Terry and Allison Canade from the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club, Lake Michigan took the opportunity to get out of the chilly Chicago weather and enjoy some warmth and sunshine by redeeming their 2015 Summer Sailstice prize, from Sunsail Yacht Charters.
We caught up with Terry just days after his return from the British Virgin Islands, where he and Allison shared their holiday aboard Sunsail’s 41’ Jeanneau ‘Accumbens’, with Allison’s brother, Ray Brown and his wife Leslie.
"Leslie, Allison and Terry relaxing aboard Accumbens prior to departure."
‘It [Accumbens] was explained to us as the part of the brain which relates to pleasure,’ Terry said. And judging by the rest of Terry’s comments, pleasure was exactly what the sailing foursome indulged in while exploring the BVI.
If you recall our story about Terry and Allison’s prize win, you might remember they were looking forward to exploring some of the islands they had missed on a previous visit. Well, amid some varying conditions the sailors enjoyed places such as Virgin Gorda, Peter Island and Jost Van Dyke.
‘We headed for The Baths at the northern end of Virgin Gorda. The winds were light, and we decided to motor the last half of Virgin Gorda Sound,’ Terry began.
Upon arriving at The Baths, ‘Accumbens’ became one of several boats anchored just behind the surf break, their crews apparently hesitant about the cresting waves.
‘It was a great adventure,’ Terry said. ‘The surf had kicked up and we were the first to brave the waves and swim in to shore.’
After spending a couple of days in Virgin Gorda Sound the sailors swapped deck shoes for hiking shoes and climbed to Hog Heaven for a sumptuous meal and almost 360 degree views.
‘It was a vigorous hike, and on the way up we could see the entire island.’
The rest of their days were spent sailing and visiting idyllic locations such as Diamonds Quay on Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Spit, ‘…the place where they filmed the Corona commercial, with the palm tree swaying on the beach,’ the Soggy Dollar Bar, ‘…we kept our dollars dry with dry bags,’ and Peter Island where after a short walk to the resort they relaxed at the Tradewinds Restaurant; from there it was just a short sail across the channel to Road Town.
"Terry completing paperwork in Accumbens' well-appointed interior."
As for the weather, if you’ve been anywhere near the islands and even southern Florida this season you’ll know the weather has been pretty interesting at times and it seems Terry and Allison experienced their share. Ranging from light winds, to sailing with a reefed main and at one point reaching top speed on just the jib, Terry said the boat handled it all very well.
‘We were comfortable in whatever conditions there were,’ he said, ‘and some were challenging.’
The Canade’s love sailing their 24’ Dolphin on Lake Michigan, but Terry admitted he also enjoyed sailing the Jeanneau.
‘It was pleasure to put up the sails and go, in strong winds,’ he said, ‘and it has great maneuverability in tight spaces like moorings and anchorages.’
"Terry at the helm of Accumbens, sailing away from Jost Van Dyke."
Apart from providing a fun, comfortable boat and dockside assistance, Terry said the Sunsail crew were very helpful with preparations, answering questions and planning.
‘They’re very knowledgable. The orientation was good and they gave us tips and told us about quirks of the places we wanted to go. It was terrific assistance.’
So now that the excitement of their 2015 prize win is being archived among the couple’s “best holiday” memories, what are their plans for this year’s Summer Sailstice?
‘We’re going to do what we do most years - gather our fleet (the largest assembled Dolphin fleet in the country) at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club, and enjoy a pot-luck meal on the deck before sailing off into the late sunset.’
‘It’s weather dependent,’ Terry added.
The Wilmette Harbor based sailors have had their share of rain and at times even storms during their Summer Sailstice celebrations, but that doesn’t stop them from enjoying sailing on the longest day of the year.
‘Oh, and Ray wanted me to tell you,' Terry added, 'that he achieved the top speed at the helm, 7.4 knots.’ But who’s counting, right Ray?
I can imagine the camaraderie and friendly banter that must have kept the four sailors amused in the quiet moments between adventures, and if you can too, then get onboard for this year’s Summer Sailstice and you just might be the winner of the Charter from Sunsail Yacht Charters.
So sign up, post your sailing plans, and get out on the water. It doesn’t matter what you sail, or where you sail, it just matters that you do sail.
Photo credits go to Ray Brown.
We offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to Sunsail Yacht Charters for their generous and continuous support for Summer Sailstice and the global sailing community.
