The Calgary chapter Fleet kicked things off for the 2016/2017 season with the first meeting held on October 17.   With many returning members, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and catch up on all of our sailing adventures over the summer.   We were also pleased to welcome back Cathy and Bill Norrie, who completed their circumnavigation this summer and were full of enthusiasm, stories and welcomed advice for those in the group who are still working towards embarking on an offshore journey.

The cover image depicts the first leg of Bill and Cathy Norrie’s yoyage on Terrwyn in 2011 from Sidney, B.C. to New Zealand via French Polynesia and Tonga and the last half of the final leg in 2016 from Trinidad to Sidney via Western Caribbean, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Hawaii and home.

To help ease us into the fleet groove, we centered our discussion topic around leveraging the learning from our more experienced offshore fleet members:

Lessons Learned:

• What I know now that I wish I would have known before heading offshore

OR

• The one big thing I wish I could know more about before starting my offshore journey

Everyone had a chance to participate and ask questions, with lively debate on important topics such as the pros and cons of mast steps, latest technologies for solar panels and the pragmatic cost/benefit of radar when offshore sailing.

The next couple of months will be exciting times for Calgary fleet, with members rejoining after some extended sailing and cruising over the past 6 months, some brand new members as well as a couple of members who will be leaving in the next few months on their first offshore experience.  We are always looking for new members to add to the diversity of experience and shared learning of the group.  If you are planning to leave offshore in the next 1-2 years, or are looking to deepen your exposure to offshore sailing conversation consider signing up for Calgary fleet.  We meet monthly on the third Monday of the month and for only $50/boat, it’s a bargain for the great conversation alone.  When you consider all the great “boat appetizers” and wine contributed by our members, it’s a steal!

For more information on Calgary Fleet, please contact Christine.