Pre-Departure Checklist for Labour Day

We've been busy on the boat when not at work in Edmonton or Vancouver.  The toe rail has now been varnished and is looking really beautiful.  Checking the tides for departure on Friday, here is what we have:

New Westminster Tide for August 31, 2012

What it boils down to is a fast trip down river on the ebb tide and the flood tide with us as we sail to Newcastle Island.

Ship's Sextant

We just acquired a used sextant - a Plath Navistar Professional like the one below.

More At Anchor

We never see Terratima from afar unless we are off the boat.  Here are some pictures by our friends Brad and Aline:

From the iPad

Here is a little video we shot from our iPad as we sailed back across the Strait of Georgia

Clam Bay

Here is a photo our friends Brad and Aline took of us as they left Clam Bay.  we were rafted up for a night, enjoyed their company and good cheer.  Thanks for the pic.

4th Year

This month we start our 4th year as liveaboards.  Here is a summation of our feelings about the past 3 years:

• We have all our "stuff" in storage and we miss NOTHING.  We have decided to review it all, decide on the very few items we will keep and the rest will be auctioned or given away.
• We cannot image not living on the water.  
• We are comfortable as can be and definitely made the right decision on our boat - an Island Packet 465.  She is a solid sailing performer, comfortable on the hook, at the dock and underway.
• To answer the question people have about continuing to work on land:  I travel a lot on business, have no problem doing it, but I'd rather be cruising. 
• Len loves to do the boat maintenance while on land he hated cutting the grass, painting the eaves and cleaning the eves troughs.
• Our son loves living on board.

We love it and the only regret we have is not doing it earlier.

Cruise Map

Here are the maps of our summer cruise (click on maps to enlarge)

Part 1

From North to South (north is at the top)

Shelter Island (Home Port)

Point Roberts

Roche Harbor, San Juan Island

Rosario, Orcas island

Sidney

Victoria

Part 2

From South to North

Victoria

Sidney

Ganges Harbor, Salt Spring Island

Clam Bay, Thetis Island

Nanaimo

Part 3

From South to North

Nanaimo

Pender Harbor

Comox

Gorge Harbor

Part 4

From North to South

Gorge Harbor

Refuge Cove

Comox

Schooner Cove

Part 5

From North to South

Schooner Cove

Clam Bay, Thetis Island

Shelter Island marina (Home Port)