Winter Layover 2013

Point Bay Marina, Charlotte Vermont:  January 15, 2013

Lucy III under wraps !

Marc-  Lucy III is blocked up and wrapped up for the winter and surrounded by snow.  I searched for a door in the shrink wrap to get in, but none was to be found.  I will make an opening in the rear wrap once the weather improves to commence the Spring preparations.  The rebuilt centerboard is ready for installation as well as the re-powered Simrad autopilot.  Just two of many maintenance items for this haul-out season.  The sail repairs are also completed.  We will continue to  work on the sail cover repairs.  Some deck repair and paint work needs to be done and we need to install the new electric winch that will control the centerboard.  Some new electrical work will be done as well as a new fuel tank to extend our cruising range under power.






Burlington is beautiful in Winter and we have tried to stay busy outdoors.

Point Bay Marina Haul Out: November 2, 2012

PBM, Charlotte, Vermont

Marc- Lucy III is hi and dry for the winter months in a crowd of boats.  Stephanie and I came up to complete the engine winterization and some other winter storage boat chores.  Friday was also the day of the PBM annual customer appreciation party at the "Old Lantern" in Charlotte.  It amazes me on the great turnout they have at this event. Its success may have something to do with free food and drink along with gift prizes.  We did not win anything but some friends did.  We stayed overnight at John and Mindy's house.  Saturday morning we were all up early to work on our boats.  Pictured below is John and Mindy's boat

Coquina.  Why did they get so much room?

Part one of the centerboard repair project is done.  We took the centerboard out, thanks to Roger for use of his grinder to access that nasty pin buried in fiberglass.  The steel core of the centerboard has become rusty and needs a rebuild this winter.  I will be surprised if we can get this back in the keel before the winter cold sets in.  The Vermont Peaks are already covered in snow.

Last Sail: October 20, 2012

Marc-  The mooring field at Point Bay is very nice this time of year.   It is haul out time once again in Vermont.  Lucy III will be staying this winter at Point Bay Marina in Charlotte.  Stephanie and I have come up to go out on the boat one last time.   Our plan is also to remove the sails and other canvas for the winter.  Both need substantial cleaning this year.  The local seagulls have decided to visit our boat often lately.  We will need to address this next Spring.

I've winterized our water systems.  The engine winterizing will have to wait for haul out to be done. Stephanie packed all the sheets, towels, clothes and food that was left aboard after a season of sailing the Lake.  I should be back next week to do a few more essential preparations.  Lots of projects for this winter including the centerboard remake and all its details.  The autopilot apparently needs a new motor.  We did experience a passing shower that left a double rainbow.

shower coming.

double rainbows.

anti-freeze

model Stephanie

We visited John And Mindy and their family Saturday night.  A great time was had by all with special thanks for the fantastic dinner.  The Vergennes' Falls, near the Donnelly home, was especially strong due to recent rain.  No boats were tied up at the Public docks below the Falls today.

Otter Creek Falls

 27 October 2012.  Point Bay Marina, Charlotte Vermont.

Marc- Pre-storm check on the Lucy III that is still out in the mooring field.  Hurricane Sandy is due to on Monday with heavy winds forecast.  I went out with my friend Monday and we added extra lines on Lucy III and Coquina.  Sue, Stephanie and I then departed for Montreal to visit Aunt Dorothy, Sara at McGill University and for open house at both Concordia and McGill for Stephanie.

Mc Gill student frozen in bronze.

Sherbrooke Street Art.

Ma Tante Dorothy et ses petits cadeaux !

Burlington RSYC - Fast Sail (version francaise)

