CLUB EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2023
Father’s Day 2022 picnic at the manitous
The plan was to picnic on the beach but the cool temperature and breeze meant everyone needed a jacket and the boats were rafted and lunch eaten on board. Gord Reid braved the water to go ashore. A. good sail to and from the islands and company for lunch were achieved:)
August 9th to 11th French River Cruise
Blaze, sailed by Bob Carpenter and Theresa MacRory, headed out midday on Friday with good winds. After less than an hour those winds became strong and they sailed through large waves and a few gusts of 30 knots…. yes that’s knots! As it became obvious that there was too much wind they started the motor and motor-sailed with only a reefed Genoa over to the Manitou Islands for some shelter from the westerly.
The weather didn’t ease until after 4:30 and then it was too late to head for Campbell’s Bay with any expectation of anchoring before dusk.
A six a.m. start from the Manitou on Saturday got Bob and Theresa into Cambell’s Bay at 9 a.m. for breakfast and a late morning start on an exploration of the French. Going in against the wind resulted in some hard work with about 20 tacks between the islands and to deal with very shifty winds.
Artemis sailed by Joel Harrison, Jan Luthe, DJ Houston and Lyn Vuorimaki left North Bay at midday Saturday to rendezvous with Blaze at Cambell’s Bay for the Saturday night. The winds required that the sails be reefed and that they tack to make their way upwind. Artemis arrived at the rendezvous in good time, shortly after Blaze got back from the French’s River. The boats were rafted up on Blaze’s anchor in a well sheltered and beautiful part of the Bay.
DJ swam, Joel and Jan rowed the inflatable dinghy and everyone ate dinner. Conversation lasted through some star watching until the dew started.
Sunday was a later start and a beautiful morning. The coffee and cooking breakfasts filled the air with wonderful aromas. The boats set off together mid morning. Joel jumped over to sail on Blaze and both boats were sailing well until Bob and Joel decided to practice putting up a spinnaker on Blaze. The resulting twisted mess was only solved after motoring to the Manitou for shelter and make repairs. It was found that the furler’s swivel assembly, which may have been damaged previously, was broken and the headsail slid down! She was sailed back to back to North Bay with just a main sail (but still over 4kts speed) while Artemis stayed on at the Manitou for some more swimming and relaxation.
All in all it was a great expeditions and learning experience. Artemis is a great boat to overnight on and Blaze worked out well given it was her first overnighter. The inflatable dinghy functioned well and meeting up with two boats proved a lot of fun.
July 14 (Bastille Day) … last week was soooo good that we had another picnic.
Back at the Manitou Islands for a Sunday picnic on Bastille day. The westerly wind meant it took longer to get to the beach but after lunch and a swim it was a fast run home.
July 7 2019 Manitou Picnic
Seven members enjoyed a great sail and fun picnic.
There was steady breeze with the wind from the North in the morning so that the water was flat and the crossing to Manitou Islands was fast.
By midday both boats were anchored close enough to the beach that members could step off to swim and socialize. By the time lunch was finished the wind had switched to the West and the boats were before the wind and back in the marina by 4:30.
A nice day and nice sailing with friends!
2019 Canada Day race.
The traditional race from North Bay to Callander organized by NBYC attracted 14 participants this year. The weather was beautiful and sunny but wind was in short supply.
Three boats were entered under the Blue Sky Sailing banner and were in the middle of the fleet until the wind stopped altogether. After a lot of sitting still Bob Carpenter and Joel Harrison turned Blaze and Allegro for home. The race had two and a half hour time limit that was going to be exceeded!
Jan Luthe in Catchup hung in there and finished the race at the J5 mark after the race committee shortened the course. With handicaps accounted for Jan was second in the non-flying (no spinnaker) division .
Well done Jan and crew of Arley Roberts and Lyn Vuorimaki! Persistence and sailing skill paid off.
September 9th and 10th, 2017. NBYC Fall Regatta.
Blue Sky entered the regatta with its newest boat in the fleet, a Hunter 26 and was successful in winning the white sail division over the 3 races that could be run with the light winds available. Bob Carpenter skippered and relied on Theresa MacRory, Bob Pinder and Joel Harrison as crew. Well done team!
The photo shows the start of the second race in the series.
July 1st, 2017 – Canada Day Regatta and race from North Bay to Callander.
Allegro took part with Bob Carpenter skipping and Theresa MacRory as crew. Despite a good start in very light breezes Allegro could not keep up with other boats when the wind freshened from the south east and meant that most of the race was close hauled. The race was shortened due to the lack of wind which allowed competitors to get dry earlier!
Several club members (John Otterspoor, Lyn Vuorimaki and Karen Sullivan) crewed on John Simmond’s “Naughti Gal” which won the race.
Thanks to the North Bay Yacht Club for arranging the event. We hope to be back and more competitive next year:)
July 9th, 2017 – Come Sail With Us …. sailing experiences for the public. Non-members booked a sailing experience by contacting the club. There was good sunny weather and a steady breeze to enjoy. Thanks to Adam and Becky for the photos that they took during their experience. If you missed this chance but want to think about being a club member, please contact us and well try and work something out for you.
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Check events and boat reservations on the club calendar here.
2023 