Another Youth Sailboat Course at Highland Yacht Club

The week of 18 July to 22 July was spent at the Scarborough Bluffs Park and hosted at the Highland Yacht Club. A lot of firsts this time with HYC via a Start Keelboat Sailing course to 5 sailors through National One Design Sailing Academy on one of our Zhik Flying Tiger 7.5 metre boats.

Some of the Neat Boat Houses at Sacrborough Bluffs

The Boat Basin at HYC

Day 1

We spent the day getting to know the boat, its layout, safety equipment and what all of its parts were called. After that we did a bit a bit of maneuvering under power until it became evident that the wind was too strong to maintain control of the boat. I tried 3 times to turn the boat around and to get back to the dock.

Rigging the Boat for Departure

After lunch it was a series of chalk talks on various topics to get ready for the rest of the week on the water.

Can't Wait for the Next Chalk Talk!

Day 2

The morning session on the water had us with some good wind. The kids enjoyed the sail, especially the heeling while sailing close hauled - at least some did. We did mostly tacking drills.

Cool and Relaxed as a Cucumber!

The afternoon session was more variable with a light wind that came and went. It was the first introduction to bobbing on the water.

Sailing Like a Pro!

Day 3

Between some chalk talks we had some good steady winds. After some easy gybes in the morning, we did complete sailing circles in the afternoon. Everyone did really well.

Keeping a Good Eye on the Windex

Day 4

Today's morning session gave us a chance at doing a number of crew overboard maneuvers. We only missed on the first attempt once, every other time was done on the first go round. Well done!

The afternoon brought us some stronger winds and with low battery charges we ended up returning to dock instead of going out. It was just as well because the kids really enjoyed the rest of the afternoon doing chalk talks on various topics in support of the Basic Cruising exam that they would be writing on Friday - not!

The Local Swan Family

Day 5

It seemed like a deja-vu moment but on leaving the boat harbour through the channel - we touched bottom and got stuck momentarily - just like at ABYC. We were firmly within the buoyed channel and unlike ABYC we all felt the touch down. We throttled the engine up and forward while all getting onto the port side of the boat and moments later we were free and moving forward. Another great lesson.

I Really Like This Boat at BPYC - What is It?

Between tacks, reaches and some great last session sailing - everyone had a turn at the helm - we also did a heave-to maneuver - just to show how it was done. Really neat right?

The Bow was the Preferred Spot at Times

After lunch it was the best time of the whole week - not, again!

We reviewed our SKS Workbooks together and then some wrote the PCOC exam, after that even more fun in writing the Basic Cruising exam. Can't wait to come back next year!

De-rigging the Boat

I think everyone made some good progress over the week, we had good sailing winds pretty much the whole week, and everyone had good exposure to what sailing is all about.

Thanks to the Highland Yacht Club

1D Youth Keelboat Sailing at Ashbridge's Bay Yacht Club

The week of 4 July to 8 July was spent instructing six 13 to 17 year olds on Start Keelboat, Basic Crew and Basic Cruising on behalf of National One Design Sailing Academy.

Boat Basin at ABYC

The crew consisted of...

Crew 'A'
- Dabinaire Dan
- Close Hauled Jake
- The Big 'D' Devan - Skipper

Crew 'B'
- I Don't Want To Do It Madi
- Crash Jessie Crash
- Cannonball Jack - Skipper

We had two separate crews where everyone rotated through all roles including Helm, Mainsail Trimmer and Foresail Trimmer. When not on watch, the relief crew listened carefully, learned from the other crew or sprang into action to help out as required!
 
The winds were fairly light all week but we got a good amount of sailing in on top of a couple of chalk talks on various topics everyday. The photos following seem to catch mostly ashore fun stuff but I can assure that a lot of quality time was spent on the water running various points of sail, crew overboard drills and heaving to with reefing and shaking out of the main sail.

