Clipper Snips

The magazine of the Trailer/Sailors Association Trailer/Sailors Association www.trailersailors.org Fall 2012

2 We Need to Communicate Laurence Wright 7 Better to say NO John Richards 10 First Time on the North Channel Jeff and Ruth Ann Zerby 11 Ramp Report: Charlotte Harbor, Florida John Ulmer 13 Cruising Canada Via the Trent-Severn Waterway Howard Staley 19 Fear and Loathing on the North Channel Anonymous 22 Reminiscing Anne Lyons 23 Bahamas Trip April 1—May 8, 2012 Jerry Hardin 25 The Great Summer Cruise 2012 Robert Sparks 30 Sailor’s Quiz Margery Whites 31 Our First North Channel Experience Dale Counihan

Photo by Jeff Zerby

Covered Portage Cove—North Channel

we found ourselves the owners of Tranquility, a We Need To Communicate! (not-quite-trailerable) Tartan 33. This past winter, after three and a half months spent fixing her up, By: Laurence Wright we took the new boat for a two-month shake-down in the Abacos, in the northern Bahamas. Next year The Prologue: we’re planning on crossing the Gulf Stream once I believe it was Andrew Simpson, writing in Brit- more, though this time we may not return. If all’s ain’s Yachting Monthly, who recounted how he well, we’ll just keep on going. had recently sailed into a Mediterranean anchor- Between our two trips in 2008/9 and 2012 quite a age. The bay was well protected all round and the few things changed (not least, our knowledge of holding was good throughout, yet the half-dozen what we were doing). What follows are some or so anchored boats were grouped together in a thoughts on the kinds of communications that are tight knot over to one side. After he had dropped available in the Bahamas right now (who knows his anchor at a respectable distance from the other where they’ll be in a couple of years?) and on what boats, he dinghied over to chat. He was intrigued kinds of technology Joan and I are probably going why the boats had chosen to be using when we de- to anchor in such close part in the Fall. I suspect proximity to each other our basic needs are simi- when vast spaces of lar to most other cruisers. equally desirable anchor- While Facebook and net age were empty. The surfing are fun to do reason, it turned out, was when we have a Wi-Fi perfectly straightforward: connection, we don’t there was a restaurant on need to do these when the shore that had an un- we’re out in the middle secured wireless network, of nowhere. Then, all we and the cruisers wanted need is the ability to get a to get as close to it as weather forecast and, possible to access the maybe, the ability to con- internet! tact home (either by Information gathering is becoming an ever more voice or email). important aspect of the cruising lifestyle. A cou- That said, many of the anchorages that we have ple of months ago, there was a discussion on the T/ stayed in in the Bahamas (especially the Abacos) SA chat page regarding communication technol- do have Wi-Fi connectivity. So let’s deal with Wi- ogy in the Bahamas. I submitted my two cents Fi first. worth, but as I did so, I realised there was more to say than could be condensed into a few para- graphs. Aha, I thought, a Clipper Snips article. Wi-Fi So, here goes…. Basically there are two kinds of Wi-Fi network: ones you pay for and ones you don’t. One differ- The Article: ence we noticed on our second trip was that, while Joan and I have been to the Bahamas twice. In late the number of both kinds of networks seemed to 2008, we trailered Better Than Working, our 24 have increased, the number of open-access free foot Vivacity, to South Dade Marina, at the south- networks had fallen substantially. Nowadays, if ern tip of mainland Florida. From there we you want to access a network supplied by a local popped across to the Bahamas and spent four restaurant, for example, you almost always need a months cruising in the Berries and the Exumas password; in 2009 you didn’t. Often this just (see Clipper Snips Fall 2010). Four months in a means having a beer in the restaurant and asking 24 footer was a bit crowded, so in February 2011 for the password while you’re there (no great hard-

2 ship, really). Once you’ve got the password, you Which segues neatly to the subject of Wi-Fi boost- can then use it to hook up on your boat whenever ers. I had never heard of these when we left in you want (the passwords tend not to change very 2008. It didn’t take us long to meet cruisers who frequently). Marinas generally expect you to take had them and to realize the benefits of having one. a slip or a mooring before they’ll give you their So on returning home, I asked around and found password, though if they have a restaurant or bar that several people liked the Bad Boy Express attached you’ll be able to get it there. Of course from Bitstorm, a Toronto company. We bought there’s always the option of dinghying around one for about $150. Ironically, for wireless tech- other boats in the anchorage and finding a cruiser nology it sure comes with a lot of wire! There’s who already knows the password. about twenty-five feet of cable from the antenna to In terms of networks that require payment, there the booster and a further ten feet to the computer, now are two regional ones in the Abacos: Out Is- where it plugs into the Ethernet (RJ45) port. (I land Internet and Bahamas WiMax. O.I.I., for ex- have an RJ45/USB adaptor that enables me to plug into the XO, which doesn’t have an Ethernet port.) ample, has sixteen hot spots. Sample charges are $6 for two hours, $10 for 12 hours, $35 per week, There’s also a five-foot power cable which plugs $99 per month. Bahamas WiMax is very slightly into a regular 12 volt outlet. (I think these lengths more expensive. In the Exumas, three years ago, are correct: our unit is on Tranquility, down in we paid $10 for a 24 hour hook up in Staniel Cay Florida, wrapped up for the summer.) We perma- and we found an internet café in George Town for nently installed our Bad Boy in the nav. station $5 a day (though now, apparently, Exumas Market with the antenna outside, mounted on the stern rail. in George Town offers free Wi-Fi as well as free It served us well throughout the Abacos and made R/O water and a free dinghy dock: they know how a real difference in the number of networks avail- to attract cruisers). able to us. Once you have a Wi-Fi hookup you’ll then be able After we returned to Florida we were chatting to a couple of cruisers who happened to be computer to use Skype for voice calls to telephones any- where in the world for just a few cents per minute. consultants. They pointed us in the direction of I remember walking into the lounge of the Green another booster, the Alfa, which is available on Parrot restaurant in Nassau harbour and seeing Amazon for around $38. The Alfa’s antenna fixes four or five cruisers sitting at tables, talking loudly directly to the booster which plugs into a USB port at their computers in several different languages. on the computer from where it also draws its power. The Alfa is small and totally portable. We A real twenty-first century Babel. ordered one online and took delivery just before A quick word here about hardware. We’ve found we left Florida. We didn’t get a chance to do a that the smaller the computer, the easier it is to head-to-head comparison with the Bad Boy, but carry around and the less power it takes to re- subsequent experience indicates that the Alfa can charge. Four years ago we had an Asus Eee net- also pull in distant hotspots very well. book with an 8 inch screen, now we’re using an HP Pavilion with an 11.5 inch screen. Our backup Other than portability and price, the main differ- computer, then and now, is an XO from the One ences between the two are that the Bad Boy has a Laptop Per Child project. It’s designed for kids in systems page which gives a very useful graphic third world countries so it’s water-proof, dust- display of signal strength, which the Alfa doesn’t. proof and virtually unbreakable. The XO is slow Also the Bad Boy doesn’t require any additional starting up and its Linux operating system takes a software to be installed on the computer: the Alfa bit of getting used to. But it has two major advan- needs a driver installed from CD. tages. Unlike regular computers, the XO’s screen Incidentally, windfinder.com is my favourite is superb in bright sunlight. It can be viewed easily weather forecasting site. It gives a graphic display in tropical sunshine both on the street and in the of projected wind speed and wind direction (as cockpit. And the XO’s Wi-Fi reception is noticea- well as other factors such as temperature and pre- bly better than other laptops we’ve used. cipitation) at three hourly intervals for seven days.

3 It can give forecasts for weather stations all over vice to any client who may be near you and may the world. If you’d rather do GRIB files, passage- even be planning the same passage as you. weather.com is probably all you need. Single side band technology has been around for more than a century. SSB transceivers (which al- Cell Phone low both receiving and transmitting) have been The Bahamas Telephone Company has re-branded standard equipment on long-distance cruising itself. It no longer calls itself Batelco (the Bahrain boats for many years. Single side band’s advan- Telephone Company was also using the acronym). tage is that once it’s installed, voice communica- Now it’s BTC (which to me sounds more like a tion is free. As well as being able to receive/ fast-food franchise). Be that as it may, it’s the participate in weather nets, there are cruisers’ nets only game in town for cell coverage. We tried to that can be tuned into for general chatting at spe- get a prepaid SIM card in Green Turtle Cay to put cific times and on specific frequencies. With the in our iPhone, but were told in the BTC office that addition of a pactor modem and a subscription to a there were only four cards left in all the Abacos: service like Sailmail it’s possible to access the two in Marsh Harbour and two others I don’t re- internet for email, though at very slow speeds. member where. We didn’t bother again. Wi-Fi connection is just as easily available as cell, and a The disadvantages of SSB are that the hardware is long distance voice connection on Skype costs relatively expensive (not much change from only a few cents per minute; airtime on BTC is $2,000, plus antenna and extras), it requires space much more expensive. where it can be permanently mounted, it’s difficult to install (needing a long insulated aerial and a VHF good grounding), it’s not particularly easy to use, While VHF doesn’t offer the possibility of contact exact times and frequencies need to be known and, with home, the availability of weather forecasts finally, reception is variable: single side band is over VHF pleasantly surprised us. NOAA broad- very influenced by solar radiation. In February casts from Florida can be picked up in Bimini, this year, it seems it was impossible to pick up West End and Freeport. Their range extends as far Chris Parker for about a week because of solar as Great Sale Cay, which is close to a hundred flare activity. nautical miles from the US mainland. Further into Before we left for the Bahamas in 2008, I thought the islands, there are cruisers’ nets each morning that transceivers were the only SSB option, but in Hope Town/Marsh Harbour and George Town: during that trip we met many cruisers who had these always start with weather information. The small portable SSB receivers (that don’t transmit) Exuma Park HQ in Warderick Wells also transmits which enabled them to pick up Chris Parker and to weather each morning as do several marinas such listen into cruisers’ nets (but not participate). On as Green Turtle Club in the Abacos, and our return, we bought a Degen SSB receiver on Highbourne and Sampson Cays in the Exumas eBay for around $50; similar units are available (generally around 0830). from Sony, Anjan, Tecsun and Grundig, among others. The Degen has very good reception on SSB both FM and AM (including regular SW) but I just There is one big reason to have single side band couldn’t get it to pick up on single side band. Af- receptivity in the Bahamas (and indeed in the ter a time I simply gave up and put the radio away. whole Caribbean): that is to receive Chris Parker’s morning weather forecasts. Chris, who is a cruiser Then, a couple of weeks before we returned from himself, runs the Marine Weather Center. For a the Abacos, I was talking to a fellow cruiser who subscription of $195 a year you can call into one also had a SSB receiver and he said that the secret of his early morning nets and he’ll give you was that the device had to be well grounded. He weather advice tailored to your position and plans. grounded his radio by placing it on the engine con- Or, for free, you can listen into his nets to hear his trols of his trawler, which were grounded to the general forecasts and you’ll be able to hear his ad- engine block. He also mentioned that Chris’s weather broadcasts didn’t always start on time:

