Cruises:
Oro Bay Cruise, : Penrose Point Cruise : Opening Day, April 28-9 : Oakland Bay Marina w/ SYC : March Cruise, Hope Island : February Cruise, Squaxin Island : Hope Island Cruise, January : New Year’s Eve Cruise, Percival Landing/Boston Harbor : Wine Festival Cruise, Westbay Marina : Halloween Cruise, Longbranch : Commodores’ Cruise, Vaughn Bay : End of Summer Cruise, August : July Cruise to McLane Cove : June Cruise to Oro Bay
Wind Swept, Terry & Val VanMeter, and Frank Mighetto, Murrelett, won the 2006-7 Party Boat Award
This award goes to the boat attending the most Cruises over the year. It was awarded at our June Meeting. Congratulations!
Three boats sailed into Oro Bay for the June Cruise. American Girl brought Mark and Annette in on Friday. Sugar Magnolia arrived with Skipper Scott and Cruise hosts, your authors. Morning Star sailed in just in time for supper with Cheryl and Mary Jo. A day that was predicted to be rainy cleared up for a cool but pleasant evening meal. Liquid refreshments were enjoyed by all coupled with good conversation, as the sun sunk slowly over a quiet Oro Bay . Every boat even got a prize for attendance!
Clouds blew in overnight and poured buckets of rain. Note to sailors, don’t, leave your boots upright overnight on deck in a rainstorm. The sail home on Sunday was mostly cloudy with occasional gusts and downpours! Hopefully the next Cruise will be drier!
Kris and Lisa Engvall, Magic Carpet
The winds were light and the sky was not too bad for a Saturday in late May. We headed north out of Budd Inlet with NNW winds of about 5 knots. Along the way we saw Strider sailing and motoring up the inlet and through Dana. Motoring to Boston Harbor, we took on 20 gallons of fuel at a mere $3.26 per gallon. Motor-sailing with headsail we made our way thru Dana, and Drayton Passages. We got to Pitt Passage about high tide and made it through with no problems.
We arrived at Penrose Point and were hailed by American Girl and Lovejoy. They had decided to arrive Friday evening instead of waiting for Saturday. The bay was partially full with other boats as we made our way to the lower end and rafted up with the two others that were already there. Shortly after, the rest of the boats started to show up. The skipper of Murrrelet showed up by dinghy, informing us that he and Grey Seal were on the other side of the point on mooring buoys.
Dinner started sharply at around 1800 to 1900 hours as usual. We all gathered on Dawn Treader and sat in chairs and the cockpit having conversations of all kinds of topics that sailors have when gathering. After dinner drinks and dessert were served and the talk went well on past dusk. Cool night breezes arrived and everybody donned their outerwear and continued the topics of discussion. Since there were no accidental grounding of boats to give a demonstration of how to get off a sandbar, nobody volunteered to ground their boat intentionally to give the show. Oh, well, the season has just begun. After all, the racers do contend with Olympia Shoals quite often and there is the much coveted Order of the Olympia Shoal to be received by the unlucky recipient.
Sunday daybreak brought cool cloudy morning and breezes. I contemplated leaving the raft to go and do some sailing. A consensus was taken from the five boats rafted. We decided to do some sailing and go to Oro Bay for Sunday night. After some preparations and coffee and such, Altair headed out. Strider and Serina left and sailed into the distance. Serrina is a beautiful boat with traditional lines and junk rigged tanbark sails. She is a sight to see under full sails with a bone in her teeth. Lovejoy and American Girl decided to leave one boat and go sailing as a group on Lovejoy. We set off for the anchorages to the south.
With brisk winds of 20+ knots, we left under just headsail, to keep the boat flat and not heeling. We again saw Serina rail almost in the water off McNeil Island. Altair called on the radio and said they were doing lunch in Filuchi Bay and would be showing up later. Not long after that call, at about 7.4 knots the pennant line on my headsail said it had had enough. Snap, pop, and the infamous luffing of a jib coming partly down reminded me why I have mast climbing gear. It was a big reminder to get the rest of the mast steps installed. We doused the flogging headsail and continued to motor to Oro Bay.
