A Caribbean Interlude

The crews of Prime Interest and Horton traded in their snow boots for sunglasses for a one week charter in St Martin.  We picked up Sail Amour, a Jeanneau 39, at the Sunsail base in Oyster Pond, and spent the week sailing around St. Martin.  A couple of years ago, we discovered the wonderful marina at the Radisson Resort at Anse Marcel, and we returned there each afternoon after our day sails. 
We also got to spend some time with Andrew's sister Caroline, her husband Paul, and their three energetic boys, Ethan, Noah and Matthew, who are enjoying an extended Caribbean cruise aboard Legend, a Bavaria 50 (www.alegendaryadventure.com).   

Haul Out 2011

This past weekend, we started hauling boats.  The wind was howling, but we were snug in the yard, protected from the wind by the trees to the west.  Prime Interest came out on Saturday - the last boat of the day.  It was a long day, and then we got to do it all over again on Sunday.  Although it's exhausting work, there's a real sense of accomplishment when we work together to get those boats lined up in the yard.

Bird's Eye View

During the Women Skippers Race this summer, QCYC held a silent auction in support of cancer research. Ed bid on a plane ride for me, donated by Jim Dow. Today, Katie and I got to experience a bird's eye city tour, with Jim's daughter Robin, who is working towards her commercial pilot licence. We had great weather and even managed to snap some photos of our home neighbourhood, as well as the Island.

Flying the spinnaker

This Labour Day weekend, Deb and Andrew from Horton joined us at QCYC.  Ed and Andrew sorted out the spinnaker, which we have never flown.  Andrew lent us a sleeve which fits over the headsail, so that we could fly it like an asymmetrical.  Unfortunately, the fog rolled in on Friday.  So we rented quad bikes on Center Island, and toured around until the rain caught up with us.
On Saturday, we made it out onto the lake, but by the time we headed downwind and raised the spinnaker, the wind was almost non-existent.  We did manage to hit 1.5 knots (hold on to your hats!), but the knotmeter wasn't working just then, so we have no photographic evidence. 

Women Skippers Race

Prime Interest participated in the Women Skippers Race in August.  We did well (for us) and Katie had a great time at the helm with Andrew tweaking the sails.