Time to change all the through hulls

So after the last boat trip it was discovered that yet another through hull fitting had broken off. This lead to great concerns about the integrity of the rest of the through hull fittings. Considering that one failed fitting can sink a boat quiet easily it was decided that it was time to change them all. Also took the chance to replace the mooring chain in preperation for the winter storms. These two jobs combined to take up all my time with no sailing at all for two weeks what a bumper. I guess that is what they say about being a boat owner spend so much time working.

Yet another through hull that has broken note the wooden plug

Pulling the boat out to change the through hulls

The journey home after the job is all done and the boat is back on the mooring is by kayak and foot back to my Aunt and Uncles.

NQ sailors showing a Fort Mac famliy the ropes

More of the Fort Mac crew (Mike and Barbara) came out to try their hand at sailing for the first time and we found ourselves with a lovely break in the whether where the rain stopped for a great sail over to Sidney Spit and back. The NQ family friends Judy and Greg were still here too from the previous trip and we all had a great day. Mike proved to be a fantastic cook; cooking us up a storm it really felt like five star cruising.


Its a tough way to spend the day cruising over to the Sidney Spit


Exploring the beach by Kayak

I say that looks like the head of a giraffe there Greg

Back in Sidney after a tough day and a good BBQ on the way 

A great way to wrap up another fantastic day.

NQ sailors Judy and Greg just drop in for a visit from Australia

So long time family friends Greg and Judy came by for a visit on the boat to drink and be merry on "just dreamin" while catching up on old times. Unfortunately time was too short for this trip and we only had a quick blast over to Pender Island and back.

Judy and Greg try out the kayak

The NQ sailors enjoying the Gulf Islands

Pretty little crab

The serenity

Tough life having bacon and eggs for breakfast

Judy sailing the Canadian dinghy

Greg making the most of the light wind

Sailing from Sidney to Nanimo and back

So Loree and Vada came for a fantastic week of sailing and exploring the islands from Sidney up to Nanimo and back. It was Vada's first time on the big sail boat and she was quite apprehensive at first but she eventually became used to it. Vada had a dog life jacket which proved to be a marvellous solution for moving here around as it has a handle on the back to easily pick up a dog.

Loree and Vada enjoying the sun as we sail past another boat.

Vada looking ahead while Justin sails the boat

There were many adventures most of them revolved around seeing how Vada would do on the boat in preparation for taking her on the big boat trip down to the Caribbean. Once Vada had swimming lessons to make sure we could pick her up if she fell overboard we then took her kayaking.

Good thing its a big kayak

Trips ashore to explore the island and we figured out how many bikes one can fit in to the dinghy. I must admit the packing skills impressed others when we came ashore in one trip with two adults, a dog, back packs and two full sized bicycles.

And there is still room for one more

Loree and Vada in the forest (left) and one tired dog after keeping up with the bicycles (right)

Some pictures of life amongst the islands. I must say it is a tough way to live.

The famous "dinghy dock pub" in Nanimo

Finding disc golf amongest the islands

Jokes were running when we left the dock with what would happen to a boat full of engineers and so another cruising adventure began with a night sailing in amongst the Gulf Islands to our first anchorage. We had a great wind for night sailing blowing 15 to 20 knots giving us reach towards Pender Island at about 8kts boat speed. Seb was a fantastic deck hand trimming the sails like a pro.
The motley crew for this adventure include Pat (the Aussie Wanderer), Seb (my cousin), Andras (rowing buddy from Fort Mac) and me Sailor Spilly.

Sunlight is fading as we sail into the night with Andras, Me and Seb

Pat working by the glow of the BBQ to cook us a feed

The next day the crew ended up finding a disc golf course in amongst the tree, which lead to a great adventure finding our way by disc from one basket to the next. There were a few forays into the forest to find wayward discs to add to the fun.

Andras taking the wheel

It may not be a row boat but the rowing team still powered around the bay in the kayak

Dinner aboard after another tough day at sea

And the sun closes on another boat trip

Re-painting the antifoul paint

Some jobs suck and re-antifouling might just be one of those jobs but it was cool to see a type of travel lift I have not seen before lifting my boat out of the water. You will note the very dirty bum the boat has being black with marine growth instead of blue.

Note the black bottom of the boat from all the marine growth

Repainting the antifoul paint

Travel lift leaving after dropping off my boat after water blasting it clean

My boat "Just Dreamin" next to my Uncle Dave's boat "Outnumbered" all with  new antifoul paint

Cruising around Pender Island

Loree came down for a first cruise with just the two of us going around Pender Island then on over to Saturna Island, Mayne Island then back to Sidney. It was a great 3 day cruise getting with Loree learning heaps about the boat and getting the hang of steering, reading charts, anchoring and so on. But enough with the training stuff and more with some great pictures.

Loree now comfortable steering 

Double Decker bus that got a little adventurous from England

Sea plane landing at Saturna Island

Loree getting the sail out ready for a beautiful day of sailing

Exploring by Kayak

Loree and Justin Finishing up another great trip on the boat

Spillman Family Winter Cruise

So finally my mum and dad make it to Canada for a white Christmas and the Spillman family is together again for the first time in a long time. The travel bug has made it difficult to get together in recent years with my brother and I living in Canada and travelling the world. Also mum and dad have been getting around to Hawaii, South Africa, Peru, etc.

Spillman family together for a white Christmas with Loree showing us fun in the snow

After playing in the snow the Spilly's as the family is often nick named went to Vancouver Island to try for a spot of winter sailing. While a little chilly it was still a great trip. Mum and Dad finally got to see the "Dream" in the flesh and see what it has all been about.

Uncle Dave and Aunty Pat helping us plan the first Spillman family cruise

Mum and her two baby boys all grown up LOL

Dad supervising the kids hard at work drinking hot tea and coffee

An excited mum taking the helm

Dad sailing us onto another anchorage

Getting the outboard motor on the tender to go ashore

Heading ashore now to explore

Deserted beaches

Deserted anchorages

Heaters not working so all bundling up under the blankets to stay warm while watching a movie

Me cramed into the locker fixing the heater

Another hike to see the fog

Heater working and a much more pleasant time inside now playing cards

Frivolity ensues and the Spillman boys have some fun