| 20050604 |
Go figure... the boat is finally in the water and it starts to rain. The idea now is to simply motor from the boat launch to our docking space. With kids sitting excitedly below in the cabin, the wife and I suited up in our rain gear and set off under the power of our little 7.5 merc. Hmm, not 2 minutes out and the motor starts sputtering and finally quits. I start to work on the motor as the rain starts to come down a little harder. Once I get it going again, there is very little power and it looks like it's not going to do the job tonight. The only option is to put the sails up. This certainly wasn't planned but I was able to use this opportunity to tune the rigging and make sure everything was set for the next time we sail. Although we were looking like drowned rats, and the kids were up way past their bedtime, and we finally arrived at our docking space at 11pm in complete darkness... we all had a great time! Not really the introduction to sailing I wanted to give the wife and kids, but on a positive note, it can only get better from here.
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| 20050610 |
A week has gone by since launching our Cordon Bleu and this evening we have planned a short little supper cruise. Loading the kids into the boat along with our picnic style supper, with both sails raised we made our way into the Kenora harbourfront. The wind was very weak but it made for a good introduction to family cruising. It also allowed us to eat our supper in a relaxing atmosphere.
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| 20050611 |
Today we decided to spend a little more time out on the lake and see where the wind would take us. Leaving the dock at 4pm under Main and Genoa, we found the wind to be directly behind us. This was a great opportunity to hook up the whisker pole and sail wing and wing. What a spectacular sight seeing both sailes stretched out. The kids thought it was great! Once we picked up a bit of speed, right away we could hear the harmonics created by the water rushing past the keel cable. The wind seemed to die down in a few places and we averaged 2.1 knots for the entire trip. The air cooled slightly and we returned at 8pm under a slight drizzle. All in all, it was a good time.
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| 20050612 |
Wow, good strong wind today and it would be wrong not to take advantage of it. Once again we left the dock at 4pm and were quite startled when we raised the main. The wind was much stronger than anticipated so we decided to not raise the jib. We flew down the lake and it was really a good introduction for us to stronger winds. The hum of the keel cable was constant and the kids enjoyed shouting out our current speed displayed on the GPS. With waves splashing over the bow, we cruised at 5 knots under sail of only our main. Our course was very similar to the previous day but we were able to return just before 7pm due to such good winds. What a great sail... fun time had by all !!! The data collected by our GPS shows our route.
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| 20050618 |
Today we decided to try sailing for the entire day. We left the dock at 12:30 (just after lunch) and headed down to Keewatin Channel. Because of the high currents and lack of wind in the channel, we dowsed the sails and motored for about 15 minutes to the other end. Once again we raised the sails and continued on. The wind in the sails and splashing of the waves is so much more relaxing than the noisy outboard. We had set our final destination for Scotty's Island but realizing that fighting a constant headwind would take up the rest of the day, we sailed into a small cove and dropped anchor. For those unfamiliar with the Sirius21, one of the unique features is the pop-up cabin roof. Much like those old style camper vans, the roof of the Sirius21 can be raised and a canvas skirt snaps into place. This allows for full standing room in the dining area... and I'm 6'2". We spent 2 hours playing and eating before pulling anchor and finally returning home by 10:30pm
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| 20050624 |
The forecast was for northwest winds and the plan was to spend the day sailing down to Pipestone Point and arrive there for supper. Instead we had strong southwest winds gusting to 40km with whitecaps. After 30 minutes of motoring full out and fighting waves, we finally threw in the towel and pulled into a close by marina. We decided to go out for supper and return in the evening, in hopes of calmer weather... and the plan seemed to work. Upon returning to our Cordon Bleu, the winds were still high but had changed to the west making things much more manageable. The skys were dark but the whitecaps had dwindled, allowing us to sail south for a few hours before the strange drop in temperature forced us to find a small cove and drop anchor for the night.
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| 20050625 |
After checking our map the next morning we realized the island we wanted to visit was just around the corner. The catch is that it was very shallow. We could spend 2 or more hours going the long way up a deep channel, or we could raise the keel and try our luck with the shallow channel. Did I mention how much I love having a sailboat with a swing keel? We raised the keel and slowly motored through the shallow channel. The alarm on the depth sounder instantly went bezerk, telling us that if the keel were down we would be hitting bottom. I think the lowest depth read 3.8 feet but we squeezed through without problems and quickly docked at the island (of course returning the keel to its proper depth upon arrival). Later we killed a few more hours sailing down the deeper channel and back. It was quite relaxing and was a good way for us to darken our tans. Later that evening we found a large cove to drop anchor in. Seems we weren't the only ones that liked the spot. We counted 3 other sailboats, 5 cabin cruisers and a houseboat. We still had the kids dingy in one of the lockers so I amused myself by blowing it up and paddling around in the water for a bit
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| 20050626 |
I was awaken by very large waves tossing us about in the cove. The anchor held strong but my stomach felt a little strange. It was then I realized one of my biggest fears... being the first one to become sick on the sailboat. Maybe it was something I ate the day before since I was able to fall back to sleep and wake up a little later feeling much better. I woke up at 5:15am and sat up to look out the window. The sun was just starting to rise in the east so I popped my head up out of the front hatch and snapped a picture. Later that morning we had breakfast around the table and then set off for home. The winds were high but were behind us coming from the southwest, making our trip home quite easy going... and considerably quicker than normal. Our 2 night sleep over in the boat seemed to go quite well and we learned a lot of what needs to be packer (or not packed) for the next overnighter.