Burlington RSYC Race:  15 Septembre 2012  

Marc- Nous avions comme objectif de cette course de nous rendre à Burlington. C’était bien modeste (c’est environ à 4 heures de navigation de notre marina), mais pour nous c’était l’aventure puisque nous n’étions jamais allé si loin dans une course a voile.  Après notre ravitaillement en carburant, à 9 H 45 nous larguons le corps mort et commençons la traversée de la baie pour nous rendre a la ligne de départ. Nos amis du Vermont nous ont dit de nous méfier de ce lac qui peut être très dur par fort vent de Nord ou du Nord-Ouest, mais aujourd’hui, la météo nous propose un vent d’Ouest. L’eau est belle et le soleil radieux. Nous croiserons d’autres voiliers qui se rendent a la ligne de départ.    Un quart d’heure plus tard, nous traversons la ligne de départ dans une petite baie sur la rive sud de “Town Farm Bay”.  Nous sommes proches des fermes du Vermont et de leurs champs verts.  Après le départ nous traversons vers la cote du New York et ses montagnes les Adirondacks avec un vent du Nord de 10 knts.  Arriver près de la cote  New-yorkaise, nous tournons le bateau vers le Nord avec un vent du Ouest assez faible pour que je remonte tous nous voiles.  Une fois dans le grand lac, un puissant vent de Nord souffle soulevant un clapot de près de cinq pieds et fait pivoter le bateau vers le fond.  Notre voile “mizzen” déchire d’un bout a l’autre.  Je réduit deux voiles et nous continuons avec seulement le génois.  Le vent continue a forcer avec des rafales de 30 et 40 knts.  Je prends la décision de réduire le génois.  Cela n’est pas facile a cause d’une ligne emmêlés treuil ligne.  Impossible d’y arriver avec ce vent et nous approchons  la terre sous le vent  et les rochers près de Shelburne.  Je  démarre le moteur.  Stéphanie annonce que nous sommes disqualifié et nous pivotons le bateau dans le vent et  retrouve l’ordre dans les lignes du genois.  J’arrive a raccourcir le génois.  Nous reprenons la route pour Burlington.  A 14: 15 nous passons la brise-lames de Burlington.   Nous sommes accueillis a la marina “Ferry Dock” par le dock-master très chaleureusement. Il est d’une amabilité exemplaire mais il ne prévient que nous devons rester dans la marina jusqu’à dimanche matin. Un concert dans le parc tout près de la  ne me passionne pas beaucoup, mais pouvons-nous y assister en étant ici ?   Nous nous installons donc pour ce soir à la meilleure place dans la marina suivant le vent dominant ces jours ci Nord-Ouest.  Nous ferons une reconnaissance des alentours dans l’après midi. Nous retrouvons tous nos compatriotes de course dans une autre marina tout près d’ici “Burlington Community Boathouse”.  Nous retrouvons nos amis Alain et Diane qui nous invitent a venir voir le concert le soir sur leur bateau. Il sont amarrer en face de l’estrade du concert.  Nous quittons leur bateau afin de nous promener dans la ville.  Nous trouvons les commerces de proximité en centre ville, sur “Church Street”, une organisation qui nous plait beaucoup.   Cela rappelle les villes canadiennes.  Nous allons manger avec notre club au restaurant Ice House.  Plus tard nous revenons au bateau “Abigail” pour voir et écouter le concert de “Grace Potter and the Nocturals” (un groupe du Vermont).   Nous allons nous coucher en espérant que le concert ne va pas nous garder réveiller. Heureusement, nous sommes dans une marina a une certaine distance et nous passerons une nuit calme.

Burlington RSYC Race: le retour a Charlotte. 16 Septembre 2012  

Marc-  Ce matin à 7 H 10 nous larguons les amarres et commençons la traversée du lac Champlain. Nos amis du RSYC sont tous endormie.  Nous partons avec un vent  encore de Nord-Ouest, mais aujourd’hui, nous allons au Sud et cela nous convient.  Nous allons avoir la journée la plus belle de cette navigation.  Nous avons même vu des montgolfières au-dessus Burlington.  Nous croiserons  quelques petits bateaux de pêcheurs et le traversier de Charlotte qui va sur Essex.  Les eaux sont très poissonneuses car nous voyons même  des pêcheurs sur les rives.   Nous prenons notre petit déjeuner en route (sauf que Stéphanie qui dors toujours).  Un beau soleil nous réchauffe. A 10H 10, nous sommes à notre destination obligée avec notre arrivée a la Marina de Point Bay a Charlotte  au Vermont.   Stéphanie se réveille enfin.  Le vent retombera rapidement lors de notre arrivé.  Nos amis qui partiront tard de Burlington font le trajet a moteur.  J’aurais la prétention de vouloir me baigner, mais la température de l’eau me ramènera à la raison.  Nous reprenons notre voiture ici afin d’aller à la maison à Watertown et notre vie terrestre.

