Friday, June 17, 2016

Learning to Sail

My husband Wayne has caught the sailing bug. His first cure was a remote controlled model called Nirvana II. He successfully sailed it all the way across Hole in the Wall from our float cabin home on Powell Lake. Instead of being a cure for the sailing bug, it increased his fever.


The next attempted cure was a Laser sailboat. In Border Songs by Jim Lynch, a character uses a Laser to run contraband across Boundary Bay to Blaine, Washington. Wayne was intrigued and spent hours searching Craigslist for one of his own.


Once it was transported up the lake, it was time for Wayne to learn to sail. The Laser is fun, but the drawbacks are it's a one-person boat and because it's designed for racing, it isn't the best model for leisurely excursions. Rather than curing Wayne's sailing bug, the Laser inflamed his desire. After two summers with the Laser, it was back to Craigslist to find a sailboat we could use together.


Wayne is more adventurous than I am, so we narrowed our search to daysailers with the stability of a fixed keel. Just when we were about to give up, we found the perfect model, a 19-foot O'Day Mariner.


Now you'll find us sailing the waters around our float cabin home on Powell Lake. So far our longest sail has been to the Shinglemill Marina and back. Wayne likes those brisk breezes, but I'm happy with the gentle steady ones.

Are you flirting with the sailing bug? You can try it out for yourself here in Powell River. The Powell River Yacht Club is sponsoring sailing lessons for kids, youth and adults again this summer.

For more information you can read about the Learn to Sail program at their website.  Registration is open by age group: 8-10, 11-16 and 16-adult. Classes are in July and August, so don't wait too long. Seats are limited. We learned, the only cure for the sailing bug is a good day out on the water. -- Margy

11 comments:

  1. What a fun story!
    My dad bought my uncle's old sailboat. Dad asked me to bring it down from his cottage to ours! I didn't know how to sail!
    My Uncle bought a laser, ended up racing them.

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    1. I grew up in a non-boating family. I sure had to catch up quick living on the lake. - Margy

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  2. Such a great story! Lovely photos, too! I love taking long walks in nature by the water...in fact, I did today, here in Montreal, and I saw a couple of boats and a family of Canada geese...and 9 goslings! :)

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    1. I've always love being near water, either fresh or ocean. - Margy

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  3. If we were closer my husband would be right there with you! Looks like fun

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    1. Always fun to try something new. - Margy

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  4. I would love to learn how to sail. I just love going to the Marina and looking at all the sail boats. Good for him!

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  5. Ohhhh sailing fun! I love the story about Boundary Bay. Every time we go up there we see several border patrol vehicles - guess they are still vigilant for those trying to sneak things across the border by using the bay, or else they are enjoying the views and the eagles.

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    1. When you go to Point Roberts it's hard not to go across the border when you swim nearby. I hear kids like to go out and put one foot on each side and bounce back and forth. But that probably was before all our security measures. - Margy

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  6. WOW !! So Fabulous Pictures about great shared about float cabin home. Cheers author your Awesome tropic and information. I really Love it !! Float Fabulously USA

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy