Clipper Snips Trailer/Sailors Association The magazine of the Fall 2007 Trailer/Sailors Association www.trailersailors.org Features/Stories 4 The North Channel Cruise: The Trip to Brit and Back Diana Nelson 8 A Tale of Two Two-Strokes Mark Anderson 13 2007 North Channel Cruise Awards Diana Nelson & Bob Rouda 15 From the Log of ‘Go Gently’ Henk Vanderhulst 19 Through Kids Eyes Emma Blackwood Regular Columns 2 From the Editor Kathy Blackwood 2 President’s Column Mike Nelson 11 Ramp Report—Kentucy & Barkley Lakes John Ulmer 20 From the T/SA Web Discussion Bob Rouda 22 Navigation Challenge Bob Rouda 25 Classified for Sale & Wanted 26 Just for Fun How To’s 10 Technically Speaking—How Water Ballast Works Rod Brandon 14 Small Boat Dinghy Choices George Kobernus For T/SA Tee-shirts For T/SA Hats T/SA Wear ($13US), contact: ($13US) or Flags ($10US), Doris Lockie ,67 Springbrook Drive contact: Wayne Bell, 344 Creek Drive for sale Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 1L4 Slippery Rock, PA 16057, [email protected]@ [email protected]@ The authors of the newsletter disclaim any and all responsibility for any kind of injury or damages sustained which may result from the application of any or all ideas or suggestions appearing in any articles of Clipper Snips. The authors of the newsletter furthermore give no warranty, express or im- plied, as to the merchantability, fitness for purpose, advertised quality, or any other matter of any products advertised in Clipper Snips or appearing in any articles of said newsletter. From the Editor, Kathy Blackwood Dave has had to resign the position. I crew of ‘Thistle Dew’ had a blast. wish Dave and Joyce and their family We are looking forward to next all the best and hope to see them on year when we can bring our new the water sometime in the future. dinghy—’Just’n Case’ a small Sunflower sailboat along as our So now we have a vacancy on the new hard dinghy. Clipper Snips team. Anyone wishing to step up to the plate, is more than Of course Clipper Snips is not all welcome. For the full job description about Sailing in the North Chan- of Resource Editor, we’ll have to get nel of Georgian Bay, and neither a hold of Dave, but I think the job is the Trailer Sailor Association. largely entailed reviewing the surveys I’d love to have more articles by that were sent out some time ago T/S A members about other sail- about people’s interests, and then con- ing or boating experiences. tacting people to see if they would be There’s a lot of places to sail out willing to write something up for there, and I’d love it if we could Clipper Snips. So if you like talking share our stories from all across with and learning about other mem- the membership. bers of the T/S A the job would be great for you. If you have something to share, I can be reached by email at As you can tell from this edition—this [email protected] or by calling is the North Channel Edition. 705-748-0359. Of course this was not intentional on Alternatively, you can contact First off, I’d like to take this oppor- our part—but those just happen to be George Kobernus, the Assistant tunity to thank Dave Craigie for all the articles that came my way. Of Editor can be reached at 213-933- his help and support as Resource course that would make some sense, 9321 or [email protected] Editor for Clipper Snips. I thank given that the North Channel Cruise Dave for his beating of the bushes happened in July and we had approxi- Wishing everyone fair winds and over the last few editions of Clipper mately 45 boats spread across 3 float calm waters for the end of the Snips for helping to fill Clipper plans. It was a great two weeks and it sailing season. Snips with fun and informative sto- was wonderful seeing old friends and ries. Sadly due to family reasons, making new friends. Of course the President’s Column, Mike Nelson TOPIC 1--the North Channel Whither the Trailer vide you with an overview of a topic cruise. that has been the subject of discus- Sailors Association-- Over the past several years, this sion among several members over the cruise has grown dramatically in Part 1 past few months. I’d like to solicit size. I am told there was a time As I write this article, the first hints your thoughts on this topic, and I will when 12 boats were considered a of Fall are making their appear- start a discussion thread on the Trail lot. This past summer we had ance, and the weather is signaling Sail list for that purpose. For this about 40 boats, and the previous that another sailing season is draw- edition, I will focus on the North summer, nearly 50. This number ing to a close. On that note, I’d Channel cruise. of boats presents two major chal- like to take this opportunity to pro- lenges to us. The first is that we 2 President’s Column, continued are restricted to the larger anchor- philosophy, historically, has been The current plan is that this cruise ages. The second is that we are see- that we are willing to help one an- will take place one week before the ing an increase in the number of other out if trouble arises, and to main cruise. Participants may then boats and skippers arriving who are offer advice about the best routes elect to join the main cruise or to not really prepared for such a cruise. and anchorages. But there has al- depart for home. In John’s words ways been an understanding that “This cruise will offer a gentle The issue of anchorages has been, each boat is fundamentally respon- pace, with shorter legs, and rela- somewhat self-regulating by the sible for itself and its crew. tively protected anchorages, and cruise breaking into subgroups. This lots of time to talk about living and past summer, for example, saw a The North Channel cruise has not cruising on a small sailboat.” small group break off to go down been pitched as a training course Georgian Bay, and other small for novice sailors. Rather, it has Second, we are going to make a groups break off for various destina- been pitched as a cruise where greater effort to provide each skip- tions. One year we split the group in there is a sharing of experience and per a detailed list of both the equip- half, and sent one group east, one knowledge and camaraderie of ment and the boating skills he or group west, and planned on having those who have been there before she and his or her crew should have the group come together a few times with those who already possess the prior to the cruise. We encourage in Little Current or Killarney or a basic skills and equipment for all who are thinking of joining the large anchorage. The challenge we cruising, but who may not have North Channel cruise next summer face is balancing anchorage selection been to the North Channel before. for the first time to take classes against members’ desires to go back from the Power Squadron or other to old favorites, or to be with their We have been fortunate that no se- sail training groups. The Canadian friends, or to try new and different rious mishaps have occurred on this Power and Sail Squadron offers an anchorages. Next summer may see cruise. The few rock encounters independent self-study program. the offering of a couple of different have not caused significant dam- The US Power and Sail Squadron cruise options (watch for more infor- age. No one has drowned. No one offers courses via its member chap- mation on this in the Winter issue). has been seriously injured. We ters throughout the year. Both I’d like to hear from members about want to keep this record intact in groups may be found on the web. their preferences for this cruise. future years. Third, based on recent legal advice, The issue of lack of preparedness is So, how do we address these con- we may request each participating still a small one. But in recent years cerns? Well, first, John Clement boat to sign a statement attesting to we have seen boats arrive with no has volunteered to lead a one-week their preparedness for this cruise. charts, no functioning electronic in- cruise next summer specifically for That statement would list the strumentation, or with the skipper cruisers new to the North Channel equipment and experience recom- and/or crew lacking in some basic area. He will not teach sailing or mended for this cruise. cruising skills such as chart reading, boat-handling skills, but he will navigating, or anchoring. Although offer advice on anchoring and navi- All these activities are still in the the North Channel is a relatively safe gating as he leads the group to sev- planning and discussion stage, so place to cruise, there are rocks to be eral anchorages. John expects par- we welcome ideas, suggestions, or avoided, poor holding grounds, and ticipating boats to be properly thoughts from you. You can e-mail weather to contend with. equipped, and that skippers will me at [email protected]. have charts and know how to read The challenge this raises for us as an them.