Spring Island Race

The summer racing season has really started with the Sprig Round the Island Race. It isn’t exactly around since we don’t sail through the western gap. The start will be either just east of the Western Gap entrance or at Dufferin Buoy in Humber Bay. This year we started in the Harbour.
I did try to start the motor but this only delayed our departure. We were able to hail one of the last boats to leave the basin for a tow (Sam). We were third start. The winds were very poor; light and variable. Start II did not leave the starting sequence so our start went into AP. We were able to get a clear start on port at the pin. There was enough wind to power us forward but it was at a very slow pace.
My main concern was the tow back. We hailed Windburn, abeam to port, to let them know we wanted a tow back. They offered to gives us a tow when they finished. Cirrus was abeam to starboard. Surprisingly they bailed. We hailed them and got a tow back.

This really shouldn’t be called a race but rather a pleasant outing on the Lake with friends. As a race not so great as a social event with fellow sailors great.

Annoyance thy name is “Motor”

I got to the Club early enough to look over the engine. We tried using "engine starter" fluid but it really didn’t seem to have any impact. For some reason the motor did start. After clearing the basin we tried to sail but, when it was too light, decided to restart the motor. Nope. We were able to sail out.

The wind shifted persistently to the left. The windward mark was set about 140 but by race start the wind direction was closer to 100. We started at the pin; squeezing out Windlight. Windburn beat us to the windward mark

At the leeward mark we kept the chute up. The wind had shifted so much that I thought we club beam reach back to windward. This wasn’t possible and the upwind dousing went badly. We were slightly ahead of Windburn at the mark but well behind after the chute was sorted. A bit of excitement was our stern was within inches of Windburn's bow. We beat Windlight but Jazz, Windburn and Harrier beat us.

We sailed back to the Club. As a lark I decided to try the motor once we were safely docked. It started and restarted. How annoying!

Summer has started

…. but I can’t say the same thing about the engine. The boat survived the winter in good shape. There was little water in the bilge so the tarps did their job. I found all of the equipment except for the tiller extension. The only problem is the finicky motor. I was able to pick it up at the shop in time for the start of regular racing but it would not start. The shop assured me that it was working so it might be just me. My impatience leads to flooding the engine; or my repair bills are just a manifestation of wishful thinking. I am caught in cognitive dissonance were I can not accept that the is past being repairable.

We hailed Zoomer Too for a greatly appreciated tow. BTW it was now raining. We followed the RC Boat halfway to Gibraltor: “What are they doing?” before the PRO announced NA! On the way back I was a bit concerned about the docking on a lee shore.  “Skipper, what’s the plan?” “Not sure yet.” When we got into the basin and released the tow line we discovered there was actually not a lot of wind. We rocked the boat to get to the white crane. Perfect docking, how could there be any doubt.

The non working and costly repaired motor is a continuing annoyance. The fact is that we survived without using the engine. It is all a part of boat ownership.
It sort of amounted to a dress rehearsal for the race series. We went through the motions if not actually having a race. A nautical baptism (literally with the drenching rain) for a new sailing summer.

Mast set up

 
I am always a bit anxious about getting the boat set up for the season. Things have to be done before season start. Although the boat is covered with tarps, there is always a potential that water will get into the boat. Frozen water is not good. Can I find everything from storage? A great relief to find things were good and the boat was ready for mast step.

The forecast for the past week called for rain. Sunday looked like the best weather. It ended up being sunny but very windy. The breezy conditions kept other fair weather crews away from the masting crane. Bonus! We watched the gusts as they crossed the basin and acted during a break in the breeze.

Wesley has decided not to rejoin the crew. He says that work commitments are too much. It is disappointing but understandable that he can’t rejoin, maybe he can be available later. Kevin and Nick are back. They helped with masting. Very happy to have them back as I greatly enjoyed sailing with them last year.

I took the motor into the dealer last weekend to get serviced and the fuel connector replaced. I was told that it should be available next weekend. Still more to do but off to a good start.

May 4, 2014 Log entry, Aristosera: Mast set up complete.