Labour Day Weekend - 2007

Last weekend of the summer. We took the kids with us on Friday for their last sail before heading back to school on Tuesday. Jamie's off to Victoria College, at UofT in residence for his 1st year and Sara's at UofT, Mississauga campus in 4th year. Conditions were beautiful on Friday, with temperature 25c and winds 10-13kts. We sailed across Humber Bay and had great view of the city skyline. There was lots of action with the various planes and jets practicing for the Air Show that runs at the CNE this weekend. We made better than 6-7kts most of the way and topped at 7.56kts in 13 kts wind. A perfect day.

Fair Winds

Sunday was the better day this weekend for sailing. Saturday was a wash out with thunder storms and rain. We took Carl and Emma Ekin for a sail Sunday. Emma works with me at BMO and Carl is also a banker with Royal Bank. It was Emma and Carl's first time sailing in a keelboat and they seemed to enjoy it. Conditions were very nice with good wind for most of the trip going. On our return, we caught up with CASSIS and sailed part of the way back together. I caught Cassis in action trying hard to catch us. The wind however died shortly afterwards and we had to engine back. All in all a nice sail.

Dufour at the 2006 Annapolis Show

TheSailingChannel sails with the Dufour fleet as the boats transit Annapolis Harbor to their berths at the 2006 US Sailboat Show.

Weekend Sailing

We managed to get out Saturday afternoon for some day sailing. We left the dock around 1:30 and caught up with our friends the Howells sailing their Beneteau 343 CASSIS in Humber Bay. It was a funny day weather wise, a bit like swiss cheese on the lake, with lots of holes where there was no wind.
During our return trip, the wind kicked up to 16kts and we made good time. We caught CASSIS healed up with the toe-rail almost in the water. End of day Sunday, there was a pretty sunset as we packed it in for the weekend.

Spirit of Canada Update

Spirit of Canada arrived back at "K" dock at PCYC this weekend with her new mast stepped. The carbon mast was built at Composite Solutions in Hingham, Mass.
After almost two years of building and preparing, the Spirit of Canada looks like she's almost ready to go. We understand the sails from France have also arrived and training and hospitality sailing will be starting within a few days.
The video below is from her rollover test in June.

Friendly Flotilla

We were out on Saturday in a friendly race to the Clarkson Buoy with Ariba, Peas & Carrots, Hope & Glory, and Cassis. Ariba was the clear winner with Peas & Carrots not far behind, VICTURA, Hope & Glory and Cassis taking up the rear. Winds were ok getting to Clarkson and completely died on the way back. We gave up after a half hour or so on the return leg and engined back. We caught Hope & Glory in the downwind return with her sails fully out. Cassis gets honourable mention for being first back to the club on power. After the race, we had a pot luck feast on the dock to finish the day. A splendid weekend.

Summer Evening at PCYC

I took these photos at the club one evening this week just after the sun set. A very relaxing way to end a day. The evenings are starting to get shorter with the sun setting around 8:30 now.