Rigging the Boat for Departure From the Slip

On Wednesday, Day 3, we had a real life lesson on going aground when we touched bottom and got stuck in the mud as we left the boat slip basin of ABYC. It was a fairly gentle grounding as we did not feel anything other than to notice after a while that we were not moving anywhere at all. So now it was lesson time - how do we free the boat from the mud. First thing we did was to try and reverse out with just the engine. This did not get us anywhere as the engine (electric) is not that strong. Next thing we did was to put all of our bodies on the port side and start to heel the boat in that direction with our combined body weight (where was Jack when we needed him?) and applying reverse to the engine. After a bit the boat started to move and slowly but surely we were out of the mud. A great learning experience indeed.

A Well Deserved Lunch Break

On Thursday, Day 4, we were exposed to weather monitoring and application of storm watching. As we left ABYC, we noticed the buildup of clouds over the City and it was pointed out that we should keep an eye on this and not go too far out so that a quick return would be possible if required. After about 20 minutes the sky started to darken, I took a quick look at the radar web site and saw a t-storm cell coming our way. So a quick turnaround, dropping of the sails and return to the slip brought us back in time to hear a few thunder claps as we entered the boat basin and we enjoyed a bit of a downpour after having de-rigged and snugged up the boat. Another great real life lesson.

We spent the rest of the afternoon goofing off - washing down the boat and a quick swim in the inner Ashbridge's Bay - a good time was had by all, especially cleaning of the bat in the rain. I couldn't get anyone to stop!

Boat Cleaning In The Rain

The Cheeriest Boat Cleaning I Have Ever Seen

He Just Wouldn't Stop!

Goofing Off Time on the Dock

On Friday, Day 5 we did a bit of a sail first thing with a nice wind before pulling back into the Bay for an anchoring session after which everyone except Madi went into the drink for a brief swim. Before leaving the dock as we were rigging the boat we got a scuba diving lesson from Jessie as she was very keen to show us how her phone could survive a dunking into the water at our boat slip. She was very brave to go in and also very polite to ask if it was okay to do so. The phone seems to have survived.

The afternoon was spent doing workbooks, writing the Basic Cruising and PCOC exams - everyone did very well.

It is safe to say that everyone (including me) had a lot of fun and learned a lot about sailing.

Congrats to all of these new sailors!

Weekend Cruise to NOTL

On the weekend of 28 and 29 May 2016, John and I will be sailing across the west end of Lake Ontario out of Port Credit to Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is about a 30 nm passage. Franklin has kindly let us use his boat Rona Cara as he will be away. Hopefully we can do this kind of cruise with him another time.

Proposed Route

The plan is to provision, prepare, stay on the boat on Friday night for an earlyish departure on Saturday morning. Depending on winds, it might be a 6 hour crossing. An overnight berth has been reserved at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club. We have a spot on the wall next to the Niagara River. Supposedly there is a decent current that will need to be navigated on approach to the wall.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club

Day One - Saturday, 28 May 2016

After gathering John at his condo it was off to the No Frills store in Port Credit for some basic provisioning. Checkouts on the boat, engine and stowing of gear, food and belongings took us to an 0945 departure - earlier than anticipated.

Leaving PCM Behind

Winds were forecast to be light (6 to 8 Kts from the SSW), sails were hoisted and it was a leisurely 4 to 5 Kt ride across to the other side of the Lake. Our course was not direct and we tacked once closer to the south shore to get to NOTL.

After the tack, winds very light and progress would be slow so we decided to motor sail the rest of the way. After a short time, all sails were dropped as no benefit was being provided.

On approach to NOTL, we crossed the Niagara Bar using the chartplotter to weave between some low spots of 8 to 10 feet of depth. Tide rips and current were met at the mouth of the Niagara River. Coming into the wall of the NOTL Sailing Club was less of an experience than anticipated - there was minimal current to contend with.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club

Docking was routine, on tie up with shore power and a look around to find the officer in charge - it quickly became time for a beer. It was a cool ride over the Lake with a bit of wind but on arrival the heat became evident and the need to take on fluids was strong.

