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During the cold days of February 12 to 15, the Halifax Boat Show was in full swing with large crowds in attendance. The Canadian Power and Sail Squadron booth was well "manned" by volunteers from the Alderney and Halifax Squadrons with a minor infiltration from the Bluenose Squadron. The left photo shows the CPSS booth with Mary Ridgewell (Atlantic District Training Officer) reviewing upcoming area events with Gary Lebouthillier. The centre photo shows the CPSS running the Pleasure Craft Operator's Card challenge testing under the bleachers. Mary MacMillan (at the desk behind the red maple leaf) was on hand for the duration of the show to run this important operation in a very competent manner. An estimated 170 individuals received their PCOC over the Boat Show weekend. The right photo is a glass-reinforced polyester Folkboat made in Denmark. This is a very traditional style of sailboat designed years ago and sailed worldwide. This boat, beautifully constructed, would look good sailing our beautiful Nova Scotia coastal waters. Toon Nagtegaal of Riverport is heading up this project and can be reached at toon@folkboatatlantic.com. Digby Boating Course March 2004 
 Early this year Bluenose Squadron was contacted by a group in Digby requesting the CPSS Boating Course. Arrangements were made to run this course with independent study and some instructor assistance. Several in the group do shiftwork and getting all the group together at one time is difficult. In the photo, front P to S : Craig Applejohn, Jeff Sunderland, Cara Haynes, Adam Amirault, Bruce Moore: back P to S : Daniel Robichaud (instructing), Ben Cleveland, Jeff VanTassel, Keith Amirault, Adam Moore, Scott Moore. Missing are Ron Milne, Kyle Wilson and Edgar Head. After a late start and some difficulty of all getting together, the group is on track and enthusiastic and good progress is being made. From participants' notes collected by the instructors, the various reasons for taking the CPSS Boating Course include better boating knowledge, boating safety and the intention to sail in the America's Cup. The boat photo is quite standard for this time of year with boats hauled, their backs to the sea, (Annapolis Basin) and snowbanks. In just 60 more days___________________________ . The location is at the marine railway of the Royal Western Nova Scotia Yacht Club. Life Member Edward Jordan  In June of this year the Bluenose Squadron was pleased to present Edward Jordon (left) with merit mark 20 and his life membership in CPSS. The presentation was made by Atlantic District Commander David Estey and we all congratulate Edward on this major achievement.Most of Edward's CPSS work was in the Thunder Bay area and covered many, many aspects of the extensive list of the Lakehead Squadron activities. Edward provided us with interesting details of boating on the great inland sea, Lake Superior, with few boats and fewer islands but with spectacular vistas. Just another example of this great country that we all enjoy. Route Halifax Saint Pierre 2004
The 2004 running of Route Halifax / Saint Pierre started from Halifax with the cruising class leaving on July 6 and the racing group two days later. The cruising class on their way to a stop over in Louisburg ran into light winds and fog and few could reach Louisburg within the time limit and retired from racing and motored the final distance. The reception in Louisburg was superb with a fine supper and a lively hoe-down by Jennifer Rowland and friends. The racing class after leaving Halifax on route to Saint Pierre also ran into light conditions and were soon joined by the group leaving Louisburg. Now all boats were in the Cabot Strait with light winds and fog where most chose to abandon racing and continue to Saint Pierre under power. A fine reception awaited us in Saint Pierre and the weather was sunny and warm as well. On Tuesday, the Sailors Parade, walk through town, and reception at the town hall filled the streets of Saint Pierre with a capacity crowd. And later the "tent" was filled, supper enjoyed, prizes awarded and much exchange of stories and celebration. Wednesday was the National French Day and the town square was the meeting place for all, for enterainment and for food and the celebration continued. Several boats then prepared to leave Thursday as the weather report promised east and then south east winds for a good passage to return to Halifax, or Sydney or the Bras D'ors. This is a must event for anyone with an inkling of repeating or doing the Route Halifax / Saint Pierre in 2006. The two boats from CPSS Bluenose Squadron, First Light IV a Cal 39, skippered by Allen Bishop and Defiant a CS33, skippered by Ed Sulis completed the cruise to Saint Pierre. The cruise and camaraderie was the highlight, and the preparation of our boats to meet the safety requirements of the Offshore Racing Council will be of lasting value. Allen and Debra Bishop: Visit South Coast of Newfoundland
