• Boat Ramps = Purple • Parks = Red • Docks = Green
Travel Guide, Itineraries, Maps, Charts, Parks and Camping Cruises. Places to go.
Things to do. Pictures, Reviews, Moorages, Marinas, Boat Ramps and Much More.
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9/26/2017
Twenty Marine Parks - Twenty Public Docks - Five Boat launching Ramps in the San Juan Islands
• Boat Ramps = Purple • Parks = Red • Docks = Green
5/08/2017
Is disaster simply one little mistake away?
This is a short accounting of what we watched evolve on a balmy calm peaceful Sunday afternoon. The gentleman side tied behind us cast off, he said he was going to swing by the pumpout on the other dock and then head for home. I waved from our cockpit and dove back into my magazine. Suddenly my concentration is interrupted by a revving engine. "Somethings wrong," I said to Linda, "look over there." The boater that had just left had entered the next fairway, the current was dragging him towards the two foot high aluminum footbridge that connects the walkways. "He's in trouble," I said, "the currents too much and he can't complete the turn." Next, to my surprise he guns the engine of his thirty footer, full throttle, attempting to make a 180 degree turn before he strikes the walkway. His boat does indeed miss the footbridge and almost completes the turn but instead, he hits the dock next to the pumpout and with engines screaming, he drives the as yet undamaged boat three quarters of the way onto the dock. Not quite out of the water and at a steep angle he slams it into reverse. The boat instantly pulls off the dock, sliding back into the water. Now mostly turned around, the boat powers backwards towards the footbridge. The unmistakable sound of crunching fiberglass is heard a split second afterwards as the driver finally throttles back and then kills the engines.
The whole sad episode is over as fast as the engines could rev up. By the time I and some other onlookers get over there with our boat hooks the boat is back in the water floating peacefully next to the pumpout. What can you say to someone that has just trashed their boat in a frenzied show of dumb mistakes compounded by more dumb mistakes.
Speaking for myself and probably a few other skippers that have misjudged currents and our boats handling or lack of handling. I will say, I too have gunned the motor in a last ditch effort to clear an obstacle. I may even have bumped a few times. Luckily I have never done any real damage or I have suppressed the memory.
Experience teaches us lessons, sometimes expensive lessons. In this instance, one lesson learned is to not try to turn around upstream of anything you don't want to hit. In lieu of that, don't hit it at full throttle.
In this situation two alternative actions come to mind. #1 the driver could have turned his boat around outside the fairway and backed down to the pumpout, although he would still run the risk of crashing if he lost power or control in the strong current. #2 and a better choice, would be to choose another location or wait for a tide change. Sometimes it is best to not push your luck.
3/12/2017
Marine Parks of the San Juan Islands and Surrounding Area
followed by reviews, charts, and pictures
in the order listed.
This is not all the parks, just the ones you may want to make part of your cruising. It's unlikely you can visit all in one trip and still do a decent job of sightseeing. You should plan multiple visits to the San Juans.
Many people choose Jones as their favorite for just hanging for a few days, so Jones is first.
For hiking, Sucia, or Pelican Beach on Cypress Island are the best, but all the parks have hiking trails.
Some parks are in a convenient location when you need to spend the night and you're between destinations, Saddle Bag, Eagle Harbor, and Odlin would fit this description. Most parks with docks have picnic tables on the floats, which are very handy for extending your living area, socializing, and meeting other boaters.
For marinas/etc. where you can get fuel and provisions try this list >> Marinas - fuel - beer and ice - slips for rent
- Jones Island
- James Island
- Clark Island
- Doe Island
- Obstruction Pass
- Pelican Beach
- Eagle Harbor
- Cypress Head
- Matia
- Patos
- Sucia
- Stuart Island (Prevost & Reid Harbor)
- Spencer Spit
- Odlin County Park
- Washington Park
- Deception Pass Park
- Saddlebag Island
- Sidney Spit Marine Park (Canada)
1/15/2017
Take What you Have and -- GO
How many times have you heard (or said yourself) "I can't because...." -- finish the statement with any handy excuse for not making that long talked about trip. In many cases, the excuses I use are bogus or easily overcome.
For instance:
- The no money excuse:
- If you are dead broke, I suggest that you forge ahead and make plans anyway, things have a way of working out.
- Reduce the budget some, try dialing back what you really need to get going to the San Juans.
- New radar - NO, new motor - NO - how about used? New plotter - NO. You may be hopeless if you need all the newest toys to vacation or go on a boat ride.
