Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 44

The float that boats

THE PORT HOLE

Don Butt, AP
Gabriola Island Power and Sail Squadron

Like just about everything else, it began with an idea to solve a
problem. How are we going to make our fledgling Squadron
known to the community? How are we ever going to attract a
class from a defined population of only 4,000 on a Gulf Island,
named Gabriola. The annual Gabriola Parade Day was fast
approaching, where businesses and organizations strut their
stuff in makeshift floats along the main street, when someone
said "why not us!" A float for the parade was hastily put together with an old 12 ft dinghy of sorts atop a trailer. A mast
with "Power Squadron" "Boating Course" emblazoned on a
sail completed the project. But the real appeal was the miniature Squadron paper flags glued to a straw, handed out to
the excited children along the route. It was dubbed "the float
that boats".
That event eventually fizzled out when no volunteers in the
community could be found to arrange future events, so now
what. Hatched was the vision of a boat, constructed on a sturdy
trailer that could be towed to the many events that occur annually on the island - Marine Day, Lions Concert on the Green,
the Salmon BBQ, and even to the shopping centre a week or
two prior to the start of our courses with appropriate ads of
course.
Our Education Officer, Ralph Hagen, quietly began planning. Being a detail person, he drew up scale plans for a tug
boat sturdy enough to be safe to accommodate a large crew of
44

Canadian Yachting	

children eager to climb aboard and pretend to be captain. The
wood and all other material including paint was donated by the
local lumber and building supply company, There was discussion about how thick the plywood should be and what colours
she should display. A member of the Bridge donated funds
sufficient to purchase a used trailer, and other members with
welding skills altered it to fit the specifications of the new craft.
Other members gave their time to help with the construction,
and the progress was monitored by regular visits from curious
neighbours and Bridge members. She was proudly launched
with appropriate ceremony at the building company's parking
lot with the son of the owner of the building supply company
at the wheel. He was the Squadron's youngest Boating student
at age 10 - and had successfully completed the course. She was
christened "Li'l Gabe".
Li'l Gabe is now a recognized icon on the island, well
known and eagerly anticipated by children, while their parents look on. The craft has been maintained with paint and
regular cleaning. It is not a boat that floats, rather there are
drains for water to escape when it rains. The smoke stack (a
red painted pail) and mast with flags are placed in position at
each showing. She has stood up well over the years, and we
look forward to many more appearances on the island. It has
accomplished its purpose - bringing the Squadron into the
face of the public in a way that can be enjoyed by all watching
the young live out their fantasies of helming a ship on the seas.
Ideas and visions really do work when brought to reality.
And yes, it is all fun.

October 2017



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting October 2017

Vantage Point: First Time Charter Vacation
Club Profile: Beaconsfield Yacht Club
Travel Destination: Cowichan Bay
Boatbuilder Profile: A Trip to Iconic Italian Yachtbuilder Riva and Lake Como
Charter Destination: Our Top 5 Caribbean Destinations
The Port Hole
Charter Destination: Antigua; A Beam Reach for Paradise
Sail Review: Elan GT5
Power Review: Jeanneau Leader 10.5
Crossing The Line: Boatonomics for 2018
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Cover1
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Cover2
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 3
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 4
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 5
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Vantage Point: First Time Charter Vacation
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 7
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 8
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 9
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Club Profile: Beaconsfield Yacht Club
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 11
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 12
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 13
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 14
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 15
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Travel Destination: Cowichan Bay
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 17
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 18
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 19
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 20
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 21
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Boatbuilder Profile: A Trip to Iconic Italian Yachtbuilder Riva and Lake Como
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 23
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 24
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 25
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 26
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 27
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Charter Destination: Our Top 5 Caribbean Destinations
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 29
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 30
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 31
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 32
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 33
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 34
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - The Port Hole
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 36
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 37
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 38
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 39
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 40
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 41
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 42
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 43
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 44
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 45
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 46
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 47
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 48
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 49
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 50
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 51
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 52
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 53
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 54
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 55
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 56
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 57
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Charter Destination: Antigua; A Beam Reach for Paradise
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 59
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 60
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 61
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 62
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 63
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 64
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 65
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 66
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 67
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Sail Review: Elan GT5
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 69
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 70
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 71
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 72
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 73
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Power Review: Jeanneau Leader 10.5
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 75
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 76
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 77
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 78
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 79
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 80
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 81
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 82
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Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 88
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 89
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 90
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 91
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 92
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 93
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 94
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 95
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 96
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 97
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Crossing The Line: Boatonomics for 2018
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Cover3
Canadian Yachting October 2017 - Cover4
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