Debra Bishop joined Allen on First Light (Cal 39) in Saint Pierre after the 2004 Halifax to Saint Pierre race, for a planned return to Mahone Bay by way of the south coast of Newfoundland and the Bras d'Ors. The first stop was in Fortune Nfld to clear customs and then on to Harbour Breton and then to a favorite spot, the outport of Francois, pronounced France Ways by the locals. The next transit was to Grey River in the fog and then to the outport of Jert's Cove in sunshine and clear sky. Next stop was Burgeo which has a road out to Corner Brook, fabulous beaches and for this visit, fog bound for three days. With improved weather, the Bishops then crossed the Cabot Strait and tied up at the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club before setting out again to spend a week in the Bras d'Ors During the trip the S/V Zimaz out of Hubbards, St. Margarets Bay, with owners Iain and Leslie Tulloch joined First Light for the south coast of Newfoundland section. Zimaz, a custom cutter, and crew were also participants in the Route Halifax Saint-Pierre 2004. Please note, it is now official, that Route Halifax Saint-Pierre 2006 is "on". Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges: Halifax Boat Show February 2005
The Spirit of Canada's "spirit" was alive and well during the Halifax boat show of 2005. The unique challenge of sailing the 5 oceans of the world, in a sailboat race around the world singlehanded, in a Canadian built boat by Canadian Derek Hatfield was featured. A scale model of the boat was displayed and Spirit of Canada, now under construction, will be - length 60 feet, width 18 feet, draft 15 feet, height 96 feet, sail area (main & genoa) 3333 sq. ft. and when racing will displace some 19,400 lbs. Other features of this Open 60 design include a canting keel, twin rudders, twin dagger boards and an extensive navigation, communications and performance measuring nerve centre. Derek, standing beside the model of the new Spirit of Canada in the centre photo, is no stranger to single handed ocean racing and his most recent race was the 2002 Around Alone aboard the first Spirit of Canada a 40 foot boat. In that race Derek was pitchpoled and demasted at the Horn and recovered from that disaster to finish third in his class. The new Spirit of Canada is now being built in Canada by Canadians for one reason - to race around the world single handed and to win the Open 60 class. The race will start from Spain in November 2006 with the first leg to Auatralia, the next leg to the United States and then on to the finish in Spain. For details of this race and updates as they develop see: 5-OCEANS website The next photo is part of the volunteer group that staffed the Spirit of Canada booth at the Halifax Boat Show. In addition to this display Derek did a daily seminar on the AROUNDTOGETHER concept of Spirit of Canada. The volunteer group did its best to explain the race, the boat, the challenges and the donation arangements from Your Name on the boat as it circles the globe to Larger Donations that include a sail on Spirit of Canada with Derek. All aspects of the Spirit of Canada information booth were managed in a very able manner by Patianne Verburg: a superb job. For full and complete details and news see: Spirit of Canada website. BLUENOSE II Update  Bluenose II, Captain Phil Watson was on hand at the Spirit of Canada booth each day assisting. He informed us that the mixed state of affairs of the Bluenose II are in the past now that management has been transferred to the Fisheries Museum of The Atlantic in Lunenburg. Phil is looking forward to a great season this year and expects to make the Bluenose II more visible to more communities in Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces. Good luck to Captain Phil Watson and the Bluenose II for the coming season and the future. Bluenose Squadron, Boating Courses 2005 
 Late last year the hard working group in the port photograph started the CPS Piloting Course in Kentville with instructor Allen Bishop. Back row left to right: Brian Van Rooyen, Robert Prange, Alfred Parks, Brendon Parks, Alastair McArthur, and Instructor Allen Bishop. Mid row: Bluenose Senior Training Officer Leigh Murdoch, Lori Hough, and Trina Kidlark. Front row: Mary Anne Sulis, Debra Bishop and Ruth Richards. Exam time is nigh and we wish all participants good success. A Boating Course was held at the Forest Heights Community School in Chester and this is the active group in the starboard photograph. Back row left to right: Daryl Lyon, Janet Lyon, Jeannie Kerr, Scott MacKay, Jack Schoon, and Peter MacLean. Front row: Paulette Charron-Lloyd, Charlie Kerr, Pauline MacKay, Richard Novossiltzeff, Linda Loth and instructor Chris Benoy. Late for class and missed photo, Bill Ellison. Within the group a wide range of boating interest exists such as; a target of five years to retire to Caribbean sailing, awaiting delivery of a new catamaran, recent purchase of a powerboat, among others. It is great to have a CPS Boating Class with this drive and determination. We wish you well in other CPS courses and safe boating always. BLUENOSE II Visits Lunenburg
