We, the SSSS Cruise Chairs, welcome you to another year of Cruising enjoyment in the South Sound. There will be many opportunities for you to get out and use your boat. Taking your boat out for a weekend Cruise and enjoying the fellowship of other sailors is a great way to relax and leave the pressures of life ashore behind. Please check out the Hand book for more detailed information and if you have any questions and/or suggestions contact either one of us.
Coming Cruises :
New Year’s Eve Cruise : January 24-5, Squaxin Island Cruise : February 21-2, Hope Island Cruise : March 14-5, Jarrell Cove Cruise : April 18-9, McMicken Cruise : May 23-4, Memorial Day Cruise, Penrose Point
Report on Past Cruises:
Wine Tasting Cruise : Halloween Cruise, Longbranch : Commodores’ Cruise to Vaughn Bay : July Day After Full Moon Cruise, Frye Cove : Father’s Day Cruise, Oro Bay :
May 24-25, Memorial Day Cruise, Penrose Point : Jarrell Cove Cruise, April 26-27 : March, McMicken Cruise : February, Hope Island Cruise : January, Squaxin Island Cruise : New Year’s Eve Cruise
Most months, the SSSS has a Cruise to a South Sound destination. Some of the Cruises can be reached by land as well as by water, while other destinations can only be reached by boat.
A potluck dinner is held at the destination at 1800 hours, either on shore, or on a boat ,or raft up. Bring what you want to eat and share, unless the Ship-to-Shore article specifically suggests a theme or assignment of dishes. Remember to bring your own plates, cups and eating utensils. If you don’t have a dingy, look for boats flying the SSSS burgee. Hail them, and make them aware that you need a ride to dinner.
Most Cruises are hosted, and the Cruise hosts will bring a cooler with various beverages, and provide for recycling and garbage disposal. If the Cruise does not have a designated host, be creative and go anyway. You may find other adventuresome sailors enjoying time on the water. Some of the most enjoyable evenings are these spontaneous connections. Cruisers should always be prepared to be self-sufficient, just in case you find yourselves on your own.
The important thing is to get out on your boat. Scheduling a Cruise on your calendar often makes the difference in helping you leave the dock. See you on the water!
Susan and Rod, Pax
It is hard to believe that it is almost time to ring out the old, and ring in the New Year. What better place to celebrate than with other SSSS sailors, close to home at Percival Landing? This is where visiting sailors stay when using SSSS’ Reciprocal Moorage. As those who live aboard at Fiddlehead or Martin Marina know, there is something very special about being so close to the Olympia downtown at night. We will have Pax with the heater running, beer, hot mulled wine and cider, munchies and champagne at midnight. Both of us are scheduled to work on Wednesday, and while we would like to arrive at the dock before dark, we may be a bit later. This is a grazing evening, and there is not a scheduled potluck. Bring your boat and stay the night, or just drop by during the evening to visit. Bring an appetizer to share, on your boat or ours, or augment the libations as you choose. We look forward to enjoying the evening with you.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
Despite a gusty wind at the start of the evening, the weather for the Wine Tasting Cruise at Swantown just after Thanksgiving was relatively balmy. My candles wouldn’t stay lit, but fortunately, Pete Judd brought a Coleman lantern to illuminate the tables so that we could see as we grazed the bounty of appetizers and sampled the many bottles of wine.
As usual, the SSSS Cruises succeed because of the Members who participate and share their experience, comradery and equipment. Pete brought his lantern, in addition to a delicious Dungeness Crab Chowder. Don Waterhouse brought a propane heater, that helped keep people warm. And at least forty-two people, representing nineteen boats, brought food and wine to share as we all relaxed after Thanksgiving.
Once again, awarding a prize for the best dressed bottle was a difficult decision. After three rounds of voting, the lighted Christmas tree from Pearl, came out on top. A very close second was the Peacock with colorful feathers from Andiamo III. Also appreciated were the Lighthouse and the Vampire.
Boats in attendance: Andiamo III, D’Lauicea, El Gitano, Gray Seal, Grendel, Gusto, Kekailoa, Liberty, Miss Conduct, Murphy’ Lawyer, Neptune’s Court, Night Wind, Pax the Space Spider, Pearl, Penguin, Storm Trooper, That’s Life, The Filthy Whore and Windswept.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
We’re writing this Cruise report under sail, returning to Olympia by a favorable NE wind and sunny skies. We’re surrounded by SSSS boats, all returning from a fabulous Halloween Cruise. It is a beautiful sight, all these boats under sail, taking advantage of perfect weather. Who could ask for more on a Sunday afternoon in late October?
