Paul Watson

Heavy rain at Bowen Island. Late departure for rain to stop. Continued trouble engaging reverse gear. Tacking near Gibson’s landing. Heavy wind from Georgia Strait. (Strong wind warning?) (Gusts 20 plus?) Overwrap. Jib flogging during furling. Extra long sheet ended up under boat. Wrapped around prop. S.L. Pan Pan. Coast Guard responded with phone info for toe. Drifting toward rocks. S.L. dropped anchor. Several vessels passed, one as we waved arms in distress, none answered Pan Pan. Soon water taxi came. Kind guy. Recommended local diver. He came in about an hour. Tied up to nearby dock. Suited up, including yellow tank. Quickly in water. Told us to turn off battery, remove key, ensure gear in neutral. Had sheet unwrapped in a few minutes. $400.

Skipper training under S.L. Some basic instruction to Anne and Jenn. Smooth undocking from tight spot in Heather Civic Marina under light wind, weak current. Beating up English Bay, motorsailed around Point Atkinson into good wind in Howe Sound. Cool. Mostly cloudy. Lots of laughter. Slight difficulty with gear shift docking at Bowen. Gentle fending off by crew kept things untoward. Woke up to soft rain.

Motorsailed with job to Granite Falls. Light wind on the nose returning. Picnic drifting off Granite Falls to rest outboard.

Morning rain quickly turned to beautiful sunshine. Beat our way up English Bay, then motorsailed to Bowen Island to make it in time for tasty lunch on the patio in warm sun.

Magnificent! Following sea entering English Bay was powerfully rolly.

Rainy in Vancouver. Great sailing all day. Sunny and warm off Keats Island as we approached Plumper Cove. Engine wouldn’t start. (Key wouldn’t come out. Ignition assembly loose and rotating. GOOSE towed us to Gibsons. Gentle glide to concrete pier. Various Coop members tried to fix. No joy. No mechanics on duty on weekend. Waiting.