At the Réal-Bouvier Marina at Longueuil, off-island across the river, about 10 kilometres from Montreal, I’m a bit nervous. I’m wearing a faded blue baseball cap, a bit stained from many years of wear. Embroidered on the back are the words “Made to Sail.” Garon greets our group of four would-be sailors with a bright smile and leads us down to the docks to meet Duplantie — and the boat, Ohana IV.
Simon is the captain, and we do what he says. Véronique is the first mate: if the captain falls in, she’s in charge. Somehow the contingency is that if they both fall in, I’m in charge. “Call your Grandad!” grins Simon. But we’re all reassured that the boat is basically impossible to capsize. “If it does flip over, it’s because you’re in a hurricane and you shouldn’t be there!” laughs Duplantie. Plus, there’s a raft “in case the boat catches on fire.” And there’s a foghorn, and a flare. So, we’re all good.
Ohana IV is 37 feet long with two sails and a big ship’s wheel to steer. The boat isn’t too big, so it’s pretty easy to manage. But it can sleep nine if it needs to. There are bedrooms, a kitchen and a washroom below decks. There’s an engine to help manoeuvre in and out of the harbour — or if the wind isn’t playing ball. Which is helpful on a day like today where the breeze is barely three knots.
It’s always important to analyze the wind before leaving, so we look up to the little arrow at the top of the mast, which tells us where the wind is blowing, even if it’s not terribly strong today. We climb aboard, help to unwind the ropes from the docks, pull up the buoy fenders and cast off, motoring out into the river.
The sails remain furled until we get further into the St. Lawrence River. Then, Duplantie shows me how to take the cover off the mainsail. I’m tasked with hoisting the sail up the mast and I’m glad I’m wearing gloves to save me from rope burn. Up, up, up, it goes until the sail reaches the top and billows lightly in the breeze. From below, it looks rather magnificent. And, so far, no one has shouted at me (although everyone gets a bit nervous whenever my fellow traveller Chris Muther takes the wheel. Muther: “I feel like I’d be better after a drink.” Garon: “In your case, yes.”)