The Cruise was a great success, owing to the work of many volunteers. The party began early this year, with lots of boats arriving on Friday. More than 40 boats attended, with additional crews arriving by car. We enjoyed traditional festivities, including pumpkin carving, potluck, lots of kids trick-or-treating at the dock, and of course, much socializing. We also began what we hope will become new traditions, such as a group viewing of a scary, water-themed movie in the shelter. This year’s film was The Creature from the Black Lagoon, a classic that inspired many boos and hisses from the audience, some of whom, we suspect, were rooting for the creature. We’re certain that the beer and wine helped with audience participation. This year’s Cruise also included a haunted boat, which featured the theme Bates Boatel."
We are grateful to West Marine, Port of Bremerton, and Longbranch Marina for donating generous prizes for best decorated boats and potluck entries. We also appreciated assistance from Terry and Val of WindSwept for the costume certificates and the awesome costumes they wore themselves; Richard and family of Osa for the SSSS bookmarks given to all pumpkin carvers; Richard and Barb of Inati for help with transporting pumpkins and handing out prizes; Rod, Susan, Thera, and Don of Pax the Space Spider for the efficient and cheerful assembly line producing delicious waffles on Sunday morning; and Don Waterhouse for serving as such as such a skillful and dedicated dockmaster. Special thanks go to Dave and Linda Knowlton, who kept things moving and on track. Well, we’re rounding Devil’s Head now. Perfect for Halloween with its spooky currents. So we’d better pay attention. Hope to see you all at next year’s Cruise!
Frank and Lisa Mighetto, Murrelet
What a weekend! Don Waterhouse, Docking Coordinator, counted forty-two SSSS boat in the rafted maze at Longbranch. Only thirty-six boats, some arriving by land, signed in, so we don’t really know everyone who came, but a great time was had by all. This kind of event takes a tremendous amount of cooperation and participation. Great thanks are due to many people : Lisa and Frank Mighetto, who handled all of the logistics, from arranging our space with Longbranch through the pumpkins, decorations, prizes and movies; Don Waterhouse, who figured out how to shoehorn all of these boats into the marina; the Cruisers on at least three boats who dug into their boat stores to supplement the flour for the waffles when our container spilled; people who brought waffle toppings, and those who brought spray oil for the waffle irons when our canisters ran out; Suzie Shaffer, who helped tremendously by washing the waffle making dishes and utensils; the Adairs, Brays, and Hansens, represented by their loaned waffle irons and camp stove; Dave and Linda Knowlton, who created this delightful, family oriented event for the Club; and all the other unsung heroes. Thank you all!
Boats signed in: Adios, Balder, Banana Split, Boru, Columbia Transit, Cygnet, Dawn Treader, D'Lauicea, Gray Seal, Gusto, Inati, Isostacy, Kalakala, Koosah, Manta, Murrelet, Neptune's Court, Oddessy, Osa, Outward Bound, Pax the Space Spider, Pearl, Pegasus, Penguin, Pyxis, Singing in the Rain, Spinner, Spirit, Stardrifter, Storebjorn, Storm Trooper, Sugar Magnolia, The Stargazer, Touchrain, Veveri and Vintage.
Rod Tharp & Susan McRae, Pax the Space Spider
Photos
by Lisa Mighetto
by Suzie Shaffer and Alex Bromen
Saturday morning, we woke to rain, but with a Cruise on the calendar, we shrugged off the weather. The brief rain spatters as we left the dock weren’t a problem. It is always good to be out on the water. We motored through Dana Passage, but when the wind picked up in Case Inlet we raised sails and did a lovely spinnaker run past Heron Island, where the wind changed. We doused the spinnaker, pulled out the jib, and sailed on to Vaughn Bay. Discretion over valor, we dropped sails and motored into the bay to drop anchor.
This year, there were three SSSS Commodores present. Thera Black and Don Waterhouse, Past Commodore and Vice Commodore sailed with us on Pax, and Alex Bromen, Commodore, came on Nightwind. Boats with dinghies helped ferry the club’s ice chest, a table and awning to shore. Don built a wonderful beach fire, and we all enjoyed another SSSS potluck on the beach, greeting old friends and meeting new ones.