Charlotte:  Point Bay Marina mooring.  7 Octobre  2012  

Marc-  Nous avons décidé de nous arrêter où que nous soyons pour le diner avec la visite de Marie, Éveline, Sara, Sue et Stéphanie.  Il fait un temps splendide et mais pas très chaud. Nous dinerons sur le pont du Lucy III.  Aujourd’hui, ce sera une courte visite au bateau après l’avoir décharger de plusieurs sacs de couvertures et de serviettes.  La saison de navigation au Lac Champlain se termine bientôt.  

2012 Fast Sailing

RSYC Burlington Fast Sail Weekend: September 14 through 16th, 2012.

Marc- We drove up and stayed in South Burlington Friday night for an early start. Sue, Stephanie and I enjoyed the RSYC breakfast at 8 a.m. A cold front came through overnight with a few showers and wind gusts and a huge temperature shift. The summer southwest wind was replaced by the crisp cool northwest wind. We loaded up the Lucy III and left the dinghy (this was a race right). We came over the start line at our given time of 10:03 and sailed closehauled for the New York shore near Split Rock. Our first tack was a good one with a clean shot heading up the middle of the Lake past Converse Bay and Sloop Island. We even raised our mizzen sail as the winds were lower in this area. As we approached Quaker Smith Point the wind intensity increased with gusts up to 35 knots and heavier waves. I went forward and took down the mainsail. As I looked back I noticed that the mizzen sail had split right up the middle (Stephanie has volunteered to do the repair sewing). The winds shifted more to the North requiring a tack. As we went to tack I noticed that we could not release the genoa sheet that was twisted over itself several times on the winch. Nasty business as we could not relieve the pressure even after taking off the snatch block. It was at this point that we started the engine and headed up and untangled the mess. Success and yet we were now disqualified for the race. We bounced around a lot before reaching the Southern entrance of the Burlington Breakwater at 1:35. We came in to check out the Burlington Community Boathouse for any available slips but none were to be found. Jeff, the Burlington Ferry Dock Marina Dockmaster, was waiting for us as we approached the marina. He quickly found us a slip and helped us dock for the night with other RSYC sailors nearby.

After visiting some boat friends, we took the bus up to Church Street for some shopping. I particularly enjoyed the Outdoor Exchange filled with outdoor gear for the adventurer. Next stop was cocktails and appetizers aboard Abigail, Alan and Diane’s great Cruiser extraordinaire. We had a great view of the Grace Potter Concert at the Waterfront Park from her upper deck. The music and the light show were fun. Dinner at the Ice House near the waterfront was good as well. The RSYC gang were a pleasure to be with. It is great to discuss sailing plans and even a boat purchase. We returned to Abilgail for some after dinner chocolates (Lake Champlain chocolates) before returning to the Lucy III for the night. I switched off the air conditioner and turned on the heater for this night that dropped to about 40 degrees F.

Marc- Sunday morning breakfast for Sue and I at the dock. The wind was still blowing out of the Northwest at 10 to 15 knots and it felt much cooler than Saturday. We departed the dock at 7:10 and raised the main and genoa and were off to the South. Lucy III had a close reach until Shelburne Point and then a reach the remaining stretch to Thompson’s Point. Our Northwest wind shifted to west and diminished considerably past the Charlotte ferry. Sue did much of the steering today. Our dinghy and mooring were waiting where we had left them. John and Mindy came over on Coquina as they were leaving for a daysail with guests Mary, George and George, Sr. They appeared to be heading for Barn Rock Harbor… I designed a new tangle of lines to keep the seagulls off of our bimini top. My last attempt of putting Hedwig, our plastic owl, above the bimini only partially worked. I would stay away from these lines if I were a bird looking for an easy landing spot. The dinghy needed some reinflating after with these cooler temperatures (only in the 50’s by midday). We brought home two of our folding bikes for some maintenance. The chains are getting a bit rusty and the tires are getting cracked a bit. Next season it may be better to cover them up on deck with a tarp along the lifelines.

2012 Summer Cruise Part IV

July 18, 2012. Burlington Community Boathouse, Burlington, Vermont.

