Cruise to Ganges and Sydney, BC

Ahhh... Here we go again!!!









The Georgia Strait was flat as a pond!



And we arrive to Ganges in Salt Spring Island where I was assigned a spot among the BIG BOATS... In front of me I had Bandido who is at least a 120 footer...

Some passers by asked us if we were Bandido's tender...

The Ganges Saturday Market is a must see... walk... and a good place to buy organic and delicatessen products as well as handcrafted art pieces... The crew went to it and brought back several goodies...













After the market walk we were supposed to go to Sydney but I decided that it was too soon, so I had my port engine fail and made the Captain go back to the dock and let the Crew and a friend take My Little Appendix for a ride... Oh boy! They had a blast... raced with other 2 dinghies, water fights, etc...













So, this time I docked right behind my good friend Forever with whom we cruised together the first day... Well, she was sitting there waiting for a Doctor to check a blown exhaust gasket and I was there waiting for that same doctor to check my port engine...













After spending a second night at Ganges and my problem apparently solved we set course to Sydney, or should I say to the "Capital City Yacht Club" at Tsehum Harbor to enjoy a reciprocal moorage... While we were on our way my port engine failed again but we continued our journey anyways...





Let me tell you, this yacht club has some awesome facilities, I was really comfy waiting here for the crew while they took the bus to Victoria in order to see the "Titanic Artifacts" exhibit... Although I have been thinking: Is it a good thing to go to a Titanic exhibit by boat?...










Any way, the crew came back happy and ready to go back home, but it was late already and with only 1 engine available my Captain wisely decided to wait till the morning...

Here we are at Active Passage and I have a big BC Ferry right in front of me!!!













Oh-oh... I have another one right behind me!!! Hurry up, get aside!!!














And here they are crossing side by side right behind me...














Uff!!! All clear, now lets rock and roll with their wake!!!













In this trip we saw several dolphins although the crew was too slow with the camera!!! but the seals are soooooo lazy that they are taking a ride on board this logs being hauled up river at the Fraser's North Arm...














Here is a Google Earth image of this trip...

Cruise to Bowen Island, Gibsons and Gambier Island, BC

It has been some days since we went for the last trip, but until today I got all the pictures I needed to make the report...




Here I am, ready to go again!!!








We started last Saturday, kind of late as my owners had to arrange everything for four kids (my two young crew members and other two visiting crew members from Mexico)...

Let me introduce you to Fernanda...

And he is Jose Manuel, better known as "Joso"...

Our visiting crew from Mexico!!!





Everybody is ready to go and we set course to Bowen Island... So we followed my friend Tia Lynn, who set anchor at Bowen Island, next to Snug Cove
















And Tia Lynn's Captain Shane took all the kids for a JetSki ride!!!








As I didn't have a slip to stay in Snug Cove we continued our journey all the way to Gibsons in the Sunshine Coast where I had a guaranteed bed to sleep (got a full slip all for myself!)...


Here the crew had a nice dinner... Hey Jojo!!! Do you mind sharing some wings with the rest of us?

Sunday morning, after a shower for the crew in the excellent facilities at Gibson's Marina and not before an excellent breakfast for the crew and a full tank of gas for me, we set course to the West Bay of Gambier Island where we were lucky and found that my Captain's friends were at home and they invited us for lunch in their gorgeus house!!!




Here I am at their dock while the crew is sharing with Martin, Tracey, Anna and James an excellent lunch...

In such an award winning house!!!










Later on we went back to Bowen Island where we met again with Tia Lynn while we waited for the winds to ease a bit and make the journey back home more pleasant...













In the meantime the crew had time to relax and walk around...

Here are the Admiral and the Captain...














or run a bit...

or even get wet...



Hey Joso!!! Is the water cold?





It was starting to get late, so, finally we headed home...














and arrive to Richmond while enjoying an awesome sunset!!!













Here is a Google Earth image of this trip's route...













Happy cruising to all!!!

Cruise to Silva Bay, Gabriola Island, BC.

Hello again...

I spent several days under my new doctor's care (or should I say Marine Mechanic?) so he could fix some issues with my two engines. He found several things that were neglected by my previous owners and that now are going to be taken care off. Some of them already have, and some will be done as the actual conditions fail and make it necessary...

Any way, as I was saying, I spent several days off duty, but everything seemed to be ready to go again, so, last Saturday we set course to Silva Bay at Gabriola Island for our inaugural cruise as an Airport Yacht Club Members!...

There was some wind (north-westerlies) so we encountered some 4-6 footer waves and IT WAS FUN!!!, well, at least for me... We might have to ask the passengers on board if they had fun as well... I think one of them got sea sick, but no big deal...

We were half way to Silva Bay when my port engine's alternator got loose (remember I said some things were found that needed to be fixed upon failing?... Well, this was one of them...) and the engine stopped but I was able to arrive to Silva Bay where a bunch of new friends were waiting for Us...

Here I am at Silva Bay, surrounded by some of my new acquired friends from the Airport Yacht Club!!!













Let me introduce you to one of the Dolphin's Crew... This is Antonio who spent lots of time fishing for the first time and he was succesful!!!




HOORAYYYY!!!!








Although the second Crew member whose name is Joaquim (right) being assisted by my new friend Sirena's Captain (Bob) was somehow succesful and caught a new species that, shall we call it "Wires ellectricus"?













Here is Antonio with Mike (the Fleet Captain for the AYC)... Hey Antonio, are those BBQ ribs any good?

Ohh! And that piece of corn sure looks delicious as well!!!

It also happened to be The Admiral's birthday and we even had a home made cake!!! (Baked at Sirena's oven by Audrey)

Did I mentioned that I have lots of new friends? Well here is one of them: Sirena














Any way, after some bizarre incidents and lots of help from so many friends, I was able to run again and we returned to Richmond Tuesday afternoon after enjoying good weather, good company and new friends at Silva Bay...

Here is a Google Earth image of the route...

Now, as we speak, my personal doctor is getting me ready to go for the next adventure!!!...