{"id":750,"date":"2021-10-22T22:56:49","date_gmt":"2021-10-23T02:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sailons.com\/northerncomfort\/?p=750"},"modified":"2021-10-22T23:14:33","modified_gmt":"2021-10-23T03:14:33","slug":"end-of-season-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailons.com\/northerncomfort\/2021\/10\/22\/end-of-season-3\/","title":{"rendered":"End of Season 3, Haulout Next Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Hoisting
Hoisting the Main<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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As I reflect on the end of season 3 I am grateful that we managed to have some positive memorable experiences this season out on the water, even in this tumultuous time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing our best to remain positive during this summer’s lockdowns and restrictions, focusing on family and supporting our friends kept us all sane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For SV Northern Comfort, I managed to get a number of projects done and figured out some limitations to the electric motor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, there were many great sunsets. There just is something serene and positive about swaying in the water with gentle swells and watching the sunset. For the 1st half of the season, the large houseboat sits in-between the path of the sun and the earth but it’s still spectacular. At a point in august, the path of the sun slowly moves left and then I am able to get some great shots over the water from my slip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Season<\/a>
Season 3 Sunset Harbour West Marina<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Season<\/a>

End of Season 3 Sunrise Harbour West Marina<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sunrises are not to shabby either…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I am not typically a morning person, I did manage to get up early enough to catch a few sunrises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also started a Patreon<\/a> site this year. We acknowledge that we are operating on a budget and could use some help with video equipment. We would like to improve our video quality and could use some help. We appreciate all you can do to help us as we navigate and especially as we unplug from work in the future and cruise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I also started sailing all the way to the entrance of my slip, only lowering my sails at the end and motoring the last 500 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It isn’t easy every time sailing into the marina and I did have to have the motor on standby (and used a couple times) to not hit the bulkhead but this season I sailed through the very tight (2′ clearance each side) discovery entrance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a bit of challenge as the land cuts out the wind normally, but I had the wind dead on my stern that day and decided to give it a go. I had my hand on my throttle in case I got myself in a jam, but I did manage to get through the small opening and then maneuvered all the way down to my slip under sail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am getting more confident in the controls, the furler, the lines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Sailing
Sailing into our Marina Slip<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"The
The Neds<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Grandma
Grandma and Grandpa out for a Sail<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Touring
Touring #HamOnt Harbour<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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We were blessed to have some Father and Son time together, David and I while we worked on some boat projects, but also managed to get some fun in there too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We picked up a used inflatable SUP and did some touring around. David got really skilled at standing and paddling around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were not very many festivities this year as lockdown restrictions limited functions and sizes at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. It was quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was also very glad that our family, Julisa and David and even Grandma and Grandpa managed to get out on the water for a period this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We took a trip out to Grimsby and 50 Point Marina and stayed there a night. It was a great experience and although the week was uncooperative with the weather we still managed to have some fun, even anchoring out at Burlington Beach and doing some swimming!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Relaxing
Relaxing at 50 Point Marina<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

One great project that I have to say surprised me was refitting my sails. In the winter I asked Bay Sails to recut my main and #3 jib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The previous owner of Northern Comfort had raised the boom but never cut down the main to fit the change. The boom was raised to allow clearance over the dodger as well as provide a means to have the boom over the heads of everyone in the cockpit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a mainsail fit the boom tightly was a totally new experience. I was able to trim the sail tightly and my max boat speed went from 5.5 knots to 8.5 knots in 15 knots of wind. Huge gains!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Properly
Properly Fitted Main Sail<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Electric
Electric Motor Conversion<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

End of Season 3 Approaching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we close off this season, I am going to apply many of the lesson’s learned with respect to the engine and power systems. This Seasons 4 ahead which starts with the haulout next week will include many boat projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people have asked me if I thought going electric was a mistake; definitely not is my answer. But I am not certain that electric motors are for anyone. If you are the type that just wants to go and not worry about batteries, and how many amps, or if there is enough charging off grid, then maybe electric is not for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For myself, with my philosophy of wanting to not leave any footprints behind, I think reducing my consumption and waste where I can is a good thing. I like sailing. I am not in a rush. As we reach the end of season 3 Next year I plan to travel to the Maritimes with my boat so here is what I learned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n