When life gives you lemons...

This is a hard part of the tale to not to get ahead of the story, so let's pick it up at Mr. Fish's arrival in Montreal on Saturday night. That will be a week tomorrow! How time is flying.

We were at a nice marina in Montreal. Mr. Fish took a cab from the airport and made it to the boat at around 21:00. He is a retired gentleman who was interested to try this passage and had come across Pierre on the internet.

Before being separated the thought may have been to have him sail with James. After a call he seemed to be more interested in joining Pierre and myself; something that was supported by me as Pierre had only signed on as far as Quebec city at this point.

We seemed to work. It was interesting over the next while seeing how the boat managed a three man crew as opposed to the couple of Jason and Lori in the V-Birth and myself in the aft bunk. The boat design seemed to work well with both crew configurations.

It was discovered that the engine had been installed without a filter on the water intake line. In my Beta Marine diesel engine (as with most boat engine) water for cooling the engine is taken from the surrounding waters. There is a real possibility that sea grass or the like could be taken in with the water and work its way into the coolant system. This is similar to the radiator system on older vehicles. Installing such a filter became a priority.

In the process of asking around in the marina's yard as well as searching through our tool and parts collection the original filter was found! It had simply not been installed.

With that out of the way, as well as a couple of other project on the todo list, we decided to stay a second night and to strike off in the morning.

The passage from Montreal to Quebec city was a nice one in which we got in some sailing. Pierre and myself were anxious to push the Makina in some nice winds along the way. Mr. Fish was more reluctant and preferred a more level sail. We accommodated both styles depending who was on the helm.

On the way to Quebec city we encountered other sailors along the way. They all voiced concern about the passage not only through Quebec city but further on along the St. Lawrence as well. The concern was regarding tides and currents.

Pierre did a nice job planning our approach to Quebec city which made it all look like a tempest in a teapot. This could have been different if not planned properly. One could easily find themselves fighting against a strong flood tides or racing along in an ebb one.

We took a slip at the upscale Yacht Club du Quebec.

Once settled in we took a tour of beautiful old Quebec city.

During the course of our tour a call came in from my lawyer. He had done some remarkable negotiations since our last chat. He had approached my corporate buyer with the offer of forgetting about offering us the two year lease for $1, but instead to consider the value of the lease; which he assessed at $65,000; and to add that to the agreed upon price of $770k. This would bring the total to $830K!

Needless to say he had my agreement, although some paper signing at Staples would be required. Mr. Fish wanted to return to the boat while Pierre and myself struck out for Staples.

With the paperwork sent off to my lawyer we decided a little celebration was in order so went out for a nice meal on the boat's kitty.

Once back on board we had a good discussion on our options.

We all agreed that the passage into Quebec seemed like much ado about nothing; yet also agreed that Pierre's planning of the tides was probably what made it so.

Pierre seemed a bit spooked by all the talk of the other sailors opinions from Montreal to Quebec however. This was the first time for him dealing with tides, as well as the first time so far downstream on the Saint Lawrence River.

It must be emphasized that Pierre had only committed to the passage as far as Quebec. It must also be emphasized that although not charging for his assistance he still takes the safety of those he mentors very seriously. That is, he feels personally response-able for their safety.

It is my contention that his unfamiliarity with the tides and currents of this area increased his concern (and thus stress) for those he is mentoring. The short and the long of it was that Pierre felt Quebec city was as far as his complete competence would take him as a competent mentor. That' s my take on the situation, yet as Freud used to say, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar".

It must be said that since Mr. Fish's arrival he and myself had been butting heads somewhat. It seemed more a difference in communication and opinions on life than anything really earth shattering, yet it was there. It was for that reason that it surprised me that he did not choose to leave with Pierre but offered to stay with me on the journey down river.

The next morning Pierre caught a train back to Ontario and Mr. Fish and myself struck out on the powerful tides and currents of the St. Lawrence River.