Marine Forecast issued for Lake Ontario. Issued: 3.00 AM EDT Thursday 2 August 2007 for the period ending at 3.00 AM Friday with an outlook for the following 24 hours. Forecast: Wind light and variable increasing to southwest 10 to 15 knots this afternoon. Fair. Waves less than 1 metre. Outlook...Moderate southwesterlies veering to northwesterlies then becoming light.

The dawn arrived at Waupoos with a warm breeze that was the harbinger of the day to come. Forecasts put todays high at over 30C.

Thursday, August 2

This is another day of beautiful weather, the ride to the shop takes us through one of my favorite topography of the county , The Swamp"

This is it the dog days of summer. It is only 14:00 EDT and the temperature has already passed the forecast 34C. Today we will see how much epoxy the cedar drank up of coat 1. This wood is so dry it is like pouring water on a sponge to where at this stage the boat has used 2 full gallon mixes and we will just make it. Today we progress on with building new stuff as we approach the aft seat start to put the bottom together.

We set the trailer up for the skiff and paused for a few outdoor progress pictures without clutter in the background.

Marine Forecast issued for Eastern Lake Ontario. Issued: 6:33 AM EDT Friday 3 August 2007 for the period ending at 3.00 AM Saturday with an outlook for the following 24 hours. Forecast:
..Severe thunderstorm watch in effect..
..Small craft thunderstorm advisory in effect..
..Small craft wind warning in effect..
Wind southwest 15 to 20 knots veering to west 15 this morning then increasing to northwest 20 this evening. Scattered showers or thunderstorms with risk of a severe thunderstorm ending this morning. Isolated showers or thunderstorms redeveloping this afternoon and ending this evening. Waves 1 metre or less. Outlook...Light to moderate northwesterlies diminishing to light and variable. Higher winds and waves near thunderstorms.

It is going to be a hot muggy day so much so Rufus has taken to the coolest spot in the boat half out of the head.

Defiance Progress


New pump install finished, primary engine operating normally.

There is rain forecast and the humidity is high this morning and everything depends on having the surfaces ready to go when the conditions are right. That is the key to this 2 part paint, wait for weather to do clear coat and the second Brightside white. By the end of Friday we are closing in on the aft seat design and should get a first pre-coat on the pieces before we leave.

Marine Forecast issued for Lake Ontario. Issued: 3.00 AM EDT Saturday 4 August 2007 for the period ending at 3.00 AM Sunday with an outlook for the following 24 hours. Forecast: Wind northwest 10 to 15 knots veering to northeast this evening. Fair. Waves 1 metre or less. Outlook...Light easterlies. Becoming light to moderate southeasterlies.

Defiance is operational and our primary skiff task is putting on paint, which should not take more than a couple of hours a day. Diane, Chris’s girlfriend is down from the city and that brings Defiance up to full crew.

With extra bodies on board I find my quiet time before they wake up is most valuable in remaining focused on the day. I get to have my coffee and update the blogs with a quiet salon, Rufus crashed out on the settee beside me.

This is Canada’s favorite summer weekend and the marina is packed full for the Shirley Homer race fleet which is here for the round Waupoos Island race sponsored by Waupoos Marina.

Rufus and I have spent the time since dawn hanging around Defiance and watching the marina come to life. Rufus is contentedly sprawled out in the salon as I update the Blogs and wait for the young uns to wake up. Considering that this is one of the busiest weekends of the year it is pleasant here even if I am on a dock too much.

I did not bother to get involved in the Shirley Homer festivities this year but instead used the good weather to get more work done on the Cedar Skiff. Diane came in with Chris and enjoyed the big open spaces and catching up on her tan while we worked on the boat.

The Shirley Homer Round Waupoos Island Race was won by Don in Feather. There was a big BBQ for the fleet but we arrived too late for the feeding. I was glad that Chris settled into one of his BBQ modes and relaxing was easy as it was 22:00 before his creation made it to eating..

August 5, Sunday Morning:

The Shirley Homer fleet have the marina Internet connection completely jammed so I cannot access todays weather. Lori had the rush of racers managed by setting up a satellite coffee station in the left over as the demand for breakfast outstripped the chairs available. I on the other hand forecast that it will be mid 20's with moderate winds with a possibility of a thunderstorm. Perfect cruising weather and my sea bones are itching to get off the dock and put some miles under this keel.

Wakaura lies waiting for Dick to return from Holland with no work done since I finished glassing the houses last year. All our best wishes go out to Dick as he recovers from a illness. John Bachelor on the other hand is slowly and surley progressing his refit of the Joy B.

The seat for the skiff is now got a first coat of epoxy pre-coat.