Greeting from Georgian Bay

[ADMPRTR]

Hello from Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada:

I stumbled onto this site when researching marine products and saw that it was a great resource for those whose passion is for sailing on the wind.

For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for sailboats but it wasn't until mid life that I decided to take the plunge.

I have now been sailing since 2001 when I bought a Paceship 26 in Lake Ontario which I sailed with my family (spouse, two young kids and a dog) for eight years. When we first bought the boat, I didn't even know how to tie it up to the dock but soon learned to sail with a modicum of skill. We haven't gone far (the longest trip was about 250 miles up to Georgian Bay) but my long term hope is to head south in few years and possibly do the Med.

To work towards that goal (and to accomodate my growing family) we purchased a 1982 CS36 called Scoundrel two years ago and have started the slow (and expensive) process of outfitting her for coastal, or if I dare, water sailing">blue water sailing. I have to admit am a bit of a timid sailer although I am not afraid to occassionally push the bounderies.

Going from a small vessel that I could easily single hand to Scoundrel has been a learning experience but my confidence is growing with each new season. The hard thing about being an occasional, seasonal cruiser is that the skills learned in one year need to be refreshed the next. But that is the joy of sailing, you are always learning.

Anyway, I am happy to have found such a great community on the net.

All the best,

Andrew

[inkthomson]

I'm an Owen Sound boy, and just getting into sailing. I miss those waters...

Congratulations on the new boat!

[hummingway]

Nice to meet you Andrew and welcome.

[ADMPRTR]

Yes, the Bruce Peninsula is beautiful country. My grandfather used to live just outside of Owen Sound in a small hamlet called Annan.

We actually sail out of the Midland area but made our way down the Cape Croker on our first season with this boat. Due to mechanical problems we had to cut our trip short and made it home home 50 miles under sail alone (we were towed the last little bit into our marina). That trip was memorable because we had to anchor, and more difficultly, weigh anchor in 20kt winds. That is what I love about sailing, there is always an opportunity to feel like a novice.

Anyway, this season we are thinking of sailing to the North Channel which has the reputation of being one of the best freshwater sailing in the world. Or we may just putter around our local waters...

Andrew

[ADMPRTR]

Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Now that must be beautiful country. How is the sailing there?

[bljones]

Welcome aboard! It's always good to see another Great Lakes sailor here.

[ADMPRTR]

Ya, I am surprised that I don't see more Great Lakes sailors. Are you in Lake Ontario?

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by ADMPRTR

Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Now that must be beautiful country. How is the sailing there?

The sailing is great although the weather the last couple of weeks has been stuck in dismal. I was down to the boat today since we had a slight lifting of weather.

[bljones]

Lake Erie here.

[matauwhi]

G'day, mate. Welcome aboard. We actually started the "cruising lifestyle" up in the North Channel years ago. Moved a little farther afield now, so watch out. Even had a nice happy hour on a sister ship to yours in Kagawong. Nice boat. All the best. Cheers.

[ADMPRTR]

Well winter in Canada, no matter how mild it may seem, is still winter. Last week I got a call from my marina that I should consider removing the snow of my boat... only 120 days to launch...

[ADMPRTR]

Yes, I would say you are a bit afield. How long did it take you to sail to New Zealand?

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by bljones

Lake Erie here.

I hear Erie can get quite wild sometimes. How has your experience been on that lake?

[matauwhi]

G'day, mate. We "cheated" a bit. Bought our current boat in San Diego. After a trip up around Vancouver Island and back, we left San Diego in March and arrived in New Zealand in November, which is typical for most cruisers making sailing the milk run. Cheers.

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by matauwhi

G'day, mate. We "cheated" a bit. Bought our current boat in San Diego. After a trip up around Vancouver Island and back, we left San Diego in March and arrived in New Zealand in November, which is typical for most cruisers making sailing the milk run. Cheers.

Cheating or not it sounds like quite a journey! Do you intend to keep going west?

One of the questions I will have to answer over the next few years is if my 36ft is large enough for that type of journey. Although I have no plans to go that far it always is a (remote) possiblity. I know people have sailed around the world in much smaller boats but they have more cajones than I do.

Regards,
Andrew