- The no boat excuse:
- Take what you have, or consider renting or buying a used runabout or skiff.
- One time we came across a couple (a well seasoned couple I might add) at Pelican Beach. They arrived in an 8' plywood sailing pram (with oars and no motor) and they had towed another 8' pram with camping gear. They told us they had put in at Anacortes and were spending a week as they had done for many years. I was impressed and somewhat embarrassed for my boat full of goodies, and creature comforts.
- The no time excuse:
- Baloney - If you really want to go you will make the time, so go mark your calendar right now!
- help for procrastinators --- click here for Step by step plan for that San Juan trip
- One last thought; life happens, when everything in life gangs up on you conspiring to stop your boating trip, don't give up. Instead, postpone the boat part and go in your car. Camping or resorting around the San Juans is almost as good as boating around the San Juans.
11/14/2016
San Juan Islands Kayak Campsites and Launch Points - GPS
5/29/2015
Fast Track to the San Juan's and Patos Island State Park
- Where to launch your boat and park your rig!
- Where to Launch your boat and park your rig
- First choice = Bellingham - (Squalicum Harbor)
- Close runner up = Deception Pass State Park (Cornet Bay)
- La Conner city ramp (Swinomish Channel)
- Washington Park - Anacortes
- Cap Sante - Anacortes (sling only)
- Suggested Itinerary!
- All the Parks with complete descriptions and chart snips!
- Rent if you don't have a boat!
- 12 fuel docks- marinas - resorts - you should know about before you take off into the unknown!
Patos Island Anchorage |
5/12/2015
Waterfront San Juan County Parks for Camping
San Juan County parks are pretty much ignored by the boating crowd, could it be that the lack of overnight floats keeps them away?
SJ County Park is an easy dinghy ride from anchor in Small Pox Bay. This popular campground is great for kayakers heading out to Haro Strait for Orca watching. |
Shaw County Park Campground picnic shelter |
Shaw Island, boasts Shaw County Park in Indian Cove. (off Upright Channel across from Odlin county park) While offering a protected bay for anchoring, the beach is somewhat flat making dinghy landing a chore and wet feet likely. The campground is cliff front in the trees requiring using a stairway to access from shore. A wooden boat ramp gets your vehicle across the sand but leaves a lot to be desired at anything but high tide.
San Juan Island County Park is located at Small Pox Bay on Haro Strait. The road from Roche to Lime Kiln Park (Whale Watch Park) provides vehicle access. The quite small rock free bay is easy to drive into from Haro Strait offering room to anchor one or two boats front and center in front of the ranger station. The beach is dinghy friendly and has a boat launch ramp provided your skiff is an easy launch and your car is four wheel drive. This park is a favorite for orca watchers that crowd the point jutting from shore offering elevated unobstructed viewing equal to that at Lime Kiln Park.
(FYI, you can make reservations up to 90 days in advance at all three San Juan county parks at https://secure.itinio.com/sanjuan/ or google San Juan County Parks) All the parks offer bike and hiker sections.
Odlin Park on Lopez island has a two hour dock limit - find Odlin across from Indian Cove and Canoe Island on Upright channel. |
2/28/2015
Good News & Bad News - boat camping fees in Washington's San Juan Islands
No matter. The good news is that anchoring is still free, the other news is that Washington State Park fees for boaters have gone up.
The reported new fee for using park buoys is $15 per night. Staying at the float has been increased to 70 cents per foot. So your 30' mega yacht is now $21 per night.
On this subject, you may remember an old post where I pondered float etiquette - Case #1 - a 30' boat hogs the middle of a 50' float leaving no room for other boats, should he pay for 50' or 30'? Case #2 - the same 30' boat scoots way down and hangs over the end leaving room for more boats, should he be rewarded and only pay for the 20' he uses? Case #3 - and we all no the answer to this one - do you include the bowsprit, swim step and dinghy davits or go with the much smaller boat length stated by the boat builder, come on be honest, no one is watching.
Other thoughts on fees: Park fees are a very small part of our overall boating experience, and yet provide us tremendous benefit. The Washington marine parks are top notch, why wouldn't you want to support them?
11/28/2014
Pictures by Land and Sea Around Matia Island in the San Juan's
A few years back, I hiked the trail from Pelican Beach to the top of Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island, taking pictures every few minutes along the way. The resulting pictorial is a pretty good synopsis for those that can't make the journey themselves. See the Eagle Bluff Pictorial hike here. I decided to do the same thing on Matia, but with a little change up. First I hiked the trail snapping away with wild abandon, then I jumped in the dinghy and hugged the shore continuing taking pictures while I circled the island. Then I deleted most of what I had. The results are below, you decide if it was worthwhile.
