Redline Kingston to Dorval

On Sunday I drove to Kingston and transferred the crew.  Had fish and chips downtown on Sunday

Monday we did groceries and set off for pump out at pump-out at Portsmouth then sailed to Kerr Bay on the north side of Amherst island.  Lots of boats anchored.

Tuesday had a nice day starting with the motor and then sailing to a new bay Forsyth Island after evaluating Lindsay which was too crowded.

Deck Cleaning before and after

Wednesday was a nice long sail to Toussaint's. We decided to skip the Brockville area since we had great winds.  

Thursday, morning Norm made paracord projects in the morning and cleaned Redline's deck in PM.

Thursday we did Iroquois locks and had a good sail to Stormont.  Nice quiet anchorage.  We finished the deck cleaning.

Saturday we sailed through Eisenhower and Snell locks.  After the locks, we sailed to Ile Pilion.  Lots of traffic Seadoos and Cigar boats. 

Sunday we got up early more sailing to Valleyfield to sit out the squall and storms. We did groceries just before the squall.

We spent a quiet cloudy Monday with Norm reading and I was catching up on various reading and podcasts.  We made plans to do Beauharnois on Tuesday.

After a classic seaweed harvest from the anchor, we departed just before 8 to make it to Beauharnois for 10:30 lockage.  However, 10:30 became noon.  We tied up with a Swiss family with an Aluminum boat that was heading down to Champlain and beyond.

Got back to the club at about two, tidy up

Saturday morning sail with Mary and Marie

I had Yoga in the morning and pulled a muscle in my back.  I was not feeling too well. I had a good night's sleep but something was off.

Marry and Marie met me on time and we set sail.  It was calm in the harbour but again it was very windy on the lake

We sailed with two reefs in the genny, around the lighthouse, It was cool and I needed a sweatshirt.

We sailed to Pointe Claire church and decided to head back to the club arriving at about 2:30.  

I lingered around the club and at 5 I decided to take the X3 to Eric to pick up my package and then home and took the BMW to the just for laughs festival where I got food poisoning from Paella Marisol.  I was sick all night.

FFR

Sylvie, Louise, Ken and Vreg came out. Sylvie was rather passive, Ken was rusty - for his qualifications, Vreg was somewhat passive and Louise eagerly took upon to racing. Sylvie was very quiet.  

We sailed to the gut in a western wind, after the lighthouse and through the gut.  Louise steered most of it.

I took over the helm after the gut due to traffic on the water.  I took the start as the winds were quite strong.  We shared the steering afterwards.  Louise was annoyed because she did not understand the start but we were way too busy to explain things once the starting sequence started. But we had a very good start. 

It was a very good race for us.  We came in fourth behind Antanzas, Espresso and Just Now who apparently DNF.  Had a beer while running back to the club.  We got the pickup line at the dock but failed to hook it up to the winch and I had to back up rubbing against Flirtation's anchor again.  Vreg was very good at helping me untangle the mess.

Ken bought me a burger at supper.  I sat with the two Sylvies and Louise.

It was generally agreed that they were glad we did not cancel the race due to winds exceeding 15 knots. 

Thursday no race for me, Friday with Rachel and Paolo

Another new summer boat cover

Michel D drove me to the club at 11 to give me the summer boat cover.

I tidy up my locker, after being shamed.

Tried the cover and it looked pretty good.  She needed some batons.

Then the rain fell and the wind went up to 22 knots.  The cover held okay, but I need to enhance the tied-down lines.

Chaos was the only boat that went out.  There were tornado warnings in Laval.  At about 7:30, I decided to head out.  There was some rain in Ottawa but it seemed to be dissipating.  I motored to the Gut to save time to avoid the weather and to get to Grande Anse at a decent time.  Passed by Chaos on the way there.

Nice zero emission anchorage at Grand Anse.

Confirmed with Rachel and Paolo for Friday to pick up at PCYC.  

Friday morning was very windy. I pulled the anchor and sailed at 3 knots over the water with just the poles.  I reefed the jib and was heeling like mad.  

