing us to have our dinner mid way across the Bay.

 

Day 3 - Off Thornbury

Thursday -Due to our early arrival to Thornbury the night before, we had today available to do some basic tacking and gybing drills around an outer buoy. We spent a few hours doing this and honing skills and comfort before heading back to eat any remaining leftovers - and returning back to Toronto.

Many thanks to Jean-loup for his patience, his passion and companionship in all things sailing. He can be reached at www.georgianbaysailingcoach.com.