4 sometimes they were more than thirty minutes late. rent state of satellite communications. The address So even if I had been able to prepare and tune the is: http://web.globalmarinenet.com/blog. receiver correctly, I might not have been able to There are three companies that offer satellite com- hear Chris because he wasn’t on the air yet! Next munications that cover the Americas. Inmarsat is a morning I tried again. On Tranquility the backing British company providing service through eleven plates for the chainplates are supported by a geostationary satellites that orbit 22,000 miles stainless bar that runs down through the saloon and above the Earth. It was originally founded in 1979 is grounded to the keel (it acts as a ground path in as a not-for-profit international organization, set case of a lightning strike). I extended the radio’s up at the behest of the International Maritime Or- antenna, jammed it up against the backing plate ganization. In 1999, the business was privatized. where it meets the support bar and waited, all the Inmarsat has traditionally provided high-end (i.e. while adjusting the fine tuning knob. Sure enough, big and expensive) satellite communication for big after twenty minutes or so I was able to hear a and expensive boats. faint voice among the static. A bit of fine tuning and I could hear him; still a noticeable amount of Iridium launched its first satellites in 1998. Nine background noise months later, in but perfectly under- August 1999, the standable. So, for company filed the last two weeks for Chapter 11 of the trip we were bankruptcy pro- able to pick up tection. The Chris’s weather company was every morning. His restructured and website, which in- service was re- cludes the sched- started in 2001. uled times for his In 2009 Iridium broadcasts, is: was restructured www.caribwx.com/ again and now appears to be Satellite Phones doing much bet- While SSB is a cen- ter: their largest tury-old technol- client is the US ogy, sat phones are Department of cutting edge. Defense. The There’s a lot of debate among cruisers right now Iridium system requires 66 active satellites in low about whether sat phones are replacing SSB. I be- orbit, at a height of approximately 485 miles. lieve that boats participating in the Atlantic Rally Most of these satellites were launched in the late for Cruisers, for example, are required to have a 1990s before the company went through bank- sat phone but not an SSB. There’s a good discus- ruptcy. Since the bankruptcy, only seven addi- sion on the cruisers forum website that runs to tional satellites have been launched but an updated seven pages of postings (http:// constellation of 66 satellites is currently being de- www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/ham-ssb- veloped and is planned for launch in 2015-2017 sat-phone-74210-2.html). I haven’t counted them, from California. but I estimate there are seventy or eighty submis- Globalstar launched 52 low orbit satellites be- sions. It’s an interesting discussion on the pros tween 1998 and 2000. In February, 2002, it too and cons of both systems, with some good links to filed for Chapter 11 protection. In 2004 Globalstar other sources of information. One of the contribu- restructured, but by 2007 the company was having tors to the discussion is Luis Soltero, who runs problems with its satellites burning out at a faster Global Marine Networks. GMN put out a series of rate than expected. This led to reduced levels of blogs that give a better view than I can of the cur- 5 two-way voice and duplex data service. (The com- voice. (Downlink and upload speeds of the pany's simplex data service, which is used to sup- Wideye Sabre are up to 384 kbps). Unlike Iridium port the SPOT Satellite Messenger, was not af- and Globalstar, where the transceiver is located in fected.) With a reduced number of low orbit sat- the handset (just like a regular cell-phone), the ellites, communication became intermittent and BGAN handset (or your computer) plugs into a unpredictable: the signal would just cut out in the separate transceiver that is about the size of a small middle of transmission. (Low orbit satellites flit laptop. Because BGAN operates with a single across the sky in a matter of minutes; that’s why so geostationary satellite the transceiver must be many of them are needed. Geo-stationary satel- pointed at the satellite. If you want to use the sys- lites, being much higher, are always in view, al- tem at anchor and your boat likes to “sail” at an- ways in the same position.) In October 2010 chor, this can be a problem. We overcame this by Globalstar launched six second-generation satel- either dropping the stern anchor to keep the boat lites in Kazakhstan, using a Russian Soyuz steady when using the unit, or by taking the launcher. Six more second-generation satellites BGAN to shore. Although we never used the unit were launched in July 2011, followed by another under way, reception should be no problem if the six in December 2011. course is held steady and the boat is not rocking As of late 2011, the company was selling unlim- extravagantly. ited airtime for $20/month as a stop-gap measure In the last couple of years Iridium has come out until their constellation returned to full health. It with a new generation of handheld sat phones, the was also offering information on its website ena- 9555 and the 9575, and Inmarsat has introduced bling users to predict when one or more unaffected the IsatPhone Pro. However these offer data satellites would be overhead at any specific geo- speeds of up to only 2.4 kbps. (Compare 384 kbps graphic location. I have no idea what the situation for the Wideye Sabre). As Global Marine’s Luis with Globalstar is right now, but a bit of googling Soltero points out (in a blog titled Can I surf the should give some idea. web with my IsatPhone Pro?): “this is equivalent Back in 2008 it appeared to us that Inmarsat was to dialup networks as they were commonly used in the only reliable satellite service provider. It was the 1980's and early 1990's. The last standard mo- also the only provider to offer broadband data: but dem that most people had before they switched to its standard marine system, FleetBroadband, was DSL or cable modems, was 56K, or more than 20 very expensive, both for hardware and for airtime. times faster than today's IsatPhone data ser- It also had to be permanently mounted. However vices…” However handhelds do offer, as Soltero at that time, Inmarsat was in the process of intro- adds, “reliable and clear voice service. There's a ducing its BGAN system (Broadband Global Area reason that tens of thousands of IsatPhone Pros Network). This was designed to be primarily a have been sold, and it is this: voice service with land-based system: it was used from the very be- low hardware and airtime costs. In the age of the ginning, for example, by TV stations to transmit Internet, it is easy to forget that most companies still have excellent voice services that allow you to breaking stories from far-flung locations that had do things like interactive banking, and that calling no permanent satellite uplinks. real people is still a way to get things done.” BGAN uses geostationary satellites to provide al- most global coverage. It refers to itself as Airtime plans vary for both Iridium and Inmarsat, “currently the fastest global data link available via but generally voice communication costs about a portable terminal: it can be easily set up by any- $1.00 per minute and data costs upwards of $6.50 one, and has excellent voice calling quality”. Sev- per megabyte. Suppliers like Global Marine offer eral companies manufacture BGAN terminals. In firewalls and compression packages that prevent 2008, we bought a Wideye Sabre unit for $1,500. your computer from downloading a lot of extrane- We didn’t use it much three years ago, and not at ous data that you don’t want (but would still have all this year but on the occasions we did use it, we to pay for); basically, they allow you to download found it to be very fast for data and very clear for data faster and more cheaply.

6 The Postscript: pick up Chris Parker each morning. We’ll proba- Of course, the ancient Polynesians criss-crossed bly find weather forecasts on the VHF more often the Pacific without sat phones. Christopher Co- than not. In an anchorage, close to a hotspot, the lumbus didn’t even have an SSB. In 1969 Robin Bad Boy will enable us to connect to the net while Knox-Johnston won the first solo, non-stop, round- still on the boat. If we have to take a computer the-world race after spending 313 days at sea. His ashore, we’ll take the Alfa with us. We still have radio packed up just after he started, leaving him the Wideye Sabre and we’ll take it with us for eight and a half months without any contact with emergencies, though I suspect we won’t use it the outside world. So is communication at sea much. We’ve just bought a $225.00 prepaid SIM really necessary? Probably not, but it sure makes card with a validity of 730 days which will give us life a bit more comfortable. some 250 minutes of voice or 40 MB of data. (We When we head offshore in the Fall, what will bought it early because on June 1st, Inmarsat Tranquility be using? I suspect our most valuable upped the price by $30.00 and dropped the validity from two years to six months). Before we leave, asset will be our small SSB receiver so we can we’ll probably get a data compression system and a firewall from Global Marine to use with the BGAN, but we’ll decide on that later. And if all our technologies fail, and we need to know what the weather’s going to do, we can al- ways dinghy round the anchorage to find if any of the other cruisers heard Chris Parker that morning. It’s a good way to meet people.

Better to say NO By: John Richards When planning a cruise there is a certain point in the process at which momentum takes over. This is especially true if others are also going to be included in the cruise. Other boats and/or people add weight to the momentum and the whole tends to roll along in proportion to the ‘mass’ added, in other words the “more the meatier”. In addition to the other boats/people there are added other opinions, de- sires, likes and dislikes as well as helpers and problems. The one important aspect of this mixture is that making decisions becomes more complex, and there is a strong emotional force to ‘conform’. In the end, however, each ‘captain’ of each boat must choose what is best for them though sailing away from the group can be a very lonely feeling.