I sailed until 10:15 and headed for PCYC where the visitor's dock was occupied by Ad Lib and I found a dock 401 in front of Capricon and did a pretty good docking single-handed. 

I reported to the office and they told me 401 was Bill's dock I called Bill and he was going to be back at the club in an hour so it was okay to use his dock.  Ad Lib was having fuel problems.

I met Rachel and Paolo at the club entrance and decided to go to Wild Willie's. https://www.wildwillys.ca/ 

We departed the dock and Paolo tried to steer the boat under motor and I rigged the boat for sailing.  Winds were still quite strong. He was not much better at trimming or tacking. The self-tailing winches and winch handle were a challenge I was not impressed with for someone who sailed clipper round the world.  

We had lunch on a downwind run.  

Sailed back to the club at 4 to make the 5PM race meeting.  Paolo said it was too late for him to get back to Laval to race tonight.

NOUS ON S'BARRE

At 7:15 I got the lockage schedule.  Upbound was at 11 AM for St Catherines.

Natalia came to pick me up and we checked out the boat, filled the diesel from a Jerry can, took off at 9 AM and got to the lock at 10:45, drove straight into the locks and went through by 11.  We slowed down because a Hunter was behind us, but that was a mistake because they closed the train bridge just before we got there.  The faster boats made it and we wanted about 40 minutes.

We scouted Kanawake marina, talked to Lunden and he suggested a dock for us to leave the boat later.

We motored through the zig-zag channel, went to the club, and did a pump out.  

Kirie Feeling 850, 1984

Had lunch at the club.

Then I installed the radar reflector and inspected the anemometer which was not making connections because there seemed to be a collar that broke preventing the anemometer from seating in the receptacle. 

We explored the habour to calibrate her depth sounder. which seemed to show 1.3 feet at 8 feet.  The boat will bottom out at zero feet.

We motored back to Kahnawake and went for a swim outside Ile St. Bernard.  It was hard for me to pull the anchor.  Have not done that for 6 years, since I installed the windlass on Bellum.

Motored to the marina, installed the BBQ and had a beer and Uber back to St Lambert and Natalia drove me home.

She certainly loves her boat.  Boats need love too.

Tuesday Race with Emma and Syvie

Maud was in Columbia.  Emma and Sylvie and I came out in 20 knot gusting 30.  

We thought of putting up the No. 3, but the west winds would have made that difficult.  Emma arrived at 17:20 so we headed out early with reefed jib and main.  We went around the light house tacking to the Gut and to the race area.  Emma steered.

The boat did not head up well.  We readjusted the jib reef due to slipping fuller line.

We had a false start that appeared excellent, but my timing seemed one minute off so we went around and started port around the pin.

Lots of boats were having problems with the wild winds.  We finished last, but we did race.

I did not have supper at the club and I biked home to prepare to move Natalia's boat from St. Lambert Yacht Club to Lake St. Louis.

No sailing with Robert - too windy

 Sailing with Robert is cancelled.

Overnight at Dowkers

Winds were strong all day. After sailing with Sylvie, I took Bellum at 7:30, sailed around the lighthouse and heated to Dowkers anchoring at 9 ish.  BBQ Korean chicken thighs on the new Kettle Cooker.  Worked very well.  

The next morning I recognized Peter there with his new T26.

I sailed back at about 11.  Saw Naomie, I tacked to chase her but decided to tack back east bound.

Khaleesi passed by me while Bellum was on Auto-Pilot and I was in the cabin.  He hallows if I was okay. I came out and looked forward and there was nothing there.  Liam was at my starboard sailing away.  Told him I  was fine.  

Then sailed passed Fugu in front of the church sailing west with Felix.  They tacked and we both headed east.  Winds died.  After the gut, I started the motor

I reorganized the boat and locker a bit and took the X3 home showered and picked up mom to go to Chinatown for supper with Robert and family. It rained all night.

Sailing Tartan Fantail with Sylvie

I did my Yoga and Aquafit, lounged around the club, and went out with Sylvie on the Fanfare.  

