After sailing in the Swiftsure 2013 Light Ship Classic race
from May 24-27 weekend, it was time to setup the boat for summer family
cruising. The Swiftsure was a very light wind race, with much of the fleet not
finishing the race. After a trying trip
out to the mark, the wind did pickup for the next 4-6 hours and allowed us to
make it down towards Race Rocks before turning off again. The crew stuck it out until there was
absolutely no way for us to finish the race in the allotted time. We called in and retired from the race about 4
miles west of Race Rocks. Returning to
Victoria, we cleaned up, dropped off crew
then Declan, Steve C and I started out for Vancouver. The wind came up
to about 18kts from the south east and gave us great sailing almost out to
Active Pass. After this the wind dropped and we motored the rest of the way.
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| Turnagain in Prideaux Haven |
The summer consisted of many great days on the boat with the family. We got a couple of weeks in the early summer heat of July and made our way up to Desolation Sound.
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| Anchored in Pendrell Sound |
There were days in Pendrell Sound, Squirrel Cove, and Prideaux Haven with swimming, crabbing and exploring around.
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| Sunset in Buccaneer Bay |
Our next extended trip on the boat was mostly
spent on the Sunshine Coast and Hornby Island. There was the weekend in Secret Cove with the Sacre’s and Marchand’s, then three or four days in Buccaneer Bay with all of our GREAT friends there.
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| Goofing around with SUPs |
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| Morning Cocktails with friends |
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| Travis and Steve |
Then off to Hornby for 3 or 4 days with a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa in the Chris Craft.
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| Sylvia catching jellies |
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| Catharine up the mast |
After Hornby, a quick night or two in Pender Harbour before heading back down to Secret Cove for another night. We then wrapped up the holiday anchored in Buccaneer Bay.
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| Sylvia and Keelan at the Rendezvous |
There were many weekend trips before, in between and after
these extended trips which included the Beneteau Rendevouz at Thetis, Buccaneer
Bay Sports day, Elliott Bay among others.
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| Callum at the Rendezvous, Thetis |
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| Elliott Bay |
Once the summer was wrapped up, it was time to start
removing “family” gear and making the very long final push to VicMaui
2014. We have stripped the bottom paint
and repainted with VC Offshore, made changes to the SSB system, worked on
routing software, made arrangements for “racing” cushions and had a few chances
to have most of the crew out on the boat for some practicing. The crew has not been finalized, but everyone
is keen and eager to participate in the event.
Crew selection for the return trip looks to be more of a challenge, with
currently only having one additional crew member having signed on. I hope to
have 4-5 total for the return.
I hope to make more posts through the winter leading up to
the VM and the prep races. As always, please check out our YouTube channel
(turnagain50) for some videos of the boat and some of the family. More will be posted as I edit and get them
ready.
Travis