This is an early mornig photo, taken on July 23, of Bluenose II in Lunenburg as the crew is readying the boat for cruises. The first cruise was sold out and the 35 passengers departed for their cruise at 0930 hrs with fine hot weather but little wind. The centre photo has Bluenose II outside the harbour limits and sailing just to the east of Long Shoal in wind of less than 5 knots. Sails hoisted are:jib 919 sq. ft., fore staysail 620 sq. ft., foresail 1495 sq. ft., and the mainsail on its 81 foot boom at 4150 sq. ft. These are the 4 sails as set in the photo for a total area of 7184 sq. ft. Another 4 sails can be set. The length from tip of bowsplit to aft end of boom is 181 ft., deck length is 143 ft. and the waterline length is 112 ft. And the theoretical hull speed for this waterline length is 14.2 knots, a speed that the Bluenose has been known to exceed. All in all, a very impressive sailing vessel whether at dock or under sail. The last photo is the Bluenose manoeuvering in the harbour under power. A quick glance at this photo will indicate whether the Bluenose is entering or leaving the harbour. If the answer is not immediately obvious please, do not delay, immediately contact your nearest Canadian Power and Sail Squadron and sign up for the Boating Course or if you have attained that level sign up for the Piloting Course. Chester: Fundamentals of Weather Course  Another first for CPS Bluenose Squadron was the Fundamentals of Weather Course completed at Forest Heights Community School near Chester in December . We were only able to present this course throught the hard work of Leigh Murdoch who did the total organization for the course and the superior weather knowledge of the instructor Buzz Smith. Buzz is an airline pilot and was able to support his weather knowledge with years of practical experience. The group from left to right: Duncan MCNeil, Jack Schoon, Sherry Hudson, Sylvia MCNeil, Joe Surette, Peter MacLean, Chris Benoy, Brad Fleet and Buzz Smith. We thank all involved for another successful endeavor by CPS Bluenose. Charlie and Jeannie Kerr in the Bahamas 
 Charlie and Jeannie Kerr are members of the Shelburne Yacht Club and Bluenose Squadron. And now they are living "A Dream". Last fall they sold their C&C DaniGirl and found their new boat "Rosie", a 37 foot Island Packet, in Man O War in the Abacos Bahamas. Currently they are in this island paradise enjoying Rosie. As always this enjoyment includes maintenance, learning a number of new systems and such, prior to extensive exploring. Janet and Daryl Lyons, also CPS Bluenose members from Shelburne, will soon visit the Kerrs for sailing trips around the islands. After all is in order, Charlie and Jeannie plan to passage to Florida in mid April, and then start to make their way home to Nova Scotia. In the interval a lookout will be maintained for sailing vessel Intuition from Chester with Geraldine and Wayne Tuck who have been traveling south, and are now in Freeport...minus an agenda and free to wander. A warm wish to our CPS Bluenose acquaintances wherever they sail, and may their passages be rewarding and above all safe ones. Perseverance, a YUKON 36 - built by Glen Zwicker  Glen built the Yukon, a traditional 36' foot trawler yacht, from Glen-L plans over five years. The construction is plywood planking over timber frames. The framework is of Douglas fir, with 2" by 6" hard-chine ribs . Each piece of wood is encapsulated in epoxy, and joints are bolted and glued with exopy. The aft half of the hull, where there is no compound curvature , is planked with two layers of Douglas Fir plywood, laid in full sheets, screwed and epoxied together. The forward half is planked with two layers of plywood strips, 8 to 12 inches wide, laid double diagonal, screwed and epoxied. All exterior hull, decks, and superstructure are sheathed in fiberglass reinforced exoxy. Fasteners and fittings are 316 Stainless steel. All in all, a sturdy and well constructed boat. The hull form is semi-displacement, displaces 18,000 lbs, with an efficient speed range to 10 knots using a single diesel of 100 to 125 hp. The captain's cabin is aft, v-berths forward and salon / galley / helm amidship. After launching at the Lahave River Yacht Club last summer, during sea trials, an adventue or two ensued but nothing serious. Glen did double check the draft by gently nudging a rock. Details of the Yukon and the full Glen-L fleet is availabe on their web site at /www.glen-l.com/, a good read and no doubt this inspired Glen ... who is next??
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