Her sail shapes were poor.  This is the first time with the full rig.  After departing, we reefed the main.  The block for the jiffy reef got pulled out of the mast.  The same thing happened with the main halyard previously.  The bottom of the mast is perforated with screw holes.

The battery was only at 56 percent when we departed.  Elixir was on motor and hesitated to give us space to sail while we were close haul. Eventually, she slowed down to let us pass.  (b****)

We beat
up just past Beaconsfield and ran back to the club.  Spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool.  We talked about her vacation and suggested we take Bellum to Lake St Francis or maybe Quebec City.  

Friday Fun Race

David, Christine and Regent came out.  Sylvie and Karla cancels.  

We had a rough start with the crew but in the end, we were flying, finishing third. Still waiting for the results.

I had a late lunch and thought I might go to anchor after the are.  I bought my own Guinness glass to the club but they did not have Guinness.  

I was supposed to meet Michel about a boat sun cover for his CS36 Goudy.  We decided to do the exchange later on since the cover was in his locker.  

Mike, Audrey, and I  had a nightcap aboard Bellum and I slept aboard.

The next morning, Audrey delivered Couisants to various boats.

Boat inspection in St. Lambert.

I took a bike ride to the east.  It was very hot.  Did about 15 km. 

I called Natalia to see if she wanted help with her new boat.  

She picked me up on Monkland about 5PM and we went to the boat in St. Lambert. The boat had many issues and it was very windy ... from the North. We did not go sailing, fixed the bilge pump which had a blown fuse, gave some suggestions and came back home about 9 ish.

Some new lines like the mainsheet had a metal thimble .. would have been better with a splice or even a knot.

She needs a bit of work and needs to focus on priorities. But her captain is completely scattered.

The race at the club was cancelled due to storm threats.

Sailed with Eric, Alex, Alice and Adam

Eric's kids did not come.  The winds were very low.  again.

We sailed in the channel and decided to go for a swim.

Came back with Eric stopping at Bentley to pick up a server and they dropped me off at home.

I napped from 3 to 6.  Don't know why I was so tired.

Tuesday Race with Maud and Sylvie

I got to the club and unloaded beer and supplies from Costco and installed new dock fenders for the corner.  

 Emma did not come for the race.  Misunderstanding?

Sylvie and Maud raced.  We headed to the gut with 19 knots.  Winds were forecast to decline. It did. We did one circuit and abandoned the race.  

Sailed back to the club and Maud and I stayed for supper

I slept aboard.

Sailing and Sandbars with Andreanne

Met Andreanne at 11 and sailed around to Beaconsfield and then to the Sandbars where Peter S, Zig Zag and Gaucho rafted up.

Returned to the club 19:30.

Sailing with Rachel

We met at 11 and sailed and anchored outside PCYC for lunch, watched the Annual Regatta and then sailed to Baie d'urfie and back 

Darla almost joined us but we were leaving too early.

FFR Peter, Gee and Sylvie

 We abandoned the race after the first circuit due to a lack of winds

Milan was RC as PO had a last-minute family emergency

Radio was very, maybe too active

Rest at Grande Anse

I got up aboard and planned to spend some time on the lake.  

Brian had problems letting his main sail down and decided to change the masthead sheaves. He asked me if I wanted to do the same since he was driving to EBSpar.  I told him I would like to change my jib sheave since the Jib Halyard was giving me problems.

We changed Slow Dancer first and added a messenger line for a spare Jib Halyard.  Then we did Bellum, replacing the Jib Sheeave and spinnaker rollers.

Afterwards, I headed out to Grande Anse at 4:30, sailing until 8:30.  Anchored sans carbon.  

Moon was obscured by clouds.

So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way  Jone Mitchell 

Spent most of Wednesday at anchor until 5:30 when I decided to go out for a sail. And then I decided to race single-handed. Missed the start by one minute and finished dead last.  

I sailed back to Grand Anse and anchored. 

