Sailing Cambio

Category: Cruising

  • Where have we been?

    Where have we been?

    Sorry for not being up to date on the blog/log.   We slowed down since the accident at the dock a few months ago and I’m happy to report that my brother’s wounds are 95% healed and my knee damage is almost fixed.  

    We left Ontario on September 1.   This is Henri and Phil doing a duo, but we are looking to pick up a crew in the next week, probably in New York or Sandy Hook or there abouts.   If you are qualified, call me at 905 321 2291 and we’ll have a chat.  Getting that third person is the number one task at the moment.

    We’ve come from St Catharines to Oswego, through the Erie Canal, to Waterford.  Tomorrow we will go down the Hudson River to New York, and then to Sandy Hook, along the New Jersey coast and past Cape May into the Delaware Bay.

    Next, we go through Delaware Bay into the C&D Canal and into Chesapeake Bay.   We are really looking forward to spending time in Annapolis at the boat show and some time enjoying sailing the Bay. 

    After a rest, meeting some old friends, and doing a lot of learning, we have to create a safe route south.  The plan is to be in Bahamas in December and chill.  

    Then Henri will head to new adventures in Mexico and I’ll be looking for another crew.    After that planning gets hazy, but not to worry.  I’m looking forward to what’s next.

    Everyone has wanted to know about hurricane Lee and so did I, but it looks like Lee is missing New York area all together without surges, heavy rain or hurricane stuff.  But it sure had us watching carefully.    The next week seems to be a good weather window and we’ll make some miles.

    That’s all for now.  I have stories to tell already.  Stay tuned.

    Sept 15, 2023

  • An Opportunity to Join Our Crew on the Big Trip from Lake Ontario to the Caribbean

    An Opportunity to Join Our Crew on the Big Trip from Lake Ontario to the Caribbean

    Experience the Ultimate Sailing Adventure with Cambio – Join Our Crew Today!

    Looking for a thrilling sailing experience that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Cambio, a remarkable 41′ sailboat seeking crew members for an incredible journey. We invite you to come aboard and embark on an unforgettable adventure, where the cost to crew is solely personal expenses. The boat is setting sail, and you have the opportunity to join us!

    Why Choose Cambio?

    1. Explore the Eastern US Seaboard: Departing from Lake Ontario, New York on September 1st, we’ll navigate the Eastern US Seaboard, allowing you to witness stunning coastlines and breathtaking sunsets along the way. Our journey will lead us to Annapolis, Maryland, where you’ll have the chance to experience the charm of this historic sailing town.
    2. Uncover the Wonders of the Bahamas: In December 2023, we’ll set our course for the mesmerizing Bahamas. Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters, relax on pristine beaches, and discover hidden coves and vibrant coral reefs. This is your opportunity to indulge in a stunning vacation while building precious miles of sailing experience.
    3. Embrace the Magic of the Caribbean: From the British Virgin Islands to the US Virgin Islands, the Spanish Virgin Islands, and the captivating Lesser Antilles, our voyage will take you through the most picturesque destinations in the Caribbean. Perfect for students on a gap year, this experience will provide a change of pace and offer the adventure of a lifetime.

    Who Is This Opportunity Perfect For?

    If you’re a student with sailing experience seeking a meaningful gap year experience, Cambio is the perfect fit for you. Join our crew and gain valuable sailing skills while exploring breathtaking locations. Additionally, if you’re looking to build miles and enhance your sailing resume, this journey offers an excellent opportunity for mile building and hands-on experience.

    Flexible Options: Join All or Part of the Journey

    We understand the importance of flexibility. Whether you can commit to the entire voyage or only a portion of it, we welcome you aboard Cambio. This journey offers the perfect escape and change of pace from your routine, allowing you to unwind and embrace new challenges.