The blue marker on the far left marks Rolfe cove, and where we begin our visit to Matia |
First off, exit the dock!
The little four boat float, may be full, but there are two buoys and room for a few boats to anchor. In a pinch you can anchor in the much larger cove at the other end of the island and do this hike/dinghy tour in reverse.
Boater park fees are a great deal for what we get in return. |
The trail starts at the top of ramp beyond the small picnic campground area. Matia is unique in that fires are not allowed anywhere, and pets are restricted from trail system. |
9/02/2014
At Last Pictures of Bimini in a Bag are posted
"Bimini in two bags" fits under the v-berth |
Organized chaos is the secret behind many good things. |
7/24/2014
Boating Time and SEAL Pup Time Everywhere in the San Juan Islands
We didn't attempt to touch this little guy, but it sure seemed like he wanted to be cuddled |
The sucking sounds were unmistakable as he worked his way around the boats again and again. |
Settling in for the night as the sun set. |
7/10/2014
Seven People - Seven Bicycles - One little boat for our 4th of July at Roche Harbor
- two crossed from Spencer Spit to Lopez Village
- two pedaled from Roche Harbor to Lime Kiln and back
- three pedaled from Odlin Park, around Lopez and took a ferry ride back to Friday Harbor
- three pedaled from Smallpox Bay around San Juan Island
- thankfully, other than the skipper and mate, all slept on shore in campgrounds
9/26/2013
This sites purpose
7/11/2013
Anchoring at Roche Harbor for the Fourth of July
Arriving at Roche we were not shocked or surprised that the place was really crowded. Being a believer that you can always find room for one more boat, we took a quick tour of the rafting lines and decided to find a place to squeeze in out in the bay. After anchoring and checking out our swing and the swing of those around us I upped anchor and chose another nearby spot, this time very close to shore, but also with a better view. I set two hooks side by side to keep us off the near by rocks should the wind come up. One anchor would have been fine but I slept better for the extra five minutes work.
The fireworks, as promised were very well done, the wind conveniently spun us around so that our cockpit faced the show and the smoke blew away from us. All in all no complaints.
This pic although lacking something, does convey it was sunset. |
Our dinghy is the odd one with the cool wood seat and centerboard trunk. |
Roche sculpture along foot path by county dock |
More sculpture |
No rust, must be stainless steel. |
Seeing a price tag with a sculpture brings out the art critic and connoisseur, feel free to purchase. |
We finished the cruise with a stop over and hike at Stuart followed by a hot dog roast and windy night anchored at Jones. The next day we ran over to hike and sail Sucia where we spent a rather noisy evening at the dock on Fossil Bay. The fourth day, after a quick hike on Matia, and a drive by of the salmon pens at Deepwater Bay (Cypress), we were back at our slip in La Conner.
This was a pleasant, low key enjoyable little trip of about 110 miles.
(I really like my new laptop gps) read about laptop gps here
BTW, the news Wed. night (three days after arriving back home) was that one of the 85 foot for sale yachts we were all ogling on the fourth burned and sunk at the dock at Roche. It's really shocking (a little scary too) to see news pictures of a yacht you had just admired, and now sunk with just its charred stern above water next to the dock.
5/30/2013
Does the law require non-swimmers to wear life jackets (pfd) in the San Juan's - No it does not, but some folks on some boats must wear pfd's.
Seriously, you should be conversant with and follow pfd rules, they make sense and save lives. This article is a semi-non serious look at the actual usage on board cruiser vessels.
First of all I'm not trying to make an argument but make a point of different thinking. (just for fun)
Here goes -
If, and I mean if only one life jacket is worn on board, most would say it should be worn by a clumsy non swimmer because they will most likely need it. In this intellectually challenged exercise I suggest that the one and only life jacket should be worn by the most capable person because no one else on board is likely to be able to save him.
The most capable person will have to save himself when no one else is able, hence he should wear the life jacket. Because >> When the most capable person is gone the rest may perish, when the most capable person needs help, who will help him. So with this way of thinking we must preserve the most capable so that the less capable may then be helped.
Was that clear? OK try this scenario -- The skipper gets knocked overboard (crazy crew screws up) and is unconscious in the water without a pfd. By the time the clueless crew can recover (if ever) him/her, its too late. Now the remaining persons on board are at greater risk without the numero uno.