Friday morning, I pulled anchor at 10:30 and drifted without any winds until 12:30 and then slowly sailed to the club by 2PM.  

Spinnaker on J95

The weather was stormy.  Rachel sent me warnings about Squalls.  Sylvie had a dinner meeting with her lab people. Maud was eager to go to the club.  at 3, the sky started pouring dogs and cats.  I took the BMW to the club.  As I got off the Metro at du College, the sky was sunny.  I continued to the club.  

Talking with David, we decided to combine crew and go spinnaker sailing on Just Now, a J95. 

I saw classic squall forming clouds in the North West.  Luc looked at the radar and it was heading east and just north of us.  

We sailed the spinnaker to just before the Gut when the wind shifted 180 and we jibed and had problems controlling the spi.  We released in the water as we were heading for the rocks north of the gut.  Engine started but we shut it down due to concerns about lines in the water.  We struggled to get the spi back and sailed through the gut and back to the club for a beer and supper.  

I think we were a good crew. I think David and Luc may poach Maud from my crew! 

Using a well-known Frank Borman quote: “A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations which require the use of his superior skill

Post race at Dowkers

Being fully exhausted after the single-handed race, I was zombied and wandered around the club.  Denise was having supper and offered me a beer.  I was too tired and thinking of heading out to anchor. What else can destress me after a hard day of sailing the single-handed race than a leisurely sail to Grand Anse.  

I departed at 7 and tacked to Dowkers at 9:15 and anchored, had some Italian Sausages with peppers.  Slep very well, got up at 9 the next morning, swam, lounged and at 11 sailed back to the club for a meeting with Luc about FFR results and to help Bob rewire his mast. Electrical was not Bob's forte.  

I cycled home, doing some groceries and then to Mom's for supper.

Funny that sailing can relieve the stress of sailing.

Single Handed Race

What a race today.  The forecast was light winds and I decided to keep the 135 rather than change it to the 155 with Natalia's help.

Skipper's meeting - we decided to start at 11:30 in the hope of better winds later in the morning.

It was very windy.  I sailed through Allan Hill bay and to the start.  I had problems with the anchor coming off the velcro anti-sway strap came off.

I then hurt a big thump and I had hit Regallia broad-side.  I was port, Regalia was starboard.  She had not seen me until late and I did not see her behind the sails until she passed me.

He was examining the boat and it was obvious nobody was injured and we both contained to do the race.

Bellulm's start was 33 seconds after Slow Dancer II with her new handicap.  Slow Dancer was starboard running the line late and I had to duck behind her to get a good start.  

I lead the fleet until Just Now passed me.  I challenged Slow Dancer back and forth on different tacks as Just now moved forward.  At the infamous SLVYRA 34, Just Now was looking for 34 and seemed to have given up, I looked to the left and found it, and as I was heading there, Slow Dancer saw me and tacked to the mark.  I made it there first and went around her followed by Treize and the rest of the fleet.  Treize eventually passed me and nobody passed me until Khaleesi just before the finish line, making me 3rd.  Khalessi only races this race and previously came in second several times.

Back at the club, Luc bought two pitchers of beer, since he won the race.

We were all very tired.  I wandered around like a zombie.  

Helped Sylvie retrieve her lazy jack from halfway up the mast with my Bosen's chair.

Damage to Regalia

Damage to Bellum

Saturday with Natalia

 I was hoping to sail with Sylvie at sail week but she never invited me.  

I called Natalia and she was very down about finalizing the transfer of her sailboat.  She had hoped to bring it through the locks to Lake St. Louis

Natalia's sailing skills had considerably improved since last year.

She was full of knots, and lots of stress from her boat closing.

We spent the night anchored at Grand Anse.  We had to re-anchor because a power boat hosting a bridal shower had drifted towards us.

Supper was rib steak, papers, potatoes and red wine.

Got up early the next morning and motored back for the Single-Handed Race.  The winds were very light. I had to decide if I wanted Natalia to change head sail for the Single-Handed Race.  The forecast was marginal for the 135 or 155.  I kept the 135.  It was a good decision.  

.