Persistence Sailing 2016 - A long season but a very good one
Persistence on launch day April 4, 2016
Winter of 2015/16 seemed mild in February and put thoughts of an early Spring and very early launch into one person's head. The thoughts would not go away. Throughout the month of February and March the new cabin sole was coming along nicely and as the last weekend in March approached we had a forecast of +9 or above for 4 straight days (50 degrees approx). This meant it was warm enough to wash wax and apply bottom paint! So on the last weekend of skiing the plan was hatched to launch the first week of April. All went well and Persistence was the first boat launched at our club by ten full days!
Persistence April 5, 2016 - early launch looking a bit silly
April 9 was our planned day to step the mast. The snow was gone and the sun was out and it seemed the seasonal thing to do. All was great right up until the engine was to be started. It had run well on Monday and Friday but no amount of hoping would have it start on Saturday. We warped the boat to the spar crane and stepped the mast and then a number of us sat in the cockpit enjoying a beverage on a warm sunny day for the first time in 2016. The next morning as we inspected the engine we woke to snow yet again. 3 or 4 inches. Ugh! It was to be exactly two full weeks until the engine problem was diagnosed and repaired and a great learning experience on how a diesel engine works, gets disassembled and put back together again. A very simple fix once finally diagnosed but a lot of work
The little guy on the left is a "Governor Flyweight Assembly". It sits on camshaft and is held in place with a nut that fell off
First sail of the year April 27
Maybe April 4 was a bit early and optimistic. However by April 27 the boat was ready, the crew was anxious and Persistence headed out for the first sail of the season on a Wednesday evening in late April. It was COLD but very nice to be on the water again.
Parking lot at the mark
The Harbour Race. An annual classic fun race. Boats start in Pursuit format from RNSYS in NW Arm and from BBYC in Bedford Basin. First across the line in each fleet wins. This is followed by a raft up in down town Halifax of both fleets with a lot of socializing. On Persistence we had 15 on board for the race. The weather was warm and sunny but unfortunately the North and South winds clashed at our leeward mark resulting in a parking lot for a time. Eventually we all sailed out of that and had a great time! As we were enjoying the raft up the Bluenose II sailed by for the first time in several years after a complete rebuild. She was quite a sight! Nearly as old and yet still flying was one of our soon to be decommissioned 50 year old Sea King helicopters. These are your best friend if ever in need at sea!
Above - Bluenose II. Below Canadian Navy Sea King
Canada Day Race 2016
The long summer continued. We had one of the warmest and sunniest summers on record. Persistence raced Spring and Fall Wednesday series. Captured 2nd in class at Metro Regatta. Participated in some fun Saturday races and finished the season with final fun races at various clubs. Turkey Bowl and Danginn in October. On September 10 RNSYS hosts the prestigious Prince of Wales regatta. PHRF under 61 in POW, PHRF 61 - 90 in Wenonah and PHRF 91-132 in Oland Passow. Persistence was prepped and raced. While there may have only been two boats in our class the other was the Frers 33 Equinox that beat us handily in the Metro regatta. This made winning the oldest trophy in the club (1844) much more satisfying.
Oland Passow trophy being carefully held.
No account of Persistence 2016 season could be told without mention of the summer cruise. Persistence left Halifax Friday July 15 with Heather, Mike, Woody and Karen bound for Port Hawkesbury, NS (159 NM). En route Beef Wellington was baked in the oven since this is such a cruisy boat. Next leg was Port Hawkesbury to Pictou, NS, followed by Pictou to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island where Woody and Karen headed home. Sailing with full water tanks, hot water, bimini and dodger was a real treat. In Charlottetown we met up with old friends from our J27 days and went racing on a C&C 29 for an evening. From there back to Barrachois, NS where we had sailed for 14 years on our Niagara 26 and J27. Then back to Halifax by way of Pictou, Port Hawkesbury, Guysborough and Canso. Along the way we saw many whales as close as 5 feet from the hull. Also managed to encounter lightning storms, fog (lots of fog) and make extensive use of the AIS receiver as we travelled the coast. 600 NM over 13 days proved how comfortable a Frers 33 can be for cruising. Was a great adventure and great to see old friends.
Serious racing on Jason's boat in Charlottetown, PEI
Relaxing on Persistence with friends in Barrachois, NS