Eriks and I found Hot Tamale via the Internet.  We took possession of her on the Friday of the Labour Day weekend 2002.  Our first challenge was to bring her home from Port Dover on Lake Erie to Queen City Yacht Club on the Toronto Islands on Lake Ontario.

My Dad transported us and our trusty crew of Rob and Sky to Port Dover early on the Friday morning.  It took until 2PM to finish the paper work, find last minute items like gasoline cans and extra supplies.  We finally set sail on a beautiful afternoon.  There wasn't much wind and so we motor sailed.  Lake Erie was glass flat and so the trip was very comfortable. (If you have never sailed Lake Erie, it's a very shallow lake and can go from flat to very rough in a short period of time.)

Having grown up on this lake it was very exciting to watch familiar, old landmarks come into view.  Mohawk point and Long Beach. 

We reached Port Colborne marina just after sunset, about 8PM.  It had been our intention to go through the Welland Canal that evening.  Afterall, we were hoping to make the Pig Roast at the yacht club Saturday night.  A couple of things changed our plans.  First, we did not know how much gas our new boat would use and were loath to enter the canal without a full tank.  (You have to keep your engine running while in the canal and it can take 12 to fifteen hours to finish the transit.)  The marina gas bar closes promptly at 8PM on the Labour Day weekend.  Second, our running lights were not working.

Fortunately, the owner of the marina made out decision simple.  He was familiar with our boat, from local racing, and offered us a free night in congratulations for getting a great boat.

So we treated our crew to a great meal at the Marina restaurant and bedded down under a sky full of stars for our first night on the boat.