We have been at the winter base for a weeks now. The rain has started and Kay and I are feeling ho-hum. It is hard to describe how we feel. I know we are ready to go again. We have our "fix it" list and starting to build our list for the 2017 Seattle Boat show. We went from moving every few days to stop.
We have learned a lot on the maiden trip to the inside passage. When we started we were scared to death to anchor. Now we prefer it. It still takes us 15 minutes to raise the anchor because of our chain locker causes the chain to pyramid and has to be knocked over every 40 feet. Along with anchoring we discovered how to side tie. Between ASD, Pairadice and Endless Tymes we could side tie very quickly.
We discovered that a 30 amp battery charger was way too little to charge 2 house banks. Chargers are very expensive in Canada. Well EVERYTHING is expensive in Canada.
Taking waves/swells on the beam really sucks! I learned that lowering the trim tabs on ASD does dampen some of the roll. We also found that slowing to 6-7 kts and only traveling 40 miles makes the trip a little more enjoyable. We are not zoom zooming by everything. Its ok to shut off the engines and drift while watching whales.
Kay learned how to make sourdough bread from scratch! Thank Chris for teaching her.
Preparations was key to a successful day. We learned to stay put if the weather was questionable. Because of this we didn't enter into running during bad weather. Its ok to sit still for a week if needed. Fix your boat before you leave home base. There are those who mocked me as I was anal in fixing stuff.
Be willing to being flexible. Don't be afraid to talk to folks about your experiences as they will share theirs with you and you can learn. The rapids were not that scary so long as you prepared.
On our shopping list for next year is a new davit and dinghy with a water maker.
NUMBERS :
Total Days: 116
Total Distance: 3299 Miles
Total Engine Hrs: 376.2
Total Fuel (U.S. Gal): 1998.4
Total Fuel Cost (USD): 5826.5
Average price per gallon (USD) $2.49
Average speed (mph): 9.3
Average fuel burn: 5.3
Total Cost of Moorage: $2667.59
Until Next year.....
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Chapter 33 Neah Bay to Home Dock
Neah Bay to Home Dock
We left at 5 AM before sun rise. I had Kay on the bow to help guide me out of the bay. By the time we reached Cape Flattery it was daylight. We made the turn SSW and we had 4 foot swells hitting us on the stbd been. After about 2 hours we turned south and we then had following seas. Then it happened. ORCAS!!!! We finally saw a pod od killer whales even if it was for a short time. Kay was so happy.
This route was recommended to us by the Vickie Lynn. Instead of 33 miles off shore when we were cruising north, this course was just about 15 miles off shore. We came across 7 crab traps and they were derelicts, meaning they broke loose from where they were placed and are just floating. This can be dangerous as you props can such them up and tear apart your running gear. The weather was agreeable. As we got closer to the Columbia River the wind picked up from the NW and wind waves started to build. When we crossed the bar it was on a flood tide. We turns to the port and we immediately started to feel the wind waves on the port beam.
Kay and I were discussing the greatest point of the voyage north. We tossed around a few ideas as we passed the north jetty and the waters calmed. The 50 yards off the bow a humpback whale breached the water, waving its tail as it dove under the surface. A whale inside the Columbia river! WOW!! This was a fantastic sign as if the whale was saying" Thanks for coming, come back again soon! This was the BEST thing to happened.
As we past Astoria, we decided to push for winter camp. 30 minutes before we hit Fisher Slough it turned dark. As we motored up the slough I was trying to remember where our dock was. Kay was out from and she asked " Do you know where we are?" I responded "of course I do!" She said " Then why are you passing our dock?" mmmmm I had to turn around. We docked up, hooked up electric and water and we were done.
It took us 12hours to go from Neah Bay to the Columbia River Bar and another 3 hours to reach our dock. 15 hours total from Neah Bay to our Dock. That cost us 326 gallons of fuel.......
We have been at the winter base for a weeks now. The rain has started and Kay and I are feeling ho-hum. It is hard to describe how we feel. I know we are ready to go again. We have our "fix it" list and starting to build our list for the 2017 Seattle Boat show. We went from moving every few days to stop.