    How to Join

    To secure your spot on this extraordinary adventure, please email your interest to philcheevers@hotmail.com. Our crew coordinator will provide you with further details and assist you throughout the application process. Don’t miss out on this chance to embark on a stunning vacation, gain invaluable experience, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

    Join Cambio’s crew and sail into a world of endless possibilities. We invite you to come aboard and embark on an unforgettable adventure, where the cost to crew is solely personal expenses. The boat is setting sail, and you have the opportunity to join us!…

    Note: Please be aware that travel and itinerary details are subject to change due to weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Contact philcheevers@hotmail.com for the latest updates. P.S. if this sounds to effusive, please blame ChatGPT.

  • +1 905 321 2291

    +1 905 321 2291

    There are only a few reasons to call this number. 

    1. If you want to buy a canvas cover for a 41’ Cheoy Lee sailboat.   I have one for sail. I’m going down south and won’t need it for many years.  It is a ‘Natty Genco’ and a recent quote for a new one is over $7,000.  I’m asking half that at $3500.  
    2. If you have some time to join the crew of Cambio for her long distance cruise from Lake Ontario and going to the Caribbean.  We are looking for crew for all or part of the trip and this would be a perfect gap year project or a bucket list endevour.

    As an alternative, you could do the following:

    You could also email to philcheevers@hotmail.com

    You could scope out the boat and her skipper at www.sailingcambio.com  

    Looking forward to hearing from you! -Phil

  • Are you looking for bucket list, gap year, or just plain adventure?

    Are you looking for bucket list, gap year, or just plain adventure?

    Are you ready for the ultimate adventure that will leave you breathless? Picture yourself sailing across the vast ocean, exploring uncharted territories, and discovering the hidden wonders of the world. Look no further! We are in search of an intrepid soul to join our crew on an epic journey aboard the magnificent Cambio, a majestic 41′ Cheoy Lee sailboat. Departing from the awe-inspiring Lake Ontario in August, our expedition will culminate in the mesmerizing Bahamas by December.

    As a vital crewmate, you will immerse yourself in the exhilarating experience of life at sea, mastering essential sailing skills, and unraveling the secrets of each destination we encounter. Side by side with a seasoned captain and crew, you will embrace the thrill of navigating the uncharted waters, maintaining the vessel with precision, and embracing the daily wonders of life onboard.  Sign on for 2-3 months or longer. 

    But the adventure doesn’t end there! Once we reach the captivating Bahamas, we will set our course towards the spellbinding US Virgin Islands and beyond. And in May 2024, we will embark on an epic journey to the enchanting Azores. This extraordinary opportunity is an absolute must for anyone craving adrenaline, seeking personal growth, and yearning to forge unforgettable memories.

    Discover the heart and soul of Cambio and learn more about our awe-inspiring voyage by visiting www.sailingcambio.com. We seek individuals who possess unwavering dedication, a thirst for adventure, and an undying love for the sea. Don’t let this opportunity slip away! Dare to join us on this epic quest and experience the sheer exhilaration of conquering the open ocean. Apply now and become an indomitable member of our crew!   philcheevers@hotmail.com or +1 905 321 2291

  • Progress is happening

    Progress is happening

    Today is May 19 and we progress.  

    We progress on preparing the boat, we progress on the relationships we build, we progress on our health, and we advance on our dreams.    

    My brother is up here for a few weeks and he has brought energy and focus with him.  Today we did some space management, Prepared the dingy, fixed the safety bridal for the motor, removed the VHF remote wire and ordered a new one, started getting the Starlink installed and a host of smaller incidental jobs.  We did another calculation on the new solar panel plans and went over the system design, which now includes, raspberry pies, a Raymarine legacy system, androids, Ipads, openCPN, and a host of other things. 

    To put it in perspective, I did the space management and got the screwdrivers when my brother needed them.    I’m pooped.  

    It’s good to be busy but besides the maintenance and preparation, there’s a lot of other things that I’m going to have to address over the next week.   I have some side hustles that will make this boat trip a pleasure.  I’m also helping some of the prospective crew with their side hustles.  Marketing, writing, and promotions are necessary.  

    So is recovering from the bilateral knee replacement 4 months ago.  It is getting less and less painful, but there’s aways that moment where I hesitate, knowing that getting up will hurt but it must be done so I do it.  The hurt is less and less each week but I’m tiring of the pattern.

