The VI Fleet April meeting was on the docks; we visited Brent and Pia Perry’s Karma, a Sparkman & Stephens Sunward 48, with a very interesting hybrid propulsion system described as “a serial hybrid electric drive, with a 30kW electric motor powered by a 60kWh Lithium Battery, charged by a 20kW diesel generator, a 400 watt wind generator, 1100 watts of solar and a regenerating prop capable of delivering over a kW of energy.”
The second boat we visited was Peter McMartin and Connie Morahan’s Cookie Cutter, a Peterson 36. Peter and Connie completed a Pacific circle over 10 years, heading to the South Pacific, then Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and return via the North Pacific in 2002-2012.
The group then ‘adjourned’ to the pub for more conversation and socializing.
In May, the VI Fleet meeting was combined with MIST, VI’s annual “on-the-water” sail training program for offshore readiness and practice. Coordinated by BCA Commodore David Vincent, MIST was based in Montague Harbour where the group had an interesting talk by VI Vice Commodore, Scott Crawshaw, on methods for swinging your compass, tested the inflation of a 30 year-old liferaft – much to everyone’s surprise it inflated beautifully – watched David as he valiantly tried to get into the inflated raft (he eventually succeeded) and taste-tested the 30 year-old water, protein “bars” and glucose (not very appetizing).
David Vincent demonstrated how challenging it is to climb into a life raft
Sailing on and off the moorage balls was encouraged, and one couple ably demonstrated how to heave to. And of course there were lots of boat visits and shared happy hours. For photos of MIST 2025, click here.
VI Fleet is planning another afternoon of boat visits in June; date and location to be determined.
Currents PDFs
One worries about seeing another loss of a lithium battery powered vessel similar to the Sable Island tragedy earlier this year. Hugh Bacon