Next scenario --The clumsy helpless crewman trips and goes in the drink without a pfd. The immensely capable skipper springs into action, rescues the klutz in minutes and saves the day.
My backwards conclusion is that in the first scenario the skipper may have survived had he been wearing the only pfd, but the klumsy klutz crew probably would have survived without a pfd due to the skill of the skipper.
What! What is he suggesting, that the skipper gets the only pfd? Outrageous! Blasphemy! What about the Master's responsibility to ship, crew and passengers - Keel haul the laggardly sot.
On a serious note:
Look around the docks where all the boats are coming and going and you invariably see the women and children (even pooches) bundled up in the latest good looking approved flotation apparel. Makes sense, right? - save the hapless and helpless from succumbing to a maritime accident lurking around the next slip or piling. Look closely and many times you see the person stepping (we never jump do we) from boat to dock or dock to boat, handling lines, pushing off, keeping track of passengers, other boats, etc, etc, is not wearing a pfd. All the passengers that are seated and doing nothing are properly belted in, but the one person really in harm's way, the one person all others depend on, the one person the others may not be able to save - is not wearing a pfd at all.
I need to end this tirade by saying that simply having pfd's on board may keep the regulators happy but won't help the unfortunate skipper over the side, while his helpless family watches him struggle.
There are certain times (docking-working on deck) when all crew and skipper should be wearing safety gear - and that is just good seamanship.
Sobering thought!
5/27/2013
How many Anchors do you need for cruising in the San Juan Islands when Visiting the Marine Parks
Two!
More?
The quick and easy answer is, "you need the same amount anywhere you go"
No help so far, Okay lets talk a scenario that could be any of us.
You arrive at your first nights anchorage, a quiet little protected bay with a rocky bottom.
What a great vacation, hot dogs over a campfire onshore, some wine or beer, a really restful nights sleep, rich coffee in the morning, and then when you try to raise the anchor your hooked to the biggest rock in the world. after hours of pulling from all directions you finally give up and cut the line, ouch, 250 bucks worth of anchor and rode, gone. Oh well, your not going to let a lost anchor spoil a perfect vacation and off you go to the next idyllic spot in the San Juan's.
Now it really hits home, the dock is full, no one offers to or wants to raft your boat. So you think, that's okay, I'll just go ashore in the dinghy find an anchor shaped rock, bring it back to the mother ship, and tie it to whats left of the cut rode. Except the rode is too short, and you need to stay on board to keep circling in the boat because no one in your crew (wife and children) is qualified to run the boat while your rock hunting. So your current ex-spouse rows to shore, and .... see where this is going?
What should happen is you break out a spare anchor and rode that's stored and ready to deploy once you tie off the bitter end. Your admiring first spouse and children think you're a hero.
OK, dinghy scenario. Your youngest children that have just mastered rowing are off somewhere nearby while you snooze or read a book. Little do you know but they just lost both oars and the wind is quickly
Click below to read more
10/27/2012
VHF Marine Radio Etiquette Rules to follow and how to entertain other boaters
Some of us when calling (hailing) our good buddy's say the boat name they are calling (usually some descriptive name like "barfing good times for all" or "I think I heard enough already" or this true one "om pa pa - om pa pa" try listening to that three times ) three or four times in a row, and if that's not tedious enough they say it clearly, plainly, slowly, enounciatingly, pronounciatingly, excruciatingly perfect. Enough already again, just say it once, normally -- are you in love with saying the boats name or something? Besides you just talked to them five minutes ago, why should all of us have to listen to your ten minute hailing speech again. And then, all you have to say is something like, "Hey Joe, do you want french or thousand Island dressing?"
Now I know its proper to repeat three times when hailing -- but give it a break.
Here are some pet peeves and tongue in cheek ideas:
- Is your radio set on low power when you call Joe, no one in the next state wants to hear you.
- How about staying on 68 or 69, 71,72, if you're going to keep calling every five minutes.
- If they don't respond, wait awhile longer than thirty seconds before trying again, unless the world is ending it wont matter.
- Try using your cell phone.
- If your making us all listen to your party plans, how about an open invitation.
- Sticky mikes happen a lot, check yours if your not hearing anything. The easiest way is with another radio. (call for a radio check)
- Just say the name once--pleeease, unless it really does sound better to repeat repeat
- Transmit on low power unless, a mayday call (radios have a high/low switch).
- Hail on channel 16 and then agree to switch to 68,69 or others for chit chat.
- Keep your chit chat short, others are waiting and we only have a few channels for recreational use.