    It will rain tomorrow and that will shift all of our efforts into the cabin, which is fine.  We have a long list of things to do both inside and outside.  

    Tonight the rum and the cigars were a treat.   Now I need some sleep.  

  • Cambio’s Tentative Trip South Fall 2023

    Cambio’s Tentative Trip South Fall 2023

    I’ve posted on the Fall/Winter plans before, and I’ll probably do it again as we learn more and more about the routing from Lake Ontario to Puerto Rico. 

    Why Lake Ontario?  Because that’s where we are now.  

    Why Puerto Rico?  Because it is a convenient are to do some R&R after a trip of more than 2150 nautical miles.  

    R&R isn’t crucial because we are taking our time to get there.   Critical dates include

    September 1      Leave Oswego in the Erie Canal

    October 12         Annapolis Boat Show

    October 16         Leave for the south.  Use the ICW sparingly and when out in the Atlantic, avoid Hattaras near Pamlico Sound and Frying Pan Shoals near Wilmington.

    November 1       Arrive at St. Augustine.

    November 5       Arrive at Bahamas.   Play in the sand for a while.   

    December 1       It is still 1000 nm to Puerto Rico.  (See the “Thorny Path”   At 100nm per day that’s 10 days non stop.   There will be stops along the way; Crooked Island, Mayaguana, Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico.  That last leg is a long stretch, probably upwind, but my insurance company doesn’t want me to go to Dominican Republic.  I’m going to have to negotiate with them. 

    And if we get there for January 1, a month later, it means we had a great time. 

    Until sometime In May we’ll visit the lesser Antilles, which include all the Virgin Islands, Monserrat, St. Martin, the Islands in between.  Plans to be devised. 

    Now pay attention.  This will probably change as we get closer to planning.  

  • Boat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist

    Boat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist

    • Katy Stickland compiled this list for Yachting Monthly magazine and it is a great checklist for spring. I’ve posted it here so that I can find it in 2 weeks when I commission Cambio, and for next year when I do it all over again.
    • If it helps you, send Katy a note. Authors of good articles love to hear that stuff.

    The ultimate boat maintenance checklist to make sure your yacht is ready for launch and the start of the sailing season

    Check your rudder for hairline cracks or damage

    Boat maintenance: the 55-point skipper’s checklist

    Boat maintenance: Mast & Rigging

    Check all your standing rigging connections. Credit: Colin Work

    • The mast cap is out of sight, out of mind 99% of the time, but serves multiple functions: backstay, forestay, cap shrouds, radio antenna, nav lights, halyard sheaves. Rotate mast and boom sheaves to check they are not misaligned or worn by a bad halyard lead. Lubricate sheaves with WD40 or silicone grease.
    • Spreaders, gooseneck, mast heel, kicker, mainsheet and topping lift connections all need checking for wear, damage or corrosion.
    • Check for galvanic corrosion between different metals.
    • Check electrical connections, deck and spreader lights.
    • Wax mast tracks and luff grooves with candle wax or Teflon spray.
    • Standing rigging: Look for areas of wear or stranding on the wire. Check mast tangs, T-ball joints and rigging screws.
    • Wash furling drum and swivel and check they move freely. It’s common for the top swivels to become stiff and sometimes seize, which can compromise the forestay wire.
    • Running rigging: check for chafe and that the shackles aren’t seized. Sheets, halyards, warps: wash in fresh water to get rid of salt and grime.

    On Deck

    Below Deck

    Head, bilge & gas

    Check bilge pumps it might sound ok but is it actually attached to a hose?

    • Check impeller on bilge pumps and grease with water pump grease only (Vaseline will rot impellers)
    • If you have an automatic bilge pump, check float switches work.
    • Dry bilges thoroughly then if water appears after relaunch you’ll know you’ve got a leak.
    • Fill water tank and add purifier such as Puriclean or Milton
    • If the pump on the heads is stiff look to service and lubricate with silicon grease.
    • If you have a gas sensor, check it works.