I was planning on joining the local B.E.E.R. cruise (an environmental, not a drinking cruise…primarily) this past June and then sail on to Fort Walton Beach for the Billy Bowlegs Regatta the weekend of June 9 -10th. The weather had been unsettled the prior week, but had not been enough to cause me to cancel the plans. I did though decide not to do the entire B-cruise and instead would try catch up to them on Thurs- day before going on for the race, so that instead of a two week trip I’d have a nice long weekend. I had just come home from doing the North Gulf Catalina Cruise (NGCC) in early May and had found

7 that as usual had taken way more ‘stuff’ than anchor out and came to swing directly over my needed so got the equipment/food/clothes whittled anchor. When I called to him that he was over my down to a reasonable set of ‘boat bags’, one bag anchor he made a rather unfriendly gesture and for each function. I also decided not to make up yelled back that he was not. I pulled in, brought my frozen dinners for this trip as I expected to be up my anchor and motored out past him while he in harbor most of the time and would have a res- yelled “That is uncalled for. It’s not necessary”. taurant in walking distance. Or so I believed. I’m sure to him it was not, but for me being pinned Taking the dogs (Spike a Terrier/Chihuahua, and between him and the beach was untenable espe- Sadie a Beagle) along meant that I would have the cially with the potential of bad weather. Due to equivalent of two children to contend with, but I his response to the situation I had little confidence really like having them with me and they were be- in his sailing and anchoring ability. (NO). coming adept at getting around the boat. The night was rough. The wind increased and Thursday I got up early, and headed to Pensacola came due east so that the anchorage gave no pro- where the boat is berthed, transported the bags and tection from the waves. The boat rocked, bounced ice chest to the boat and fired up the trusty Nissan and shook all night as I watched the lightening and 5hp. The sky was a bit overcast, but that was an listened to thunder roll over the gulf southward. I advantage in avoiding our usual 90+ heat. One watched as the storms played out past the dunes. storm cloud hovered in the north and another was Morning came with little hope of sunshine and I’d materializing in the NE but I was going south and had only short naps all night, fearing the anchor hoped to miss them both. To cross Pensacola Bay would not hold. Inside the boat was damp, the I had to tack SE then SW and again SE to get dogs were damp and I was damp. One leak I’d around the Navy ship and choppers that were drop- discovered had produced a drop that landed on my ping men into the water. The Navy often does shoulder as I tried to sleep. I made coffee, fed the drills in the bay and boaters are warned away. dogs and got up the anchors. Once south of the ship I had a clear shot at the ICW and headed eastward through Pensacola Out in the ICW I headed east, still planning on get- Beach bridge. I passed a small 17’ Slipper and was ting to FWB and doing the race. The weather on following a few others that I surmised were part of the radio was not promising. The wind was due the B.E.E.R group. We all continued toward the east and I would have to motor against it all day anchorage at the Pavilions near Navarre. through the narrow part of the channel to reach my destination. I considered; I really wanted to get Many boats were at anchor, some stern to on the to the race, then turned west toward Pensacola. beach as I approached. Having to get the dogs on (NO). shore for their ‘walk’ I put out an anchor and long rode then motored the stern to the beach and put Motoring downwind was better than upwind, but another anchor onshore. Sadie will jump into the as the day wore on the waves built until I was surf- water to get to the beach, but Spike is more afraid ing down 3 foot waves and trying to hold the boat of the water, I think due to his progressing blind- on course. The sky was grey, the seas dark and oc- ness because of diabetes. He has to be lifted off casional misty rain added to the fun. I kept close to the boat or into the kayak that I use as a dingy. the north side of the channel in case I had to stop and to stay out of the way of any barge traffic that We had a productive walk down the beach and re- might come through. turned to set up for the evening and supper. I got up the beach anchor and let the boat swing out far- It was a great relief to make Little Sabine, a small ther from the shore for the night. The storm cove on Pensacola Beach and to get the anchor clouds that had been following all day caught up down. Again I put out a bow anchor and then kay- with us and we had a nice cooling shower. aked the beach anchor ashore so that the dogs One other boat that was on the beach decided to could do their thing. They were getting pretty

8 good at getting into and out of the kayak. A long The rain rolled on for three more days. When I got walk gave them time to sniff and whatever else back to Mobile I learned that the city was flooded needed to be done. with a record setting rainfall of 17 inches in less than 24 hours. Streets were under water, yards Supper was a tasteless can of something called washed away, streets collapsed and trees blown N.O. Red Beans and Rice. NOT! I lived in N.O. down. Fairhope Yacht Club, which was preparing and know what RB&R should taste like. UGH! I for the Special Olympics, had the cat fleet blown developed a strong dislike for canned food on this around the beach and many boats damaged. Be- cruise. I could have walked over to one of the res- fore the storms the city was suffering from a taurants on the beach (J. Buffet's Margaritaville), drought and was 21 inches below normal rainfall but the rain squalls kept me aboard. Besides I’d but after the storms was 30 inches above! Pensa- have needed a shower after two days on the boat. cola reported the greatest rainfall in almost 100 As night fell I let out on the beach anchor and yrs. Later I found the NOAA weather data and brought the rode to the bow and the boat settled realized that the wind that hit us on the beach was down nicely to the SE wind. With all three 38 knots with gusts at 51 knots. The race at Fort ‘anchor’ lights set out I felt secure and fell asleep Walton Beach resulted in some broken masts on easily. Saturday and the Sunday races were cancelled for the C 22 fleet. Saturday morning was stormy. The weather broadcast on the radio called for three more days Sometimes it’s just better to say NO. of storms and worsening conditions. A small craft warning was issued; the bays and sound were pre- dicted to be “choppy to rough” with “winds at 20 knots, gusts higher”. I decided to give up the cruise and the race. (NO, NO, NO). Funnies

I motored over to the marina and arranged for a Why do opera singers make good sailors? slip, called a friend that lived near and asked for a Because they can handle high seas. (High ride back to my van. She reported no rain at her C’s!) house and agreed to come and rescue me. I got only my backpack off the boat, tied it well and lashed down the sails. While waiting for her to What do you call a wave that’s just great? arrive a massive black storm cloud that had been A swell! sitting on top of Pensacola rolled out over the sound and hit the beach with severe winds and Sinking Ship driving rain. I watched and waited for the porch The Coast Guard cutter tuned in to a faint roof to come off or hail to start pelting the boats, distress signal from a sinking pleasure but the roof held and no hail happened. My fiend arrived and we (dogs and I) jumped into the car in craft. "What is your position? Repeat, the midst of the downpour. In town we found what is your position?" shouted the radio many streets flooded so rode the yellow line to operator into the microphone. Finally a keep above the high water. Down the side streets faint reply crack- cars and trucks were floating. Police barricades led over the static: were set up to close some others and drivers were "I'm executive vice searching for a way out. In spite of her little car we made it to the van and found it above water. I president of First thanked her profusely, jumped the dogs in and Global Bank - cranked up the motor. Home, dry clothes and a please hurry!" warm dry bed called to me.

9 First Time on the North Channel By: Jeff and Ruth Ann Zerby

First of all, John Travis and his wife, Colleen, were tremendous in their work and leadership as our Fleet Commander and Event Planners in this cruise. As this was our first experience with the Great Lakes, fresh water and most importantly, the rocks, our inexperience really became apparent and prevented us from enjoying our carefree routine of putting up all our sails and maxing out our speed. We have only sailed in salt water that has few hard obstacles, such as coral, which is always charted and easy to read in the waters. We have only had to deal with running aground on sandy bottoms that did no damage, and was easily remedied by getting out of the boat and shoving off again or in some cases waiting for high tide (not in the Great Lakes). When we have bareboat chartered, we always had a cruising guide providing us information on dangerous locations, and helpful briefing meetings giving hints to guide us safely and quickly to our destination anchorages and marinas. I think our Trailer Sailors Association needs a good "local knowledge guide book on the North Channel" to detail the safe entrances into these an- chorages and avoid other passage rocks and obstacles in transiting these cruising grounds (I know of two instances that different veterans also hit rocks without damage on this cruise). Additionally, for those of us who had never anchored in a blind canyon of swirling winds that pushed anchored boats in varying directions (although we are used to tides changing direction overnight), it would have helped to have first read this in the same "local knowledge guide book", although we never had a mishap. This was only a prob- lem when anchoring next to a neighboring trawler with a high windage profile.

We were bewildered as to what the temperatures would be on this trip, so were not confident whether to bring hot or cold weather clothing. It also would have been nice to have had an index of marine suppliers and their locations in terms of lat/lon locations and travel time for necessi- ties such as propane, ice, fuel, food, boat service and repairs; kind of like what a modern GPS unit in automobiles provides today. Spider Bay Marina was a great host, but we didn't know in advance that they would allow us to sleep on our boats when they were on their trailers; this would have helped us in our itinerary planning.

We had a great time and now have a better understand- ing on how to avoid "newbie pitfalls" in the North Channel the next time. The fellowship and fresh pan- cakes with huge, delicious blueberries were a big hit to end this lovely cruise. Among all his other talents, John Travis was a great, hard working chef, too. Many thanks, everybody!

10 Covered Boat Storage is NOT a marina. Even RAMP REPORT : though it has a 300 foot long dock, it is only for wet storage ($1 per foot per day). You can not live CHARLOTTE HARBOR, on your boat while you are there. If you need a FLORIDA marina, there are many available around Charlotte Harbor, as well as many fine anchorages.

By John Ulmer For those that are not familiar with Charlotte Har-

bor, it is a very large body of water located on If your future cruising plans involve spending a lot of Florida’s Gulf coast, between Sarasota and Fort time in southern waters, you need to know about this Myers. Charlotte Harbor has easy access to the ramp. Not only is this ramp ideally located for a large open waters of the Gulf and is a good place to start number of cruising destinations, including open water a cruise to the Yucatan Peninsula and Central voyages to Mexico or the Caribbean, it is also one of America. the safest places I’ve ever found to leave your car and trailer. Charlotte Harbor also has easy connections to the

Caloosahatchee River, which takes you to Flor- The ramp is at All American Covered Boat Storage, ida’s east coast by way of Lake Okeechobee. located near Port Charlotte on Charlotte Harbor, and it You’ll end up in Stuart, Florida, which is a good caters to people who need safe, long term storage for jumping off point for the Bahamas and the Carib- their boats or cars and trailers. bean. Or, if you prefer, you can use the Caloosa-

hatchee River and Lake Okeechobee to circum- When I checked this ramp out and made my measure- navigate southern Florida. ments, with the permission of the office of course, three different workers stopped me to see what I was Of course, Charlotte Harbor itself offers a lot of up to. After I explained, each used his radio to check good cruising. Pine Island Sound is close by, as with the office. One of them told me he was in- well as Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa Islands. structed to keep his eyes open to ensure the safety of The water here is pretty thin, making it a great place for shallow draft boats.