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| 20050702 |
Day after Canada Day and wife and kids are down in the states for a family reunion. It's my parents anniversary today so we decided to go for an anniversary sail. We spent the afternoon sailing on the lake and they found it very relaxing. My dad was the one who got me interested in sailing many years back in a CL-14. Our Sirius21 is much bigger but just as fun!
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| 20050707 |
Since the wife and kids are still in the states, I decided to go for an overnighter with my dad. We left after lunch and headed south. He has some friends that have a camp just off of Fox Island so we made that our destination. Since the wind as coming from the south we had to fight it for a bit but soon it was taking us straight to our goal. We arrived and docked around 6pm, visited for a bit, then headed on our way... once again heading further south. We found a small cove and anchored for supper around 8pm, deciding it would be a great place to spend the night. Unfortunately there was an annoying squeak that would not go away and it kept us up all night. It wasn't until morning that I discovered it was the rudder which I had not tied off tight enough. You could hardly hear it up on deck but down below it was amplified beyond belief.
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| 20050708 |
Wind is picking up this morning and weather on the VHF radio calls for strong winds from the south with gusts and also a thunderstorm. We leave early and the wind continues to pick up.... then... suddenly the lake turns to glass. We are no longer moving and the sun is getting quite hot. I went below and returned with a sun-brella I had packed. It provided some welcome shade and after sitting for a few minutes, decided to motor until we found some more wind. We happen to look over the side into the water and saw nothing but thick, pea soup colored water. The algae was so think it was unbelievable. We eventually got to a more open area and the wind picked up, taking us straight home (about 6 hours later). It was a great sail but quite hot by the time we returned. Not to sure what happened to that thunder storm... but sure glad we had the shade of the sun-brella.
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| 20050723 |
My oldest daughter turns 6 this weekend and she wanted to go sailing so we set off just after lunch. Everyone enjoyed the sun and strong breeze in the cockpit for quite some time before the kids eventually moved down below to play and build forts. My wife wanted to work on her tan so she moved to the forward deck to lay out in the sun. By late afternoon the waves were quite large with whitecaps and the Cordon Bleu cut through them with ease, sending a cool spray over the bow... soaking my wife. The kids found this very funny and I have to say, I was also quite amused. We docked at a friends island and cooked up some canned stew and Alphagetti for supper on the alcohol stove while the kids played in the water. On our return trip we passed the MS Kenora and made a last minute decision to cross through Devil's Gap instead of Keewatin Channel. It was a nice change of scenery and also very relaxing. The kids had their picture snapped while the famous "Devil's Gap Rock" passed behind them.
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| 20050726 |
While sitting and eating supper, I could not help but look out the kitchen window and notice the nice breeze blowing through the trees. I begged my wife and kids to go with me for a quick sail but they had already made plans for the evening. After pouting for a few minutes I decided not to give up my evening sail quest and called up a friend from work. I think she was tired of being subjected to sailing stories on a daily basis and wanted to experience things first hand. Her daughter also liked the idea of "going for a sailboat ride" and acceped the invitation without hesitation. Unfortunately by the time we all arrived at the dock and set sail, the wind was starting to diminish. I was disappointed I could not show off more of "the sailing experience" by having the boat heel over slightly but the wind simply did not cooperate. Oh well... maybe next time? (At least I satisfied my erge for a quick sail)
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| 20050731 |
Today the LOWISA began their 40th annual sailing regatta. The start of the course went right past our dock so by the time we packed up our supplies for the day, we were able to join in with the last few leaving. As the wind died down mid afternoon, the girls tanned on the foredeck while we slowly made our way to a small beach. I had seen some pictures in a magazine of some swingkeel boats anchoring just offshore and then raising their keel and backing into the beach, so we tried the same thing. It worked just great! The Cordon Bleu sat in just under 4 feet of water while the kids played almost right beside it. It was certainly a lot easier that swimming to shore and towing all our supplies over in a little dingy. After swimming, eating, tanning and then repeating this process a few more times (not necessarily in that order) we packed up and started our return, making it back just in time for fireworks on the Harbourfront.
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| 20050813 |
Regardless of low winds and grey skies, we packed up the kids and some snacks and headed out. I no longer pay much attention to time while sailing but I'm sure a lot of time went by with very little distance covered. Eventually the sky started spitting on us and I quickly suited up in the rain gear. As more rain started to fall my wife and kids went below to eat and relax, shutting the cabin door behind them. I quickly found myself sitting outside alone in a torrential downpour. Dispite the soaking rain, the winds started to pick up and we were soon clipping along. Occasionally I would hear the odd shout from below asking me not to let the boat tip so much and although the rain continued to fall, the winds held strong making for an exciting sail.
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| 20050814 |
Another day of grey skies but today the winds were strong. We all climbed aboard and headed out, soon to be followed by another sailor braving the days weather. It was only a matter of time before the other boat would overtake us... our 21' with reefed mainsail against a 26' with full main. It was amazing to see how far over the other boat was heeled, knowing that our Cordon Bleu was heeled over just as much. (that's usually one view you never get to see since you must be on the outside of the boat to see it)
Whitecaps sprayed over the bow until eventually we broke off to see some other sights. Shortly after we broke open the cooler and enjoyed some tasty snacks before returning home.
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