    Boat maintenance: Below waterline

    Hull and skin fittings

    Check jubilee clips for rust. Credit: Bob Aylott

    • Most vessels have DZR (dezincification-resistant brass) seacocks. Look for any signs of corrosion on the skin and tail joints, which are common points of failure.
    • Ensure all valves are greased.
    • All hoses should be double-clipped. Check jubilee clips for rust. Do you have wooden plugs attached in case of emergency?
    • Check skin fittings are free of blockages/ growth or antifouling.
    • Check anodes have plenty of life. Don’t forget prop shaft and saildrive anodes.

    Rudder

    • Check leading, trailing and lower sections for damage or hairline cracks.
    • Check for play in bearings, stock or quadrant. Movement should be minimal. Grease steering cable.

    Keel

    • Check for stress cracks or movement internally and externally – especially at the keel root and around the internal framing or matrix, and around fastenings and backing washers.

    Prop shaft & stern gland

    • To check bearings, grasp prop in both hands and try moving it up and down and from side to side. There should be little, if any, movement – no more than 2mm.
    • Check P-bracket for stress cracking from misalignment or damage.
    • Stern gland packing. Many yachts have some form of deep-seal arrangement that has a service life of around seven years. Those that have a proper stuffing gland will need to be greased to prevent drying out and getting brittle. The gland may need pulling down or repacking at some point.
    • If you have a saildrive, check the condition of the seal and the metal ring that holds it in position. Again, note the seals have a life expectancy of between five and seven years depending
      on manufacture.

    Boat maintenance: Mechanics

    Engine

    Check all filters

    • If you didn’t change the oil when you laid up, change it now.
    • Change fuel filters.
    • Remove rags stuffed in outlet pipes from winterisation.
    • Impellers – if removed at lay-up – reinstall with a smear of water pump grease.
    • Reinstall the engine belts and check tension: there should be no more than half an inch of play.

    Saildrives

    • Check oil levels. Check durability of the gaiter seal. Check rubber faring and reseal if necessary.
    • Change internal engine anode.
    • Check engine mount is secure.
    • Check diesel tank for water from condensation. Drain off or replace fuel. Add an appropriate biocide to help kill off diesel bug.
    • Check inaccessible wiring, such as bonding wires from the anode and earthing wires from the starter motor. Clean the terminals and smear them with Vaseline or silicone gel.

    Batteries and electrical systems

    • Check electrolyte level if yours is an open lead acid battery; tighten battery securing straps and make sure vent for gases is clear. Clean terminals and coat with Vaseline. For sealed batteries, check the condition of indicator light, or other charge indicator.
    • Switch on instruments and use backlighting to help reduce any condensation.
    • If the anode looks serviceable for another season, check bonding and wires. If they haven’t worn at all they may not be working so check Ohm resistance max 0.2 from propeller to anode.

    Sails

    • Check for chafe, wayward stitching and tears. Do you carry a sail repair kit?
    • Take to a sailmaker if the sacrificial strips is worn out.

    Charts

    Make sure your navigation apps are up to date

    • Update charts from Notice to Mariners.
    • For electronic charts, check with your supplier how to update. New chartplotters can connect to WiFi, or you may need to connect the chart chip to your PC at home and download the update.
    • Download operating software updates for your chartplotter and instruments.
    • Make sure your subscriptions for navigation apps on phone and tablets are up to date with the latest charts.

    Safety

    Gas system

    • Check age of hoses. If they are over five years old, they should be replaced. Check for kinking or wear in gas hosepipes. If in doubt, replace.
    • Check hose clips are tight. Hoses behind cookers should be armoured.
    • Check thermal cut outs on hob, grill and oven work.

    Harness/lifelines

    • Check stitching and get repairs done by a sailmaker if necessary.
    • Jackstay and Danbuoy lines: check condition and points of security.

    MOB lights

    • If you have the traditional type, check the bulb, battery and that it actually works. The new types have various ways of testing, and all have an expiry date.

    Lifejackets

    Is your lifejacket fit for purpose and in good condition? Credit: Theo Stocker

    Stanchions/lifelines

    • Check stanchions and make sure lifelines are still suitably secured at each end and cords and pins are in good order.
    • Watch out for wire failing if you have plastic sheathing.