NOTL Sailing Club were in party mood as some function at their club house was in full swing. For us it was off to the pub (The Old Angel Inn) in town for a fish and chips dinner and a beer. Downtown NOTL was quite busy with lots of people about in the warm weather.

Returning back to the club brought us to a party in full swing with dance band and music. It was a leisurely night sitting in the cockpit relaxing and watching boats on the river. The Youngstown fort was clearly visible on the point across the river from NOTL.

Youngstown Fort Across the Niagara River

Local Water Craft

Off to bed for an early 0800 start back to PCM in the morning. Winds were expected to be good for the crossing.

Day Two - Sunday, 29 May 2016

We woke up to bright sunshine, it was another beautiful day. After an engine check and other preparations - had some coffee and yoghurt to get started. We would have breakfast out on the water a bit later.

A Very Fine Sailing Vessel at NOTL Sailing Club, a Valiant 32

The Light Beacon at NOTL Sailing Club

Rona Cara on the Wall

Leaving the dock was an easy departure - there hadn't been a lot of visitors on the wall with us. We motored downstream in the river and out to cross the bar once again. Went out the same route in reverse and once over increased to cruising speed. There was no wind, water was glassy smooth.

A Flock of Cormorants Crossing Our Bow Mid Lake

After a while, we put up the sails to motor sail and get some benefit. Most of the crossing was made with little to no wind until we get closer to Port Credit. Wind ripples started to appear on the water and we decided to finish the trip with a nice sail back.

Getting closer to Port Credit at 1300 made us decide to stay out longer and just sail around as the winds were light but getting a bit stronger. After awhile, skies were starting to cloud over and get misty and we thought to finish the trip. Sails were dropped and we motored into the berth.

A quick tidy up, stowage, packing and cleaning of the boat - and it was off and back to our homes.

The weather had been very nice, warm and light wind conditions for the trip which yielded more motoring than sailing. Fun nonetheless. Many thanks to Franklin for the use of Rona Cara, which sails effortlessly when underway.

Our GPS track for the 71.6 nm passage...

Actual GPS Track to NOTL and Return

Belleville to Port Credit Boat Delivery

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of 9 to 11 May 2016 I will be Skippering the delivery of Franklin's newly acquired 1989 CS 36 Merlin named Rona Cara from the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club to the Port Credit Marina.

Proposed Route for 170 Nm Passage

Not sure of the route yet as there was a rumour of an early opening of the Murray Canal for this weekend which would help immensely in the trip duration. Instead of 170 nm via the Bay of Quinte and Adolphus Reach - it would only be about 130 nm via the Canal and Presqu'ile Bay.

Monday will be commissioning and trials with evening port destination to be determined. If weather permits we might make a night sail of it.

Day One...

After getting picked by Pat Sturgeon at my house, it was a 2 hour drive to Belleville and the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club where Rona Cara was moored.
 
Some adjustments and installation of the Auto Helm - we were off for the Town of Picton where we would be dropping Sharon and Pat for their retrun home by independent cars. Franklin and I would carry on to Prinyer's Cove where we could dock at a small marina.

We had a great sail downwind, flying the cruising chute for a bit before reaching down to Picton. There was a nice 20 Kt wind that blew a bit cold and then was on the nose. The channel was too narrow to be tacking so the sails went down and we motored along into port.

A good motor along Adolphus Reach brought us into Prinyer's Cove - no one answered our radio call so we just put into dock. It was a short berth which would have been better to be transom in rather than bow in.

Franklin made a great dinner and before you knew it our heads were on the pillow.

Day Two...

 

Prinyer's Cove

We woke up to very calm conditions. It confirmed our intentions of going the long route around Prince Edward County rather than waiting for the Murray Canal to open 10 days from now. Franklin had gotten much advice about how ill conceived our plan was to deal with this nasty bit of water and shoreline.