An extremely low tide in the night and a 180 degree wind shift resulted in two boats contacting the bottom, one just touching and the other with a hard list. Vaughn Bay has some deep pockets, but your anchor rode needs to be short enough to keep your boat in them.
Morning dawned windy, but without rain. Again, we had help to ferry supplies and people to shore. The awning was reset as a wind shield, and Rod and Don started cooking waffles on camp stoves from the yeast raised batter Rod started the night before. These melt-in-the mouth waffles are a treat, and the sausages and waffle toppings provided by the cruisers resulted in a totally satisfying breakfast. Note: the waffle recipe is available at the SSSS web site.
Returning to Olympia, we motored, then raised sails when the wind came up. Rod and I both took naps on the nets while Thera and Don sailed. When a rain squall blew through, I retreated to our berth to continue my nap, while Rod, Thera and Don took Pax home. They out ran the rain, reaching 11 – 12 knots at times. I had a great nap. Nothing so good as sleeping over the water!
Boats attending: Balder, Dawn Treader, Inati, Maranatha, Murrelet, Nightwind, Pax the Space Spider, Wind Swept, and the boats formerly named as Altair and Krru.
Rod Tharp & Susan McRae, Pax the Space Spider
Photos by Don Waterhouse and Thera BlackIt is over now. As these are not officially hosted SSSS Cruises, we may or may not get a report. Watch this space.
A low tide at 1000 delayed our launch, and we didn’t get away from the dock until after noon. Little wind, strong incoming tide, we motored. It didn’t take me long to opt for a nap on the nets. When I woke past Devil’s Head, Rod declined my offer to take a turn at the tiller, and I was quickly asleep again, awakening when we entered Oro Bay. We motored slowly, watching the depth meter, to within hailing distance of the folks on shore at the Engvall property, and then retreated to a more prudent anchoring depth.
When we paddled to shore, the tide was high, and we climbed from our keowees to the grassy bank. The Engvall property was homesteaded by Kris’ great grandfather Frank Engvall, who inherited the land from his In-Laws, built the buildings, and developed a small farm. Kris says “The old timers were tough; they frequently rowed from Anderson Island to Dupont. In fact my Grandfather, Leonard, rowed to Dupont with two of my Aunts one day when he was in his 70’s.”
This grassy and sylvan paradise now serves as the family summer encampment. Kris’ mother, brother, cousin and their families, three generations of Engvalls, were all out for the weekend. They mowed paths and a picnic area, erected sun shelters and provided chairs and a picnic table. Lisa brought a book detailing the history of Anderson Island to share, and Kris and family led several tours through the property. It is a beautiful place to wander in. The potluck was stupendous: good food, in a relaxed setting and congenial company.
The tide turned, and leaving was a bit more problematic than arriving. Jim Lussier left before I started paying attention to the issue. Mark Swarthout wore boots, but then spent time rinsing the mud off. Mark Welpman was pragmatic, took off his shoes and pulled the dinghy with Annette and Chloe through the mud. I followed this example, and towed Rod in his keowee when Rod’s scooting attempt failed to move him through the mud to the water. Bob Buelt was the hero, and carried each member of his family, including Tabor the dog, to their kayak and dinghy. Applause!
The Buelt’s of Pearl and the DeLeon’s of Gusto have children of similar ages. Gusto was not able to make the Cruise, but motored down after dark so the kids had a chance to visit before Gusto headed back north for other commitments. What an awesome cruising community!
Nine boats attended the Cruise. By land: Chicken of the Sea, Frederick, Magic, and Sugar Magnolia. By water: Breezin’, Cygnet, Dawn Treader, Pax, and Pearl.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp Pax the Space Spider
Oh what a glorious weekend. After a long cold wet winter, and a cold wet dreary spring, Saturday May 24 bloomed warm and wonderful. Rod and I managed to get away from the dock by 1100, and I started relaxing the moment we were in the channel. There wasn’t much wind, so we motored instead of raising sails, and reached Penrose Point State Park just after 1400. We relaxed on the boat for awhile before heading to shore. There we staked out two picnic tables on the grassy point. How nice to simply lay back in the sunshine, enjoying the warm day.
Twelve boats and thirty people arrived for the SSSS potluck on shore at 1800. There was the usual incredible spread of wonderful food, including strawberry cheesecake tarts made by Brandy and daughters Stephanie and Andrea of Gusto. It is so good to see families with children out sailing and enjoying time on the water. Five of the boats brought young people: Abby, Alexa, Andrea, Annie, Christian, Stephanie, Sydney and Zoie.
