The sea wall repair project has begun in earnest.  The contractor has cut off the concrete cap and all can see that some of the sea wall disintegrated under the pressure of that work.  The pile driver repair is almost completed so we can soon begin driving sheets of steel.  Come out and lend a hand.  

Yard Cleanup

I want all member's property left on the ground or attached to the fence moved away from the fence and relocated to your cradle, especially your ladders.  I will repeat this message for the next two weeks and then clean up the fence area and dispose of everything left behind starting Dec 1, 2013.

We are now into our "winter" season and the usage of the clubhouse changes now to work parties, seminars and socializing.  The Halloween party was a huge success; we even got a visit from the "Mayor"! (I am not sure if that is a good or a bad thing........).  Many thanks to Natasha and Alex, new members this year for putting on a great evening.  This past Sunday was the first annual ABYC Artists Show.  All I can say is that I was blown away when I walked up the stairs.  The dining area and dance floor was filled with paintings, photographs, quilts, jewelry and knitted goods.  To accompany the show was some complimentary wine and cheese thanks to Jonathon Lewis.  Thank you Terry Fagan for coming up with this idea and running with it.  It made for a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon.  I would love to see more functions like this in the club.

This past Friday evening we had a visit from the Alexandra Yacht Club house band; I believe that it might have been someone's monumental birthday.... The dining room was packed, the food was good and all had a great time.  I do ask that if you are planning to come down on a Friday evening please call ahead and let the staff know.

I will be having my first House Committee meeting on November 20.  If anyone is interested in attending please let me know at vcmember@abyc.on.ca

After a month of delays and an abandoned leg, Diane's 2013 Mini Transat has started.  They were all clear on the starting line about 0945 local time (3:45am Toronto) this Wednesday morning.  Diane has commenced her 3,700 mile, non stop run from Sada, Spain, south to pass between the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, then across the Atlantic to finish in Guadeloupe.

Mini Transat's weather forecast around Cape Finisterre calls for ENE winds at 16/21 knots with gusts to 35, slamming into 3.5M seas coming from the NNW.  Wet and lumpy getting the westing out of Sada before heading south past Cape Finisterre.

Diane and the other English speaking skippers share their pre-start thoughts in a new video:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x174861_mini-transat-english-sailor-quotes-prestart-11-nov-13_sport

The non-stop course, through the Canaries to Guadeloupe, make this the longest leg in Mini Transat history, which dates back to 1977.  When Diane was advised last week, that the originally scheduled stop in the Canaries was dropped, she declared:  "I am seriously stoked for this.  It's going to be an epic run of endurance."

You can keep up with Diane's adventures and related links on her blog: 

http://www.onegirlsoceanchallenge.com/?page_id=32

and on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/onegirlsoceanchallenge

Tim Hill   

This is Diane's position in the fleet (Red Boat) shortly after this morning's start.  3700 miles to go!  

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Tomorrow, Thursday, November 14th is the first of our 2013/2014 Toonie Thursdays Lecture Series.  These lectures will take place the 2nd Thursday of every month through May.  A full schedule will be posted soon.

Tomorrow evening Morton Biback and Craig Stewart of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron will present a 3 hour in-depth weather overview of what to look for when on the water.  The lecture begins at 7:00 and will run until 10:00 PM.

You will have plenty of opportunities to ask those weather questions that you may have encountered during your years of sailing or power boating.

New to this year's series is Toonie Thursdays.  At the end of the evening we will pass a hat and if you enjoyed the evening we encourage you to donate a Toonie (or more if you like).  The proceeds during the year will go to the Corinthian Fund or the Junior Sailing Program and Junior Racing Team.

Jim Allen and Petra Fischer

Co-Chairs

2013/2014 Lecture Series.

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