Spring 2014

LAUNCH - Rowan Bluffs Marina

                   Long Point Bay 

                   Lake Erie

 After a long winter spring snuck up on us. The boat work was done in a rush  trying to be ready for an early launch.

Bottom paint. cetol, varnish, new cup holders and at last as recommended by Lorne a toggle on the forestay.

As predicted this made it much easier to secure the front stay. (First mate wants to know why it took seven years.)

We launched May 13.  Took about four hours to get her assembled and tied to the dock.

We also added this custom made carpet ( imported from the Bahama's ) to keep our toes warm in the morning.

Thanks Sophie.

Our good friend Gord. Sailor, diver and anchor specialist. Gord highly recommended we try a Bruce anchor to contend with the weeds of Long Point Bay.

This is our new friend Gord. (Our now favorite anchor) Named after our other friend Gord. I get great pleasure throwing Gord (the anchor) overboard at the end of the day knowing that we will wake up in the same spot in the morning. Thanks to our friends Gord (and our anchor alarm) we slept soundly on the hook for 16 nights.                

It was a bit cold in the early spring. But look no weeds.

                                  More great sunsets.






                                          

             Big waves and big wind on the outer bay. 
                                     

   Old Wildwood friend spotted off Ryerson Island.

New friends on the inner bay.

                             Great Fishing

  
                                                Wildlife   









Off the road little one.

   Oops wrong pics.

We happily celebrated our 30th Wedding anniversary in Disney World just like kids. The big animals were there.

Good times! 

But no sailing.













BACK TO THE LAKE

        

Relaxed life.    




        

                                               The game.

Moon lit nights





We had the opportunity to race at Wildwood again this year. I crewed with Gerry on his Catalina 22 and the First Mate crewed with Les aboard Kinsale. It was great to be back at the Club. We enjoyed visiting and racing with all our sailing friends.

We didn't win any hardware but the First Mate got to hand it out. Congrats Paul.





Sea Sprite looking small in Port Dover again.

We had a wonderful sail over with a following wind.  However by the time we entered the harbour we had six foot following waves. A bit much for our boat. We decided to stay the night and wait for calmer seas for the sail back. Had a great Perch dinner down on the beach (Callahan's Beach House Restaurant) while watching the waves crash in.

The following morning we had a great sail back. Three tacks and we had lunch at Pottahawk. We then sailed to our favourite anchorage in Big Rice Bay and spent the second night on the hook.

             Anchored in Big Rice Bay.




Pirate ship sinks in the Bay!

Not really. These mark a fish net you don't want to tangle with.







           THE CORK THAT SAVED THE SEASON

  A few days after we launched we noticed a small jet of water each time we opened or closed the sea cock. Water should not be on the inside of the boat.

Investigation led to the conclusion that we failed to leave the sea cock open last winter. This has always been enough to prevent freeze damage.

Griping that we needed to pull the boat back out the First Mate told me to put a cork in it. 

I don't think she meant the boat. However that was the best solution and saved the summer.

This is the hole in the boat after the thru hull was removed.

Spring repairs to follow.










It  was not the best summer weather wise but we still managed to sail quite a bit and slept on the boat 19 nights. (16 at anchor)  We hauled Sea Sprite out on the 27th September. No casualties reported.

SAILING 2014      Winter Again

I really hate Canadian winters. This one was very cold with lots of snow. It came early and stayed long.

Our only respite was a trip to the Toronto Boat Show with Les and Chris and an all too short trip to Freeport to see Gerry and Sophia.

At the boat show we attended seminars by Paul and Sheryl Shard (http://www.distantshores.ca) and Michael Leahy (http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/). 

Both were great seminars. The four of us all learned things.




Grand Bahama is wonderful and warm and Gerry and Sophia are great hosts. 

Gerry managed to find a Blue Hole for us to snorkel many fish were seen. 

Lots of corral was as well.

















Fresh Conch






Sailing








Beaches






Swimming











It was another great trip to Freeport. Swimming, snorkeling, sailing, jeep tours, Count Basie Square, rum, wine, the game and good friends. 

It was over too fast and there was still a lot of winter left when we got home.