I awoke in the night to rain on the boom tent, but by morning the showers had blown through, although the sun remained behind the clouds. We enjoyed our cruising mode leisurely morning, and didn’t raise anchor until after noon. Out of Mayo Cove, we raised sails. We started with a nice breeze, which turned into South Sound’s fickleness as we reached the east end of McNeil. But this day, our only deadline was to be able to get home before dark, so we just enjoyed being on the water. We tacked down the east side of Ketron Island, and ended up becalmed in Nisqually Reach south of Anderson Island. Given time enough and patience, the wind will surely fill in from some quarter, and it did, and we were swept home on wind and tide. I saw 10.5 knots; Rod saw 14 plus on a gust. Oh what a glorious weekend!
Grateful thanks to Terry Van Meter of Windswept, Fred Adair of Rose, and Jim Lussier of Dawn Treader for helping to cart the Club cruising coolers and gear to and from shore.
Boats in attendance: Cygnet, Dawn Treader, Gray Seal, Gusto, Knot Work, Murrelet, Pax, Pearl, Pyxis Sassy and Windswept.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp Pax the Space Spider
Our day began early with a phone call from Rod Tharp, “Susan has the flu, can you take the drink cooler and the sign-in sheet to the Cruise?” So, at 1000 hours, we met Rod at Martin Marina and took possession of the Cruise cooler, sign-in sheet and burgee. Once underway, we maneuvered around the Black Star Regatta and put up sail near the Olympia Shoal marker. Winds were generally from the north and we made good time until we entered Dana Passage where the tide was with us but the winds were not.
We fired up the 2QM15 and motored in the warmth of the sun entering Jarrell Cove at 1430 hours. Murrelet was on buoy and Joie DeVivre, Gray Seal, and Inati were tied to the DNR dock. Tami, Christian, and Abby, Knotwork, Gene is on deployment, had, parked their RV in the park. We scored one of the several available buoys, put up the party burgee and launched the tender. A table had been reserved in the state park and after initial greetings, we returned to WindSwept to begin cooking our pot luck entrée. While the chicken sizzled on the Bar-b-q, Cygnet arrived.
At 1800 hours we all met at the park and enjoyed a fine dinner. It amazed me that such a well balanced meal could be gathered with little organized planning: beans, salad, chicken, potatoes and desserts. The conversation and companionship were excellent and our laughter could be heard, I’m sure, across the cove. We arrived back aboard about 1930 and played the cribbage rubber match. Lisa and Frank told me that they got in some star gazing.
Sleeping on the water always adds two hours to my normal sleep time and after coffee and a morning row to bid farewell to our friends, we got underway for Olympia. Out in Case Inlet, we put up sail, the wind was now from the south and for about an hour and a half we played synchronized sailing with Gray Seal, another SJ28.
Nearing Wilson Point, the wind died out and we motored along the south shore of Hartstene Island to catch the eddy of the outgoing tide.
We got a pretty good pull from the eddy and at Brisco point we began our crossing toward Dofflemyer Point. Out in themain channel the outgoing tide gave us about a half knot resistance.
Once inside Budd Inlet, we could see the Black Star Regatta finishing up its third day of racing. By the time we reached their course, they had finished. We arrived at our slip at Martin Marina at 1500 hours. We had a few sprinkles on the trip back but, all in all, it was a warm and wonderful weekend. Hope you will join us next time at Penrose Point.
Boats represented at the April Cruise were Knotwork, Cygnet, Joie DeVivre, Gray Seal, Murrelet, Inati and WindSwept.
Terry and Valerie VanMeter, WindSwept
Photo: Gray Seal on the way home by Terry VanMeter.
Rod and I were seriously challenged by our real life obligations and didn’t get away from the dock until at 1600 hours on Saturday. This is one of the few times that I’ve wanted full throttle on the engine. Against the tide, we reached McMicken just before the scheduled potluck at 1800.
Earlier arrivals scouted the island and felt that the boggy ground favored a boat-based gathering. Glen and Irene Hunter, on Sassy, rafted with Kathy and Tycho, on Penguin, offered to host the potluck. It was, as usual, an awesome dinner. Penguin has an oven and Tycho delivered several rounds of toothsome, hot and yummy data-base-byte appetizers. Terry and Val on Wind Swept have perfected their pressure cooker pot roast. There was curry and rice, at least five different salads, and homemade blueberry pie and chocolate cheesecake.
