Month: May 2022

Our wharfinger, guardian, and resident author Bruce has a new book out – “Never Say P*g: The Book of Sailors’ Superstitions”. Hmm, I wonder if this should be instituted as required reading before you take OLAS boats out on the bay… The official book launch is this coming Thursday, May 26th, in person at the Vancouver Maritime Museum at 6:30pm, and also online starting at 7:00 (though you’ll be responsible for your own drinks). Registration is free, but pre-registration is required – let’s fill that room to the point where the fire department has to send in someone to have a stern talking to us! The book is available in the Museum giftshop as well, if you can’t make it that night, and I’m sure Bruce would still sign the book for you if you ask nicely enough or bring a dog treat for Luna.

Since our last talk, there’s been a whole bunch of painting and varnishing done. Ragna and Button Swan’s spars got several coats of new varnish – HUGE thanks to all who took part in building up the coats last week! Ragna’s fresh paint looks amazing, and after putting her in the water a week ago she got reunited with her spars this past Saturday, and promptly taken out for a shakedown. We have a few bits of fine-tuning to improve her sail shape, but she is in service, in her summer sailing form – no need to struggle with the full cover, just the sail cover. Makes it quick and easy to get her out for a sail!

Button Swan got a couple of coats of bottom paint and a coat of turquoise (or as Interlux calls it – Sea Foam). She’s now been turned right-side-up and is being prepped for interior and deck paint, and varnish on her sheer strake and transom. All of her seats have been given the Arnt treatment of sanding and spray-on furniture-grade finish – they look amazing, and I can’t wait to see them back in the boat!

On Ragna’s shakedown sail on Saturday she was accompanied by Bruce and a few other OLAS members on Bruce’s recent acquisition Nansen – it was fun to see that bunch out there! The previous Saturday, Arnt rigged their tender Feather with a windsurfer sail and Anja’s topsail spar as a mast, and had a great sail along with Enke, and Dale’s SCAMP Luna. Good times!!

The Vancouver Maritime Museum has produced a great video of interviews and information about Heritage Harbour, with the goal of raising funds to renew the harbour, starting with replacing the decking and pilings. Please watch the video, and consider donating to this important cause.

If you want some fireworks with your fundraiser, get tickets to the Museum Gala in July – take a look at their upcoming Events page. You’ll also find the book launch event for our wharfinger Bruce’s new book – you can attend in person or virtually.

Our boats Ragna and Button Swan are looking good with fresh paint! Ragna’s interior is finished, and her exterior hull is getting a nice bright blue. We just might be getting her in the water this weekend, though there is still varnish work to be done on spars and oars before she’s ready to set sail.

Button Swan has a coat of primer on her (slightly deeper) topsides, ready for re-coating with fresh turquoise paint. Then once Ragna’s work is completed, Button Swan will move into the shop for the rest of the varnish and interior paint.

The planes that some of our members were working on have turned out great! We are planning on doing a plane-making workshop sometime – if you’re interested in this very satisfying and surprisingly approachable process, keep an eye on this space or your email.

At our AGM on Tuesday, the reality of the painful increase in our insurance premiums resulted in an increase in our membership fees. Our new price for OLAS membership is $75, and if you want to use the boats as part of OSBUG, it’s an additional $75. If you’re on the automatic renewal plan, please be sure to login to that and update the fees (and include the $5 admin fee). We hope we can still make you feel that this wonderful club is worth the price!