So, tomorrow we'll get to try the Hanse 495 on a bare boat charter to the northern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, departing from Vancouver. Reviews of the boat call it a comfortable cruiser, one that is easy to sail and which has decent speed in light air. This one is full draft (7.8 ft) with a self-tacking jib, Simrad electronics, and 75-hp Volvo that runs quiet. Very nice accommodations for three couples. Boat can supposedly make 9 knots. Hoping to see the smoke haze from the BC fires diminish by Monday; and, of course, hope to see those fires extinguished soon w/o injury to the folks fighting or fleeing them.