With its easy access to the Gulf and the Gulf Intra- coastal Waterway, Charlotte Harbor also offers easy cruising north to Venice, Sarasota, and all the harbors in and around the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. Or, by going south, you gain access to the Ten Thousand Islands, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys.

Getting to All American Covered Boat Storage from Interstate 75 is easy. Follow the Interstate south from Sarasota until you reach Venice. Take Exit 191, which is River Road, and follow it south about ten miles to the little town of Englewood. The center of town is where River Rd. intersects the customers’ possessions. If you use this ramp, you with State Route 776, also known as Indiana Blvd. can have confidence that no matter where you go, or There is a traffic light at the intersection and a how long you stay, your car and trailer will be there Walgreen’s on the corner. Turn left onto Rt. 776. when you return. But first, let me be absolutely clear, All American Don’t let a map or your GPS fool you into taking

11 Jacaranda Blvd. at Exit 192. Jacaranda Blvd. pleasure boats. The office will give you detailed looks a little shorter, but is a very busy road, with navigation instructions for the canal and instruc- lots of stop and go traffic. River Road is much tions on how to use the lock. better if you’re hauling a boat. Because of the lock, there are no tides to worry Follow Rt. 776 for about another ten miles. You about at the ramp. The ramp is 21 feet wide and will go past some shopping centers and a West 14 feet long. At the end of the concrete, the depth Marine store on your left. Keep going and you is just 3 feet, but 3 feet beyond the end of the con- will pass a Wal-Mart store on the right. After the crete ramp, the depth is 6 feet. The bottom here is Wal-Mart the stores will thin sand, and seems fairly out and so will the traffic. firm. There is only a 2 or When you see a Home Depot 3 inch drop off at the end on your right you are getting of the concrete. This close. When you see the ramp may sound pretty Wendy’s on your right you shallow, but they launch are just one block from the Rt. some very big boats here. 771 intersection (Gasparilla If you think you will need Rd.). There will be a traffic a travel lift, one is avail- light at the intersection and a able, but call ahead so small shopping center on your they can put you on their right. Turn right on Rt. 771 schedule. and go about two miles. When you see sailboat masts The ramp fee is $10 in, on your left, slow down. At $10 out. The cost for Appleton Blvd. you will see a leaving your car and large sign that says South trailer is $2 per foot per Gulf Cove Water Front Com- month, with a $35 mini- munity. Turn left. There is mum. no traffic light at this intersec- tion, and the turn comes up CONTACT INFORMA- rather unexpectedly. If you TION miss the turn, just go to the All American Covered next left turn, where you can Boat Storage make an easy u-turn. Phone - (941) 697-9900 Internet - As soon as you turn onto Ap- www.aaboatstorage.com pleton Blvd., make a very Email - allameri- quick right turn onto the service road. The service [email protected] road is Winborough St. Follow Winborough St. to Send requests for ramp information to : the entrance to All American Covered Boat Stor- age. The office will be on your right as you drive John Ulmer in. 659 S. Canal St. Canal Fulton, OH 44614 The ramp is on a fresh water canal about eight Home Phone : 330-854-3796 miles from salt water. There is an easy-to-use, self Cell Phone : 330-232-0633 -service lock you must pass through before you Email - [email protected] enter Charlotte Harbor, but there are no bridges or If using email, contact me well before you need other overhead problems to deal with. The canal is the information. I am often away from my com- easy to navigate and is often used by very large puter for long periods of time)

12 Cruising Canada via the Trent-Severn Waterway

By Howard Staley

This July (2012), Kathy and I joined three other sailboats and traveled westward across Ontario, Canada via the Trent-Severn Waterway. Just what is the Trent-Severn Waterway? Go to: http://www.thewaterway.ca/about.html for information.

Trent-Severn Waterway runs from Lake Ontario, in the east, to Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay in the west.

The Waterway: The Trent-Severn Waterway (T-SW) is a 180-year-old canal system that meanders 240 miles through Ontario, from the Eastern end of Lake Ontario at Trenton, in a north westerly direction, to the southern end of Georgian Bay, at Port Severn. It has 44 locks and many dams. The Trent- Severn Waterway was built during the mid to late 1800’s as a waterway for commercial purposes. However, as with most canal systems built during this time, its commercial use was short lived be- cause of the startup of railroads during the same time. Today, the Trent-Severn is used primarily for recreational boating. We saw, of course, mostly Canadian registered boats, however, since the T-SW is used by “Loopers”, (that is, folks cruising the Great Loop, Go to: http:// www.greatloopcruising.com/ for Loop information ) there were many US-registered boats, and a few of other nationalities.

Of our four-boat group one had sailed from the Chesapeake Bay, two trailered from Yellow Springs, OH, and ourselves from Lebanon, OH. The Chesapeake boat was Swallow, a Hunter 30 crewed by Dave and Donna Laux, Eventide, a Flicka crewed by Mike and Diana Nelson, “Chat de LaMers”, a 26 ft Catamaran, crewed by Tom and Evelyn LaMers, and Aeolus, a Neptune 24, crewed by us, Kathy and Howard Staley.

The Trip Overall: The trip was a mast down motoring cruise, traversing the many lakes that substantially make up the waterway system, and of course, through dug ditch canals and locks that connect the lakes. We en- countered three to five locks daily, and traveled through many quaint and friendly small towns, through agricultural countryside and through granite rock shorelines and islands with stands of old

13 growth pine trees. As we proceeded westwardly, the Waterway meanders through beautiful and rus- tic “cottage” country populated by Toronto folks.

Eventide passing a quaint cottage perched on an island A normal underway day started about 9 AM, after enjoying a dockside picnic table or a small town restaurant breakfast. Usually we immediately locked-through the lock where we had just spent the night tied up along its entry walls. As the day progressed we would visit small towns for lunch or occasionally simply stop at an interesting town just to visit. One stop was at a remotely located art gallery where we docked at a private lodge’s docks. After the art gallery tour, the lodge keepers treated us to a tour of their lodge. What a place to enjoy a winter getaway!! Normally we would end up the travel day about 5 PM, stopping at another lock. Note that most of the locks are surrounded by well-landscaped community parks, blessed with an abundance of shade, picnic tables, restrooms, and occasional tent camping areas. At most of the Lock/Parks you can stay for two nights.

The canal usage fees, for our 24 foot boat, were $425, which gave us unlimited locking and overnight tie-up privileges at the locks. Therefore we had no marina charges. Waterway navigation charts are required along with a cruising guide publication called “Ports” for good narrative and aerial photo- graph information; these cost about $150.

The Trip in Detail: Kathy and I started our trailer-sailor towing trip driving to Barrie, Ontario, our first overnight stop from Cincinnati. We then went a short distance to Midland, Ontario, to store our dingy at a marina where we planned to be at the end of the Waterway trip. (note, to tow a dinghy through the canal would have cost us about $230 additional in fees). After the Midland stop we trailered to Peterbor- ough, Ontario where we launched our boat from the town docks, checked into a marina, and waited for the other three boats to arrive. (They started their trip at the beginning of the Waterway, in Tren- ton, Ontario). While in Peterborough we were treated to a dinner at the home of Kathy and Shawn Blackwood. It was great to eat at a home, and to be able to relax with friends who also provided us with local knowledge of the Peterborough area.

From Peterborough our ten-day canal trip started. The first event was to lock through the Peterbor- ough Lift Lock, which is not a lock (in the conventional sense) but an unusual lock that lifts your boat, floating in an 80-foot long bathtub, 65 feet into the air to where the upstream canal meets you. This is the highest lift lock in the world. (Go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Peterborough_Lift_Lock for more information) The lock has an adjoining museum telling the story of its construction and history, and how it works. The museum is a must visit. 14

Entering the Peterborough Lift Lock (note the left “tub” is high in the air)

From this fascinating start, the trip assumed a routine of motoring along the narrow canal, and through the many larger lakes that make up the waterway system. Note that we were not functioning as a sailboat. Our mast was tied down on the deck. That is, no sailing, and our propulsion was the boat’s outboard motor. Fortunately, it ran perfectly, averaging seven miles per gallon. I carried two extra 5-gallon jerry cans of gas on our rail giving us about a 110 mile range.

The Locks: Locking-through involves tying alongside the lock’s entrance wall to wait for the lock chamber doors to open and empty its cargo of on-coming boats. Then, on the instruction of the lock attendants, you enter the lock chamber and position yourself on the lock wall using two securing lines, one fore and the other aft….. hand held, that is, not tied off to your boat. Then the big lock doors close behind you, trapping you into a deep dark moss-covered chamber. The lock starts to fill with water raising you as you hold yourself in position against the lock walls. The walls have vinyl covered cables that extend vertically from the top of the lock wall to the bottom. There are usually 10 of these cables, about 8 feet apart along the lock walls. Your securing lines, looped loosely around the cable, slide up the cable as the water and your boat rise. When at the top, the front lock doors open, you throw off your securing lines, and out you go. Much like walking off an elevator.