Coming in we saw that the Tacoma Yacht Club must be having a big shindig. The bay was quite full of rafted boats and such. We went past them into the upper bay. I set out the bow and stern anchors in anticipation of the others coming in for the night.. There was a slight breeze and there was little movement of the raft with Altair and Windswept on each side of me. We waited till about 1830 hours and no one else showed up. We had appetizers of wine, cheese and homemade salsa with chips. After we ate supper and made calls to find out the status of American Girl and Lovejoy. No communication with them. Darkness fell and so did our eyelids. We said our goodnights and went off to sleep.
Morning woke us with slight breeze and warm sunshine. Windswept left early Monday morning to get in some sailing and head for the stables. We did a few things like send me up my mast to retrieve my halyard, before saying good day to Altair. Then we were off.. The winds were light and fluky so we motor-sailed back to our slip in Swantown.
Boats attending this cruise were: Dawn Treader, Strider, Altair, American Girl, Lovejoy, Grey Seal, Windswept, Sirena, Murrelet.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
The air was clear and warm as we headed over tot eh Olympia Yacht Club (OYC) for breakfast. We parked out on the street as the OYC’s parking lot was near full and members needed places to park. We put our coins in the meter to keep Olympia’s coffers from getting a big boost from my meager wallet. The Diamond Lot was not even a thought as I have paid the dear price there before.
All in all, breakfast was good; the chefs did a bang-up job at preparing and serving the eggs, bacon, pancakes and fruit salad. We drank coffee and had a Lakefair Princes grace us with her presence and the tales of her being nominated.
After breakfast, the American Legion Band played and gave us a great treat of inspirational songs. We had an hour to waste till the skipper’s meeting so we went a grabbed a couple of needed extras at the store and went back to the meeting. Normal stuff, watch out for the low spots, speed and the other boats.
The parade went well as the US Navy Ship Old Man 4 led the way with the dignitaries aboard. As we were the 2nd from the last boat to pass and revue, we quickly beat a westerly tack and threw up some canvas. The wind was mild but at least we got some sailing in. My crew was anxious to get sailing as he hadn’t been out for a few years. The winds died down so we decided to motor sail toward Boston Harbor and see what the conditions were there. It picked up but we saw it was just a small area of wind so off to Island Home we went under main and iron jenny.
Arriving at Island Home we found all but 3 boats had already showed up, docked and were enjoying the festivities. I believe there were about 27 boats all together. Dinner was pot luck and as the norm, there was way to much food. The OYC served up some great hamburger and hot dogs to go with the fare from the galleys of the assorted boats. After dinner, dessert, and a couple of drinks folks settled in to chat with their boating comrades and enjoy the pleasant evening’s warmth and setting sun. Awards were given out, even a special award for those who were not OYC members. A very special award to be enjoyed by some for many years to come, and others may never use the award ...
The night was quiet and morning came much too soon. Dawn Treader’s crew had breakfast aboard and then went up the meeting place for a few minutes of fellowship among the power and sail boaters. We said our thanks and goodbyes and threw off the lines and proceeded to get out and sail for a while making no headway due to currents.
We motor sailed down thru the passage between Hartstene and Squaxin Islands and enjoyed the tranquility and the great Pacific Northwest scenery. Finally just south of Boston Harbor we picked up a bit of wind and just sailed back and forth for a while. As my crew member needed to get back early, we finally motored back to Swantown Marina and put up the boat.
For those of you also in the OYC, I thank you for the invitation and the great fellowship of mariners we had. Attending Opening Day Cruise were Dawn Treader, WindSwept, Pandora, Balder, and Murrelet.
Photos by Jim LussierJim Lussier, Dawn Treader
Arriving at the Shelton Yacht Club parking lot, I came by truck; I could smell the aroma of good food in the making. It was about 1620 when I arrived, since it started at 1600, I figured I was good to go. The place was almost packed already! I spied Frank of Murrelet eating his fare and sat down across from him. He had come by boat, and since he has a shoal draft navigated the Hammersley Inlet with no problems. Well, no problem that isn’t normal for that navigational hazardous way. I’ve been there many times in my prior boat that had a swing up keel and only drafted 18 inches. Doing it on the Dawn Treader was a whole different story, I was much more cautions and sweated a lot more.
The food was great, after paying a mere $12, I was seated and waited on by some really great folks. Ham, fried oysters, potatoes au gratin and coleslaw were placed before me and I drank water, as I was the designated, solo, driver. Frank and I talked to a couple who had been long time navigators of South Puget Sound and enlightened us to the real happenings of the late, great State Park on Squaxin Island. They had visited it when it was in its hey day. Their boat owning days have long since gone and I believe they have a friend who takes them out once in a while.
