I’ve been kayaking for the past few years and have really enjoyed being on the ocean and discovering small inlets and coves.  I’ve been researching sailing for the past few years and feel that it’s time to follow my dream and get a sailboat.  Having only limited experience (via kayaking) with the tides and currents that are associated with boating on the ocean I decided to start with a fairly basic sailboat. I’ll be single handling for most of the time and starting out I know little about handling the sails, navigation, tides, currents, weather, knots, etc…  I figure that if I am going to “cut my teeth” on a sailboat I might as well start out with a cheap one as the risk of grounding is probably pretty high…

I checked the local classified ads and visited the local marinas and after a few weeks of looking around I found one that seems to fit the bill…  It was a 27′ Catalina named Alleluia moored in North Vancouver so I jumped in my jeep and went to check her out.

She appears to be just what I’m looking for.  She has a dinette (kitchen) with a propane stove, ice box, bunks, diesel engine, both a main and jib sail and even a little row boat for getting to shore!  Unknown to me this is pretty basic gear for a sailboat but at the time I was ecstatic with this little gem…

I purchased her and spent a few weeks getting to know the basic systems (electrical, diesel, sails, sanitation, etc) at the dockside…  Then ventured further and further under motor and then under sail.  She had a little Yamar 8HP diesel which wasn’t fast but was very reliable.  Seems like you spent about 50% of your time under power and the little diesel would chug away for hours…

I took day trips out into Vancouver Harbour, then day trips under the Lion’s Gate bridge and out into English Bay.  After a few weeks I ventured over to Bowen Island and spent my first night aboard Alleluia.  Life doesn’t get any better than this…

I spent the entire summer exploring the BC coastline and eventually crossed over to the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.  The weather was warm and life was good.  My parents came over from Newfoundland to sail with me on a few voyages (Saltspring Island, Galiano Island, Gabriola Island, Princess Cove).  The cabin size was small but we really enjoyed each others company.

The summers were relaxing and life was pleasant.  I’m so glad I decided to undertake this adventure and get a sailboat.

As the summer came to a close I decided to moor Alleluia in her berth and fly home to Newfoundland to enjoy some winter fun…