2018 Winter Speakers Series (for the record)

This series of talks is open to the entire sailing and boating community of Ottawa, is volunteer run and is donations-based. Donations support the NSC Legacy Fund. This is one of the best kept secrets of winter for sailors and boaters!

January 10: Emma Moxley & Eileen Scatterty, Sailing the Greek Islands & Turkey on a 12 passenger Gulet

A very photogenic presentation by two “high tech refugees” of a very affordable week long trip on the beautiful & luxurious traditionally styled 2 masted wooden sailing vessel MedSea ES CANADA, visiting historical Greek islands off the mass tourist track and a fascinating port in Turkey.

January 17: Geoff Green, The Canada C3 expedition:A 150-day, 25,000 km nautical journey through the fabled Northwest Passage

Geoff will provide an inside view of this voyage through Canada’s Arctic archipelago and along the Northern coast of Canada, with great graphic materials. The Canada C3 expedition included scientists, artists, Indigenous Elders, historians, community leaders, youth, journalists and educators & explored the four key themes of Canada 150: Diversity and Inclusion, Reconciliation, Youth Engagement and the Environment.

Jan 24: Elizabeth Sarazin & Kyle O’Donnell, 2017 Tall ship adventure in Europe, Africa and South America

Liz and Kyle spent the last two and a half years sailing on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean working as teachers for Class Afloat, a high school experiential education program in which the students, teachers and crew live aboard the 70m tall ship Gulden Leeuw. Having sailed to over 30 ports of call on four continents, they will be sharing photos and anecdotes of their time at sea and discussing tall ship sailing opportunities in Canada and abroad.

Jan 31: Emma Moxley, A Romantic & Luxurious River Cruise on the Rhine

Emma will describe the cruise she took last year on a new cruise ship using wonderful photos and video . She travelled from Luxembourg to historic Nuremberg Germany, travelling through 51 locks, on the Rhine, Mosel, Main and Danube. Join Emma to learn about what a European River Cruise entails. She will discuss the differences between River Cruise lines, the variety of styles, intimacy of River Vessels, and ease of River Cruising.

Feb 7: Matthew & Kathleen Eglin, With a Rally Group to the Caribbean

NSC members Matthew and Kathleen returned last year from a year spent cruising the Caribbean on their 43 foot sailboat including buying and importing a boat, a pre-cruise refit and participating in the ARC Caribbean 1500. In addition to describing their cruising experiences they will address the transition from life in a house to life on board, and the misconceptions related to cruising (including the practicalities of living on a boat 24/7 in the Caribbean).

Feb 14: No presentation

Feb 21: Parke Davis & Henry Gilbert, Adding Solar and Wind Power to Your Boat

Based on the experience gained on their boats in Ottawa & the Caribbean, Parke and Henry will cover the process of quantifying your boat’s energy requirements, sourcing the required equipment & the installation process. In summary, they will talk of their experience with their systems.

Feb 28: Peter Falus, Viking Ships and Voyages of Discovery to Canada

Peter is back for the 3rd year with another “intellectual” and highly entertaining presentation on sailing history. Peter will bring to life the amazing voyages on the then state of the art & skillfully constructed and rigged open wooden boats, through dangerous northern seas to Canadian shores.

March 7: Craig Bowman, Crewing on the Transatlantic Delivery of a New 50 Foot Cat

Craig, who sailed at NSC for years, will detail the 3,000 nautical mile winter trans-Atlantic crossing he just completed onboard a new Discovery Yachts Bluewater 50′ Catamaran from Las Palmas harbor in the Canary Islands to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Expect great photos & video including drone shots.

March 14: Henry & Catherine Gilbert, 3 Years Cruising the Caribbean in a 36 Foot Cat

NSC members Henry & Catherine sailed their Fontaine Pajot cat for 3 years in the Caribbean, returning to Ottawa last year. Their presentation will detail their travels & experiences including the loss of their boat to Hurricane Irma in St. Martins.

March 21: Advantage Boating Ron Schute, Doris Parolin & Panel, Sailing in a Flotilla to Grenada and the Grenadines

Over 40 sailors on half a dozen boats, organized & led by Advantage Boating staff, sail from Grenada’s St. George Harbour in February 2018 to explore the exotic Grenadine Islands that are speckled between St. Vincent in the North to Grenada in the South. Covering about 150nm., the Flotilla Grenada, Carriacou, Union Island, Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Petit St. Vincent and Bequia. The panel will include members of the Flotilla who will describe their adventures.

March 28: Dominic Goodwill & Panel, Participating in Canada’s largest Racing Program

Did you know that NSC & Britannia jointly run the most races, with the most sailors, of any Canadian sailing club? No other club races 4 nights a week, and we have regattas and a long-distance weekend series too. This talk will help you to participate. We’ll talk about: how racing is fun, sociable and also teaches you to sail better; how to get started racing at NSC; what types of boats people use here, organizing your boat, finding a crew, joining in without your own boat, how to stay safe and learning how to race. Discussion will be led by our Fleet Captain, Dominic Goodwill.

April 4: Rules: Johan Koppernaes: The sailor’s perspective

Oh no, not another rules seminar! When does one rule apply and transition to another? Who really knows for sure?

Johan will present an approach to the rules as they pertain to sailors on the race course – not from the judge’s perspective but from the perspective of common interactions of yachts on the race course. When they will favour you and when they will not. How to maximize your gain or minimize your loss as the give-way yacht.

Despite the rules, what really happens :
At the start,
Upwind,
Weather mark, offset,
Downwind,
Leeward mark, gate,
The Finish

Johan is one of Canada’s top sailors. He and his crew from NSC have won several Shark national and world championships.

May 26: Art Grant the Ropeman, Splicing Workshop

2018 Speakers Coordinator: James Kelly.
Web page updates by : Tony Wright.

Check out the Speaker Series from previous years: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 (missing), 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, & 2009.

Page updated: 2019-01-29.