Anacortes Islander Trip

Heading North

          What a good adventure! Wonderful clients, Dave and Sherrie Allen, bought a Perry designed Islander 38-C in Gig Harbor, and I got to help out with the trip North to Anacortes. They've had a couple boats in Alaska, and are going to be very well prepared cruisers.

We started out Friday Morning, after the frost burned off, and headed to Point Defiance for fuel. When we found them out, we headed to Des Moines, where we waited "forever" for a powerboat to refuel. It was blowing, so hovering was challenging, and tying up, allowed us to store the dinghy for the bash to Shilshole. The sun was down by the time we passed Alki Point. As we motored into Shilshole, it was very black out, and we found a smaller sailboat needing a tow. We dropped them off at the fuel dock and with marina help, found a slip. It was a long day, and good to be safe and warm, on the dock.

Saturday seemed like a better day. Skipper got a walk and the boat water. Nice and sunny and a little less headwind, made motor sailing warmer. Up by the Edmonds tank farm, we blew a belt on the alternator. I fussed with sail trim and Sherrie had us sailing just fine. Dave jumped right in, found the spare, and pulled hoses and a bracket, till he could get it all going again. We did a little testing, and went back to motor-sailing. North of Foul Weather Bluff, we went for the current relief and the Port Townsend Canal. There's a bridge between Indian Island and the mainland, which always looks close. Check out Dave's grin, when he "made it"! Of course, it was almost dark by the time we got to Point Hudson. We had a good dinner, and all slept well.

We weren't leaving without coffee, but discovered there's only one shop, open early, "Better Living Through Coffee", and we'll go back. Point Wilson was clear and flat, with very few rips. With no wind to sail, we made our own, motoring across the strait, along Whidbey Island. Mount Baker kept posing, the Guemus Ferry raced out to greet us, as expected, and we tied up in the Anacortes Marina before dark, yea! What a good trip - Thanks!

Here's a few pics - Click on the image above for the "Index" page, and on any of the pics there, for a "slideshow" with larger images. Look for the "next" navigation button, as it's not an automatic slideshow.   Enjoy. . .