It got me wondering, when folks get too old to take care of their own boats and sail them, who steps in to keep the spark alive with them? I guess that is a topic for an after dinner cruise gathering later this summer.
Well, hopefully I will see a lot of you out there on the water this next cruise, the boat parade and festivities will prove to be worth the effort. I’m crossing my fingers that it won’t disrupt the Black Star Regatta too much.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
The prep all went fine for Dawn Treader ’s first cruise after a lengthy stint in the boatyard. After conferring with Jim Muri of Outatime, we decided to have the gathering at the anchorage just south of Hope Island at the cove at Carlyon Beach. Having the weather reports as they were would have us in the brunt of it on the west side, and a lee shore if we were to use the south side, of Hope Island. Rain was the prevailing weather pattern for the weekend.
Motoring to the Cruise was great and I was able to check all the systems as the autopilot took care of the helm. Getting set in the cove was a piece of cake and the ground is great for holding the anchor sound. Most of the time our anchor line stayed barely taught in the lee of the steep ridgeline to weather. A very slow and gradual swing of the boat was not noticed, that is till I started the engine. I didn ’t notice that it was in gear till the lights of Carlyon Beach passed by the windows for the third or fourth time during the evening.
Windswept with Terry showed up with plenty of time to prepare his special Spicy Asian Chicken Salad. I got to tour his boat, It was the first time I had been on a San Juan 28. Nice boat, good layout, great skipper.
Dining on Dawn Treader, we ate very well, and had great conversations till late into the evening. The topic of discussion for this cruise was communications. We all agreed that cellular was great when you can get coverage, but it is sparse at times. VHF between boats and the USCG is not an issue as most boats have them. SAT Phones at $1200 to $2000 plus $1.75 per minute is a bit steep, but the coverage is great. More to come soon regarding HAM.
Sunday morning came, with it came clear skies and a nice breeze. Leaving the anchorage, we just put up the 110 genoa on Dawn Treader. It was Jim ’s first time to sail on a Columbia 45. Sailing with just the headsail we cruised at an easy 3 to 5 knots back to Olympia before noon. Dawn Treader ’s Admiral still needs to get more acquainted with 5 to 20 degrees of heeling. Jim Muri had to get back to Tacoma to an event with his Sea Scouts. Terry and Windswept sailed away under main and jib. He appeared to have a very nice sail back to his homeport in Martin Marina.
Boats represented at this cruise were Dawn Treader, Outatime, and Windswept. We have photos.
I hope to see a big representation of SSSS at the Opening Day Cruise the last weekend in April. Keep checking back to the web for updates and new news on upcoming Cruises and outings.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
It is over now.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
We got underway from Martin Marina on Saturday about 1200 hours. The clouds had just broken and it was developing into a beautiful day. We took our time steaming out to Hope Island, in hopes that a little wind would come up, but that’s all we got, a little, a very little.
Once at the Island, we tied to a buoy on the northwest side; Murrelet was already tied to one of the other two buoys. Frank was below preparing a pot roast in his pressure cooker and Lisa was enjoying the reflected warmth of the sun with feet dangling over the side. Val and I rowed over to greet them and then rowed to shore.
We thought that a beautiful winter day like this called for a walk so we decided to hike the trail around the island. Just as we began our trek, Joy and Steve on Damn Yankee arrived at the third buoy. Fallen leaves from the trees and some wayward limbs made the trail a little difficult to follow but we found our way and the crisp air was exhilarating.
At 1800 we gathered aboard Damn Yankee for some great food, exotic beverages and interesting stories. We talked and laughed into the evening and by the time we rowed back to WindSwept, it was dark and the fog was beginning to descend upon us. The temperatures were dropping so we warmed up the cabin before we settled in for the night. By the time the night was over, the temperature outside had dropped to just above 20 degrees. None the less, the cabin temperature never dropped below a balmy 35.
Rising about 0800 we could only see as far as the buoys on either side of us and Hope Island was just a ghost in the mist; Steamboat Island was invisible. Following breakfast we fired up the Yanmar and drew a few headings on the chart. After our first course change we were headed for where the red buoy on the south side of Hope Island should be. We saw it in the mist as it came onto the screen of our GPS. We followed the track line on the Garmin from the previous day’s journey back down into Budd Inlet. Occasionally we could see the eastern and western shores.