We have learned a lot on the maiden trip to the inside passage. When we started we were scared to death to anchor. Now we prefer it. It still takes us 15 minutes to raise the anchor because of our chain locker causes the chain to pyramid and has to be knocked over every 40 feet. Along with anchoring we discovered how to side tie. Between ASD, Pairadice and Endless Tymes we could side tie very quickly.
We discovered that a 30 amp battery charger was way too little to charge 2 house banks. Chargers are very expensive in Canada. Well EVERYTHING is expensive in Canada.
Taking waves/swells on the beam really sucks! I learned that lowering the trim tabs on ASD does dampen some of the roll. We also found that slowing to 6-7 kts and only traveling 40 miles makes the trip a little more enjoyable. We are not zoom zooming by everything. Its ok to shut off the engines and drift while watching whales.
Kay learned how to make sourdough bread from scratch! Thank Chris for teaching her.
Preparations was key to a successful day. We learned to stay put if the weather was questionable. Because of this we didn't enter into running during bad weather. Its ok to sit still for a week if needed. Fix your boat before you leave home base. There are those who mocked me as I was anal in fixing stuff.
Be willing to being flexible. Don't be afraid to talk to folks about your experiences as they will share theirs with you and you can learn. The rapids were not that scary so long as you prepared.
On our shopping list for next year is a new davit and dinghy with a water maker.
NUMBERS :
Total Days: 116
Total Distance: 3299 Miles
Total Engine Hrs: 376.2
Total Fuel (U.S. Gal): 1998.4
Total Fuel Cost (USD): 5826.5
Average price per gallon (USD) $2.49
Average speed (mph): 9.3
Average fuel burn: 5.3
Total Cost of Moorage: $2667.59
Until Next year.....
We left at 5 AM before sun rise. I had Kay on the bow to help guide me out of the bay. By the time we reached Cape Flattery it was daylight. We made the turn SSW and we had 4 foot swells hitting us on the stbd been. After about 2 hours we turned south and we then had following seas. Then it happened. ORCAS!!!! We finally saw a pod od killer whales even if it was for a short time. Kay was so happy.
This route was recommended to us by the Vickie Lynn. Instead of 33 miles off shore when we were cruising north, this course was just about 15 miles off shore. We came across 7 crab traps and they were derelicts, meaning they broke loose from where they were placed and are just floating. This can be dangerous as you props can such them up and tear apart your running gear. The weather was agreeable. As we got closer to the Columbia River the wind picked up from the NW and wind waves started to build. When we crossed the bar it was on a flood tide. We turns to the port and we immediately started to feel the wind waves on the port beam.
Kay and I were discussing the greatest point of the voyage north. We tossed around a few ideas as we passed the north jetty and the waters calmed. The 50 yards off the bow a humpback whale breached the water, waving its tail as it dove under the surface. A whale inside the Columbia river! WOW!! This was a fantastic sign as if the whale was saying" Thanks for coming, come back again soon! This was the BEST thing to happened.
As we past Astoria, we decided to push for winter camp. 30 minutes before we hit Fisher Slough it turned dark. As we motored up the slough I was trying to remember where our dock was. Kay was out from and she asked " Do you know where we are?" I responded "of course I do!" She said " Then why are you passing our dock?" mmmmm I had to turn around. We docked up, hooked up electric and water and we were done.
It took us 12hours to go from Neah Bay to the Columbia River Bar and another 3 hours to reach our dock. 15 hours total from Neah Bay to our Dock. That cost us 326 gallons of fuel.......
We have been at the winter base for a weeks now. The rain has started and Kay and I are feeling ho-hum. It is hard to describe how we feel. I know we are ready to go again. We have our "fix it" list and starting to build our list for the 2017 Seattle Boat show. We went from moving every few days to stop.
We have learned a lot on the maiden trip to the inside passage. When we started we were scared to death to anchor. Now we prefer it. It still takes us 15 minutes to raise the anchor because of our chain locker causes the chain to pyramid and has to be knocked over every 40 feet. Along with anchoring we discovered how to side tie. Between ASD, Pairadice and Endless Tymes we could side tie very quickly.
