Winter Getaway

The two boys enjoying the high-life in Gibsons.

After the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, parties, and visiting with family and friends I needed a bit of time away from it all.  Early January looked like the prefect time to go on a short winter cruise and get away from it all. 

Kingsley hiding out down below.

I set out on a Wednesday afternoon.  As usual I had planned to get Gibsons the first day but because of my late start I opted for Snug Cove.  The boat was a mess as I was in the middle of redoing the headliner and insulated the main cabin ceiling.  By the time I got under way the boat was a little neater but it was late and I just wanted to get out there.  To complicate things I also brought Kingsley our 7 month old Boston Terrier.

When Kingsley did want to be on deck he had to wear his day-glow orange life jacket and be bundled up.

As I motored out into a calm English Bay I began to relax.  Kingsly is not built for the cold with very little fur, and even though I swore I would never own a dog with clothes I had him down below and bundled up.  About midway across the bay a breeze blew up and with no trouble I hoisted the #1 Genoa and sailed over to Bowen at about 5 knots.

At Snug Cove I found that the new floating marina building was in place and workers were fixing it up.  They are going to put in more washing machines and showers.  Also they are going to expand the chandlery and put in a "boaters lounge".  So it sounds like the facilities will be really improving at the marina.  Considering the prices they charge for moorage this is a good thing.

Motoring by Keats Island.

The next morning Kingsley and I set out for Gibsons.  The weather was grey cool and overcast.  There was not much wind at all so we motored for most of the way reaching Gibsons in 2 hours.  The transient dock was virtually empty except for a few live-aboards.  I tied up and set Kingsley on the dock and went about plugging into the shore power.  When I was done I turned around and could not see the dog.  He is not a big fan of being on docks so I assumed he ran down to the gate.  I walked down the dock to the gate and saw an older gentleman with his dog.  He had not seen Kingsley so I figured the little idiot must have ran down towards the other end of the dock.  I got down to the end os the dock and didn't see him.  Now the funny thing about docks is that there is usually no place to hide.  I looked back and between a boat and a dock finger I saw a little dog with a bright orange lifejacket swimming in the water.  I ran over and grabbed the handle on the lifejacket and scooped him out.  He was shivering badly.  I ran back onto the boat and stripped off my shirt.  I held his little quivering body to my chest and sat down infront of the electric heater.  Slowly he stopped shivering.  

Gibson's Harbour

With the crisis averted we went about a few enjoyable days wondering around Gibsons and reading books.  On the Sunday I was to return I woke up feeling extremely unwell.  I had eaten some fish the night before that had been in the ice box for a while.  Thinking back it had been in there longer than it should have been.  After a failed attempt at finding a hospital (the closest one is in Sechelt I threw up  and felt better.  

The motor back to Vancouver was cold but uneventful.  After surviving a near dog drowning, and food poisoning I was ready to be home.

Winter sailing is well worth braving the elements.  Marinas are cheaper, there are way fewer craft out there.  The only trick is being able to heat your boat.  With a electric heater and a diesel heater I was able to keep the boat toasty.