Last year, we used our spinnaker for the first time while cruising. Although it's a symmetrical spinnaker which should be flown with a spinnaker pole (sounds complicated), we used it as an asymmetrical, by attaching one corner to the headsail. Over the winter, Ed acquired a real asymmetrical spinnaker - somewhat larger than the last one, and with a different colour scheme.
With a flat lake and light wind on Saturday, we thought we'd try it out. We wisely tried raising it at the dock before we left. This spinnaker came with a snuffer - a sort of sock that slides over the sail to make it easier to raise and drop the sail.
We experimented a little to find how best to fly the sail, and discovered we could easily fly it on a beam reach, and somewhat downwind, but to go far downwind, we had to drop the main. It'll be fun to take this sail along with us on our annual cruise.
While our first sail last year wasn't until mid June, an unseasonably warm couple of weeks has allowed us to sail a couple of times already!
Sailpast was a beautiful warm day, with enough breeze that it was actually possible to sail, without feeling out of control. Ed and I went out onto the Lake the following day, and had a great sail. We planned to go out on Victoria Day as well, but our depth sounder alarm was sounding incessantly, even though we were in our mooring with 13.5 feet below the hull. Technical support was not very helpful - "try unplugging things until the alarm goes off....."
The alarm wasn't sounding today, so with a hot, humid day in the city, we set off for another sail. What a difference out on the lake. We had a good breeze, and I actually had to put a sweater on before we made it back. As soon as we headed back into the eastern gap, the heat returned. Not complaining!
Well, I can't believe the season has come to a close. Ed and I went out for a short sail this afternoon - the last of the season. It was a sunny day, but a little cool, after yesterday's storm blew through. When we got back to our temporary dock, we took the sails and the boom off. Now we need to get the mast down, top up the fuel tanks, and empty the holding tank, and we'll be ready to haul out.
This felt like a very short season, probably because we didn't start sailing until the middle of June. When I went through our log and counted the number of outings we had, though, it was several more than last year. I look forward to the day when our sailing doesn't revolve primarily around weekends.
The weather in Toronto was hot and muggy for several days, including the last long weekend of the summer. Where has the season gone! Friday began with the traditional Corn & Weenie roast, where we stuffed ourselves with beautiful Ontario corn, and watched the pigs being prepared for the big day on Saturday. Next day, Emily and her friend Steve came for a sail during the CNE Air Show, and stayed for the popular pig roast at QCYC. Visiting boats were rafted up several deep in the lagoon, and enjoyed a great dinner courtesy of the crew of seasoned volunteers.
On Sunday, as some people started projects in the boat yard, we lounged around on the lawn in the shade of a tree, reading, snacking, and enjoying a little wine. What a completely relaxing day.
We had a big crowd over on Monday - Jenn, Helen and Lynne, who I worked with over 20 years ago, together with their families. We motored out for the last part of the Air Show, and avoided the brisk upwind sail. When it was time to head home, we raised sail for the downwind leg.
We've had some trouble with the transmission the last couple of times we were out. That will be something to check when we haul the boat in a few weeks.
Kate and her friend Trevor came out for a sail on a hazy evening. I don't think Katie has actually been sailing with us for a couple of years. She's there so rarely, that she even signed the guest book.
Trevor was taking photos with a nice camera his sister had given him, until we entered "The Twilight Zone". Trevor's camera unexpectedly stopped working, and when Katie tried to look up the error on her phone, the phone stopped working too! All was soon resolved, but the timing sure was weird.
It had been a hot day, but was surprisingly cool on the water. The haze made the other boats on the lake, and the city, look a little eerie. We actually managed to sail for a while, but with another day of light winds, this was no thrill ride. No matter. We enjoyed a great dinner on the balcony at the club, and the lights of the skyline after dark.