By the time we reached #5, the fog had lifted enough to see most of the harbor. We arrived back at slip A-29, Martin Marina a little before noon. It had been a bit chilly this weekend, but great experiences were had in the beautiful marine waters of southern Puget Sound.
Terry and Valerie VanMeter, WindSwept
Wow was it ever cold when Jim and I left Swantown on Saturday morning. It was so cold that the rigging was slack. After a stop at the fuel dock, ouch, we got a spot on the outside dock for the weekend. Jim had a lesson about Boston Harbor with the wakes of passing power boats, stinkpots. On Saturday night we had no visitors, but watched a couple of movies.
Jim got sick on New Year’s Eve day and left the boat for the comforts of his home and wife.
New Year’s Eve I had quite a few people coming through the boat all evening, and signing in on the sheet. The party on the dock finished with fireworks after they had their fill of the endless pot of chili.
Boats attending were: Dawn Treader, Murphy’s Lawyer, Joie de Vivre, Murrelet, Damn Yankee, Pandora, Cloud Buster, O- My-God, Robert Coleman, Chuck Haycock.
Pete Judd, Murphy’s Lawyer
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
Arriving at 1800 to the View Point Room at Tugboat Annie’s at Westbay Marina, I found a nice setup of coffee, water, and a cheese and crackers assortment. Tables and chairs all set up and no one around. No problem I thought; they will be here shortly. Yes, they started arriving almost immediately.
Joy and Steve Roth of Damn Yankee arrived with very tasty salmon cheese balls.
Bob and Beth Connolly arrived with their bottle decorated as a X-mas tree, nicely adorned with little sailboats that were done in paper origami. Since their bottle was of German persuasion, their sauerkraut and sausage entrée hit the spot.
Thera Black and Rod Gilbert crewed in on their carboat and were insured of not being rammed in the fog by their bottle taking on the job as a radar reflector. I am not sure where it was flown from, but I suspect it was low around the gunnels. The sausage stuffed mushrooms were a big hit with everybody.
Rod Tharp and Susan McRae arrived with a One Design bottle. It had a strangely familiar top on it that appeared to resemble a lot like Strider. The tri flying a pontoon, and sending up a rooster tail, so he could cut a leg short by rounding the buoy a little bit closer to the center hull to shave a nanno-second off his time was inspiring for a seat of the pants sailing experience. As usual, Sue’s entrée of a very hearty stew was delicious.
Mike and Barb of Machrihanish arrived with the latest dregs of the lowest bowels of the boat. Black Bart’s Shark Skin Bilge Swill was surprisingly good, and didn’t have the normal smell and taste that sprays up from my bilge periodically. I’ll have to get their procedure for keeping the bilge in such fine shape. Note to Society, long distance cruisers need to get with Mike regarding a bottle of Black Bart’s. It comes complete with a roll of moon floss and instruction on it’s proper rationing.
Scott Ary of Whisper was a new comer and spent much time conversing with Thera about racing vs. cruising. He has experience and you race captains need to contact him and get him out there. As soon as DT gets back in the water, the brighter side of sailing, called cruising, may enlighten him to real joys of life.
Everything was going great, then a hush fell over the gathering, hearts stopped and a look of awe came from the crowd as our Commodore arrived! Yes folks, Dave was actually here for this Cruise. Way to go Dave!
Eric Swensson of Nika Canim arrived with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic bottle and a delicious pizza.
After much deliberating and thought, looking at all the dressed bottles, we came to the following conclusions. Thera and Rod’s bottle was very useful as a safety device; it was recyclable and baking potatoes in the foil afterward would be a tasty end to it’s current usefulness. Mike and Barb’s Bilge Swill was very enlightening as to the joys that may lurk beneath the engine in almost inaccessible areas of the boat. Rod and Sue’s replica of Strider’s great moments was outstanding. But after much thought, with the Holiday Season upon us, the cheeriness of the infamous Christmas Tree, the intricate origami of sailboats and other decorations, I decided that Bob and Beth’s dressing was the tops. Let it also be known, that Bob had little to do with the wining of the $25 certificate to West Marine. So Beth gets to have what she wants and Bob needs to supply the remaining balance of the purchase.
