Hanging out with Helly Hansen!

So we all needed foul weather gear, and the wonderful team at our local Helly Hansen store in Vancouver offered to host us for a private fitting!  What better way to spend a Monday evening than to gather downtown at the HH store!  They did say they'd provide some snacks and beverages, but in true Turnagain spirit we didn't want to show up empty handed or ill-prepared.  So off we went, cooler in tow :)

Darin and Travis with the cooler....turns out HH was already well stocked :)

The HH team was absolutely awesome...so friendly and helpful.  We had a great time (and by great time I mean we donned black base layers and tried out our ninja moves around the store) and outfitted ourselves in *matching* everything we could need :)  The guys settled on Salt Jackets (in Cobalt), Crew Midlayer Jacket (also in Cobalt, my personal favourite), and some handsome Coastal Trousers, plus base layers.  We can't wait for our gear to get shipped, and look forward to taking Leo (store manager), Kriz (who organized the evening), and the rest of the HH team out for a sail on Turnagain when the weather gets a bit nicer.

Group picture

Have crew and cooler?  Will travel.

Vic-Maui 2014 is coming full steam right at us

Vic-Maui 2014 is coming full steam right at us.  

Steve C and I have recently finished our Marine First Aid and boat documentation is coming together with many items getting checked off the to-do list.  The return crew is looking like it has rounded out to four currently with a possible 5^th coming, which has been a HUGE relief to finalize.  Jason and I have been working with Expedition on the PC and gathering weather data in efforts to have the process down to easy methods once we move offshore.  Darin and Steve C have been working through the meal planner and are getting a great document together that should prove helpful in future events and passages. 

Systems on the boat are continuously being tested and improved and final alternate systems are being installed. The Sat phone has just been installed, and alternate steering (drogue and bridal system) has been rigged and tested with a possibility of an upgrade to a vane system as well.

On the sailing front, the family went away for Family Day weekend to Elliott Bay. The weather was perfect, -5 to +10 ish and clear for the majority of the weekend.  It's a different experience to be there in the winter, with few boats around.  We were joined by Scott and Talia, but that's it.  The waterfall and meadow creek were both frozen so the kids took full advantage of slip-and-sliding down the ice.  We had a great time finding our own paths through the forest, collecting icicles, and roasting marshmallows in the cottage.  The boat was flawless in its functioning and it was great to have the time with the family.

This is February?

Turnagain...lone boat at the dock

Lower winter sun through the forest

Princess Sylvia of the forest

Icy slip-and-slide!

Tag you're it!

Roasting marshmallows

Breaking up the ice with broomsticks

Frozen Elliott Bay

Racing on Contagious has been good with mixed results, but a TON of fun.  There is some new video to edit (take out all the embarrassing mistakes made by the bow guy – ME!!) and I am starting to put together a complete series compilation for the video. 

Racing....not sure who to give this photo credit to!