Roung Salt Spring 2008 The end of Strawberry Express

Yes it was a great last sail but unfortunately Strawberry's last sail. The race was going great. June and I had decided that we would sail the race double handed without the spinnaker. If the conditions where right this would give us a big advantage in the race. Sometimes you end up sailing up hill against the wind all the way around the island. The extra 15 seconds on our PHRF handicap can be an nice side benefit on a long race.

Thing where going well for us we where in the last division to start and had passed a lot of slower boat and where on a nice down wind reach going north in Trincomali channel. The wind looked way stronger on the Galiano side of the channel so with chart in hand I thought we could go in between the Ballingall Islets and Wise island. Well lets just say the reef was not that deep and we clipped it and rode up on it. June was thrown into the bulkhead and received a nasty cut on her lip that was spurting blood. Now this in not a good position to be in. Wife crying and profusely bleeding boat high and dry on a rock (both the tiller and rudder). Luckily there is a nice man who lives on Walace he came over in his power boat and I threw him the spin halyard and we where over and off and back in the race (technically out). June was still bleeding on my beloved boat so I needed to get her a few stitches so we sailed over to the Fernwood dock and she jumped ship. Wendy Vine from the race committee was nice enough to drive over and meet her and take her to the hospital. The strange thing about dropping her off at the dock was no one rendered any assistance to her. There had to be ten people all on the dock and they just stood there and starred at her. They might of thought it was a domestic dispute and I was throwing her off the boat. It was very weird for Salt Spring. June received three stitches and text me she was OK. I had thought I could pick her up on the other side of the island but she was a little to shaken up.

The race must go on. With just a little water coming in I could not resit the chance to single hand the rest of the course. It proved to be a great race. Strawberry gave her all and preformed so well. Coming out of Samson narrows we crawled over to the cow bay side and had a nice 14knot breeze behind up that made the old girl fly. Truly a magnificent sailing boat the Kirby 30. If this was to be her last sail it will be one I remember for ever. The big main was at it's best on the run towards cape Kepple. I walked on so many boats it is a great feeling. 10 minutes on a reef will put you at the back of any race.

I have run two 42km marathons one in Greece, Marathon to Athens and one in Paris. During the Athens race I started at the very front of the pack and it was demoralizing having faster runners passing me all day. On the Paris race (30 thousand runners) I was the last one to start and passed people all day. It just makes you feel better. I have the same time on both races (3:20 range) but emotionally I was way stronger in Paris.

The nice thing about being in the mid fleet on a long race is you can avoid the parking lots (stopped boats) and pass by them on the outside or inside (never sail towards a stopped group of boats they are not having lunch). My strategy was to sail way south and avoid all the dead air in Fulford and Beaver Point. The only problem was all the wind died and everyone sat their having supper. I tried to get out side and work the tides and was hoping to get a jump on the fleet and hit the line before them all but the wind filled in from the Salt Spring side and I made a mid pack finish. The only tense part of the race was at the finish. The wind had picked up to 10 kts and there had to be 60 odd boats going in every direction dousing sails. I chose to sail off and do it on my own time.

Strawberry is up on the hard at Canoe Cove with a 25 thousand dollar repair bill. I have to admit it is nice to have boat insurance. If I did not I would be at Canoe Cove with my West System kit. Just waiting for the cheque now. It should be sent out soon. June had been driving me mad with all this talk about a new boat; what about a J24, how about a Santana 525, Martin, etc...

Special note to all who sailed on Strawberry Express Kirby 30 hull #9 a big thanks from Scott Simmons. Hopefully that will not be the end of the boat. Someone (not me) will buy her and rebuild.

If you are busy you can get things done

I have been busy lately. Not sailing but building up my sailing kitty and working on my to do list. With spring just around the corner there is just never enough time. On new years day a friend asked me if I would set up a web site to help him sell his sweet sailboat. It is a C&C 35 mark 11 and it is a nice boat it sails like a witch. In sailing terms it is not a derogatory statement to say a boat sails like a witch. C&C really did make a classic when they made this boat. Actually boats like this have killed off the boat building industry. To think it is a 73 and is pristine a testament to fiberglass construction. If boats where still made of wood they just would not last as long with as little maintenance that they actually get. So check out the new blog site for boats for sale on salt spring http://boatsforsalegulfislands.blogspot.com/ 80 visitors as of today. I sure hope it helps Bob sell his boat.
Cheers
Scott

The last sail of the year was just great

On Sunday the 16 of December 07 I woke up at 6am to the sound of a howling wind. I thought to myself, it's race day, it will be great. At 8am I had a cup of java and shook the cob webs off and looked out at the water and all I could see on the Trincomali Channel was a sea of white foaming waves.