All in all, we had many good conversations, learned a few things and as usual left very satisfied and full of food and cheer. Thanks for everyone who attended and those who tried but got grounded out on the water somewhere else. With more cruising to come in the future, hopefully a lot fun each and every time, I hope to see more of us getting together and enjoying this great Sailing Society.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
Cruise photos, including the dressed bottles. : by Jim Lussier
What a great weekend! The Halloween Cruise to Longbranch on 28 and 29 October had something for everyone!
The excitement started early Friday morning when Mark Jones, dock master for the Longbranch Improvement Club, called to report that the Day Island Yacht Club started showing up for their club’s Halloween Cruise and had forgotten to call ahead. Mark said he would have them stern tie to the west dock and South Sound could have the remaining docks. He also mentioned that we should have someone there to coordinate the details of two clubs and the one shelter on the dock.
Koosah was already loaded and was planning to be there on Friday evening, but this put a rush on the plans. Ice was loaded and she was underway around noon, riding out on an ebb tide to Longbranch. We were concerned about the expected size of the crowd!
Upon arrival, sure enough, there were about 15 huge power boats stern tied to the dock on both sides. It was amazing to see how efficiently the dock space was used to accommodate the boats. Russ, Day Island’s cruise chair, and I agreed to share everything for the weekend: not only the shelter, but the games, prizes, potluck and trick or treating.
Saturday morning brought fog. The sailboats slowly started their journey north thankful that most had a GPS on board! By 1400 the SSSS boats started arriving. Rafting was the order of the day. Most were able to plug into electricity, if they had a long power cord! By night time 26 SSSS boats were tied up, the last one arriving in the dark was Will with his tri. His four-month old son Henry arrived by car with mom.
The remainder of the afternoon was filled with pumpkin carving and social talk. DIYC organized a pumpkin chase. Pumpkins were numbered and then scattered throughout Filucy Bay. Each kid was assigned a number and then put in a dingy with an adult and then had to find the assigned numbered pumpkin before it could be carved. Speedy DIYC dinghies quickly ferried the kids all over the bay. There were several other games planned, but the kids spent all afternoon on the pumpkins and fishing along the dock! Thanks to Richard Bigley for the neat SSSS Halloween bookmarks for the pumpkin carving prizes! The fog lifted, but the sun never came out.
Saturday evening was a wonderful gathering of two clubs. Day Island invited SSSS to their open bar along the dock from 1700-1800. SSSS shared the hot cider, beer, sodas, coffee and wine among all. The pot luck, as always, was delicious with more than enough food for, including kids, over 100 hungry boaters.
After dinner, the kids went back to the boats to don their costumes. Around 1930 they all lined up in the shelter, introduced themselves by their name and boat each child received a prize and a special certificate for participating. Thank you Frank and Lisa Mighetto for the certificates! Man, there was more candy on that dock than in any neighborhood back home. The remainder of the evening the kids remained in their boats counting their stash and getting sugared up while many of the adults retired to the shelter in the warmth of the propane heaters and roll down sides. Longbranch is a great place to celebrate a frosty fall cruise.
About the time to set the clocks back, a front passed through, reminding all with a cold, wet rain, that fall was here.
Sunday morning started out slowly. Many gathered for coffee and hot cocoa in the shelter and everyone walked the docks in the sunny weather. One by one the boats started departing for home. What we did not realize was that the second half of the front was just about to make its presence known. Around 1000 the winds started picking up. A sustained 20 knots with gusts to 35 knots! The west wind, combined with a 3+ knot flood tide produced some big waves, especially around Devils Head and through Dana Passage. Every sailor will have their own special story to share the next time we meet! Some exciting events include Sparrowhawk pulling an inverted dingy filled with water and Will with his tri blasting up Case Inle; hope he got turned around OK.
Some interesting items discovered on the Cruise: Three SSSS boats had never rafted before. Four boats had never been on a SSSS Cruise. Great Start! Henry was the youngest sailor at 4 months. Windchime, a six-year Pacific Vet rafted along Barbara and Mike who are departing next August to the Pacific on their Tyana 37, Machrihanish. There were eight kids from SSSS boats. Only two had parents from SSSS and four were grand kids and two were friends of the other kids. Does this mean we need to start having kids again or perhaps encourage the younger Members to bring their kids along on the Cruises?
Several Members had digital cameras there and there should be many photos on the web site!
