Silva Bay Layover Photos

Here are some photos from the 2009 Silva Bay Layover:

2009 RNSA Single Handed Race Report

SEA WEASEL heads out of False Creek.


I had first heard of this race a four years ago before I had the SEA WEASEL. It sounded pretty intimidating at the time but I knew I wanted to try it one day. Not long after I got my boat I began single handing it. At first just motoring around and soon day sailing. Last year I got into it in a big way and did two races single handed and did numerous over night trips by myself. Finally this year I decided I would participate in the biggest single handed race in the area; the Royal Naval Sailing Associations' Single Handed Race. The event is co-hosted with the False Creek Yacht Club and the Nanaimo Yacht Club. The race starts at the mouth of English Bay and proceeds to Nanaimo and back the next day.



The STEVESTON LIFEBOAT was used as the R.C. Boat.


The morning of the race I took a cab down to the marina since Cheryl was unwilling to get up that early. I boarded the WEASEL and began making my preparations. Luckily the boat was well rigged in terms of safety gear since I had just completed the Southern Straits a few months before. In terms of modifications made to the boat for the race there were few. I had every single line lead aft to the cockpit. My "autopilot" was a bungee cord around the tiller. I had a line tied to the tiller and run outside the stanchions so I could steer while at the mast. I put on my jack lines and as soon as I left the dock I strapped myself in with my tether.



The start line.


The Environment Canada marine weather report predicted 15-25 knots of SE wind in the strait and when I was motoring out before the race I checked the conditions. There was 19 knots of SE wind at Halibut bank and 18 knots E at Point Atkinson. I went with my reefed #2 and a double reefed main. I thought I could shake them out if need be. I didn't think I would need the kite but I rigged it anyway. I also lashed my #1 with a second set of sheets already on just in case the wind died and I needed to upgrade. The boat has some heavy bungee lines on the bow so it was secure but ready to go in a moments notice.



Boats forming up at the start line.


At the start the wind was in fact quite light; maybe 8 knots from the E. I shook out all of the reefs I had set and began reaching back and forth in front of the start line. While there were the usual suspects I knew, DUSTY MAUCH, WILLOW, PSYCHO DUCK, etc., there were a whole host of boats I did not know. When the start came I was ready and came up at the line on a starboard tack with TRIGGER, a TCYC boat on my side. I could have forced him up and over the line early but, he was on our TCYC team so I gave him room. When the starting horn went we were the first across the line by a long shot. I began slowly reaching out towards the first mark at Cape Roger Curtis (the SW corner of Bowen Island). I would have to gybe back and forth but I saw heavier wind out in the strait and did not want to chance it.


SEA WEASEL crossing the line within seconds.

At this point WILLOW crossed the line without her jib up and quickly flashed out her A-Kite. As usual Jason flew by me reaching. It was on. I ran forward and rigged my spinnaker. The boat was nicely balanced and I found that I could actually stay up there with the boat holding its course for some time. I hoisted the kite, doused the jib and was off. Jason was having to gybe back and forth in the E breeze. I could run dead downwind right at the mark and was gaining fast. Then Jason hit the more SE breeze and took off. I now knew that being on a starboard tack was not going to work so I gybed the boat in the calmer conditions. In fact it was a breeze. The boat was quite happy and remained balanced as I did the gybe which was very smooth.

TRIGGER and SEA WEASEL were first across the line.

Now I was ready and when we cleared UBC the SE wind kicked up and I took off reaching. It was sailing at a bit of a impossible angle but it was fast and straight VMG. I was now flying at 7.5 knots. The rest of the fleet seemed to be going North towards Passage Island, all except the dark horse Ed in DUSTY MAUCH who opted to do a flyer down south. As we neared the mark many of the northerly fleet had to douse and go with their jibs to get around Bowen, Ed came flying in. The area now became congested with much of the fleet all together. It was pretty exciting. I rounded the mark and quickly hoisted my jib. There was too much traffic at the mark for me to deal with it first. As soon as it was up I doused the spinnaker into the cockpit. While it did get wet it was a pretty problem free douse.

Reaching towards the finish line in beautiful conditions.

After the rounding it was a close reach to Snake Island and the finish. The fleet was still closely packed. I was averaging 6.5 knots very slowly larger and faster boats began to pass me. I was happy to see that it was only when we were 8-6 nm out that the 1D35 and Olson 30 passed me (when your usually in there dust you take your small victories).