    Flares

    • Make sure these are in date, in a watertight container and are easy to reach. It’s worth having gloves and goggles to hand too.

    EPIRBS

    • Make sure these are in date and registered with the correct contact details.

    Liferaft

    • Ensure this and the hydrostastic release are within the service date, and you are aware of its contents.
    • If its secured with a rope, consider if you could release it in an emergency with ease.
    • Make a grab bag up with essentials
  • It was really dark

    It was really dark

    It was really dark.

    Our darkness happened at night, sailing down the middle of the lake, with clouds obscuring the lights of the towns along both shores, and nobody else on the lake.   

    Even the spreader lights did the deck no justice but they did highlight the foam close to the boat that lit up on the top of the 3 meter waves we were surfing down.

    It was really dark

    Ahead of us, and far away a single red light and two white lights appeared off our starboard bow.   It started a conversation with my crew, Matt.   We decided it was a later about 5 miles away.  After discussion, Matt figured out that if we could see the red light, it must be going across our bow and we should watch it carefully.   Besides the waves and the compass, this was the most interesting thing to watch. 

    We were on a course of about 63 degrees.  We had left Port Dalhousie about 9 hours ago.  Lakers tend to go down the middle of the lake in ‘laker lanes’  unless they are turning left or right to visit an industrial dock or turn into the Welland Canal. 

    Almost nothing in this paragraph makes sense.  As the lights got closer we started to believe that we were on a collision course.  I turned off the autopilot and steered to starboard.  After a couple of minutes of hand steering, the compass told me I had strayed from 63 degrees and was now on 315 degrees.  I used the autopilot to steer back to 63 degrees.  It was not certain that we were on a collision course, but we were keenly aware of the 3 lights which were all we could see on a laker that was otherwise painted black.   I hand steered again.   I watched the lights.   I checked the compass.  We were far off course again.  I repeated this a few times. It was difficult to hand steer in jet black!

    Suddenly we could hear the rumble of the laker.   It was about 200 meters from us, and definitely on a collision course.   I turned to starboard with caring what the course was.   The laker had its own bow wave and it was white.  We looked up at the laker’s gunwales as we passed the hull, 50 to 100 meters away.   The laker’s wake bounced us about as it passed.   My adrenaline was at a high.  But we had avoided the collision.  

    There were two boats in the lake and we found each other.

    Lessons learned.

    • We were on Starboard. It makes no sense to claim rights.  He had gross tonnage rights.  And we would never have claimed the right of way.  That would be reckless in this case, and stupid. There are other reasons this decision was correct, like my inability to hold a course, but it’s all moot.
    • I wonder if there is a ‘firefly’ effect where we are drawn to lights in the pitch dark as a part of nature.  I don’t know, but if the situation comes up again, I’ll be aware.
    • Our watchkeeping was correct.  We picked it up miles away and watched it constantly until the near miss.  
    • Our teamwork was great.  We discussed options and perspectives constantly until the near miss.
    • My hand steering was inadequate.  Period.

    When we looked at the track the next day, It’s clear where the meeting happened.  The laker must have been off the usual navigation channels, perhaps on her way to Cobourg industries.  

  • Planning the Cambio dream

    Planning the Cambio dream

    This is the first version of the Cambio Dream, from Lake Ontario to Batumi Georgia with stops along the way. Google measurements say it is 17,700 kilometers long, which is 9600 nautical miles. Cambio can do perhaps an average of 100 nautical miles per day, so this is, in total, 96 days, or just over 3 months of straight sailing. Geez i hope my math is right. I expect to take 2 years to get to Batumi, and while I’m sure that the course will change over time, this means there’s about 20 months of sightseeing, lazing around, maintenance, sitting on the anchor and enjoying the scenery. I think that’s a great ratio of sailing versus tourism, and I think tourism may not be the right all inclusive word.

    If you are reading this and have suggestions, please leave comments. This is a high level view of the voyage and it ends 9900 nautical miles from home, so clearly this is only part one.

