ACE Delivery to National

We left ACE in a slip after the Whitby 50, and I had to get it delivered back for Wednesday races at National.

Winds were forecast for 11-14 knots from the NW, PERFECT for a delivery back.
ACE can sail faster than she can motor.

Dave Sandford offered to do the delivery with me, and I invited "Start Keelboat Sailling" students Andrew and Ian to come along for the experience.

I took my truck down to National in the afternoon and GO Trained it back to Whitby.

We rigged up ACE with the #4 jib; we probably could have used the #3 for a LITTLE more speed, but it was at the bottom of a pile of other sails.  Dave and I didn't want to be overwelmed with too much sail with sailors new to big boats.

After a short orientation session, we left the dock at little after 5:30pm

Dave took the helm and we went into the wind just past the harbour mouth and raised the main sail, follow right away with the #4 jib.  Seemed a little under powered, but the wind picked up as we went further off shore.

We got the boat going between 7 and 8 knots most of the time.

Occasionally, we would get a puff and would have to let out the main to keep the boat on its feet.

Andrew, Ian,(on helm) and Dave

Andrew and Ian took turns on the tiller, and learned a lot about sail trim.

We got to Toronto's Leslie Street Spit at shortly after 8:30pm, and got a little sprinkling of rain (just a few drops).  We tacked up the eastern gap with Dave helming, the boys doing the sheets, and me doing the runners.

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The winds at the north side of the harbour were less and all over the place, so we dropped the jib and motor sailed for a while before dropping the main before the Porter ferry.

The Toronto skyline from the water at night is a sight to see.  It was VERY dark as the cloud cover obscured the moon.

We docked at National at little after 10pm, cleaned up the boat, and went into the clubhouse for a beer.  Glad I took the truck down in the afternoon, as catching a GO train back at the end of the night could have added another couple of hours.

Thanks Dave and thanks guys for coming.

Trip Odometer: 30.40 miles
Avg Speed: 5.2 knots
Max Speed: 91. knots
Moving Time: 04:32:00

Google Earth Track

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