Boating Adventures

This is very much a repeat of last year.  And there’s nothing bad about that.  We’re solidly mid-pack. 

Yesterday was a beautiful day, and after waiting for the wind to fill in we had a short windward-leeward race.  Unfortunately when we went to hoist the headsail for the next race the prefeeder jammed, and we were unable to sail that race.

Today started out nice, with rain in the forecast for the afternoon.  We had a short race, then racing was called off due to the threat of lightning.  We weren’t unhappy heading in before it got stormy.

It’s been fun.  The race committee work is great, and it’s a beautiful venue.  We’re a happy well-fed crew.  The next two days look perfect, with light NW winds and sun forecast. 

We’re back in much the same configuration as last year.  Allister jumped ship for a fast boat for the season.  We’ll miss him. 

The fleet looks much the same, with a couple of more boats that we owe time to.  I’m helming Narwhal V.

Thankfully (for me, at least) conditions are forecast to be moderate for the week.  We’re not really expecting podium results, but it’ll be fun to mix it up with some great competitors. 

I’m staying aboard Escapade ashore in Gold River.  I’m really glad I hauled here last fall.  It’s a delightful small yard.  So not quite the mother ship of last year, but not far off.

…and I’m getting ready to go boating.  My health issues have largely been resolved. 

One of my last shore-based tasks here in Ontario is to retrieve my motorcycle from Eastern Ontario, where I left it 13 months ago when heading east on Escapade.   Vehicle management can be a pain sometimes.  Fortunately we’ve got a flexible fleet.  My only recent picture is of a nice 2008 Matrix I just brought home for one of the kids.

I’ll fly to Halifax later this week, picking up the car I left there.  I’m joining the Narwhal crew for Chester Race Week next week, then loading the car and taking a long drive/ferry to Lewisporte to commission Kashmir.

My basic game plan is to sail Kashmir to Halifax before winter.   I’m very much open to having company, and am also looking for someone who can drive my car to the mainland.  Reach out if you’re interested.

Escapade is still ashore and covered, still for sale.   Tin Lizzie is still in Guelph, but I’ve pledged to get that boat to NS as well this fall.

More later…

Happy Canada Day!

I haven’t been posting here because I’ve been largely disengaged with boating, though I did have a fun weekend hanging out in Halifax on David and Laura’s boat watching SailGP racing in the harbour.  Pics below.

I’ve been having mobility issues over the past year or so that got markedly worse this spring.  I’m taking a break from my normal boating life to try to recover at home with treatment and therapy. 

Kashmir is waiting for me in Newfoundland, and Escapade remains ashore in NS.  I had made plans to be in NF now, but had to defer them.  Hopefully I’ll still get some time aboard this summer.

Plus pics of genset and rudder area under cockpit aft.

I’ve just dropped the asking price on Escapade to $US50k. 

I’ve been chatting with local brokers and boat repair folks.  When I came here last year part of the appeal was that there are skilled wooden boat technicians who could do part or all of the required work on the wooden structure.

There is an excellent shop here that can do the work.  The challenge is always scoping, and in this case there is lots of work in final prep and paint to get a seamless repair.  I can provide contact information for anyone interested.

I’ve always fought against the notion that Escapade is a yacht.  The previous owner put a lot of time and attention into making every surface perfect, but for me the attraction is that it’s a work boat.  Excellent bones, easily maintained systems, and exceptionally economic operation.  If I kept the boat I’d opt for the basic repair and not fuss about finish quality.

The new owner will have a range of options.  Work can be done here, or I can launch and deliver the boat if not gone sailing.  It’s ready to keep moving.

I’ve been scrubbing out the engine room.  Will take a video of it and more pics shortly.  Also will review in detail the deck damage.

Will be listing with a local broker if not sold within the next few weeks.

jeff@boatingadventures.ca

Miles and his friend Simon are with me for a few days and have been helping me with a few things.  Mostly getting the remaining stuff off the boat and organized, and some exterior cleaning. They’re doing some local sight seeing as well.

My original vague plan was to uncover and launch the boat, but when I started talking that through with Miles he pointed out quite reasonably that the best place to sell the boat is on shore.  And as long as it’s ashore it may as well stay covered. I’m getting ready to leave the boat in the next week or so.

I’m sitting in the shade looking at a cool and capable boat.  We’ve had some adventures together.  It’s just sinking in that they’re probably at an end. 

All things have to end.  It’s been a great chapter in my life, and I feel privileged to have done it. Now I need to get focused on the next chapter.  I’ll be joining my new boat in late June.

More pics and videos of Escapade to come.

Back aboard.  Miles and I will be getting the boat uncovered in the next few days and I’ll post exterior pics.  ER is coming as well.

The boat is empty and the living spaces clean.  I hired out the cleaning, and I can’t wait to get back and see the results in person.

In the meanwhile here are Caren’s ‘after’ shots that give a sense of the interior.  These start aft and move forward. 

I realize that I forgot to mention in my description that the inside of the hull where exposed in the forward area is covered in a synthetic fabric commonly used in production boats.  ‘Monkey Fuzz’ is what I used to call it.