    So lets start:

    Lake Ontario to New York. Because we have to get to the ocean and sailing seasons are short. I want to get south before it gets too cold, and may have to dodge storms if we leave on Sept. 1.

    Norfolk A great starting off point to test offshore. Also a great naval history (yes, I know I skipped Lunenburg and Chesapeake with their great naval lore)

    Bahamas What a great place to stop for December and drag the keel around interesting islands.

    Turks and Caicos They look like a great place to take a break.

    Monserrat and St. Martin Probably as far south as we can go, but I’d like to see them both. If we arrive in Bahamas in December we have 6 months to mess around the northern part of the Antilles before heading to Bermuda.

    USVI and Puerto Rico Just looks like great cruising. Maybe head to BVI as well but the whole area looks good.

    Bermuda Get out of Dodge before hurricane season starts. There’s no point in trying To Reason With Hurricane Season. This would be sometime in May 2023

    Azores Horta looks like such a cool place to visit. It is the first big crossing and hopefully we’ve learned important white water lessions on the 5-7 day trip from Puerto Rico to Bermuda.

    Morocco I’ve never been to Africa so Casablanca has to be on the list. Hopefully we can take the Marakesh Express ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TYq9RjdYYU ) and visit Tangiers and Gibraltar as we head for the Mediterranean.

    Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia seems like nice places to go and they named an orange after Valencia. How cool is that?

    Barcelona It’s on the list because of the architecture in Barcelona, and a friend I’d like to take to dinner.

    Corsica and Sardinia They are on the way to Rome and I bet I can find some older guys to play backgammon with on either side of the straight that separates theml.

    Rome I’ve never been there, despite a classical education, so it seems like a great place to start the trip down the western coast of Italy, stopping at interesting places.

    Calabria Here in Canada I’ve met a lot of Canadians of Italian descent and most of them seem to have come from Calabria. My barber, my tailor, my other barber, and a host of others have all been decent people, who are proud of their heritage so this is an opportunity to see the land that birthed such honorable people.

    Messina Messina splits Sicily from the Italian toe and it’s a great way to take the shortcut to Malta.

    Malta was the gateway to the East during the Crusades and an undefeated country during World War II. I’m looking forward to seeing ancient buildings and meeting an island full of indomitable spirit.

    Thera I hear the South of Turkey is a wonderful place to spend the winter, if time on the Med must end for winter. But how can we miss the island that houses Santorini? So it is on the list.

    Limnos and Lesbos Two Islands that have some interesting things going on. Limnos produces a wonderful dessert wine that I’ve tried once and loved. It is also known for its natural ingredients,  almonds, figs, melons, watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins and olives. The main crops are wheat, barley, sesame, honey, and oregano. And I want to try their cheeses. They also say jokingly that the tallest tree on Limnos is oregano.
    Lesbos, despite the jokes (“You aren’t a lesbian unless you were born on Lesbos” – The Mayor of Lesbos), has a million olive trees and so is quite different from Limnos, although it is only a few miles away. Both islands are on the way somewhat to Istanbul.

    Istanbul I was last in Istanbul in 2011. I met some fantastic people, like Simsek and Orhan and Levant in the Grand Bazaar and Deniz, the security guard out by the airport. I had a fabulous time in Istanbul and would love to dock in the shadow of the Galata tower, if they’ll have me.

    Black Sea From Istanbul, the Black Sea opens up. We would want to stay south, away from conflict and explore the more conservative southern shoreline of Turkey until we get to Georgia. I’d like to visit an old friend, Timur, and see the modern architecture of Batumi and Tbilisi, and the ancient Kakheti wine regions. I think it might be nice to winter over in Batumi.
    It is too bad that I’ll likely have to miss the Northern Black Sea like Hungary, Odessa, and Crimea. Whatever time of year we are in the Black Sea I’ve been warned to be off the Black Sea by September 1 due to storm season.

  • Well I’ve been here before

    Well I’ve been here before

    Thursday September 2, 2022 Whitby to Toronto

    We were up early, with the dinghy stowed and the boat prepared for a bumpy and slanty ride. 