An interesting note is that most of the locks are operated manually by the lockmaster and crew. The big lock doors are opened and closed by the crew manually turning capstans. To let the water in and out the crew manually open or close large valves. The crews are Ontario Provincial Park summer employees; many are college students. Part of their job is to talk to the boat crews, tell them about the lock and the tourist activities in the area and generally be a welcoming friendly face to the water- borne travelers. (Ed. Note: They will also call ahead to warn the next lock or your arrival, or check if there is room for you to tie up.) They do a very good job. Also, there are usually town’s people and tourists lining the edge of the locks to see how locking-through is done,….. or conversely, how error free you will do it. They also engage you in conversation. While in the locks you are always on dis- play.

Other unusual and interesting locks included the Kirkfield “lift lock” which is similar to that in

15 Peterborough. The Kirkfield Lift Lock is located at the highest point in the Waterway system. Being at the highest elevation in the canal system means that the water on one side of the lock flows east and the other side flows west.

Inside the Kirkfield Lift Lock “Tub” And the final absolutely truly unique lock is called the “Big Chute”. It is a “railway lock” in that your boat goes into a submerged, open topped, railroad type of car; the boat is then supported by straps (like a boat lift); then the very unusual railway car, with you your boat (and you in it) hanging by the straps, rolls on railroad type tracks, climbs out of the water, across a road, and then down an embankment to the waters below, submerging itself into the new water. The straps are released and your boat floats away…… if all goes well. See this link for a better explanation: http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chute_Marine_Railway You can also find some good U-Tube videos of the Big Chute operations.

Eventide and Swallow in the Big Chute Marine Railroad Lock

16 Life Along the Canal: The third day of our trip started the weekend of the celebration of Canada Day, Canada’s birthday, on July 1. It was fun and interesting to be in Canada at that time to see another country’s celebration of its founding. We were in the town of Bobcaygeon (pronounced “Bob Caygeon”) for the main event. It was festive, full of families and people of all ages, dressed up and with faces painted in the red and white colors of Canada, all waiving flags, setting off firecrackers, and participating in community parades and parties. Sound familiar? It was a grand day to be in Canada, especially, small town Can- ada. It also provided a change of pace from being aboard the boat all day.

We had a potluck dinner on the dockside picnic tables at Bobcaygeon. Not having a suitable contri- bution, I went to the local grocery and bought a rotisserie chicken…. Yummy! It is nice to eat and relax at these dockside picnic tables especially when other boaters join you for conversation and drinks. One night some Australian folks brought a box of fine wine; at other times we met trawler travelers from Cleveland, Louisville, Virginia, Florida and from many Canadian homeports.

Route Planning at the Picnic Table in the Lock’s Park Area To the great pleasure of Kathy and the rest of us, we saw loons….. many loons. Of special interest was the mother loon who was carrying her young on her back. We’ve seen that in photos but not in the wild. This was a real treat.

Mother loon with chick on her back

17 As we proceeded westward, being lifted by each lock to higher elevations, we eventually reached the high point of the canal, at the Kirkfield Lift Lock. This is where the Waterway starts its downward slope to Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay. The locks now lower rather than raise your boat.

Also, at this point, the buoyage system, which had been the normal “Red Right Returning”, (that is, keep the red buoys on your right and the green on your left when you are returning from the sea) switch to having the Green Buoys to your right and Red to the Left. Why? That’s because we are considered no longer to be “returning” from the sea; we are instead now proceeding back to the sea, that is, the Atlantic Ocean via Lake Huron. It is important to always be aware the buoyage system you are guided by when you travel canals and other cut-through bodies of water as the buoyage sys- tem can change on you at some seemingly illogical locations. This is where having good charts and sailing guides is very important. Also, at the lock where this change occurs, there are well placed signs informing you…. in both French and English.

Looking way down into the biggest lock (1.5 million gallons)

Toward the western end of our trip we crossed a corner of Lake Simco. Simco is a very large lake, about 25 miles across, with intimidating weather. This is a place to wait for a good weather window before crossing. When crossing, even the corner of Lake Simco as we did, you are out of sight of land. However, we had perfect weather, that is, light wind, so our crossing was, as they say, “uneventful”. This is good !!

Our ten day waterway trip ended in Midland, Ontario, located at the southern end of Georgian Bay. We docked at Bay Port Yachting Centre to relax and raise masts in preparation for cruising north on Georgian Bay. However, Kathy and I elected to leave the group here and head for home where responsibilities awaited us.

The rest of the group proceeded north along Georgian Bay’s “Small Craft Route” to Little Cur- rent. There they joined other Trailer Sailors for the annual T/SA North Channel Cruise.

Conclusion: Overall, this trip, our first trip on the Trent-Severn Waterway, was absolutely wonderful. It intro- duced us to new boating experiences, a beautiful part of Canada, and as on most cruises, we met

18 many nice and interesting people. For the above reasons, the next time we would do this trip, or any canal trip, we would concentrate on slowing down, not being underway each day, but instead, stop- ping more,…. get to know better the areas we are traveling through, eat more often at local restau- rants, visit the area’s points of interest, historical museums, quilt shops, talk to more people, read a good novel, etc., and heck, even take a nap regularly. And, of course, since we are in Canada, eat more ice cream. On the Trent-Severn Waterway. I would recommend planning for a whole month to travel and ex- plore. If you can raise your mast conveniently, perhaps even spend a few days sailing on some of the Waterway’s larger lakes, gunkholing and relaxing at anchorages. (Note that the canal fees mentioned earlier were for a seasonal pass so there would be no additional fee cost for a longer stay.) Had we the time, sailing north on Georgian Bay would have been a nice sailing finale to an interest- ing canal boating trip……. Perhaps next time. Fear and Loathing in the North Channel

By: Anonymous ber companies stripped the islands of forests in the nineteenth century. Today the only I float on water so pure that you can dip a trees are scraggly pines clinging to crevices glass and drink without fear. Above, the sun in the rocks. This is not good farming coun- is low in the sky and puffy clouds drift from try and lacks sufficient minerals to attract the West. I am empty. No thoughts.. The mining. Most incentives to ecological rape only sound is water lapping at my ears. A are missing. seagull slides across my field of vision; low, close. Then another. Unbidden, thoughts of Depressions in the rock fill with rotting pine Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds interrupt this needles creating a perfect bed for wild blue- almost perfect moment. I roll over to see if I berries. Low bushes hug the rocks and pro- am floating amidst a sea of angry flesh- duce, when ripened, tiny sweet berries that eating birds. Only one, fifty yards from me, help support a diverse ecology. Bear, deer, cleaning his chest feathers. His movements wolves, cougar, and an assortment of flesh are short, choppy, and maybe a little angry. eating insects live in abundance on these Ely- I'll have to keep my eye on him. The flesh- sian isles. eating part reminds me that I'm hungry. I swim in long slow strokes toward the boat. Today the Canadian First Nation is gradually Climb the tiny dive ladder to see Captain X purchasing the whole area and installing le- boiling a can of precooked chicken breasts. gal protections to prevent development. It is There are no perfect moments in this life. illegal to trespass on many of the islands making it unattractive to most paleface speed I have wanted to experience the Canadian boaters. This leaves the area to Indians, fish- North Channel for thirty years; a place re- ermen, and sail boaters. puted to be the finest freshwater sailing in the world. It lies at the top of Lake Huron, The sailing season in the North Channel is above the Michigan mitten and runs from the short, only six weeks. From the end of June Sioux St. Marie eastward to the Georgian to the second week in August, nature relents Bay. Hundreds of tiny, and not so tiny, is- and the North Channel becomes hospitable. lands dot the water creating a remote cruising Two towns (Little Current in the middle and paradise. The Islands are products of monster Killarney to the west) in the Georgian Bay glaciers that scoured the land down to bed- offer refueling, pumpout, and provisioning rock and scooped out the Great Lakes. Lum- opportunities. By the time you get to either 19 you are ready for some real food. Fresh fruit on the pavement. I glanced at X, mine captain, and vegetables are about as plentiful on a small his face ashen. cruising boat today as they were in the thir- teenth century. Perishables, aptly named, will We pulled up, parked the truck next to seats last as long as the ice in your cooler. In our and dashboard on the pavement. The guards case, a couple of days. A week of sailing were struggling with the wheels of the disas- leaves you eating noodles and drinking warm sembled truck. Their guns kept falling from beer. Experienced sailors make port before the their shoulders as they removed the tires. ice melts or the holding tank becomes full. Entering the building we were directed to a Spanish fellow that looked us over with such scrutiny that one would think that we were Taliban. We It is two long, hard, boring days from East told him that we were asked by the gate officer Tennessee to our launch destination in Span- to come in. "What do you have to declare?" ish, Ontario. Since 9-11, Canadian Customs When we told him. Apparently you can bring have gotten serious. No longer are they content either a quart of booze or a case of beer into to ask your country of origin and purpose in the country, but not both. They billed us for the Canada and speed you on your way. Guards two cases of beer, thirty dollars. Beer in Can- wear full body armor and carry machine guns. ada is heavily taxed along with almost every- The effect is intimidating. When we entered thing else. "But we have free health care?" Canada in Sioux St. Marie, we were asked if This was a mantra that we were to hear when- we had anything to declare. No, we said. Any ever we bought anything in Canada. At thirty alcohol? “Yes,” we said. How much? “Two eight dollars a case indiscriminate beer drink- bottles.” Of what? (this is where we started ing must be seriously curtailed. I shudder to talking in a font size so small it is unavailable). think of the cost incurred by a run of the mill American alcoholic up there. Some time ago a couple of gallons of the finest Tennessee moonshine had come into my pos- We left Customs, with all deliberate haste, session. Clear and smooth as a mountain spring careful to not exceed the speed limit, but not a in April. I poured some of it into a couple of kilometer per hour less. I spent the next two Vodka bottles and stowed it in the bilge of the hours looking behind us expecting to see flash- boat. I figured that even if they searched the ing lights or worse, a platoon of Red Coated boat and found them nobody would be able to Mounties galloping down the hill to intercept tell the difference. It seemed a good idea at the us. time. Surrounded by Canadian Customs agents in full body armor and armed to the teeth it Bringing in contraband is the kind of bone didn't seem like such a good idea. headed, asinine, crap I would do as a young man. In retrospect, I hadn't thought about the "Anything else?" We were so relieved that they possible consequences of something so stupid. were moving on from the Mountain Dew in the I can see the headlines, "Two Pillars of the bilge that we blurted out that "Yes, we have a Community, Lions, Chamber of Commerce couple of cases of beer." The border guard members, on Boards of a half dozen commu- darkened , then inflated to twice normal size. nity organizations between them, arrested, "How long did you say this trip was going to tried and imprisoned for smuggling a half gal- last?" "Two weeks". lon of Tennessee sour mash, undeclared, into Canada. "I'm sorry, you are going to have to pull up there and go into the office." We looked to My wife would have to explain to our six where he was pointing and saw a truck parked grandchildren, "Grandpa has gone away but with it's seats and dashboard sitting next to it should be back in time for your College