The 26 boats attending included: Altrice, Balder, Dawn Treader, Lowfer II, Murrelett, Sparrowhawk, Hiromi, Neptune’s Court, Pandora, Windchime, Osa, Koosah, Grey Seal, Morning Star, Columbia Transit, Northern Light (Gambler), Stars, Someplace Else, Magic Carpet by car, Wind Swept, Breezin’, Bona Chute, Sea Witch, Machrihanish, and a 40' sloop who were friends of Stars, and Will’s trimaran.
Linda & Dave Knowlton, Koosah Halloween Cruise Hosts
Halloween Cruise photos : by Jim Lussier
Well, the cruise to Longbranch Marina went well with motoring the whole way and intermittent use of radar when it got a little too thick. We got there and had a slip waiting for us and tied up with no problems. Dave Knowlton was definitely the Man in Charge! He did an outstanding job of coordinating and getting the raft orderly and safe. I recommend him for a pay raise for his performance.
The evening went well and the party was a great success. We had guests for the evening on Dawn Treader and we enjoyed their company.
Morning woke to find a day that appeared to be building. The clouds to the west looked interesting. As the wind stared to build, I thought I should make sail and get headed toward home. We motored out and set the mainsail. Not too much heal and doing 4.3 knots was OK. I decided to unfurl the headsail. Wrong answer! The wind decided to pick up a bit more and the healing was too much for the admiral. In comes the headsail. Under main alone again, out toward Devils Head. Then it was decided to just motor. Oh well, a good wind day lost.
At Devils Head I decided to let the dinghy ride on the water and not on the davits. Good call, I think. Note for future, if I forget the drogue, the 8' Sorenson full of water does an outstanding job of creating drag. Motoring across to Johnston Point at 7+ knots, we see many other boats to the front and rear. I m glad I have the cockpit enclosure. It was warm and dry. One of the boats in the fleet radioed that Dana Passage was getting a bit rough. I guess it was, it had a good chop and good wind gusts on the head. Still we continued. It was surprising to see how much healing the boat did with the freeboard and cockpit enclosure. As we passed others I took some pictures. Check and see if your boat was one of them. Strange as I have so many pictures of other people’s boats and none of mine out there ...
In to Budd Inlet and smoother waters, down to Swantown and into the slip we went. Now to get ready for the haulout on Friday and three months of dry-out and work time. I will greatly miss all the water and wind of November through February.
See y’all at the November Cruise to West Bay Marina.
New Year’s Cruise is December 30-31. I’ll be looking for a ride…
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
Coming home from Longbranch, the Long Way : Mary Campbell
Leaving Swantown in the late morning we headed out under the iron jenny with the hopes of winds to take to the bay. Up through Budd Inlet with slight hints of hopeful winds, we stopped at Boston Harbor for a minute to put in some diesel. As we were leaving, a roaring awful noise was coming down Dana Passage. Looking east we saw the rooster tails of a few of those pesky fast moving powerboats. Screaming by like banshees at over 60 knots small groups went on to Olympia.
Coming into the opening of Case Inlet, temporary insanity prevails, and I try to catch the small puffs that entice me to put up my sails. The rest of the trip went by with the yearning for the peace and tranquility a sailor gets from the wind blowing in his sails propelling them to their next port. Forward in the distance I spy Strider sitting quietly and enjoying the sun and lunch break. Gadzooks passes on the inside of Herron Island as I go to the outside.
Vaughn Bay, the infamous entrance is just ahead, Gadzooks goes in and I watch his route closely. I take a couple of turns at the entrance fighting the swift current that is trying to sweep me into the entrance and the shallow water. I decide to go for it. Figuring that 2-3 inches below my keel is fine as I move very slowly just making headway. Rising tides would float me, but why go like a bat out of hell and cause damage I think. No problems, the water is deep enough and I motor without mishap.
We anchor and get set. Murrelet is already anchored and enjoying the sun. Down the inlet I see more masts of sailboats coming my way. As they arrive, they come in with no incident. The anchorage fills quickly with boats flying the club burgee. Dinghies paddle, and motor around the small flotilla and visit with the boats. Some go to the spit and take a stroll, collecting treasures and such.
Potluck time comes as the mass landing invades the solitude of the spit. Makeshift tables of scraps of drifted plywood in placed on logs, the dinner begins, and what a bountiful feast there was. There were lots of delicious foods from the chefs aboard each boat, and a cooler of cold drinks. Conversation groups were scattered around the dinner area and a small recreational cooking fire was soon built and ignited. Groups drifted to the fire as the evening darkness brought cooler weather. Slowly people left and went back to their boats for the evening.
