The boat show, the boat show, the big Seattle boat show

I found a new boat or two at the boat show, but they are a little out of my price range.........  It was definitely a gorgeous day to wander at south Lake Union and look at sailboats.  I was a bit surprised to see a familiar boat there though.  Chauk Chauk, a Valiant 42 owned by Bob.  I met Bob & Jeri in 2007 on Catalina Island and later saw Bob off and on during my cruising of the Mexican gold coast through spring 2008.  I guess it was just time for him to sell Chauk Chauk after having cruised her for several years and then he had her shipped back to the northwest last year.  She is a beauty and I wish I could afford her.

Well, the shopping continues.........

Island Home Cruise - January 27-29, 2012

Almost forgot to post information about the cruise last weekend........  Went to the joint 'cruise' of Olympia Yacht Club and South Sound Sailing Society at Island Home, OYC's private getaway with Joel, Sandy, and Jonathan, and Locky.  We had a great trip up with sunshine, but no wind so we motored.  Saturday was another great weather day and we walked the nature trail, and visited with other cruisers off and all day.  The potluck was as usual a big feast and if anyone went away hungry it was their own darn fault.  The trip back on Sunday was chilly and a bit rainy.  And of course the wind right on our nose, so we motored back to the marina.  All in all a great weekend and great company!!

No Sailing in the Snow

The snow is mostly melted off the boats.  Here's a before and after photo of Maranatha, Joel's boat.  The SSSS race for Saturday this weekend was cancelled..........

Debra's boat, Liberte, at Swantown Marina

Snow and fresh water on top of the salt water does freeze!

Mary's boat, Sonrisa, at Martin Marina - she's all clear now

First Sail Race for 2012

Yesterday was the first Sail Race of the South Sound Sailing Society's Inlet Series.  It was a relatively short course of 11.1 miles to Flapjack Point in Eld Inlet and back.  Despite the forecast for snow, there were lots of boats out ready to race.  And boy did we sail...... the winds were fluky but pretty constant (10-15? with gusts of more? - I wish I was better at judging the wind speeds) for the entire race (except of course at the turning mark where they got extremely light).  I was crewing for Joel on Maranatha, a Ranger 33.  I was the newbie crew on this boat and was sailing along with Sandy, John, and Webb.  I wanted to take a photo of the skipper and crew, but my phone was not cooperating, so maybe next time.  It rained most of the first half of the race, but just a steady light rain.  Then it started clearing up a bit to the north.  However, as we were putting the boat away it started raining again and harder, then snowing, then the skies cleared and the sun appeared.

Thanks Joel and the Maranatha crew for a great day on the water!

First Sail for 2012

My first sail for 2012 was with Capt. Mary, Wendy, Michelle, and Cyndie on Claire McDougal, Mary's Newport 30 sailboat.  We left the Olympia Yacht Club about 11:30 am on Sunday, January 8th, with sunshine, and light winds.  Mount Rainier was out and so were the Olympics.  We had a wonderful sail and of course the obligatory good snacks and lots of laughs. What a great way to start the new sailing year!
THANKS Mary.

Wendy, Mary F., Barbara, Michelle

Mary 

Wendy, Cyndie, Mary

Michelle, Mary, Wendy

Mary Campbell's adventures

So isn't there a saying about if you can't do something to live vicariously through someone else.  Well since I can't be out cruising now, but Mary is, I am following her stories closely.  She is having some great adventures in Mexico and if you get a chance read her latest blog posting where they save two whales near San Blas, Mexico.
http://sonrisachronicles.blogspot.com/
Update - January 9th, 2012
There is a video posted of their whale rescue here:  http://vimeo.com/34811494

And I saved a photo of Mary from that video.

Last Sail Race for 2011

Yesterday was the Hope Island Race with the SSSS club.  I crewed for Ken on Rushwind, and the other crew was Wendy & Ken Eklund.  As predicted the winds were light and made for some interesting sailing (slow) around Hope Island.  We went clockwise around the island like a few other boats; most of the boats chose the counter-clockwise route.  A couple boats went aground on the reef between Squaxin and Hope, yikes, it sure gets shallow in some parts there.  Then the adverse currents sometimes meant we were going backwards, slowly.. Eventually we made it through the current and back into Dana Passage where the winds picked up and we were sailing along nicely as it was getting dark.  It was chilly most of the day, but since it wasn't wet or very windy it wasn't too bad.  Ken started the heater in the cabin on the way back also, which definitely helped.  We quit about 6pm when the winds died completely and we could only see glassy smooth water between us and the committee boat, maybe 2.5 miles more.  Race certainly could have been better, but we always have fun on Rushwind!
And that ends the 2011 race season.  I think I am ready for some warm weather sailing again too!