Canadian Yachting April 2016 - (Page 44)

TRAVEL DESTINATION Five Days on the Bay Story and Photos by Jennifer Harker O 'Donnell Point is lumpy on the best of days but as Northern Explorer makes the turn north we confront a nauseating beam sea that pounds the peaches in the galley below and consumes our fuel despite our captain's best adjustments and a crawling pace. As we pitch and roll like a cork tossed in a toddler's tub I'm reminded of Robert Burns' poem where the best laid plans often go awry. A typical three-day blow on Georgian Bay is kicking up, preparing to push our carefully laid plans off course. No matter, we've shucked the shackles of stressed reality for the freedom of five days on the bay. Our plans to head north of Pointe au Baril are foiled by the ferocious winds. We keep a constant eye to the sky, something we rarely do on shore anymore. Years of boating on the bay and our onboard weather book con- 44 firm those ominously stacking cumulo-nimbus clouds herald approaching thunderstorms and an unstable atmosphere. Georgian Bay is breathtakingly beautiful for boating, but always demands your respect. We head for port knowing the merciless wind is wreaking havoc as even the sailors are heading in, storm jibs aloft or main sails reefed in. At the Big Sound Marina thunderstorms rage through and sheets of driving rain pummel our newly installed canvas-work. It performs exceedingly well, keeping us completely dry for the first time in years. Money well spent on our first day out. No matter, we've picked a perfect day to be in port in Parry Sound. Tomorrow is Tuesday and I will trek up the hill to the farmers' market less than 2000 steps from the boat according to my constant companion, my trusty pedometer. I revel in the knowledge I'll make my daily goal of 10,000 steps with no extra effort today, a normally Herculean task aboard a 27 foot Sea C a n a d i a n Y a c h t i n g APRIL 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting April 2016

Vantage Point: Careers in the marine industry
Waterfront: Ken Read’s Sailing Advice, CY in Miami and Dusseldorf
Club Profile: Cobourg Yacht Club
Destination: Swan Lake - This gentle cruise into Masset Inlet paints a stunning visual depiction of the Masset Sound scenery and a foray into a swimming hole near Swan Lake. By Linda Leitch
Feature: Perfect Prop for Your Purpose - In Part I of this 2 part article, learn about propellers for displacement boats. “Selection of the proper prop for your purpose is based on what you want or need to achieve.” By Rob MacLeod
Power Review: Beneteau GT 40
Destination: Georgian Bay Cruise - Spending five days on the breathtakingly beautiful Georgian Bay will have you starting your packing list and planning your own route for the summer of 2016. By Jennifer Harker
CPS Port Hole
Destination: British Virgin Islands - A weeklong visit to the Pro-Am Regatta at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the BVI’s challenges the author to find the perfect balance between the thrill of competition and the perfectly mixed cocktail in this idyllic setting. By Clarity Nicoll
Feature: Underwater Lighting - More affordable than you might think and more useful than you would imagine – Underwater Lighting is the hot upgrade for Canadian boats of all sizes, power or sail. Light up your cruising nights this summer. By Andy Adams
Crossing the Line: The Shark is Alive and Well

Canadian Yachting April 2016