We discovered that a 30 amp battery charger was way too little to charge 2 house banks. Chargers are very expensive in Canada. Well EVERYTHING is expensive in Canada.
Taking waves/swells on the beam really sucks! I learned that lowering the trim tabs on ASD does dampen some of the roll. We also found that slowing to 6-7 kts and only traveling 40 miles makes the trip a little more enjoyable. We are not zoom zooming by everything. Its ok to shut off the engines and drift while watching whales.
Kay learned how to make sourdough bread from scratch! Thank Chris for teaching her.
Preparations was key to a successful day. We learned to stay put if the weather was questionable. Because of this we didn't enter into running during bad weather. Its ok to sit still for a week if needed. Fix your boat before you leave home base. There are those who mocked me as I was anal in fixing stuff.
Be willing to being flexible. Don't be afraid to talk to folks about your experiences as they will share theirs with you and you can learn. The rapids were not that scary so long as you prepared.
On our shopping list for next year is a new davit and dinghy with a water maker.
NUMBERS :
Total Days: 116
Total Distance: 3299 Miles
Total Engine Hrs: 376.2
Total Fuel (U.S. Gal): 1998.4
Total Fuel Cost (USD): 5826.5
Average price per gallon (USD) $2.49
Average speed (mph): 9.3
Average fuel burn: 5.3
Total Cost of Moorage: $2667.59
Until Next year.....
Monday, August 29, 2016
Chapter 32 Oak Harbor to Port Angeles to Neah Bay
Today we finally got the weather window we needed. Spent almost a week at Oak Harbor. Yesterday there were gale winds in Puget Sound with sustain winds of 35-40 mph! Last night was very rocky. Thank goodness we were tied up at a dock.
We ended up with a tail along. Last night a young couple pull with a brand new 33 foot go-fast boat into Oak Harbor with the wind howling. The first thing that we noticed when we were at the dock to help him dock was no fenders or dock lines. Here are 4 big guys trying to hold the boat as he is getting fenders and shoe string lines! He didn't even know how to hook up the electric.
The next day the slack at the deception pass was at 12:45. It was suggested that he follow me out as he has never been through the narrows. Great I get to babysit. He then approached me as we get ready to leave pulling out his "chart!" It was a boating guide for Puget Sound! Good Grief. He wanted to go to Rosario Island. I asked if he had any charts. I do he says on my electronics! I showed him where the island was. He then asked me if it was safe to cross. I responded that you as captain has the responsibility to check weather and make that determination. We were heading to Port Angeles and our weather was good. Then he asks if 1/2 tank of gas would be enough to go to the Island, then back to Seattle. I couldn't believe. This guy should not be on the water. I told him probably not and should fuel up at Oak Harbor. I told him I could wait as we had a window to get through the narrows. He told me he could "catch up." Lordy..... He did catch up just before we reached the pass and I showed him the proper way to alert folks you were coming through. He thanked me, pushed his throttles forward and away he went. Kay and I looked at each other and we wished him luck.
Made it to PA with no incidents. The water was calm and flat. We reached Port Angeles at around 4:30 PM and we tied up to the guest dock. Our friends Jeff and his wife of the boat "Irene" took us out to dinner. It was good to see them again. We would awake early for the run to Neah Bay as the weather window around the horn would be good for a crossing.
We were up with the sun heading outbound in Juan de Fuca. It was calm, no fog and a beautiful morning. AIS showed a lot of ships inbound, so I would have to avoid the shipping channel. We were also hoping to see some Orcas. These whales have alluded us the entire trip! We began to think they were a mystery like Big Foot!
An hour out of PA we had 2 USCG fast boat pass us. I looked on my screen and no AIS. Mmm They are running silent. I wonder who they are after. Then in the middle of the strait a submarine surfaced. Kay got excited. may not be a whale but it was a "black fish!" We think they were resupplying based on the vessels out there. A sail boat heading for Victoria wondered too close and two USCG fast boats surrounded them and gave them an armed escort out of the area.
