Written by Eldor on July 1 from Motu iti's log
Hello Sailors
Ten A.M. 06-14-09 departed Cap Sante Marina, Anacortas, Wa. ( n48 24.51 w122 38.52). We had a fleet of 5 Montgomery 23's, 2 M15's and 9 M17's and another M17 from Canada Would briefly join us at Friday Harbor. While in the marina conditions appeared to favor a working jib and reefed main but we no more then motored past the breakwater and the wind decreased so I hoisted a full main. We had clouds and fog with 4-5 miles visibility on departure and about 10-12kt s wind which made for very relaxed sailing the 1st few hrs.
Later in the Rosario Straits the wind increased to S 15-18 kts with a south flowing current of 2-3 kts and we were still showing over the ground speed of 6-7 kts. You can imagine the water was very rough but we were the third boat to reach the Blakely Island Marina (n48 35.14 w122 49.04). I had borrowed a semi-balanced rudder, with the understanding I would buy it if it improved the handling of my boat and after this 1st leg there was no doubt I was going to buy it.
Day 2
Blakely Island to Blind Bay, Shaw Island
( n48 34.87 w122 56.38).
Just to kill time we sailed to the north end of West Sound of Orcas Island. The wind was light southerly and I was glad I had changed to my 150% genoa. Coming back south the wind increased to 15kts and just like 2 years ago our fixed keel boat pointed so much higher then anyone else we overtook 7 of the other boats that had a head start on us.
Our leader, Larry. has sailed the islands many times and studies the tides and currents to determine the routes and departure times and does a very good job of it.
All of the San Juans are beautiful with green vegetation everywhere.
I was having a problem understanding my GPS, finally got a lesson and was still having trouble when I realized I hadn't calibrated the compass after the last time I changed batteries. After calibrating it finally started making sense.
Day 3 ( if this is Tue. our destination must be Friday Harbor on San Juan Island). (n48 32 48 w123 00.78).
Clear to partly cloudy, Seas 1ft wind 5-15 kts, Great sailing after the wind came up.
Friday Harbor is a nice little seaport town where you can get almost anything. We went to West Marine, The grocery store, several souvenir shops and restaurants. It was good to stretch our legs after anchoring out in Blind Bay.
Day 4 Friday Harbor to Garrison Bay (n48 35.19 w123 09.49). Wind s 15kts wave s 1-3 ft clear to partly cloudy. Had a wonderful 5 mile wing on wing run then a beam reach to Barren Island where we had to start the motor to work our way south thru some narrow passes, past Roche Harbor to Garrison Bay.
On the east side of Garrison Bay is English Camp, a National Historic Park Staffed mostly by volunteers. Last winter while we were in the Rio Grande Valley we meet a couple who told us they were going to work there this summer so we hitch a dingy ride to the camp and visited with them. It was good to renew friendships after only having lunch with them once.
Had to drop the anchor 3 times before it held.
Day 5
Destination Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island (n48 41.20 w123 11.93). Clear morning overcast afternoon, wind south 0-18 kts. The 1st group to leave went south thru Mosquito Pass but came back in because of fog on Haro Strait , while they waited for the fog to clear we motored up to Roche Harbor to get more groceries, you can't store much on a 17 ft boat.
After provisioning we motored north around Battleship Island and west into Haro Strait where we meet up with the rest of the fleet. At first the water was very smooth but with about 3ft rolling waves. Later the current was out of the north and the wind was out of the south and it got very rough. After motoring around the NW end of Stuart Island I ran out of gas in my little 1 gal internal tank and the water was still too rough to refill with reserve fuel so I pulled up the sails and sailed into Prevost Harbor. I attempted to sail up to the State Park dock where the rest of the fleet was tied up but the wind was fluky they finally sent a friend out in his little inflatable with a 2hp outboard to pull us in. Didn't work but the water was smooth enough so I could transfer fuel and motor in.
Day 6
Destination Poet's Cove, South Pender Island,B.C.
