Sailing in 2008

Hopefully the wood in this picture looks better than last years. I used Sikkens Cetol Natural Teak coated with Cetol Marine Gloss. This product was recommended by a friend of ours at the Club. (Thanks Gord) It was easy to work with and looked as good at the end of the season as it did in the spring. I also refinished the tiller with Cetol. The only varnish I used went on the mahogany rudder blade.














Other winter work included removing the boom end cap and tightening the goose neck fittings, adding rings to hold the whisker pole on the stanchions and normal maintenance on the outboard. I also repaired the knot meter.






We bought a sock for the spinnaker. We hope it makes it easier to handle.












We were one of the first boats in the water in the spring. May can have some cool evenings but the winds are great. According to the repaired knot meter we sailed a total of 316.82 nautical miles over the season.














Life is good when you get in a little fishing while breakfast is cooking.


















We happily celebrated Canada Day at our favorite place with great friends













We participated in three races this year with better results. June race we placed 4th, July race we placed 3rd and in August we placed 5th.










This white circus tent is the replacement for last years tarp. Worked out very well and allowed us to work on the boat in the early spring. Another fine suggestion from our friend Captin Gord.

The Rest Of 2007

So new boat in the water, many new gadgets to play with and only a few weeks to make the most of it.





Took Pam and Lorne out on the boat. Pam was able to get Sea Sprite going faster than we had yet. Lorne had many fine suggestions for improvements.








Our son came home from Newfoundland ( he's in the Navy ) and went sailing with us. He really enjoyed the boat. (and his guest)






We managed to sleep over a few cool nights. The pop top and enclosure work great. Enclosure is a bit of work to put on and take off. Sea Sprite has a lot more room to stretch out in than our Siren 17 did. Stove works great. Potty makes a comfortable difference.






We even managed to fly the spinnaker a few times with mixed results. The gallery on the hill had many suggestions. Lots of time next season to learn better techniques.








Good crew is always cleaning up after me, the birds and anything or one that messes the boat. She has however left me in charge of the
spiders.








We even raced Sea Sprite. (only our second race ever) We discovered that the boat was more capable than we were. More practice required for next year.













As can be seen in this picture the woodwork needed to be redone. This included the hatch slides, door slides, doors and the tiller and rudder. Kept me busy over the winter.

Ever notice winters are longer when you own a boat?

Not real happy with the tarp. Changes to come.

New Boat

Sea Sprite is a 1986 Vandestadt McGruer Sirius 22 that we where lucky enough to take ownership of August 1'st 2007. We sold our Siren 17 (Short Escape) just a short 3 days earlier. As I was on vacation it was very important to find another boat. My Wife (Anita) and I delivered Short Escape to her new owners on Saturday and on Monday we bought our new boat Sea Sprite.

On Wednesday the 1'st my Father and I took his trusty truck north to pick up the new boat. It took us most of the day to take her out of the water pack everything up and tow her to her new home at the Club. By the time we arrived at the Club it was too late in the day to do anything except go home.

The following day I worked all day long and finally with the help of good friends George, Les and Lorne managed to launch and dock her at the Club.