20 Graduation." I still get the willies when I think about it. FOR SALE We arrived at Spanish, Ontario, late in the af- ternoon, rigged the boat, stepped the mast and 1993 MACGREGOR 26 S, had the boat in the water and in a slip just be- DREAMCATCHER fore dusk; just before Mosquito Hour when blood sucking mosquito's send the flesh eating EXCELLENT CONDITION, Deer Fly's screaming into the hills. In Tennessee TVA lowers the level of the SWING KEEL, SLEEPS 5, RIGGED, FOR SIN- dammed-up lakes each winter. The primary GLE HANDED SAILING, 9.9 SUZUKI 4 purpose is to prevent spring flooding. A happy STROKE ELECTRIC START 2000, 2 SAILS, side effect is that it also kills mosquito larvae. MAIN, JIB, MAST RAISING SYSTEM, CDI Summers one can sit on the shores of Tennes- see lakes unmolested. Sadly, this is not true of JIB FURLER, RAYMARINE ST 1000 PLUS Canadian waters, where bizarre evolutionary AUTOPILOT, GARMIN 162 GPS, COM- circumstances have placed the lowly mosquito PASSS, DEPTH SOUNDER, VHF RADIO, 2 at the top of the food chain. NAUTILUS DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES, 7.5 kg When first we arrived at Spanish, I noticed that MANTA CLAW ANCHOR WITH CHAIN AND the boats in the marina had enclosed cockpits. RODE, 13 lb DANFORD CLONE WITH I assumed that it was an attempt to extend the CHAIN AND ROD, POP TOP WITH ENCLO- sailing season. I was admiring the ingenious Canadian solution to the short summers in SURE, ALCOHOL STOVE, SINK W/PUMP, these northern climes, when I was stabbed in MARINE TOILET WITH PUMPOUT PLUMB- the back of the neck by what I thought was a ING, SWIM LADDER, BILGE PUMP, IN- winged toothpick. I slapped at it driving the BOARD GAS TANK W/ BLOWER, COCKPIT proboscis even deeper into my flesh. The blow seemed to anger the mosquito that somehow CUSHIONS, FLOORMAT, LIFE RING AND communicated to a passing swarm the presence ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT. MacGregor of sweet southern blood. TRAILER, MANY MORE EXTRAS. The next thing I remember was bouncing READY TO SAIL. $ 14,500 around the cockpit slapping at hummingbird- sized mosquitoes, while I simultaneously at- Location: Tyson Island, near Wiarton tempted to apply repellent and pull my arms and head into my tee shirt. I remember think- Contact: Peter Vaas 519 534 0262 ing as my vision darkened at the edges from loss of blood that, if I survived, this would be the beginning of a very long two weeks.

21 Reminiscing By: Anne Lyons

During the summer of 2012 in the North Channel, three founding members of the Trailer Sailor Associa- tion were reminiscing about the early 1980's, thinking back to the original group of Compac 16s and 19s. Dave Edgerton ("Wave Dancer") and Tom and Ann Lyons ("Research") were anchored in Oak Bay when we saw an Erickson 38' with no one aboard dragging down toward Dave's boat and the shore. We immediately hopped into our dinks to prevent it from crashing into Dave's boat or worse. Tom and Ann's 8' Trinka with a 1.5 horse power Cruise-N-Carry (old like its owners) managed to stop the Erickson while Dave boarded it from his dink. After a number of long minutes other, younger sailors, with more horse- power from neighboring boats arrived to help and the Erickson's owners came back from their hike on shore. No harm was done and we returned to our conversation on Research. We smiled when we realized that our three ages totaled one year short of two and a quarter centuries.

When we reflect on the early 1980's when T/SA began, sailing was quite different as Mike Nelson pointed out in his recent article in Clipper Snips. Very few boats had Loran and those who did were not very pro- ficient with it. The rest of us relied on our speedos, compasses, paper charts and dead reckoning. It was very reassuring to be sailing with a group where someone always had a spare part or the right tool to make repairs. In the North Channel we were often referred to as the "mosquito fleet" but, like our nick- name, we got into places that others could just dream about.

Bob Hodgson , the originator of T/SA wanted to start an organization for information exchange, some- thing new then before the current sailing newsletters, specialty sailing magazines and the internet. The Compac group liked the camaraderie, mutual assistance and the extra safety in numbers so the T/SA cruises began. In 2012, of the original cruisers, only Dave, Tom and Ann are still sailing in the North Channel.

Bob, who never wanted to be president, edited Clipper Snips and guided the various presidents. Jerry (with Mary) Belanger was the first president, Tom (with Ann) Lyons was the second and Betty (with Jack) Palmer was the third. It was with Betty as president that membership increased dramatically. Wayne (with Debbie) Bell was the fourth president and the first who was not one of the original group.

As T/SA members we sailed in many places in the early years in addition to the North Channel: Georgian Bay, Lake St. Clair, Traverse Bay, Saginaw Bay, Lake Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. Many of us trailored our boats to Florida's Gasparilla Island to stay at "Uncle Henry's Marina" during winter months. A few, having upgraded to F-27s, traveled to the Bahamas. One Catalina 25 was the envy of the fleet be- cause it had a built in head instead of a porta-potty.

Clipper Snips continues to have interesting and helpful articles in the tradition of Henk Vander Hulst's many useful contributions. For example Tom followed the advice in a recent article and bought a hunter's range finder and was asked by Great Lakes Cruising Club members to demonstrate its use in anchoring.

After securing the wandering Erickson 38 and returning to our boat, Dave, Tom and I resumed reminisc- ing and agreed it was good to be part of a group with a long and continuing tradition of sailors helping other sailors.

22 Kindle can be used for sending messages as well Bahamas Trip as just a book reader.

April 1-May 8, 2012 The extra time at Treasure Cay allowed us to By: Jerry Hardin, SV High Hopes charge our electronics and see one of the prettiest Bryan Childs and Jerry Hardin towed Jerry’s Mor- beaches in the world. We got to talk with others gan 25, “High Hopes” down to Florida and sailed who were waiting out the weather and commiser- to the Bahamas. The original plan was to check in ated with one another. There was a large bar and at West End and then make a big clockwise loop to grill open to us and they had space that allowed us Walker Cay, then on down to Eluthra and back up to disassemble Bryan’s 3.5 HP motor and get the to Cat Cay before shift lever working again. crossing to Florida. We found one bakery that had delicious cinnamon I can relate that high- rolls and good strong cof- level winds caused us fee! to change our plans. In discussing the trip, we The extra time spent at had agreed that winds Marsh Harbour allowed us in the high teens and to get to know some folks twenty +KTS would from GA that we had be more like work sailed with before and than vacation. So we some others that we met stayed at anchor in for the first time there. most of the high wind Our normal bedtime was scenarios. dark-thirty, or about 2030, so when two guys came to Every time we were the boat about 2300 hail- “delayed” by wind, we ing “High Hopes” and were rewarded by be- rousing us from a deep ing able to do other sleep, we awakened to two things we had not guys I had sailed with a planned to do and few years ago. We made meet people we would a date for breakfast and not have met if we finally got back to sleep. were leaving the an- Jack & Greg were the chorage. I look at the midnight raiders, and then change of plans as a George and wife Frieda, serendipitous event. and their dock-mates back in GA, John and Carolyn, The extra time we all showed up for break- spent at Double fast. I knew three of the Breasted Cay allowed us to get to know a live- group of six and the next few days enjoyed inter- aboard couple with a charming 10-year-old daugh- acting with them all. Even Bryan allowed as to ter. We played a little soccer with them on a sandy how nice some of those southern folks were. They beach that was covered with water part of the day. took us into their rotation for dinner on their boats We shared sundowners with them in their cockpit and treated us nicely. When it became our turn, and did them the favor of taking some fresh fish “High Hopes” was a bit small so we treated them off their hands when they caught too big a snapper. at a place in town. Part of our contribution was They were the ones who also taught us that the Bryan’s fine guitar playing and leading us in sing-

23 alongs.

We tried to leave Marsh Harbour one morning since the wind had moderated to below 20 KTS. However, as we rounded the island and the Atlan- tic Ocean waves were bouncing us around, we de- cided that it was going to be too much work to sail in that mess. We were on vacation for pleasure and not to WORK, so we did a 180 and sailed back into our slip at Marsh Harbour. The wind did pick back up so we were “trapped” for a few more days. The mornings were spent by taking a long hike before breakfast and then reading and exploring the area, and of course, eating with our new/old friends and singing to Bryan’s playing. fronts, we did do some enjoyable sailing. The boat performed well and Bryan was an excellent crew. The extra time spent at Stirrup Cay allowed us to You may want to ask him how he does as a human contemplate how well an anchor would hold in 30 bow thruster. (if you have not run aground in the KT winds and refine our use of the kellet on the Bahamas, you have not sailed much in the Baha- anchor line. It also allowed us to meet a single- mas.) hander in a 38 ft boat that was having problems getting his rudder shaft re-sealed after it broke We did plan two shorter sails across the Bahama loose from his hull. The break was just at the wa- Bank. We were to sail half way and then anchor on ter line, so he motored in shallow water and set his the bank and then continue the next day to Cat Cay boat on the keel and let the water recede so he to prepare for the jump across the Gulf Stream. could work in the dry. We gave him a little help The wind was marginal (almost too strong) when and the comfort of communicating with his wife we started, but we were anxious to get back to our back in FL with our newly-learned Kindle e-mail wives so took the window. Wind was in the upper talents. It also allowed us to practice fresh water teens and the waves varied from 4-8 ft depending conservation and rain water collection techniques. upon the time of day. When we reached the half We didn’t know how much fresh water we still way point, the wind was still strong and the waves had in the storage tank and we kept filling our gal- would throw a boat at anchor around. I suggested lon jugs for bathing and even some cooking if we we sail another hour since it was still daylight. The boiled it. wind was supposed to get down to single digits the next day. However, after that hour the wind and I must say that in between high wind and storm waves were still up and we knew we would get no sleep at anchor. So…we decided to trust Bryan’s chart plotter on his laptop to get us all the way to Cat Cay in some shallow channels. We made it just past midnight and dropped an anchor just out- side the marina and airport runway. It was a bumpy night, but sometime in the early morning, the wind moderated and we got some sleep. We went into the marina and were happy to pay $2.50 a foot for a slip. We emptied a week’s trash, got a real shower, and had a meal off the boat.

