The Big Finish

[Tim Diebert]

I have recently moved to another lake....you might say.

We can now launch in a matter of minutes so evening sails are easy and possible during these wonderful long hot evenings.

I decided to go out Wednesday night as the local hot shot racers perform their between the cans races then. I wanted to get a closer look from the boat and cause as much trouble as possible.

We launched from a small bay north of the race course. The racing was well under way by the time we showed up and was a sight to behold. All those tall flat, shiny expensive sails....oh my. The wind was already a perfect average 8-10 with gusts. We decided to fly the new spinnaker and fell off on a beamer. We were trying to decide wether or not to raise the main as well and show these 30 footers what speed was all about....and then chose in the direction of sanity. The chute was already developing a high buzz at times and figured it was more than enough.....then minutes later it was way too much....we took it down and stuffed it, brought out the lapper and raised the main. Now we had some control. Still reaching but then noticed we had kind of become part of the race. We happened to be on the down wind, and as it happens, last leg of the race.

What we discovered next was the boat in first place passed us like we were still on the trailer. He then crossed the line between the comity boat and a marker...and off goes the air horn. Cool. We headed that way too, crossed the line....the air horn goes off....and I jump up and pump my arms , "Woo Hooo SECOND!!"

Zack laughed but then said sit down Dad. I looked back at the rather regal chaps in the comity boat and didn't see a single grin....in fact I was now wondering if in their Pussers Haze they actually thought we were in the race.

I have never raced in a sail boat race before.....and still haven't for that matter...... But I can now tell you that the confusion of all those boats once they have crossed the line is interesting.

Here I am, the wind has really come on in the form of these ninja gusts that require (in our boat anyway) to get some weight out and some creative sail trim going on...and all these ocean liners are milling about going in every which direction. Dropping sails, cracking beers, discussing the race and starting motors. Zach is saying, watch out for this guy Dad, watch out for that one.....I had no idea where to go. At that point I realized something a little funny. I had been sailing in a wilderness lake for so long, I had no idea (at least not a clear memory or idea) what the actual rules of the road were.

Zach says to me, " you have no idea what the rules of the road are do you?" My reply was, " sure I do, don't hit any of these expensive boats....easy".

I hove to for a break as it became way to windy for the sail we had up. I cracked my own beer and watched the action all around me. Wow. I live in the real world now. This is too cool.

Urban Tim.

[kydocfrog]

Hey, great to see you back. Man, that is a great looking lake. How cool to have it that close.

On the other hand, I just read your account of loosing the rig on your website. :shock:

Cowabunga, Buffalo Bob!!!!

Doc(David)A

[Dave R1]

Good story Tim. I also just finished reading of the dismasting. Glad no one got hurt. I'm envious of your new location and your proximity to the lake.

I'm taking a stab at the location of the ramp but if I'm right, it looks like a nice one. Two fairly wide ramps with a dock down the middle and a large parking area.

[adla]

i love it! that is what they get for racing in the middle of your new lake.

a.

[Tim Diebert]

Thanks Doc. Yes, a fine looking lake for sure. I hope to see a whole lot more of it this weekend.

Now that I am a regular guy working for wages, I get paid holidays off.

Imagine that...........paid for sailing. I am still in shock. :shock:

Daphne demands that she go sailing Saturday, but she has to work Sun and Monday. So I am going for a short cruise to see how far north I can get, camp and then slide back.

This part of the lake is the wildest I figure. Meaning, not as populated.

The whole thing is (depending on who you listen to) 70 to 90 miles long. Lots of stuff to explore. Lots of stuff to take pictures of.

Yes, my unfortunate turn of events. As always with such things you are glad of the experience. I was happy to actually feel what wind speeds like that are like on the water. After the fact, folks were saying 80 kmh...which I usually rough out to half in knots. Upon reconstructing the whole affair in my head I now realize there were many factors involved.

Wierd thinweird there is no predicting wind in the mountains. If there are thunder storms around, then sure....the weather guys will say it might be windy. Nothing like at the coast where you get accurate wind velocity, direction and wave forcasts. forecasts I will take what I can get. Apparently there is some kind of marine weather on the VHF around here. I guess I might buy one and see how that goes.

Dave, you are pretty well right on. The ramps are nice and steep and all paved. There is another dock on one side that is quite long and great for holding lots of boats on say a Sunday night. The really stack up there.

The only gripe I would have if any is there are pilings on one side of the floating dock in the middle. Our old dock at the old lake had built in bumpers and no pilings. What a breeze.

The parking lot is huge with proper spaces for vehicles with trailer. Vert nice. Well lit up, nice tarmac. The niftiest thing about that fascility is a'valet' boat yard. Yo show up, tell them which boat is yours....you go jump in, they hook up with this bizarre machine and whisk you away to the ramp and into the water. When you come back, you call them on the celly...and they are waiting there for you.

There is a lot of big money folks around here and I guess they like some perks.

The last two times I have been launching on the north side of the bridge and at a very small one holer ramp in a nice little park. Lots of grass and shade ....and it is free. A good spot, no dock...but beaching is no worries with us.

Adla, that is kind of how I was seeing it too. I wouldn't think twice of crossing the lake right through the course if that is where I needed to go and it suited my situation. Most times I am sure it would not be required, but I am sure the Grand Pouba has not got special ownership of that end of the lake on Wednesday nights.

With that strong Westerly, the fetch is right short. Small waves and big wind. Pretty nice. Not if it come up from the North though. Lots of fetch in that direction.

I have some images from that evening....I will edit and post a couple.

Cheers

[Dave R1]

That valet thing sounds kind of neat. What do they use? A travelift?

Did I get the right spot?

[Tim Diebert]

That is exactly it Dave. You must have the paid for version of Google Earth...? The resolution on mine is not nearly so nice.

The lift thing is not a travel lift. It is a ...........very hard thing to describe.

The 'cab' is at the back end, two wheels, steered by levers. A hitch....hydraulic, more like a front end loader mechanism...huge....two long booms or rails...wheels at the end. Everything is adjustable by the operator from the cab. The boats will (I have not looked in the yard yet) be shored up on something...he slips in, lifts and off he goes.

[Tim Diebert]

I have re-posted this same story on my blog, but added a few images of the boats and the area.

For those of you who still think all Canadians are snow bound 10 months of the year, the area I live is considered the California of Canada and may be the most desired spot in the entire country for retirees. Well heeled retirees. The realestate prices around here are beyond reason.

Anyway, on this particular evening it was nice and hot, about 90. Quite dry at about 30% relative humidity outside. It is like this from June to the end of September with the nights getting colder of course. I love the weather in this area. I like the heat. Save it up to last me all winter.

http://www.timtone.com/tt/ttphotos/BigFinish.htm

[Greg Luckett]

Well written Tim, and inspiring. Thanks.