Greetings from Diamond Waters Sailing,
Now that the leaves are off the trees, we can clearly see the sun setting in the west, a little further south each day. We are just past half way from the equinox to the solstice, the daylight is getting shorter as we approach the solstice, when that fat old sun will once again begin its trip north to give us warmth and spectacular boating. Such knowledge may not make you the life of the party (trust me), but it will make you a better navigator. Better yet, sign up for our Basic Coastal Navigation course and become a better boater.
And how about that change from daylight saving to standard time? If you have an opinion about daylight saving time, you can influence this political decision. Or you can use the boater’s code, “It’s after 5 somewhere!” and change the conversation to happy hour…LOL
Winter Navigation Courses
Diamond Waters Sailing intends to run Basic Coastal Navigation courses starting February 4, 2024. We adapted our course for distance learning during Covid and it was very successful. The convenience of attending class from home seemed to outweigh the benefits of in-person instruction, especially if you do not live in Parry Sound, not to mention the cost saving of classroom expense passed on to you.
Reply to let us know if you want to take the course with us – we need at least 5 students so make your reservation now – no fees required until the course is confirmed. When we reach our minimum number we will advise you that the course is on, and request your 50% deposit to confirm your registration. The zoom lessons will be from 7-9 pm to allow an extra hour for tutoring and end at 10 pm. Course dates may vary by consensus.
If you have taken the course and just need to write the exam, or if you want to challenge the course, please let us know by reply. You will be welcome to join us for review and exam day.
This schedule below is subject to change.
Basic Coastal Navigation (BCN) – 16-20 hours of instruction, $350 includes e-notes, practice chart (Georgian Bay), plotting instruments. See the standard:
https://www.sailing.ca/uploads/2020/11/Basic-Coastal-Navigation-5-May-2021.pdf
Course dates (not firm):
4 Feb, 09:00-15:00, course start on zoom
14 Feb, 19:00-22:00, zoom lessons
21 Feb, 19:00-22:00, zoom lessons
28 Feb, 19:00-22:00, zoom lessons
2 March, 09:00-16:00, course finish in class in Parry Sound with review, exam and registration. Dinner together to celebrate is an option.
Intermediate Coastal Navigation (ICN) – 18-20 hours of instruction, $300 includes e-notes. If there is enough interest, we will offer ICN immediately following the BCN.
https://www.sailing.ca/uploads/2021/03/Intermediate-Coastal-Navigation-27-February-2021.pdf
Sailing 2023
And if you are dreaming of cruising, so are we. DWS will be sail training all season starting early in June and ending before Thanksgiving. Send us a note to reserve dates for any of the introductory courses, Basic or Intermediate Cruising Standards. We will build our schedule around you until we are reaching capacity. See our sailing packages on-line:
Courses
Diamond Waters Sailing News
Thanks for another great summer! The weather was a bit more erratic than usual – it seems to be a sign of the times. But with patience and persistence, despite delays, we finished all the courses that we started.
Big news for 2024! Sue has registered their Alberg 30 with Transport Canada for training so there are more training date options for you. Sue, Steph and Nimbus IX, cast off their dock lines in early August and headed for the North Channel for 6 weeks.
They returned in time for Sue and I to attend an instructor clinic at Humber Bay Sailing Club. It’s very helpful to share lesson plans with other instructors. Sailing is fun anywhere but I’ll take Georgian Bay over Lake Ontario anytime.
Blue Pearl was on the top of her game again this summer, providing safe, comfortable and reliable boating. She’s all tucked in for the winter; new oil and filter, Seafoam in the diesel, fresh water and engine water drained, a minimal amount of potable antifreeze added, and water pump impeller removed. I’ll change the fuel filters in the spring.
Birds on the wire. They thought it was the heads 🙁
Our commitment to sustainable practices has lead us to stop using deck cleaner because of the potential environmental harm. The deck cleans up just fine with water, no need for the micro plastic filled, foaming chemical bottle. A good wax and buff up each spring keeps seems to keep the gelcoat healthy and easy to keep clean for a season with no environmental impact.
It was recently announced that VC17 bottom paint will no longer be sold due to environmental concerns. Science hopes to bring us a non-toxic alternative and in the meantime, let’s be grateful for fresh water sailing.
We promote the use of a reusable boat cover verses shrink wrap. The investment in a custom made cover pays off in a few years compared to shrink wrap and it reduces landfill plastic. Our cover was made by Genco eight years ago and is still in excellent condition – it takes two hours for two of us to install and remove and it fits nice and snug.
Bubbles up for Jimmy Buffet, 1946 – September 1, 2023. It was Friday night and Parry Sound had fireworks in the harbour, postponed from July 1 when the fire hazard was extreme. Blue Pearl was decorated for the Sparkling Sailpast and loaded with friends for the parade past the town dock. The news of Jimmy’s death was a shock the next morning. His music floated across the Bay all weekend and the next with dear Parrot Head friends at a margarita-sail-to party. Sail on Sailor and thanks for sharing your life song with us.
Sail Parry Sound had their annual dock out party the last Saturday in October. It was chilly but the water felt warm. The sailboats are all away, the docks are moved to their winter home at Big Sound Marina (thank you George) and the coach boats are getting
their winter service at Hamer Bay Marine (thank you Terry and Mike) and Gordon Bay Marine (thank you Ben). If you are interested in sailing school day camp for your children, or adult dinghy sailing lessons, or helping our community sailing club, contact Sail Parry Sound. I hear the BBQ’s make volunteering worth your time, not to mention all the friends of SPS. https://sailparrysound.on.ca/
Have a wonderful Christmas and don’t wait to sign up for our winter navigation course(s).
Larry and Sue
As usual, if you do not wish to receive these newsletters from us, please reply to us and we will remove you from our mail list – no worries.