New club, new cradle, new haulout process

With a new place to moor the boat comes a whole new process for hauling and launching boats.  LSYC brings in a couple of cranes and several trucks, and pulls all the boats over two days.  Masts had been taken down the weekend before, in what can only be described as an extremely efficient process.

We ordered a new folding cradle, with feet welded to the bottom, and armed with spray paint and templates for boat name, BOW and STERN, labelled the cradle so there would be no confusion.  The process relies on volunteers to help and the club provides meals, snacks and drinks to keep us going through the long days in the yard.

I must say, though, that as weird as it was to ride the railway at Queen City, is it really freaky to see your boat flying through the air held up by a couple of straps!

Sailpast at LSYC

Just before the end of the sailing season, Lakeshore YC celebreated Sailpast.  Unfortunately, it was quite windy, so we didn't actually sail past.  The commodore reviewed the fleet from the docks and we got a grab bag of goodies to celebrate the club's 30th anniversary.

Peter Ashby

As were enjoying breakfast at QCYC before heading home from our mini-cruise, we heard on CBC Radio, that Peter Ashby, a long time member of Queen City had gone missing the previous day.  His boat, Resolute, had been found near the Burlington lift bridge overnight, with no one aboard.  

Peter was a very experienced sailor and often single-handed his boat.

Our hearts go out to his wife and children, and we pray that he is found soon.

The best laid plans

Our plan had been to cruise to the Highland Yacht Club, head over to Whitby to see Ed's sister, then make a stop at Ashbridges Bay on the way home.  The best laid plans....

We enjoyed a great visit at the Highland Yacht Club, with dinner at Catherdral Bluffs YC.  As we left the harbour to head further east, the wind and waves from the east would have made for a very uncomfortable several hours.  Another day at HYC it is.  

Then we arrived at Ashbridges Bay YC to find a boat in the slip we had reserved, and no one available to help.  Again we changed plans and headed to Queen City just as the winds were picking up, for a quiet night in a familiar place.  

Cruising to National Yacht Club

Our first cruise with LSYC was to the National Yacht Club.  As it is so close to Queen City, we had never been there by boat, although I had visited often during the winters because QCYC held our winter board meetings at NYC.  

Being just off the Western Gap into Toronto Harbour, it certainly is a little busier than either QCYC or LSYC, but is a very short walk to amenities.  This was one of our first opportunities to actually socialize with some members of LSYC, and it was an easy sail back and forth.

Upon our return to LSYC, a visiting boat was still in our slip.  We met Bruce, who had sailed on Prime Interest in Florida, with original owners Harry and Mandy.  Small world.