We could not have asked for better conditions for this year's Silva Bay Lay Over. Usually the race is plagued by light winds and results in numerous DNFs. This year I was apprehensive when I saw the warm sunny forecast. I figured their would be no wind; and when I read the Environment Canada forecast for the Strait of Georgia I was skeptical when it stated that their would be Westerly winds from 15-25 knots.
Cheryl was the lone girl on the boat, very brave.
In the morning the crew assembled at the marina and began motoring out into calm conditions for our pursuit start. Since we were one of the slower boats we started the race at 10:52 am and would have the fast boats chasing us. As we left False Creek the winds began to pick up and were ranging between 10-15 knots from the west.
The start line set just East of the Point Grey bell buoy.
We arrived at the start line just in time to began our run. We quickly got into position and crossed the line within seconds of the start. It was a great way to begin the race. The race quickly assumed its rhythm as we were close hauled beating into lumpy sees.
Antony having recovered.
Our major tactical decision was whether we headed south or north before taking over and laying the line. We opted to head North and lay Silva Bay in one tack. The idea that the wind would veer to the North West as we approached the East side of the Strait seemed like a good bet. We neared Passage Island and then tacked over. The wind was easily close to 20 knots. The weight of the crew helped balance the boat out.
Tyler and Cheryl taking their turn out on the rail.
As I was enjoying a sandwich on the low side in the cockpit and Tom sat on the high side we were treated to a unexpected shower when Antony without warning threw up. The puke landed predominantly on Tom as I covered my sandwich. Having thrown up Antony quickly recovered.
Pretty.
While the rest of the crew held up fine to the choppy conditions we began to have waves smash aboard soaking everyone. Cheryl managed to take a wave full in the face and was drenched. Some of the boats with less free board were getting swamped and having to bail out the excess water.
We had to do our share of bailing too when Curtis realized half a foot of water inside the boat. Cheryl correctly guessed that the head valve had been left in the open position and water was flooding in. I began bailing water and after 30 minutes and 50 litres we had the boat damp if not dry.
Our plan to head North did not pay off despite our predictions about the wind having come true. The bigger boats were able to handle the waves better and we finished 24th out of 27. Not where we hoped to be but hey we weren't last at least.
We tied up to our assigned slip at Silva Bay and we're ready to party. Party that is after we got all the soaking cushions out of the boat and figured out lunch. Conditions had been such that we were not able to properly eat during the crossing (because someone didn't want to get Pepperoni Cheese Sticks).
When we reached the pub ready for lunch and were greeted by the news the pub was closed for lunch and likely dinner because their water had been turned off. We immediately went to the small General Store next door to grab food. One of the benefits of having a 4-knot-shit-box is that I have a full galley and a BBQ. We were some of the lucky ones since many of the boats had depended on the promised BBQ. I must say I was extremely disappointed in the staff of the pub. Not only were they rude they actually made no effort to assist us. They left it to Randy Vogel (the organizer) to make arrangements for the others.
The small General Store in Silva Bay.
While we BBQ-ed our lunch we unveiled the "sixth" crewman the keg. We got more than our fair share of stares as we assembled the rig from Storm Brewing. We had opted to keep the keg down below during the race to avoid any incidents like the year before. Now we had it up on deck and in a black garbage bag filled with ice. The tap was rigged up on the spinnaker pole so pints could be pulled from the dock and any spillage would land in the ocean not in the boat. And as if the keg wasn't enough to make us popular, our BBQ had others begging to have access (which we allowed).
Smokies for lunch.
Dinner of pasta was pretty good despite being made by me.
I finally figured out what that pole was for!
Cheryl enjoying her first brew.
Thom getting extra help in applying sun screen.
Curtis and Thomas hoist their first chilly pint.
Let it begin!
Now the party began and my story will end. All I can say is we had a fun time and the party turned out to be quite good despite the pub throwing us under the bus.
"What happens at Silva Bay Stays at Silva Bay" LOL
The morning came and the crew took stock. Most we were all in pretty miserable shape. This was compounded by the prospect of crossing the strait in the evident heavy weather. We slowly cleaned up ourselves and the boat. The keg was nearly empty and we had no difficulty stowing it again. With the aid of some prescription pills most of the crew was functional by the time we needed to head out for our start.
Hoisting the kite mid-Strait.
The wind at the start was 15+ knots from the North West. We had a good start and began a long reach across the Strait. Today the seas were calm and flat. The wind was on our beam and we had a leisurely sail. Cheryl retired below for a race long "nap". About midway across the Strait we hoisted our kite after the other slow boats did and gained leads. The wind lightened as we neared and entered into English Bay. Now things got exciting.
SEA WEASEL enters English Bay in light winds.
Cheryl taking a race long "nap".
Tom hard at work doing foredeck.
The fast boats began to catch up. The wind also began to build. Now it was getting tight. BRIGADOON tried to get inside of us but we would have none of it and closed the gap between us and Spanish Banks. PSYCHO DUCK however was able to roll us and get ahead as we passed Jericho. It now became clear that only one boat was able to catch us and stop our 14th place finish, STRUM! We did everything we could as it roared up behind us. In the end we finished a minute behind. 15 out of 27 boats (mostly fast boats) isn't a bad result. Overall we came in 20th out of 27
BRIGADOON passing us to leeward.
"I beat the smart kids, I beat the smart kids..." - Ralph Wigim
Fast boats trying to over take us.
Crossing the finish we had a too dramatic spinnaker take down and motored back to the marina sun burned and tired. We had had a great time and this race will be on next year's calendar for sure.
Race Results:
