Since there were only about 180 C&C Landfalls 38s built, we wondered why our boat carries the hull #229. We got part of the story from Harry, the original owner of Prime Interest.
Did we ever tell you about her early history and her nickname the "golden handshake"?
When we contacted C&C sales about a Landfall 38, they had one in the showroom. By the time we found financing, that one was sold. None in stock and next production run not till springtime. Not good for us as we wanted to put her in charter in the Florida Keys to help pay the bills. The salesman thought he had seen one sitting in the yard in Niagara-on-the-Lake but C&C 's inventory showed 'none'. He drove down to check the yard and sure enough in the back was #229. Notice the odd number? This all happened shortly after a bunch of monied hotshots had bought out Cassion and Cuthbertson. New management brought layoffs etc. Senior staff were given a boat of choice at cost as part of the package. The production manager at some point saw the writing on the wall and added an additional Landfall 38 to the next batch. Over time work orders were added for oversize winches, subtracted after installation, same with spinnaker gear, teak ceilings in the bunks etc. Doesn't say much for control. However, no one wanted to get rid of the production manager.- until the salesman walked in to the office and said "what do you mean you don't have a Landfall 38 in inventory?" Our purchase price was revised 3 times until I put my foot down. A full audit was done and we negotiated the final price. This story is hearsay of course, but she was called "The Golden Handshake" by the lads on the shop floor while she was there.
When boats were being built as part of these packages, the hulls were numbered sequentially, regardless of the model. That's how we got #229.
Toronto was hit by an ice storm before the Christmas holidays, with lots of falling tree limbs and damaged power lines. Parts of the city were without power - some for over a week. I dropped by the island to have a look at the boat. I thought I might actually climb up and get snow off the cover, but the ground was covered in thick ice and snow, and I didn't think it would be a good idea to put the ladder up.
Our boat was fine, but a big branch had come down on the cover of another boat. With the cold weather, the lagoon was frozen and kids were getting a hockey game going. The sun peeked out and I got a great shot of the clubhouse.
This year's haul out started a little slowly, with some preparation which wasn't finished on the work party weekend. We had light rain most of Saturday, and on Sunday when the weather was pleasant, we had a problem with the winch cable, and stopped working in the early afternoon. The following weekend, we assumed we would need to work both days to finish hauling all the boats. Despite the steady rain for most of the day, we got all the boats out by 4:00pm, and then prepared for a pot luck dinner.
We bought a new cradle this year - a steel one. The boat fits much more snugly than in the old cradle, and we had to pound out the blocks on the stern supports to get the winter cover on. It certainly made the ride down the ways feel a little more solid and secure. I swear the cover gets heavier every year, but at least the frame was easier to assemble since I numbered the pieces in the spring. I love my label maker.
I was reading the October issue of the Clipper (QCYC's newsletter) and noticed that in the "awards" section, Prime Interest was listed as 3rd in PHRF 1A division of this year's Women Skippers Race. Since I hadn't won an award at the race, I checked with the race committee and learned that some time after the race, they decided to split the divisions. As a result, I earned my first ever racing flag! I can't wait to run it up on a halyard at next season's Sailpast, when it's time to dress ship.
Patrice & Steve joined us for the corn and weenie roast this year. We enjoyed the picnic atmosphere, and tried not to pay too much attention to the preparation of the pigs for pig roast. 
On Saturday, Amy and Mike came for a sail, and after waiting for some dark clouds to pass, we went out and caught the end of the CNE Air Show. On Sunday, we motored to the other end of the Island to stay at the Island Yacht Club - another place we've never visited before. The grounds are huge, and the clubhouse is bright and airy.
Katie has been working at IYC this summer, so we had dinner at the restaurant.