I had decided the other day that if I was going to race on Sunday I would crew on another boat because of the sad state of Strawberry's hull. She is going in for a paint job in January and I would rather just wait until she has a smooth new paint job. This race would be sailed on the mighty Electra, a very sleek Aphrodite 101 33' skippered by the local great sailor Roger Kibble.

Once out on the water the wind was just great blowing 30 - 40 knots. Which makes for fun sailing. We where down to one reef in the main and a self taking #4 head sail. It is too bad we did not have the ability to get another reef in the main or get it flatter. We had to much canvas up and the boat was over powered. You can tell by the state of the tiller (excessive weather helm). This did not stop us from bashing along and having a great race.

On the way back to the harbour we duked it out with Alacrity. Bob Jones put up a great fight but eventually we broke past him and left him in our wake. The thing about yacht racing it is a handicaped sport and the day went to the new fleet captian racing Pete McGovern and his boat Dreky. Well done Pete, as they say those darn Hunters, they can really sail in a strong wind.

It was the end of a great sailing year for me, the highlight being the round salt spring race and the swiftsure. The main highlight is the friends I have made. The sailors and or racers on Salt Spring are really a great group of people. See you all next year and I hope you only see my stern.

Cheers
Scott

Salt Spring Island sailing news "The Boyz Cruise fall 07"

It's over folks and it was fun. The wind gods gave us all they had for the four day Race. We had the first storm of the winter blow all weekend and it made for great sailing. I would like to go into details of what happened on the race/cruise but as the old saying goes what happened on the boyz cruise stays on the bozy cruise.

I was nice to see so many out. Over 20 boats and about 100 men. Keith Simpson is still claiming over all victory but the real winners was Salt Spring Island Sailing Club's "Alacrity", Skippered by the great sailor Bob Jones and crewed by Tony Meek and yours truly. The sad news is Bob is selling his beloved "Alacrity" which is a C&C 35-2. I do love to sail on the boat it just goes like a freight train. We had 40 knots on the nose and she sailed right along. See the video clips;

Salt Spring Island is treated to sight to behold

What a sight a Schooner under full sail. It passed by our place on my birthday as a present from the sailing Gods. It is not very often we get to see any big boats under full sail. Sorry for the poor video quality it my improv telephoto lens. I think it is the sail trainer Pacific Grace from SALTS.

What a day for a celebration

One of my Salt Spring friends passed away and we had a celebration of his life this afternoon and it was grand. Brian I will miss you, you where a great guy, the gang will miss you. On Salt Spring we have a gang of sailors who hang out and have fun together. We go on three day races that amount to male bonding time. I have found these trip to be so good for my soul. Men messing in boats mixed with late night story telling is a great way to make life long friend. Now one of our compatriots has passed we all salute you and will miss you on the next boys cruise. Brian brought his witty and sharp tong to the trips. He never missed a argument or a fun jab.

What a great send off it was splendid I wish Brian was there with us. If I could plan my own funeral it would be the same as Brian's all that was missing was the Last Post...Something I would like played at mine hopefully not for a long time from now.

It was really a site to be hold 200 people on the break water at the Sailing club all there just to remember one great fellow.

Cheers
Scott

Sad bit of Salt Spring Island sailing news is the passing

away of local racer / sailor Bryan Zapf he was a great guy and I will miss his humor and charm. We became friends on a cruise we had together. This afternoon we are having a celebration of his life at the sailing club and I hope to be adding my two cents to the comments about Brian. He was one of those guys I will never forget he had an personality with an impact. It will be a tearful afternoon on Salt Spring.

To you my friend and fellow sailor Brian I will miss you until we meet again in the big sea Cheers.