    Leaving Whitby was an adventure.  I followed the red buoys to the left to get out and then turned left to head for the marina.  There is a lot of mud on either side of the channels and I had been warned to follow the buoys carefully.   So I kept to the right, where the red buoys were, and promptly grounded in muck. 

    It took a call to the marina where Brian and Bob came out and pulled us out into the clear and we were pulled over the tow line which got caught under the boat. 

    Well I’ve been here before.

    They took us to the gas dock and I refueled and did a pump out while mentally preparing to dive under the boat in very murky waters.   I didn’t like the idea of diving to clear the propeller again when the water was very, very brown.   Brian came back and had an idea.  He took the stern line that was caught and worked it around the stern, pulling it along the way.   He had this idea that it wasn’t hooked on the propellor but it was stuck in the gap between the rudder and the hull.  

    The line came loose and it turned out Brian was right.   I was relieved from having to dive in dirty, murky, skuzzy water to clear the rope!!  

    We left Whitby very carefully using the centre of the channel and got on our way to Port Dalhousie.

    We got perhaps 2 hours out, and we were rocking a lot and sometimes burying the bow into oncoming waves.   I wasn’t worried about Cambio. She handles this stuff well, but both Pierre and my stomachs became a bit queasy and neither one of us wanted to go through another 10 hours of this to get to Port Dalhousie when Friday’s weather was supposed to be calm and sunny.  

    Pierre hinted that we had talked about going to Toronto and I thought that was a bang up great idea, so I instructed Otto to turn right and head for the Eastern Headlands, about 3 hours away.  The wind built to 30 knots and I was looking forward to getting into the Toronto Harbour where presumably the water would be smooth. 

    I phoned the National Yacht Club, searching for a reciprocal berth for the night.  It took me 8 tries before the Officer of the Day answered the phone.  Apparently they are more reliant on VHF radio for communication.  I am more reliant on the phone because the VHF is down below in the cabin and I’m not so comfortable going below in high winds and leaving Otto alone to manage.   But the phone is in my pocket and National is on my speed dial.

    When we got into the Toronto Harbour, I did put Otto in charge under Pierre’s supervision while I went forward and stowed the main properly.  I had started to raise it when we were thinking we were going to Port Dalhousie and found that the halyard was wrapped around the lazy jacks a few times.   After the July 20 storm, Jeff and I had fixed all the lines but I must have forgotten to check the main halyard.  I was pooped after straightening it out.  Shortly after we adjusted course towards Toronto and there was no need for the mainsail anymore.   However I did have to wrap the sail tighter on the boom to reduce the windage when we went into the National Yacht Club basin.    

    NYC is a very well protected harbour,  protected by an ancient break wall that has an entrance that seems to be about 36 feet across. Cambio has a 13 foot width.   The winds were gusting to 30 knots on the beam (from the side) and the waves made it a rather interesting challenge to get through this gap.   To restate that, going through the gap required a high pucker factor.

    So we didn’t know where the dock they had assigned was.  We came into a section of the basin where the wall set in front of the clubhouse and there was space on the wall. I headed for it, with the wind behind me.  I used forward and reverse gears many times before I got the boat alongside, between another boat and the small boat crane.   We had 3 people helping us dock, thankfully.  

    Then they wanted me to move to the assigned dock.   There was no way, in my opinion, to do this given the high wind, the small space we were in, and the surrounding boats.   So I suggested moving the first boat back about 12 feet, and my boat forward about 12 feet.  This would be safer and we’d clear the crane, because it was race night and the crane had to be cleared for the Sharks and J’s to launch.  It was a negotiation but the NYC person in charge understood that it would be bad for my 41’, 25,000 pound boat to hit other boats in that kind of weather. 

    So we tied up, caught our breaths and had a passage drink. 

    Dinner at the National was a buffet, and we were ready for a great meal.  It was good, and we gorged.   Then we realized that the table beside us were the same people that we had met in Belleville.  Actually they recognized us first.  We exchanged short stories and pleasantries, and they left. 

    We went to play Rummy on the boat.