I have been boating much of my 40+ years, but only got into sailing in 1997 while crewing aboard a Bayfield 36. In 2006, I sold my 19' speedboat and 15' sea kayak, and bought a 1977 AMF Paceship PY23. It has needed some work, and did not see the water in 2007, but should be ready for an early launch in 2008.

Over the past 10 or so years I've picked up a fair amount of training, such as CYA Intermediate Keelboat Cruising, CYA Crew, MED-A2, ROC-M, ROC-MC, CYA PCOC, etc. In sea kayaking, I have Paddle Canada Level 2 certification plus Flatwater Instructor. I've also been a Coastal and Electronic navigation instructor.

Crewing for others has allowed me to do a few coastal voyages, with the longest being from Charlottetown, PE to Shelburne, NS. It was supposed to end at the Bahamas, but mechanical problems and bad weather cut it short. Most other passages have been 4 days or less.

Notre Dame Bay has been called the "Caribbean of the North" and a "best kept secret." Most of my boating is done in the Bay of Exploits portion, out of the Lewisporte Yacht Club and Marina. This is a very protected area with lots of islands and safe anchorages.

We have recently formed the Notre Dame Bay Sailing Club to coordinate more social sailing, and promote sailing here. Visit http://groups.google.com/group/ndbsc and http://haliburton.homelinux.net/ndbsc/.

So many power boaters wanted to join our summer flotilla, that we created a new group, the Notre Dame Bay Cruising Club. We meet every four to six weeks to plan and just get together. The website is at http://haliburton.homelinux.net/ndbcc/ and you are welcome to join us.