Actually “Living the Dream“

Living The Dream

Nov 23, 2016

Living the dream may sound like an overused phrase but at this time in my life it is absolutely true. My earliest and fondest childhood memories are not about time at the family cottage or playing with friends in the backyard; they all are connected to sailing. I was fortunate enough to have wonderful parents that were very active at Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club in the east end of Toronto. Their years of involvement in all aspects of the club activities paved the way for me to try and follow their lead.

Working my way up through the ranks of the junior sailing program then instructing for several years was very satisfying and went a long way in developing my social and sailing skills. When I made the leap to keel boat racing I was fortunate enough to be asked to crew aboard Majisti with Chuck Bentley and his dedicated crew from National Yacht Club. I got seriously sidetracked from the Toronto racing scene when I signed on with the Ontario Provincial Police for 30 years, but my dreams persisted. I bought my first windsurfer, did some cruising on Lake Superior in the Nipigon area and built my first home in my spare time back in the 80’s.

Then fast forward 35 years. I’m currently on board Faraway, a Beneteau 50, in Tanger Morocco and heading to Las Palmas for the start of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.

For more details of this sailor’s dreams be sure to catch the first editions of CYOnboard in 2017!

 

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Starcraft SV 16 OB

By Craig Ritchie

Photos by Starcraft Marine

Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout. Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.

Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.

Read More

Destinations

The Erie Canal – An Extraordinary Waterway

By Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

As I shift our chartered canal boat into neutral, I’m soothed by the soundtrack of bird calls, the occasional plaintive horn of a distant train and the hum of our engine.

I reach for the VHF to radio the lockmaster in charge of Erie Canal’s Lock 32 dead ahead. Our boat spins gently in the current like a maple key in a mud puddle.

“This is Onondaga,” I say. “Headed westbound and requesting passage.”

Read More

Lifestyle