- Btw, radio use (all channels) is supposed to be for operational purposes not chit chat and exchanging dinner recipes. This rule is widely ignored,
- Btw, did you know your required to monitor 16 if you have a radio?
- Be polite and concise, then get off.
- Hold the mike close but don't yell.
- You can say over but you dont need to, most know when its over.
- Over.
- Roger.
- Roger dodger.
- Standing by on 16, 69, pins and needles.
9/09/2012
Here is my proof "paying it forward" pays off
Here in a nutshell is what happened. We found ourselves a 100 miles or so and a week into our cruise when the diesel engine quit. To continue on our way we had our 7.5 hp kicker and 3 gallons of gas which was not enough gas to make it to the nearest gas dock let alone on to the San Juans. After some cell phone calls to my son at home, (he was at a computer online) I decided to run about five miles to a nearby shutdown marina, anchor the boat and take the dinghy to shore and a road where I would call a taxi from a neighboring town 15 miles away (or hitch hike) to take me to somewhere to buy four five gallon fuel containers and bring them back to the dinghy full of gas. Sounds like a miserable way to finish a cruise but a workable plan never the less.
But it turned out great, while paddling my dinghy to shore I started talking with two fisherman in their dinghy, that were just finishing up crabbing for the day. They offered me a ride, they took me into town, waited while I bought four new gas jugs, took me to a gas station and brought me back to the dinghy. All this in less than an hour, heck we spend more time watching eagles than this little emergency excursion took. When I fished out a twenty and offered to pay for their time or at least the fuel cost they politely refused. My response to their generosity was to promise to help someone in need and keep it going.
So "paying it forward" is very much alive and well, and apparently I still have credits in my account.
8/12/2012
Things to do - Get off the boat -There are places to go - Bring Bicycles on your next Cruise to the San Juan Islands
At Friday Harbor with three bicycles, and yes the jib sheets caught on the handlebars on every tack. |
Last January I posted a short blog laying out a possible bike/hike/cruise scenario/itinerary that you could use as a planning building block for your own cruise. Bikes in the San Juans Below is a quick summation of what we actually ended up doing.
Our San Juan Island trip started at Shelter Bay LaConner on the Swinomish Channel. We had just returned from a week long cruise into Hood Canal and after one night in our slip we cast off again at 5:30 am trying to beat the falling tide which would leave us trapped at the dock. With just inches or less to spare we sneaked across our shallow entrance shoal and slid into Swinomish Channel, and rode the remaining outgoing current all the way into Padilla Bay. After a day of on and off winds and then really great afternoon sailing winds we arrived at 5pm and hailed the Friday Harbor Harbor Master staking claim to a slip for the next two nights. A casual stroll around town, and live local music drifting down from the city's seawall gathering esplanade contributed to a very relaxing evening on board. Not having tides or currents dictating our bicycling schedule allowed us to sleep in the next morning. Finally with hot coffee in hand, (okay, in the cup) I wandered up to Kings Market and purchased hash browns, eggs and some yummy impulse items to bring back to the boat for a late breakfast.
Definitely before noon, (but not much) we walked our bikes off the floats and headed uphill, of course it's always going to be uphill when you start at sea level. We used a folded and wadded up, photocopied not to scale scrap of map for guidance and headed for Cattle Point. The roads were without bike lanes, but drivers were respectful and we had an easy ride to American Camp and then on to Cattle Point Lighthouse. Fortunately the weather was clear and with no fog we had views all the way to Vancouver Island and across the strait of Juan De Fuca. The Olympic mountains hung in the distance completing our postcard views. Viewing Cattle Pass from up high was a thrill and brought into perspective what was previously a cockpit level chart image. It was easy to see why the Americans chose this location to set up their cannons. From our vantage point we could scan the water route all the way back to Turn Island where our boat lay just around the corner.
We brought cookies and water for lunch, and learned next time to bring lots more water and less cookies.
There is no road right along the coast so we rode part way back to Friday Harbor before turning towards Lime Kiln Park. We encountered a few long steep grades which required walking for some of us. The cliff side views are stunning and it is somewhat difficult to ride safely while scanning the waters for Killer Whales. I learned right away to stop if I wanted to really take in the sights. We followed a circle route taking us by the Lavender Gardens and back to town on a different road.
I forgot and left my camera on the boat so no pictures, sorry. The next day we were fortunate to not have any soreness brought on by being out of shape and suddenly biking like we were still children. On the way back to La Conner we stopped by Spencer Spit for an afternoon hike, and then anchored at James Island. We hung around in the morning waiting for the rising tide which we rode almost all the way to Shelter Bay.
