Sailing 2015




   Okay to start I am not the best blogger. I do not update very often and have been even slower this time. I really have been putting this off.

    I broke one of the first rules of computers. Back up everything.

     I failed to do so and my hard drive failed taking most of my 2015 pics with it. LESSON LEARNED.






    BOAT SHOW


       We made our annual trip to the Toronto Boat Show. We went alone this year as we could not seem to set a date with the others.

        It was the SAME good show. We bought a few things but found ourselves looking at all the SAME things again. SAME vendors SAME boats. 

        Perhaps we need to take a couple of years off.




TILLEY TALE

           First Mate gave me my Tilley for my first Father's  Day.

           Anyone who has sailed or fished with me over the last 27 years or so has seen my Tilley. It has been a true friend for a long time. (Gord and Lorne know what I mean.)








           






     
As you can see after much use on Wildwood Lake, Long Point Bay, Florida Bay, Penobscot Bay and other rivers, ponds and lakes it has become a little worn.   

         


          So as a surprise First Mate/Admiral had Tilley replace my hat with a new one under warranty for my birthday. (Seems like a way to cheap out of a gift.)



        The new hat is clean but has no character. I  plan to add some  character in the near future. 






        






I hope to have Tilley replace this one 27 years from now.






               NO MORE CORK

              With advice from Gord, Les and Gerry and some parts from Gord as well, the First Mate (someone had to crawl under the boat) and I  managed to repair the thru hull.










Thanks again guys.









LAUNCH-Old Cut Marina
              Long Point Bay










         As you can see above we moved across the Bay this year to try a new Marina. We are very happy here.  George runs a great place and has the cleanest washroom on the Bay. Wifi and security cameras are also great to have. The docks are tighter but we just had to improve our skills a wee bit.

         We launched on May 7th. Always a challenge but things went smoothly and we had her at the dock after 2 1/2 hours work. 
          We were both quite happy the sea cock (thru hull) did not leak.







        Sea Sprite at her new dock. Looking a bit lonely as we were one of the first in.











FIRST SAIL of the Season




         Anita the First Mate / CoCaptain / Better Half,  keeps a log of our sails and below is her description of our sail Mothers Day weekend.


















    As you can see the weather was great and  this is a record early season night on the boat. 


     However the rest of May was not quite as good. Of course the long weekend was cool as usual.  We only sailed 44 nm in May. 


    





 With the poor weather and family health issues we missed most of June.











               Heading out the well marked channel.





      In July we got back to sailing. Many good sails and some overnights. 

       We anchored out near Rowan Bluffs on Canada day and watched fireworks all around the bay.

        By the end of July our mileage was up to 186 nm.







AUGUST










Okay.    Your right this is not Sea Sprite.



The Admiral celebrated a significant birthday this year and she chose to celebrate in Manhattan.




We sailed New York harbour aboard the tall ship Clipper City.

We also did Broadway shows, Times Square, Central Park. Empire State Building, Grand Central, etc, etc.

Very busy week. We had a great time.





We did not sail that much in August but ended the month with a total of 220 nm. 

We did manage to visit the Sailing Club for a dinner and a poker run at the end of August. Had a great sail with the gang and ran into many old friends. Alway fun at the Club.



SEPTEMBER



Bayfest weekend (Labour day)  The Marina had a pork BBQ. We met many boaters (even some sailors) while enjoying the meal.

We anchored out for the night and watched great fireworks from Port Rowan.

Chris and Les also came down for a sail and swim. Gerry and Sophia met us at the dock to check out the marina.

Good food, good friends fireworks makes a great weekend.



The next week Paul Carter came down for a visit and a sail. He seemed to enjoy the Bay and the Marina. (Wildwood sailors don't seem to show up until their boats are put away.)



Later in the month our good friend Cathy joined us for a sail, BBQ
and a swim. 






We always enjoy the company of friends and the opportunity to explain and share our passion for sailing with them.



We ended September with a total of 330 nm.



OCTOBER

We got in a few somewhat cooler sails this month. We even sailed on Thanksgiving Day.

Pulled her out October 19th. A new late season record for us.

We ended the year with a total of 346 nm sailed. 



We anchored out for twelve nights and spent one night at the dock.


Another long cold winter ahead before we can start all over again.