Made it to Neah Bay. As we pulled into the fuel dock the attendant proceeded to hide behind a wall. We asked for assistance in docking, asking her to grab a line. She said she did not know how to tie up boats. Really??? I handed a line to her and asked her to wrap it around the cleat. She then started to complain about having to stay late when we took on fuel. Sad thing is this exact same thing happened to us when we were here before. Neah Bay is a First Nation community. The attitudes of these folks do not sit well with folks spending thousands of dollars in fuel and moorage, not to mention it reflects badly on the community as a whole.
Kay and I decided to anchor out instead of paying moorage. Kay stated she now preferred anchoring. Based on the Columbia River Bar slack tied at 6:54 PM the next day, we will have to leave in the dark around 4:30 AM. Our friends gave me a new route down the coast that he claims is crab pot free zone. We will see.
We ended up with a tail along. Last night a young couple pull with a brand new 33 foot go-fast boat into Oak Harbor with the wind howling. The first thing that we noticed when we were at the dock to help him dock was no fenders or dock lines. Here are 4 big guys trying to hold the boat as he is getting fenders and shoe string lines! He didn't even know how to hook up the electric.
The next day the slack at the deception pass was at 12:45. It was suggested that he follow me out as he has never been through the narrows. Great I get to babysit. He then approached me as we get ready to leave pulling out his "chart!" It was a boating guide for Puget Sound! Good Grief. He wanted to go to Rosario Island. I asked if he had any charts. I do he says on my electronics! I showed him where the island was. He then asked me if it was safe to cross. I responded that you as captain has the responsibility to check weather and make that determination. We were heading to Port Angeles and our weather was good. Then he asks if 1/2 tank of gas would be enough to go to the Island, then back to Seattle. I couldn't believe. This guy should not be on the water. I told him probably not and should fuel up at Oak Harbor. I told him I could wait as we had a window to get through the narrows. He told me he could "catch up." Lordy..... He did catch up just before we reached the pass and I showed him the proper way to alert folks you were coming through. He thanked me, pushed his throttles forward and away he went. Kay and I looked at each other and we wished him luck.
Made it to PA with no incidents. The water was calm and flat. We reached Port Angeles at around 4:30 PM and we tied up to the guest dock. Our friends Jeff and his wife of the boat "Irene" took us out to dinner. It was good to see them again. We would awake early for the run to Neah Bay as the weather window around the horn would be good for a crossing.
We were up with the sun heading outbound in Juan de Fuca. It was calm, no fog and a beautiful morning. AIS showed a lot of ships inbound, so I would have to avoid the shipping channel. We were also hoping to see some Orcas. These whales have alluded us the entire trip! We began to think they were a mystery like Big Foot!
An hour out of PA we had 2 USCG fast boat pass us. I looked on my screen and no AIS. Mmm They are running silent. I wonder who they are after. Then in the middle of the strait a submarine surfaced. Kay got excited. may not be a whale but it was a "black fish!" We think they were resupplying based on the vessels out there. A sail boat heading for Victoria wondered too close and two USCG fast boats surrounded them and gave them an armed escort out of the area.
Made it to Neah Bay. As we pulled into the fuel dock the attendant proceeded to hide behind a wall. We asked for assistance in docking, asking her to grab a line. She said she did not know how to tie up boats. Really??? I handed a line to her and asked her to wrap it around the cleat. She then started to complain about having to stay late when we took on fuel. Sad thing is this exact same thing happened to us when we were here before. Neah Bay is a First Nation community. The attitudes of these folks do not sit well with folks spending thousands of dollars in fuel and moorage, not to mention it reflects badly on the community as a whole.
Kay and I decided to anchor out instead of paying moorage. Kay stated she now preferred anchoring. Based on the Columbia River Bar slack tied at 6:54 PM the next day, we will have to leave in the dark around 4:30 AM. Our friends gave me a new route down the coast that he claims is crab pot free zone. We will see.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Just Can't Reach 2 MPG....
Just can't seem to get to 2 mpg....
