Drove to Everett today to look at this boat; lots of possibilities; great liveaboard layout, a few projects but none that seemed daunting.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1989/Ericson-38-2406016/Everett-Marina/WA/United-States
and next Saturday I think I'll take a look at this one:
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1985/Westerly-Center-Cockpit-2122691/Blaine/WA/United-States
too bad I have to go to work this week; boat shopping is more fun. Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Chilly weekend on Puget Sound - Tacoma to Poulsbo
Since Veteran's day was a holiday, I decided to take Monday off and make a 4 day weekend. My friend, Kevin invited me to join him on a trip to Poulsbo from Commencement Bay by way of Blake Island. When we checked the weather report on Friday morning, it was a bit surprising. We knew there was some wind and rain on it's way, but there was a gale warning for the afternoon. So we quickly got ready and left anyway. His Fuji 35 could easily handle the possible winds and its always good to practice some sailing in higher winds, right?
We did have a bit of trouble when the wind gusted to over 30 towards the end of the sailing afternoon, and a slow gybe(?) with some choppy waves that picked up due to the winds, meant some tense time when the jib got wrapped wrong and then started flogging wildly. Fortunately it looks like only the sun cover was damaged, but it does need to be repaired. It was a very busy day of downwind sailing up Colvos Passage and we were glad to be safely docked at Blake Island.
The wind picked up some during the night, but by morning it had died to almost nothing. There were still 20+ knots predicted for the afternoon but they didn't start until we were over half way to Poulsbo. We didn't try sailing at that point, we were almost there and the winds were still pretty strong.
After docking safely at the Poulsbo Public Marina we headed to the downtown shops to look for the famous bakery Sluy's Bakery; oh so many goodies to chose some. Later we had dinner out at the That's Some a Italian restaurant.
On Monday we motored all the way back to Foss Harbor Waterway in Tacoma. Winds were light and didn't start blowing until we got to Commencement Bay.
We did have a bit of trouble when the wind gusted to over 30 towards the end of the sailing afternoon, and a slow gybe(?) with some choppy waves that picked up due to the winds, meant some tense time when the jib got wrapped wrong and then started flogging wildly. Fortunately it looks like only the sun cover was damaged, but it does need to be repaired. It was a very busy day of downwind sailing up Colvos Passage and we were glad to be safely docked at Blake Island.
The wind picked up some during the night, but by morning it had died to almost nothing. There were still 20+ knots predicted for the afternoon but they didn't start until we were over half way to Poulsbo. We didn't try sailing at that point, we were almost there and the winds were still pretty strong.
After docking safely at the Poulsbo Public Marina we headed to the downtown shops to look for the famous bakery Sluy's Bakery; oh so many goodies to chose some. Later we had dinner out at the That's Some a Italian restaurant.
On Monday we motored all the way back to Foss Harbor Waterway in Tacoma. Winds were light and didn't start blowing until we got to Commencement Bay.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Herron Island Race - We Finished!
So normally finishing a race isn't a big deal, and with good winds is a given. But with light winds all day and adverse current conditions in Dana Passage, and as we neared the south end of Herron Island, it is quite an accomplishment. Many boats dropped out due to the slow, agonizing conditions of tacking and sliding backwards with the current. Sometimes there just wasn't enough wind to get through it. But not Rushwind's skipper Ken. Oh no he was determined to get to the committee boat, and with just a great all around attitude as a skipper and sailing, it was hard to whine too much. Although when we we made a loop in Dana Passage (see photo below), and then our zigzagging the last couple hours (we were so close but just couldn't head straight to the finish for long), a couple of us probably would have voted to turn back sooner..........
We finished about 7:40 pm in the dark; the race started at 10 am............ It was a long, chilly day. Ken made us some soup and bread, we all contributed other snacks we still had, as we motored back (more than 2 hours) and we took shifts eating. Crew was Erik, Ruth, Wendy & Ken, and me. Great company, lots of laughs, and lots of practice tacking! The ride back was actually quite pleasant, clear sky, bright moon, and lots of stars.
Thank goodness it didn't rain at all. And thankfully, my hot water tank didn't fail me either; long hot bubble bath to end the day was wonderful!
Next race, is Squaxin Island on the 19th. I told Ken if it or any of the races, it was snowing and blowing, I'm not going! And I was accused of being spoiled by Erik from spending too much time sailing in Mexico or Hawaii lately.
Thank goodness it didn't rain at all. And thankfully, my hot water tank didn't fail me either; long hot bubble bath to end the day was wonderful!
Next race, is Squaxin Island on the 19th. I told Ken if it or any of the races, it was snowing and blowing, I'm not going! And I was accused of being spoiled by Erik from spending too much time sailing in Mexico or Hawaii lately.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)