This cruise, in spite of motor problems (our diesel quit and forced us to use our 7.5 kicker for the entire trip) turned out to be one of our best, longest and most enjoyable. I highly recommend planning a bicycle/cruise to any of the San Juan Islands.
John
8/01/2012
How many hp does it take to battle the current getting to the San Juans?
Guest slip at Friday Harbor |
I can proclaim Rosey has made it to the San Juans, but the story is far from told.
As you know we started in La Conner and made a 160 mile detour into Hood canal.
At our farthest turn around point Roseys old engine chose to quit and we were forced to return to LaConner using our 7.5 hp Honda dinghy motor. After some discussion and a good nights sleep in our rented slip we decided to push on to San Juan Island at a maximum 4 mph and hope the wind would help out. The trip to Friday Harbor took about eleven hours overall. We had some following wind boost in Lopez sound, but when we turned the corner into Upright Channel things came to life and we had fantastic sailing right to the marina breakwater, at times our gps showed us 7.1 mph. Every tack required un-hooking jib sheets from handle bars, next time I load bikes I will try to improve the system.
Yesterday we rode our bicycles to Cattle Pass Point Lighthouse and then over to Lime Kiln Park, a distance of about 35 miles. We had to walk up some of the hills and several jerks honked at us. None us of were really in shape, but today we feel good with no soreness so it worked out fine
Today we plan to head back with a stop at Spencer Spit and then spend the night at James Island while we wait for flood tide tommorrow morning, hopefully the current will whisk us all the way to LaConner because our 4 mph speed is stopped dead by an opposing wind and current.
Spencer Spit |
Anchored at James Island |
So the answer to the "how many horsepower" question is 7.5 hp, but were not back to La Conner yet.
John
(for anyone that is curious - I switched to a 15 hp Honda and gained one mph in top speed and one mph in cruising speed - imho 15 hp is the correct outboard auxiliary power for a boat like Windrose (seven ton +-)
one week later from home:
OK, update time, first off, the four boat dock at James Island was full so we had to anchor out and dinghy to shore at the kayak campground for our campfire to cook hot dog and s'mores. Anchoring was a real chore, we tried setting the hook three times in two locations before I felt good enough to sleep through a tide change. We ended up with a Bahamian set using our grapple anchor for number two. Plus at Linda's urging I set Roseys antique sounder alarm at two fathoms, I slept like a rock until daylight. We waited for the current change and upped anchor around noon, as soon as we came around the end of James the kicker quit. For a moment I considered raising sail but decided trying to claw off a lee shore was a bad move. We had about a thousand feet before we would be in trouble, and knowing we could quickly drop three hooks I concentrated on fixing the kicker problem asap. Turned out the primer bulb was sucking air because the hose barb was broken halfway through, with a little realigning of the hose it started up and never quit again, but the problem obviously needs attention before we depend on it again. Once clear of James with the wind still on our beam we loosened both sails and made quick work of Rosario Strait. The wind held steady and the helping current up Guemes channel boosted us along at over 5mph right into Swinomish channel where the wind quit, but the current and kicker carried us up to LaConner in short order. With only one half mile left to reach Shelter Bay the current did an about face. Under Rainbow bridge I let the motor idle in neutral so I could measure the current with the gps, astonishingly we were already being swept back at 2 mph and losing fast. We quickly spun around and ran at wot to regain our lost ground and make it into the protected channel leading to our moorage. Luckily we gave our selves just enough time to make it, an hour or so later would have been a nightmare current possibly forcing us to anchor in the channel somewhere waiting for the current change.
Sunrise from shore from Langley on Whidbey Island in Saratoga Passage |
All systems running before engine gave up see the old spinning flashing light depth sounder? (very nostalgic) |
Stopped by Navy for submarine while crossing to Port Ludlow |
Lonely Rosey is only guest at Pleasant Harbor on Hood Canal, btw hot showers, wifi come with slip fee |
Camp Parson Boy Scout Camp at Jackson Cove on Dabob Bay (Hood Canal) |
Our first trip with Rosey is behind us now, we spent twelve days, covered over two hundred sea miles, 35+ bicycle miles, got held up by a nuclear sub, what a great time.
Here is a follow up about Roseys not starting that morning. It turned out the shut down lever was still pulled out due to a weak spring or whatever, and after an aggravating but sorta adventurous ordeal I discovered the issue, pushed the lever, and she started up and has ran fine ever since. So operator error or something like that hits again.