So here are the numbers from Port McNeil to Oak Harbor (via Broughtons, Desolation, sunshine coast, Vancouver B.C. San Juan Islands Oak harbor):
Miles: 525
Hours: 80.9
MPG: 1.85
Burn Rate: 3.5 gph
Fuel Cost: $598.90 @ $2.11pg Oak Harbor.
So here are the numbers from Port McNeil to Oak Harbor (via Broughtons, Desolation, sunshine coast, Vancouver B.C. San Juan Islands Oak harbor):
Miles: 525
Hours: 80.9
MPG: 1.85
Burn Rate: 3.5 gph
Fuel Cost: $598.90 @ $2.11pg Oak Harbor.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Still Waiting
This has now become a waiting game with mother nature. We decided to move over to Oak Harbor to wait as the weather would not be good for several days. The ride from Roche to Oak harbor was nice, but we bucked the current the entire way. The current under Destruction Pass has awesome power. However the trip to Oak Harbor was a crab trap nightmare! Pots everywhere to include the very narrow channel from the bridge to the bay. Then once you enter the bay there is no rime or reason as to how the Indians lay their traps. Put the sun in your face with ripples on the water and it is very nerve racking. By the time we got to the marina I needed a very large adult drink! Our friend on the Pairadice actually ran over a trap that was just under the surface.
This is a very nice marina and in great shape. There is a lot of jet noise from NAS Whidbey Island, but that is the sound of freedom. We have also found out it is cheaper to pay for a week of moorage than for 3 days. Today is Thursday and the weather is bad clear out to Tuesday. We will see.
This is a very nice marina and in great shape. There is a lot of jet noise from NAS Whidbey Island, but that is the sound of freedom. We have also found out it is cheaper to pay for a week of moorage than for 3 days. Today is Thursday and the weather is bad clear out to Tuesday. We will see.
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| The San Juan Islands are very dry this year. |
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| Part of the Wasp Islands |
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| Towing the dinghy |
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| Find the house |
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| Washington Ferry |
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| Mt. Baker |
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| Rosario Straits |
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| Oh oh fog ahead |
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| Large currents in Rosario Straits |
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| You don't want to be in the middle of these.... |
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| Destruction Pass Bridge |
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| Destruction Pass rapids |
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| Little more power and we pass the bridge and the current |
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| Crab Traps |
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| Sunset at Oak Harbor |
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| Moon Rise |
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| Harbor seals taking a break |
Monday, August 15, 2016
Waiting on weather
So why we wait for favorable weather in the Pacific Ocean, we are re-touring the San Juans from Friday Harbor to Reid and today Roche. While in Reid we hooked up with the Viclie Lynn and John and Tracey and had a great time!
At Roche we are rafted up to John and Tracey again right in front of the US Customs dock. What a zoo!
We also took the boat around Turn Light Point in hopes of seeing Orcas. These animals must be mystical or just plain do not exists! This entire trip we have see the big goose egg!!!! Not a one! They must be like Big Foot!!!
On the good side Kay has the bread making down so we have a fresh loaf of bread every few days!! Yum yum.
At Roche we are rafted up to John and Tracey again right in front of the US Customs dock. What a zoo!
We also took the boat around Turn Light Point in hopes of seeing Orcas. These animals must be mystical or just plain do not exists! This entire trip we have see the big goose egg!!!! Not a one! They must be like Big Foot!!!
On the good side Kay has the bread making down so we have a fresh loaf of bread every few days!! Yum yum.
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| That is another Camargue! Wow. Yellow Kayaks |
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| Sunset Friday harbor |
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| Ferry leaving |
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| No good happening here..... |
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| Another sunset at Friday Harbor |
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| jelly |
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| The other Camargue underway |
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| Indians???? |
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| Reid harbor |
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| Any more in the Dinghy!! |
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| Trail to Turn Point |
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| Tracey taking on the hill! |
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| Taxi Service |
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| Kay's bread |
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| Turn Point from the boat |
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| See Mt. Baker? |
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| The zoo at the Roche Customs dock |
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