Marc- Wednesday. Departure today from civilization and into the wilderness somewhere. Light winds out of the North. We motor sailed South. Arriving at Split Rock Light, the wind picked up to 15 to 20 knots and we sailed. Unfortunately are water tank had discharged itself overboard when we left a valve open after transitioning from shore water to our tanks. This was quickly rectified by a stop at Point Bay Marina where we topped off both water and fuel tanks. After some reflection, Sara and Stephanie chose our destination for an uncharted harbor called “Barn Rock Harbor” in the Adirondack Mountain side of Lake Champlain. This was a fantastic decision. We had our best sail on the Lake this year as we had sustained speeds of 6.5 knots and 7 knots in gusts. The winds all but died as we approached the harbor entrance that was a sort of canyon in the rocky shore. One boat was anchored at the entrance with swimmers in the water. They announced a 30 foot depth here. Watching the depth finder carefully we went in and circled inside finding depths of 6 feet even at the head of the harbor with a sandy bottom. Swing room was limited so we set two anchors. The swimming here was fantastic. I dove on the anchors and met some fish below. Later we went ashore and explored several trails leading to the cliffs overlooking the harbor on the West and the Lake to the East. The view at the point was superb. Dinner was aboard tonight as we were alone in this wilderness.

July 19, 2012. Barn Rock Harbor, Adirondack Mountains, New York.

Marc- Thursday. Sara had a refreshing swim after breakfast and assisted in retrieving one of the anchors. We motored Northeast in a calm Lake up to the mouth of Otter Creek. Since the Lake water level was low we approached carefully but experienced good depths throughout the Creek. The lowest point was 7.7 feet. Sara heard John Donnelly call out as we rounded a bend near the Vergennes Basin. The Vergennes Northern Dock had space and we were able to tie up with shore water and power (all free). John and Mindy came over for a tour of the Lucy III and then we were off for lunch in town. The burritos were excellent at Grave’s Restaurant. John And Mindy invited us to go hiking in the woods, first near their home and then at their camp in the Adirondacks mountains near Crown Point. This was great as they are formidable keepers of the forest trails. We did see some of the damage done by Hurricane Irene last Fall in a creek bed with trees torn from their roots littered about. One home nearby was abandoned due to the rising water and ensuing damage. We stopped by Shaw’s Supermarket on our return for a few items. In the evening we caught the end of the Vergennes Farmer’s Market and visited a few shops.

July 20, 2012. Vergennes North Town Dock, Vergennes, Vermont.

Marc- Friday. We’ve decided to find another secluded spot to anchor for the night. After a call from John and Mindy we returned to Barn Rock Harbor. Another nice day of hiking in the Adirondacks (we need a trail map next time we visit here) and some excellent swimming. Saturday brought us back to Point Bay Marina in Charlotte. Back to Massachusetts for us for awhile.

2012 Summer Cruise Part III

July 9, 2012 through July 15, 2012, Burton Island State Park, Vermont.

Sara and Stephanie’s island hiatus. Nothing but island and lake until Friday.

Sara- Every morning I would sit by the water on a comfortable rock; I found two that worked as a chair, with a great back rest. Some mornings I’d choose the nearby bench instead though, as I saw the sun meet spider webs sparkling with dew. As an artist scuttled across my rock chair, I’d back off to my bench and crack open Anna Karenina.


In the last few days before we left our island for a weekend in Montreal I pulled on my hiking boots and ran each morning, for the first time, I think, since I’d sprained my ankle a couple months earlier, when I was still in school in Canada, jogging around Mount Royal. On my Burton Island runs, I’d plod along the perimeter, through forest, along beaches, over rocks, till I reached a light-kissed grassy clearing with two picnic tables and three trees, two small ones a larger one that I felt wish me goodbye as I left—the Southern Tip. I’d hop onto a picnic table and hoist my right leg, and then the rest of my body, into one of the smaller trees, as I’d seen another traveler do. And there I’d sit, in the crook of a tree, a baby held by her mother.

Then I’d smile round at the clearing in thanks, walk over to the very tip, and gaze down from the cliff at the frolicking, meandering waves, at a smaller island across the waters. Once I fancied I saw a guy sitting on that other dollop of land, lounging on a beach chair. I waved, turned, ran.

Steph would always be waiting, grumbling at me for not telling her I’d gone. “I wanna get some exercise too, ya know.”

I’d nod, ask her for my water bottle and weave drunkenly, calmly over to my waterside reading rocks that I’d dance carefully over and plop into the cool, fresh lake. Smile.

