Sherry Pickett

Left Castine Town dock in very light winds after pump out and filling water tanks. Deep water at town dock and easy walk to gas station to fill Jerry can for the dinghy. Reviewed some safety equipment and the life raft procedures with Joe as we motored in light winds. Winds picked up to about 15kts and we had a great sail tacking through a maze of lobster pots. We took advantage of the conditions to get familiar with the sail set ups, sailed under full main, Genoa and staysail the reefed main. Suzanne on the helm successfully avoided all lobster pots. Arrived in Seal Bay to see a colony of seals with several very young pups sunning on the rocks. Beautiful anchorage near Haye Island.

As we headed further north up the bay to our anchorage winds increased gradually from about 10 to 18kts from behind. Great sail on Genoa alone, became a little sporty as we turned upwind to head toward our anchorage. Beautiful first day sailing aboard Patience. Anchored in a spectacular bay, Holbrook Island. Next day hiked around Holbrook Island, well marked easy trails. Enjoyed a second night at anchor here in very calm conditions. On Sunday we visited Castine by dinghy going over a very shallow cut which is dry land at low tide. Walked all around town, to the light house, ate lunch a The Breeze & Castine Variety (diner style quirky restaurant) and visited the museum. AI Wikipedia description: Castine is a historic port town in Hancock County, Maine, situated on Penobscot Bay. It is famous for being one of the oldest communities in North America, serving as home to the Maine Maritime Academy, and featuring landmarks like the Dyce Head Lighthouse and Wilson Museum.

Left Rockland in light winds and calm seas, sunny blue skies. Sailed for a short while on beam reach then motored to our destination when winds were too light for our downwind direction. Good opportunity for getting to know Joe & Suzanne’s boat. We arrived at Warren Island State park with the plan to hike on the 70 acre island but the mooring balls were only suitable for smaller boats and there wasn’t room to anchor comfortably. So the decision was made to carry on to Holbrook Island. As we passed Camden we saw a huge fleet of vintage and classic yachts in the area for the Camden Classic Cup Regatta this weekend.

Beautiful clear skies compared to the previous two days of poor air quality due to smoke. Clear views of Toronto. Lovely beam to close reach sail all the way home. Winds were east 10-12 knots and waves maybe 2, less wind and waves about 3 miles from Whitby. Ended recorded track to attempt calibration of autopilot again but still having issues with it. Great time in NOTL, went to the Shaw Festival to see One For the Pot which was very funny. Met up with Joanna,Ross, Wendy & Al for lunch and the show.

Very light winds 6-7kts at most. Skies were very hazy due to smoke from northern Ontario. Motored across Lake Ontario from Whitby after driving in circles to calibrate our new autopilot. Mainsail up maybe assisted a little. Staying on a mooring ball at the sailing club. The mooring balls here are almost always available but they are very difficult to pick up. No painters and just a large shackle on the end of a very short chain which we can only reach aft of mid ship. We had someone in a dinghy come out and offer to thread our lines through for us after three attempts 🙏 ⛵️Dassy’s Dream

Participated in PWM Fun Race with James and Kevin. Light to no wind. Attempted to race to Ajax weather buoy and back. At 1:43 hrs into the race we were becalmed and still 3.5nm from the turn around point. Decided to head back to the cold drinks on the dock. It was a great opportunity for some great photos of Dream Weaver taken from elan’s dinghy by Keira.

Beautiful day on Lake Ontario, 8-10kts NNW, waves about 1’ Finally sailing again after a spring of many boat projects. Good to shake out the sails on a downwind sail to the Ajax weather buoy and pinching upwind all the way home.

Very light winds for motoring home. Winds picked up to about 10kts SE just as we were arriving home. Nice end to a great week of cruising to the 1000 Islands and back with great friends from PWM.

Very calm day, light winds on the nose. Motored along with Elan and Esmeralda. Tied up along the wall in Cobourg. Very quiet here for a long weekend. Dinner at Jack’s Barrel was good and then a fun time on the pier with everyone staying on the wall including Sierra Charlie (George & Danielle).

Gusty winds all day from 5-20kts, a mixture of great sailing, motor sailing and motoring. Beating into the wind early in the trip then motor sailed past Kingston, then close hauled heading SW down the SE shore of Amherst Island. Eventually motored into the wind to Kemp’s Bay and had a rolly evening with the great company of Esmeralda and Elan. Saw a small boat de-masted close to Kingston where we motored close following Elan to make sure they were ok. Once Elan made contact with them and they got their engine started we all continued on and the de-masted boat head into CFB Kingston YC.