Closing in on the finish line.

Bored I now set about repacking the chute although I doubted I would need it. I put the kite all away and settled into the task of finishing the race. As I got within the last 6 or 7 miles I noticed the wind come full a beam. Now I was ready and before any of the competitors around me could I flashed out my kite and took off. Only that old salt Trevor J. on MUMBLES II was right behind me with his Welsh flag kite. Now I was able to get up to speeds over 7.5 knots. I closed and then crossed the finish line. It was quite honestly a perfect day.

The WEASEL was flying through the last few boat lengths.

The WEASEL crosses the line.

Snake Island to starboard.

MUMBLES II trying to catch up.

Looking back at the finish line.

I then set about derigging the boat as I reached towards Nanaimo Harbour. I had never actually been to Nanaimo before by water and only driven through it by land so this was new for me. I called "Rusty" on channel 16 and got my slip assignment and berthed at the Nanaimo Yacht Club. We had all finished in record time. The RC boat had to go at full speed to keep ahead of the fleet and set up the finish line. Now it was time to sit back and relax.


The Nanaimo Yacht Club.


The SEA WEASEL representing.

The hosting yacht clubs and the RNSA put on a great event at the club house. The dinner was excellent. There were tons of door prizes and all said it was a great time.

Everyone enjoying the sun and reliving the race.

Trevor relaxing.

Jason V. of WILLOW wining an air horn.

Trevor Jenkins of MUMBLES II.

Ed K. of DUSTY MAUCH gets some new binos.

I find the TCYC burgee on the wall.

Julie of PSYCHO DUCK wins something.

The next day it was the race back. The course was starting from Snake Island and heading back to the QA buoy and then the Point Grey bell buoy. The wind was very light at the start line coming in from the SE. The predictions of a decent wind looked unlikely. Again the SEA WEASEL had a good start being the first or second boat across the line within seconds.

It looked as though it was going to be along day as we slowly edged past the line. However after a quarter mile we crossed into the wind and it slowly filled into a decent breeze. Staying close hauled I remained on the same tack for the entire crossing averaging 6.5 knots. It was a beautiful if uneventful run. The fleet broke into two groups. Those that went south and those that went north. Despite not having to tack and more or less laying the line the whole way the fleet that went south did better.

As I approached the QA buoy I say many of them cross in front of me. I rounded the QA buoy closely scaring a bald eagle off it's perch. It then was a nice reach for the finish line which I crossed a short time later. From there it was a pleasant sail into Vancouver until the wind shut off and I motored in.

SEA WEASEL closing in on the finish line.

Done!!

Homeward bound.

In the end this was one of the most fun races I have participated in. I had a blast. There is something about single handing that I really enjoy. It helped that the conditions were absolutely perfect. I would encourage anyone to give this race a try. I would also like to thank everyone who organized the event; they did a great job.

Statistics:

• Participating Boats: 33
• S.W. Overall Placement: 13th out of 33
• S.W. Race One Overall Placement: 11th out of 33
• S.W. Race Two Overall Placement: 19th out of 33
• S.W. Divisional Placement: 5th out of 7
• S.W. Novice Placement: 2nd out of 5
• S.W. Corrected Time Race One: 4:16:44
• S.W. Corrected Time Race Two: 4:44:48
• S.W. Total Corrected Time: 9:01:32
• S.W. Elapsed Time Race One: 4:52:40
• S.W. Elapsed Time Race Two: 5:24:40
• S.W. Total Elapsed Time: 10:17:20
• S.W. Race One Finish Order: 18th across the line
• S.W. Race Two Finish Order: 25th across the line

SEA WEASEL was the 27th fastest boat in the fleet by PHRF rating.

SEA WEASEL Battle Flag Unveiled

Behold the Weasel!

Despite being 5'x5' the battle flag fits nicely mid way up.

The SEA WEASEL unveiled her new Battle Flag today. The 5'x5' flag features the "Fighting Weasel" I drew myself. The flag was made by Leila Liao (email: ismeleila@yahoo.ca) and looks great. Leila, makes code flags and any custom designs.

Silva Bay Lay Over 2009 Race Report

SEA WEASEL heading out to do battle, with ISSEYKASSO just ahead.

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:

-click here-