A word about the change of plans for going farther south: winds were on our nose and the 8 HP out-

24 board would not give the push we needed to leave Grand Bahama and make the trip to arrive in day- light in the shallow waters around Warwick Wells. That’s when we scratched that part of our trip and went over to the Berry Islands.

After Cat Cay, the weather was mild and winds in the single digits from the south. We started across the Stream motor sailing, but the sails were slat- ting so much, we dropped sails and motored all the way across. The Gulf Stream gave us such a lift that we made the crossing in ten hours.

brought the boat to my home in central Louisiana, The Great Summer Cruise I laid out all of the equipment and sorted through it. My purchase included a Honda 2 HP motor, Ida 2012 Sailor pop up rudder, bimini, two sailing rigs, and by Robert Sparks a pair of oars. Yes, oars! The sloop-rigged boat had been modified to accommodate a lateen sail From my perch high on a bluff overlooking the la- rig, a popular modification of this little craft. After goon, the view is breathtaking. Over the horizon a sailing with the lateen rig for a few weeks I could few hundred miles southeast is Cuba. Above me a easily see why that modification is so popular. striated sky of sandy blues and grays is perfect con- Once you rig and sail a simple lateen rig, you trast for a perfect diamond of Blue Angels flashing might never want to hassle with sloop parapherna- past. Seconds later the sound of their screaming en- lia again. Compared to a sloop rig, the lateen rig gines explodes around us. It is a sublime morning, might not be quite as "good", not quite as fast, not with a touch of the ridiculous: on the beach Pat point quite as well, etc., but the ease and the sim- Noonan is singing to her dog, Sadie, who happily plicity of setup are endearing and allow for sailing sings back. And far below me a working barge load with minimal bother. I can drive up to a lake with of men and women are combing pristine beaches for the Potter and, in under ten minutes, have it ready delinquent tarballs left over from the BP disaster. to launch and sail away. I've been exceptionally Curious, I walk down to chat with a workman. pleased with this simple and honest little boat. "Have you found any tarballs?" "No." he answers. After sailing in central Louisiana’s Lake Kincaid "What do they look like?" I ask. He holds up the end half dozen times, I felt confident that the Potter of his finger to show me a circle smaller than a could safely make the Great Summer Cruise penny. planned by Pat Noonan of Catalina Fleet 137, Fair- "They can be flat." hope, AL. The Fleet 137 Great Summer Cruise A woman tarball barge crewmember is coveting my planned to meet and join with Ft Walton's Catalina boat. She says, "It's tiny, and cute." At 15 feet, my Fleet 77 during its annual Northern Gulf Coast West Wight Potter is the smallest boat on this Flor- Cruise. As it turned out though, Pat and I were the ida cruise if you don't count the dinghies." And yes, only boats on the GSC this year; the well- it's kind of cute. established NGCC was attended by over 20 Cata- lina 22's. I recently purchased my 2004 West Wight Potter 15 I trailered the Potter from my home in Alexandria, from a gentleman in Tallahassee, FL. I had never LA, to Pensacola Shipyard and Marina. PSM is a seen a Potter before, but had read about them. After I well run, friendly, and safe place to launch and

25 time sailing and motoring south to the Intracoastal Waterway. Turning west, we followed the well- marked ICW past the cut to the Gulf of Mexico. The timing of passing this cut is important because wind direction and tidal currents can oppose each other and create very choppy conditions. The trick is to time wind direction, tidal movement, and boat speed. Variable winds and barge traffic make the passage even more interesting, so it helps “to cast a few chicken bones” to predict exactly when and what to do. The skipper of a 15-foot boat can't be bold, so he must be clever or lucky. Preferably both. Pat, bless her, had the time of passage worked out. We slipped by the cut with no prob- leave your truck and trailer. I arrived on Mother's lem and sailed into Big Lagoon, my favorite an- Day and chatted with the security guard as I chorage on the ICW. prepped my boat. He told me to leave a note in the message box that they have for the purpose. I in- Big Lagoon is a pristine, peaceful anchorage pro- cluded a $20 bill for good faith and noted that I tected by pure white sand hills. I raised the keel wasn't certain when I'd return, but I'd settle up with and, taking advantage of the Potter's 6" them when I did. After launching the Potter, I mo- draft, scrunched up onto the white sand beach. tored down to Pat Noonan’s slip by the Pensacola bridge where I moored for the night. We joined some of the old and new hands participating in the NGCC for dinner in Pensacola. We were treated to stories of an exciting - thus far - NGCC trip in- cluding a waterspout and an onboard stove fire. I thought perhaps they had used up all of the bad luck and that we were destined for an easy, fun trip. That is the way it turned out! The Great Summer Cruise officially began the next morning. After coffee, Pat and I cast off our lines and headed down Bayou Chico and entered Pensacola Bay. The gusty winds and rough water of the day before had moderated, and we had a fine

Long legged birds, unafraid of my boat, eyeballed me as I stepped into warm ankle deep water filled with fishes and small jellyfish. I climbed a snow- white hill to take in this convergence of sand, sea, and sky. The air, washed clean from the Gulf, was filled with the sounds of surf, gulls, and wind. It was balm for the soul to linger in Big Lagoon; yet gazing out and over the Gulf of Mexico gave me a sobering dose of humility. I could see big water out there. With the trickling in of the NGCC fleet, my rev- erie ended. After the new arrivals beach anchored, we swam and relaxed. Far from my being the vic-

26 tim of stoning for bringing a Potter on a Catalina Big Lagoon on “island time.” The shoal draft of cruise, my little boat attracted compliments and a the Potter made exploring the shallows of the bar- lot of favorable attention, some wistful. Appar- rier islands great fun. I have found that the little ently the West Wight Potter 15 has a good reputa- boat will actually sail in less than a foot of water. tion among folks who are familiar with it. The fun With this stealthy approach, I surprised rays, loving group of about 40 had a bonfire, cham- flounders, and schools of fish which exploded in pagne, and a good old fashioned Cajun shivaree underwater retreat only a few feet from my eyes. I for a couple who had met on the NGCC a few sailed the Potter onto the sand in a beautiful nook years ago. Their story is interesting and romantic, to have a snack and a siesta. This sailing business but I'll not spoil it for you. You must make the is hard work! cruise next year to hear it for yourself! I caught up with Pat at Pirate's Cove where we lunched on cheeseburgers and fries. Later we mo- tored across the bay to Flipper's Restaurant where the NGCC had reserved slips for the night and planned a group dinner. The dinner was great fun and gave me a chance to see everyone on the cruise at one time.

Catalina Fleet 77 beach anchored at Big La- goon

The next morning we were treated to a display of fine airmanship by the famous Blue Angels. The show lasted an hour, and I must ask how Catalina Fleet 77 gets these pilots to put on an air show for Pat Noonan, Sadie, and Spike. Sadie, the depth each NGCC. dog, keeps an eye peeled for reefs

The routes of the GSC and NGCC diverged after the rendezvous at Flippers. The NGCC headed east to Ft. Walton, FL, while the GSC continued west to explore Ingram's Bayou in Alabama. Ingram's Bayou is described in cruising guides as a beauti- ful and sheltered anchorage where dolphins feed and play, and it was just the way the cruising guides described it. Unfortunately this natural sanctuary is being pummeled by the acts of thoughtless boaters. Fishermen sped thru the beau- tiful bayou at full throttle with no concern for the consequences of their fast moving hulls and pro- Blue Angels put on a show for us pellers. Dolphins were everywhere, targets for these speeding boats. Even the dolphin cruise After the show, the GSC/NGCC filtered out of boats were simply going too fast. Some boats had 27 hit their marks, too. Pat saw at least one dolphin the marina store where the kind owner would not whose dorsal fin had been mangled. We were accept any more payment from me for launching moored along the bank for lunch and watched as and storing my SUV and trailer. What a deal! I fishing boats with 200 hp outboards roared drove west on I-10 and returned to Alexandria, through the bayou. Pat pointed out that establish- LA, that evening. ment of Ingram's Bayou as a no-wake zone would The 2012 Great Summer Cruise was successful be a good first step to preserve this rare and beauti- and could be renamed Great Summer Fun. There is ful place for future generations. Another good step always room for more boats. Next year come join would be a simple dose of common sense and a Catalina Fleet 137 on the GSC. And it really is OK huge dope-slap for some boaters. The bayou is if you don't have a Catalina. I'll even let you try a beautiful and has become another of my favorite hand at sailing my cute little boat. ICW anchorages.