Morning came and the sun quickly warmed up the bay. Stirring, sailors came out and wiped the dew off their cockpits seats and made their boats ready for the trip home. The trip back to Olympia was almost as eventful as the voyage to Vaughn Bay. Motoring in Murphy’s Lawyer’s wake, we make good pace. Sunshine and clear skies stayed with us the whole way.
Boats attending the Vaughn Bay Cruise were, Balder, Dawn Treader, Gadzooks, Inati, Machrihanish, Murphy’s Lawyer, Murrelet, Strider, Skaga, and Windswept.Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
We have Commodores' Cruise photos, by Jim Lussier and Gary Marten.Catching the tide at 0700 on Saturday morning was a piece of cake, seeing as how I spent the night on the boat in Swantown. Up early and off I go, up Budd Inlet under light winds. Motor-sailing most of the way through Dana Passage and then the breezes started. Getting to McMicken Island was easy; snagging the last open buoy was even easier. I made my first priority to get the boat set and secure, then to put out the crab pot and see if any crabs were left in this very popular anchorage. Then to the island to make land; a few clams, for a possible dinner snack; and then to sign in for the buoy. Taking my treasures of my digging, I set out to check my crab pot. Darn those starfish! That is what reaches into the small bait box and strips it clean. Lesson learned, keep a vigilant check on the trap.
Late morning, Gadzooks shows up with Gary, Meagan, and Sarah. They get an empty buoy right beside Dawn Treader. Normal hospitality and a cold one gets opened. The day is starting to warm up. Skaga is next. Jim and Dianne raft up with Gadzooks. Things are starting to look up. Already we have the same amount of boats as last months Cruise, but we now have 2 more people. As dinnertime draws closer, Gadzooks decides it is a great time to go gallivanting around and even try a bit of a swim. Warm clear water made it very nice, something we don’t get much of down in Olympia’s Harbors. Lo’ and behold, Night Wind, with Alex and Mary show up just under the bell for dinner. We feast on the many delicious foods provided by the great seafaring chefs of our club. A dinner and drinks were enjoyed by all in the cockpit of Dawn Treader. After dinner conversation took many different subjects about the sailing life and informed those of us less learned of the great times to be had. Night fell and then off to the boats to get some sleep.
Morning wakes to find a beautiful sunrise and tranquil waters. The anchorage is very quiet and serene. As Alex was brewing our morning lattes and coffee, we enjoyed the warming of the day topsides. Conversations were abundant till someone spied a whale in the bay. Everyone jumped to see it. We only caught a couple of glimpses of it before it was gone. The day drew on and all made ready to depart for their homeports. Wind along the eastern side of Hartstene Island was good till Dana Passage, it lightened up and motoring was required. All in all it was a good Cruise. We doubled the number of people from the last Cruise and added one more boat. See y’all on the water.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
Boats attending were, Outatime, Machrihanish, and Dawn Treader. Overcast skies and light winds started off the day on Saturday. As the day went on , the skies cleared and the sun came out and warmed the air. Beautiful weather and cool breezes were abundant at this secluded anchorage. The boats anchored together and we enjoyed the music of many steel drum bands, and other Caribbean singers. The seals basked in the sun and snorted their appreciation of the festivities. The feast was prepared and we indulged in exquisite cuisine of the Islands. After dinner, drinks were available that fit the theme. Captain Jack Sparrow would have been in high spirits as rum was abundant. Later we were treated to frozen ice cream compliments of Outatime.
Morning came to a completely tranquil cove. Coffee on deck as the sun climbed into the sky gave a start to the day. The raft broke up and all headed towards their homeport. Winds were brisk and the sailing was great back to Dana passage. A picture is worth a thousand words. All in all it was a great time. I hope the entire club will make it to the next Cruise.
Jim Lussier, Dawn Treader
We attended the SSSS Cruise at Oro Bay this weekend, but not Murphy’s Lawyer or any other boat with a host flag. Did we miss you? Six boats found each other though and we had a great time. Most of us had never been on a SSSS Cruise before, or so rarely they couldn’t remember what to do. We met for dinner at 1830 on Morning Star. Boats there were Morning Star, Gray Seal, Altair, Inati, and Max’s blue Islander 24, and motor boat Island Time with Chuck on board. Chuck had to leave right before dinner. His son just arrived home from Iraq and decided to surprise him!
Barb Bergholz, Inati