Hello Sailors
Ten A.M. 06-14-09 departed Cap Sante Marina, Anacortas, Wa. ( n48 24.51 w122 38.52). We had a fleet of 5 Montgomery 23's, 2 M15's and 9 M17's and another M17 from Canada Would briefly join us at Friday Harbor. While in the marina conditions appeared to favor a working jib and reefed main but we no more then motored past the breakwater and the wind decreased so I hoisted a full main. We had clouds and fog with 4-5 miles visibility on departure and about 10-12kt s wind which made for very relaxed sailing the 1st few hrs.
Later in the Rosario Straits the wind increased to S 15-18 kts with a south flowing current of 2-3 kts and we were still showing over the ground speed of 6-7 kts. You can imagine the water was very rough but we were the third boat to reach the Blakely Island Marina (n48 35.14 w122 49.04). I had borrowed a semi-balanced rudder, with the understanding I would buy it if it improved the handling of my boat and after this 1st leg there was no doubt I was going to buy it.
Day 2
Blakely Island to Blind Bay, Shaw Island
( n48 34.87 w122 56.38).
Just to kill time we sailed to the north end of West Sound of Orcas Island. The wind was light southerly and I was glad I had changed to my 150% genoa. Coming back south the wind increased to 15kts and just like 2 years ago our fixed keel boat pointed so much higher then anyone else we overtook 7 of the other boats that had a head start on us.
Our leader, Larry. has sailed the islands many times and studies the tides and currents to determine the routes and departure times and does a very good job of it.
All of the San Juans are beautiful with green vegetation everywhere.
I was having a problem understanding my GPS, finally got a lesson and was still having trouble when I realized I hadn't calibrated the compass after the last time I changed batteries. After calibrating it finally started making sense.
Day 3 ( if this is Tue. our destination must be Friday Harbor on San Juan Island). (n48 32 48 w123 00.78).
Clear to partly cloudy, Seas 1ft wind 5-15 kts, Great sailing after the wind came up.
Friday Harbor is a nice little seaport town where you can get almost anything. We went to West Marine, The grocery store, several souvenir shops and restaurants. It was good to stretch our legs after anchoring out in Blind Bay.
Day 4 Friday Harbor to Garrison Bay (n48 35.19 w123 09.49). Wind s 15kts wave s 1-3 ft clear to partly cloudy. Had a wonderful 5 mile wing on wing run then a beam reach to Barren Island where we had to start the motor to work our way south thru some narrow passes, past Roche Harbor to Garrison Bay.
On the east side of Garrison Bay is English Camp, a National Historic Park Staffed mostly by volunteers. Last winter while we were in the Rio Grande Valley we meet a couple who told us they were going to work there this summer so we hitch a dingy ride to the camp and visited with them. It was good to renew friendships after only having lunch with them once.
Had to drop the anchor 3 times before it held.
Day 5
Destination Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island (n48 41.20 w123 11.93). Clear morning overcast afternoon, wind south 0-18 kts. The 1st group to leave went south thru Mosquito Pass but came back in because of fog on Haro Strait , while they waited for the fog to clear we motored up to Roche Harbor to get more groceries, you can't store much on a 17 ft boat.
After provisioning we motored north around Battleship Island and west into Haro Strait where we meet up with the rest of the fleet. At first the water was very smooth but with about 3ft rolling waves. Later the current was out of the north and the wind was out of the south and it got very rough. After motoring around the NW end of Stuart Island I ran out of gas in my little 1 gal internal tank and the water was still too rough to refill with reserve fuel so I pulled up the sails and sailed into Prevost Harbor. I attempted to sail up to the State Park dock where the rest of the fleet was tied up but the wind was fluky they finally sent a friend out in his little inflatable with a 2hp outboard to pull us in. Didn't work but the water was smooth enough so I could transfer fuel and motor in.
Day 6
Destination Poet's Cove, South Pender Island,B.C.
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