Arkansas cruiser headed to Key West Sunset at Ingram's Bayou

Ingram's Bayou is as far west as the GSC sailed. A few thoughts on the West Wight Potter 15: Next morning we worked our way south and east For ten years I have owned a Catalina 22, which I to spend another peaceful night at Pirate's Cove. I keep on a trailer. I have taken the C22 to Florida met interesting people there, including one ambi- for the NGCC several times, and I’ve even driven tious young man from Arkansas who was working down to the Florida Keys a couple times with it. his way south to Key West in a tiny trawler. He The Catalina 22 is unquestionably a great and ver- gave me a tour of his little boat, which was in ship satile boat. But, as my friend and fine C22 sailor shape and self-sufficient. He was having a wonder- Vernon Senterfit once pointed out, "We have a day ful time heading south, working where he could to sailor... that isn't." What he meant was that as a raise money for his dream. single hander, to rig and launch from a trailer to Next morning we pulled anchors and sailed south sail for the day and then retrieve and unrig... well... on a light breeze. We entered the ICW and turned it's a lot of work. For me, it was so much work that east to head for Pensacola. Due to persistent head- I began to sail the Catalina 22 less and less. I spied winds, we motored most of the way back along the the little Potter 15 on the Internet, researched them ICW, then motor-sailed across Pensacola Bay to and talked to a couple of owners. They loved their Bayou Chicot. Pat turned her Catalina 22 into Potters and when one was listed on eBay, I de- the slip at her marina and I pulled the Potter out at cided to take a chance. The rest is history. PSM, washed it down, and buttoned down for the The WWP 15 weighs in at less than 500 pounds, trip home. An ice cream sandwich hit the spot at which is roughly the weight of the C22’s swing

28 keel. The Potter’s light weight makes it very easy ized my cabin better but I'm working on that. It is to load onto or launch off of a trailer. When I am amazing to me how little - not how much - a per- ready to button the boat up for the road, I lower the son needs to cruise comfortably and safely and sail and bungee the two spars (with the sail still have a great time. Whatever boat you have, keep- attached) together, then lift the stubby mast out of ing it simple is a good mantra. Then go and have the tabernacle and pivot it down beside the two fun! spars. I bungee the whole thing together being careful to keep the sheet coiled neatly in the bun- dle. Then I lift the bundle and slip the bottom end, which I wrap a towel around to prevent scratches, into the boat. That's it for the rigging. I bungee the tiller to the port stern cleat and secure the rudder in the up position. The outboard is an air-cooled Honda 2 hp which weighs about 30 pounds. I lift it off and lay it in the back of my Explorer. A tie down strap snugs the boat to the trailer, and then I'm ready to head home. So, how does the WWP 15 sail? I had had no ex- perience with a lateen sail when I first launched the Potter in Lake Kincaid. If you have some sloop The WWP 15 is roomier than it looks experience, then the lateen rig will be a piece of cake for you. The Potter loves to sail: as soon as I raised the sail, the little boat started sailing up- wind. Tacks are easy and straightforward. You can reach up and catch the boom as it swings across the cockpit to slow it down or perhaps give it an SMOOTH SAILING extra nudge to correct for a sloppy tack or gybe. Sail away with me For an afternoon Unlike many sailboats, the Potter sails best flat, While waves crest and rise offering a comfortable ride for those who do not Into the glow of the moon, want to hang onto the rail. My C22 has a rear main sheet and at first I didn't think I'd like the mid Just you and I boom sheeting of the Potter, but now I love it. Sit- Lay on our backs ting to port, right hand on the tiller, my left hand Counting the stars never leaves the main sheet. I can easily control Charting the galaxies, everything including adjusting the keel while I'm looking forward. Interestingly, I’ve discovered Sail with me that the little boat sails pretty well with the keel Two souls as one fully retracted. Through stormy days Does it function well on a cruise? Thus far, the We know may come, GSC has been my only WWP 15 cruise, but I plan to do more. The boat was comfortable at night on Steer the sails the hook. I would have done better had I not Your hand in mine brought so much "stuff." The small, but ample, We'll sail into the sunsets size of the Potter's cabin forces the captain to keep One voyage at a time. it simple. I thought I had kept it simple but ended up bringing enough food for a month and subse- Nancy Ellen Crossland 2/17/2010 quently brought 3/4 of it back home. I also brought http://www.voicesnet.org/displayonepoem.aspx? too many pots and pans, etc. I should have organ- poemid=167454

29 Sailor’s Quiz

1. During the recent Olympic Games in London, viewers got to see various kayakers and canoeists “catch a crab”? This term refers to when an oarsman:

A. Strikes the water accidentally on the recovery stroke thus breaking the rhythm of rowing. B. Accidentally hits the competitor’s oar with his/her oar in tight quarters thus slowing down both boats. C. Brings his/her hands closer together on the paddle to increase the speed of the stroke. D. Hits the side of the boat with the paddle with resulting loss in strength of the stroke. E. Nearly loses his/her balance thus almost tipping over the boat only to recover at the last minute.

2. A camel helps to make a boat safe. To what does this refer? A. Place where life preservers and lifeboats are kept. B. The special line tied to the tender to keep it away from an outboard motor. C. Place in an historic military sailing vessel where the crewmen were segregated from the ship’s officers to help prevent mutinies. D. Location of firefighting equipment. E. Heavy spar or timber used to hold a boat away from a pier or another vessel.

3. Traditionally, a dog on a boat refers to A. The bottom of the mainsail closest to the mast. B. The crewman assigned to scrape the empty salted meat storage barrel to get out the last bits for hungry sailors. C. Any of the many simple devices or handles used for closing a door, hatch, or port. D. A large canine used to protect the captain and other officers from mutinous crew. E. A rope splicing method.

4. A lizard aboard a sailboat refers to A. The bottom of the mainsail closest to the mast. B. A short length of rope with a thimble spliced (protected eye splice) onto one end. C. Locked storage area in the galley for silver cutlery. D. A type of line used under the bowsprit and jibboom used to counteract the stress of the head- stay. E. A short stick connected to the centerboard trunk.

5. What is a cow’s tail? A. Any ineffective knot B. Mess or disorder on board C. A small whitecap D. Unsightly frayed end of rope E. Flyswatter

Answers on page 32

30 OUR FIRST NORTH CHANNEL EXPERIENCE

By Dale Counihan

On our 25th Anniversary, we’d planned to go on a charter in the British Virgin Islands….We bought our Mac- gregor 26M instead. And first discovered the North Channel at the Chicago Strictly Sail Show a few months later. It seemed like a beautiful place to cruise “in a few years.” On our 30th anniversary, we’d planned to go on a charter in the British Virgin Islands….That’s when my wife, Lou Ann, suggested we go on a North Channel cruise in our Macgregor 26M “before we get too old.”

We attended the North Channel seminar at the 2012 Chicago Strictly Sail Show the next January. That’s where we met John Travis, and learned about the Trailer Sailors Association’s 2012 North Channel Cruise. After discussing the cruise several times over the phone with John, we were sold and started planning our trip.

Fast forward to our arrival at Little Current…

We pull into Spider Bay Marina and start asking around as we don’t see any sailboats on trailers. We’re di- rected to the rigging area and start the task of rigging our boat. Soon more boats show up and we’re intro- duced around. At this point, we’re the youngsters of the group. A little later, John and Colleen Travis with Traveler, and Matt and Amy Hendricksen with Caribbean Soul, showed up; we were no longer the youngest. The rest of the afternoon was spent completing our rigging and helping the others until it was time for the eve- ning pot luck social.

At this point we feel a little awkward as we’re the newbies. Everyone else seems to have been friends for years. During the social, everyone is introduced, wisecracks are made and the atmosphere is light. We’re feeling more at home.

The next morning plans are made for our first stop and the group is paired off, newbies with veterans. We’re paired off with John and Coleen, and head to Bell Cove. One thing is very clear; everyone is out to help us. At Bell Cove we anchor and settle in. I got in our dinghy and started toward John and Marilynne Brickers’ Wanna Be; I made it to the first boat I came to, Mike and Diana Nelson’s Eventide, where I was hailed and invited alongside. We had a great conversation and I picked up many cruising tips; I was becoming a member of the group.

As the week went on, we visited a number of beautiful anchorages (each one better than the last), islands, sights, several good restaurants and a great place for local ice cream. I could go into great detail about all of the fantastic islands and anchorages, but Marjorie Cahn Brazer’s book WELL-FAVORED PASSAGE does a better job of it than I ever could.

We developed good friendships with long-time North Channel cruisers such as Dick and Charlene Travis, Dal- las and Jan Thomas, John and Coleen Travis, Chuck and Diane Johnson, Jim and Nevaida Howe, Bud and Nancy Meade (and their runaway kayak), as well as newer NC cruisers like Matt and Amy Hendrickson, and Larry and Gail Odle.

The open-armed welcoming and camaraderie of the Trailer Sailors Association is fantastic. If you’re interested in cruising the North Channel, I suggest going first with some experienced sailors as there are so many great places to see and a number of unseen hazards (rocks). It’s good to have some guides.

Are we planning going back? It’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of how soon, how often and how long! Thanks T/SA members for making our trip fantastic.

31 Trailer/Sailors Association The Trailer/Sailors Association is a non-profit organization formed more than 20 years ago. Its members provide a exchange of ideas and information about all aspects of sailing trailerable sailboats. Our more than 300 members are scattered across the USA and Canada, and the diversity of their experiences enrich the asso- ciation and heightens our collective interest in small sailboat cruising. Clipper Snips, published the Winter, Spring, and Fall, is the official publication of the organization, providing cruising articles, association announcements, how-to articles, and free classified ads.

Association Officers:

President: Mike Nelson, (937)-767-9487

[email protected] Contact him about T/SA official business. Webmaster: Chris Holderness, (519)-741-0199, Launch Ramp Advisor: [email protected] John Ulmer, (330)-854-3796, Contact him about web site issues. [email protected] Contact him for ramp info. Treasurer : Howard Staley, (513)-933-8114, Clipper Snips Editor: [email protected] Kathy Blackwood, (705)-748-0359, Contact him about your dues or personal data. [email protected] Contact her about article submissions.

TrailSail List Manager:

Mike Nelson , moderator, (937)-767-9487, B

[email protected] C

Contact him to join the list. E

A

Key: Answer

Quiz Sailor

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