Docked at Prinyer's Cove Marina

The whole day was spent motoring with some motor sailing. There was consideration to sail through the night but I was concerned that we did not have a confident read on fuel consumption to risk another 12+ hours of engine use without refueling.

Shipping Traffic in the Shipping Channel South of Prince Edward County

The Glassy Smooth Waters Below Scotch Bonnet Island

About 15 mile out of Cobourg we decide to put in at the marina and refuel in the morning. It had been a long day anyways.

Franklin treated me to a fish and chips dinner and a beer at the Cat and Fiddle in Cobourg - a nice treat.

To bed early  again - a full day doing nothing on the water is also very tiring.

Day Three...

 

Refueling in Cobourg Marina

Another clear and sunny day greeted us. After breakfast of pancakes and it was off to the Fuel Dock for refueling. Engine was checked, a little oil in the bilge. Weather was checked and off we went for a final day's 12 hour passage to Port Credit Marina.

Being closer to the north shore of the lake made it more interesting to observe the rolling hills of the nearby landscape.

I was able to take 3 sets of sextant sights for a S - R - S - R - S and accurate enough to be within 10 nm of actual GPS position - not too bad but could be better. I might need to be more accurate in determining DIP and IE. The sight reductions were all done on my StarPilot calculator - no tables - so it was done fairly quickly - about 10 minutes per sight.

We made good progress back to Toronto and PCM in getting to our final destination just before dark.

Approaching Skyline of Toronto

All in all an enjoyable experience on a very solid boat. Using Auto Helm made it all a very easy driving experience. And of course having agreeable weather was in our favour as well.

GPS Track...

 

It ended up being a 188 nm passage.

3 Day GPS Track

ISPA Instructor Clinic in Comox, BC

I will be in Comox for the week taking part in a Method of Instruction and Practical Sailing Evaluation Clinic in order to become an ISPA certified Instructor for the ISPA Competent Crew and Day Skipper sail programs.

ISPA (International Sail and Power Association) is a western Canada based Sail and Power instruction program -  http://www.ispassociation.ca/
 

View from the DSYC dock...

Monday and Tuesday was spent preparing Lesson Plans on various sailing topics and then presenting to the group. Feedback was provided by all.

S/V Gloman Magic - our Instruction vessel for the Clinic

Wednesday was spent on the boat and on the water, again in instruction mode - topics such as engine start-up procedure, standing and running rigging, and knots. On the water topics included the sailing circle. We did quite a few heave-to COB's - some of us with questionable success.

Comox Valley Marina

Thursday was spent maneuvering the boat under power and doing several single line dockings. This a great technique for a short or single handed crew, then it was out to do more heave-to COB with much better success.

View towards Vancouver Island and the Comox Glacier

At the conclusion of the day it was announced that we had all passed the Clinic - it was a sigh of relief after the last 2 strenuous days.

ISPA Instructor Class of 2016

Two Bilge Keeled Boats at CVM - Purposely Aground

Sextant Accessories...

Here is what my kids think that I look like when I am using my sextant...

Guerrilla Celestial Navigation

Probably not too different from what blue water navigators have had to do to catch a sight and determine a fix - I coin the term Guerrilla Celestial Navigation not so much as replicating or performing to an art form but to do what you might have to do to the best of your abilities or circumstances - to get the job done.

I have used the same term when making sushi at home - the art form is not practiced just the raw production of most times very tasty sushi.

So what constitutes Guerrilla Celestial Navigation? Here goes...

- taking a sun sight against a near shore horizon because that is all you have
- waiting for an opening in the cloud cover to get a sun sight while you can before losing it to the next cloud
- catching a sun sight when you have light cloud cover
- trying to guess where the limb of the sun is during an obscured sight

Take what you can when you have it - while you have it.