Some of the best days Steph and I had were spent reading.

We’d rouse ourselves from lethargy at around noon, make lunch, eat too much, laze some more, “digesting”, and then finally head out, Hunger Games in hand, to the Southern Tip. We’d stop at beaches and take turns reading. Mostly Steph read. She was good at it. We did the same thing later with Steph’s summer reading book Into The Wild. I’m listening to the soundtrack to the movie now. I recommend the book, the music and the movie.



July 13, 2012, Burton Island State Park, Vermont.

Marc- Friday. Sure and I are back sort of. We returned to work this week and then left really early, a la 04:30 this morning to pick up the girls on the first Burton Island ferry to Kill Kare. The reason for this excursion is a necessary trip to McGill University at Montreal this morning. The border crossing was uneventful but different. The American border patrol was stopping all vehicles at its station. Not only this but they were accompanied by two soldiers with machine guns. Something was up and they were not telling us anything. A few standard questions and we went on to the Canadian crossing station. The Customs Guard was not his normal friendly self yet were had no difficulties. We arrived in Montreal to check into Sara’s apartment. We then proceeded to McGill and a meeting with the Art’s Faculty Director for transfers. Sara met with the gentlemen for a few minutes about her requested transfer from Education to Arts. She checked on the computer once back to the apartment and wow the transfer had been allowed. Excellent news for a very happy Sara.

We remained in Montreal to work on Sara’s apartment and to visit with Aunt Dorothy. The lunch at the neighborhood Greek restaurant was excellent. Sara enjoyed visiting with her friends that had remained in Montreal over the summer.

Saturday. Sara and I went over to get Aunt Dorothy for breakfast and a visit to Sara’s apartment. Breakfast was very nice in one of the restaurants downstairs in La Cite’ (Sara’s apartment complex). We then toured some of the local stores in the underground mall before departing for a visit to Chambly. Unfortunately is was very hot and sunny in Chambly. The tour outside of some of the old homes was difficult but the young guide was good. We enjoyed lunch in an air conditioned restaurant by the Chambly basin and then went for dessert at a local chocolate shop. Our last stop in Chambly was a market for some local strawberries, blueberries and Curd Cheddar cheese.



July 15, 2012, Burton Island State Park, Vermont.

Marc- Sue brought us back from Montreal and left us at the ferry. She is returning to work in Boston while we continue our Vermont sailing on Lake Champlain. Luckily we made a food stop at Hannaford's market to re-supply the Lucy III’s foodstuffs. Later I lit a campfire for some marshmallow (vegan) roasting and some smores.

July 16, 2012, Burton Island State Park, Vermont.



Marc- Monday. A wonderful morning for our departure with South winds at 10 knots. We did a pump out and a fuel fill up this morning as the forecast is for light and variable winds. Our arrival at the Grand Isle Bridge was 15 minutes off so we tied up to get some ice at Ladd’s Landing. The bridge opened right on time and we motor sailed South to Burlington. I made arrangements to tie up at the Burlington Community Boathouse since stormy weather is forecast for the next 36 hours. It did not take us long to reach Church Street and the shops more for a diversion than for actual need. Dinner was enjoyed on the Lucy III of pasta and a green salad. We all went for a quick swim off of the back of Lucy III after sunset and just prior to the onslaught of the mosquitoes. A guard came by with a flashlight but he did not see us or chose to ignore us.



July 17, 2012, Burlington Community Boathouse, Burlington, Vermont.

Marc- Tuesday . Breakfast onboard the Lucy III and then our free bus adventure into the downtown. More shops again today and a lunch stop at a new Mexican Diner that features $ 4.00 meals. I picked up a few missing wires for the electronics on the Lucy III. We should now be able to hear movies playing on the laptop. The A.C. creates a fair amount of background noise to deal with and the small speaker should help. We had a bouncy time since sunrise with a 20 knot wind out of the South. Our slip has some Southern exposure. This should clear up tonight when the wind shift to the West at 40 knots. Some rain this morning but none of the big storms predicted have arrived here yet. We saw the new Spiderman movie while the nasty storms rolled through town. No harm done to Lucy III. The Captain of the Charter Friendship Sloop explained the severe lightning and 60 knot winds.

Burlington flowers