It was an incredibly beautiful evening. Warm, clear and just what my soul needed. And, there were bunny delivered Easter eggs for each boat.
We fell asleep to the sounds of seals barking, and awoke intermittently to the sound of rain on our boom tent. The dismal weather forecast came true. What can I say? My worst day on the water is probably better than my best day on land. There is something about being on a boat that delivers a level of peace and relaxation that I have not yet realized on shore.
I really thank Glen Hunter, Sassy, for helping us get the Club cruising gear back to Pax Saturday evening. I suggested that we wait until daylight, but hindsight proves the saying that it is better not to put off what you can do today until tomorrow. Saturday night was dark, but clear and warm. Sunday morning was wet and nasty.
We had obligations back in Olympia, but were also in cruising mode, and didn’t get off the anchor until after 1000. Again, wind against tide. Sigh. We motored.
Boats attending in alpha sequence: Knot Work with kids, Pax, Penguin, Sassy, Show Time, Strait Jacket, and Wind Swept.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
Wow. What an awesome weekend. Blue skies, blue waters, sunshine and enough wind for relaxed sailing. Nine boats made it to the Hope Island Cruise potluck. We ended up with eight boats rafted together; one on a buoy, three with anchors out, making it possible to walk across for visiting, viewing, dinner and late night conversations. Midnight Sun, on a separate buoy, joined the dinner by dingy. Even with the delightful weather, February is still too dark and cold for evening picnics on shore. Fortunately, Dawn Treader and Gusto are spacious and gracious. The buffet line started in Dawn Treader’s galley, and there was plenty of cozy space for eating and talking. Gusto turned into the kids’ palace. Later in the evening, they lay out on deck under blankets to star watch. It is so much fun to see families with young children raising the next sailing generation.
Boats in attendance: Cygnet, Dawn Treader, Gusto, Knot Work, Midnight Blue, Pas de Chat, Pax the Space Spider, Rummy, and Windswept. Other SSSS boats seen on the water this weekend: Murrelet, with a Saturday commitment came Friday but overlapped with others before departing, Osa and Outward Bound anchored at the southern end of the island, Fever arrived Saturday evening, but their child was asleep so they didn’t join the dinner, Anam Cara was observed motoring north Sunday morning. We live in an amazing area for boating. Saturday and Sunday, we saw lots of sail boats out enjoying the moment. It is wonderful that so many of us take the opportunity to get out onto the water.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
I fully expected my desire to be out on the water for a winter weekend cruise to bend the weather gods in my direction and continue our string of cold but sunny days. Not. When it started snowing on Saturday, I was quite prepared to have no one join us. But on our way north, we saw several boats sailing, and to our delight we found Wind Swept, a San Juan 28, with Terry VanMeter in the cove at Squaxin before us. Shortly after we’d dropped anchors and rafted together, Venture, a 35' full keel wooden boat, designed by Hibbard and built by the Port Orchard trade school in 1951, arrived with Mark Whitcher, Linda Whitcher, Marti Walker and Bob Moshaofsky, and rafted on Wind Swept’s starboard side. Shortly before dark, Hiromi, a LandFall 39 with Mike and Mary Kimbrel aboard, dropped anchor nearby.
We gathered for the SSSS potluck on Venture, Mike and Mary arriving by dingy. Seven of the nine of us were able to sit, leaving amiable hosts Mark and Bob standing. We had a relaxed evening, swapping sailing and boat building stories.
Morning dawned with sun breaks and glory, but it got down right cold when the clouds blew back in. Rod and I retreated below for warmth and reading time as Venture and Wind Swept headed home. By early afternoon the sun re-emerged. We sailed off anchor and back to Olympia.
Tips for keeping warm on winter waters: place hand warmers in your pants pockets, as well as in your gloves, as suggested by our own Commodore Thera Black; place toe warmers on top of your toes, as well as underneath, a tip from Rod’s daughter Brieanne.
Boats in order of arrival: Wind Swept, Pax the Space Spider, Venture, Hiromi.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
Cruise photos, by Linda Whitcher
Cygnet to the January Cruise, almost : Mark Welpman
Wow — New Year’s Eve was a blast! Rod and I, normally in bed well before midnight, not only rang in the New Year, we stayed up even later to continue talking and enjoying the company of the other Members who participated in this winter event. There were eight SSSS boats at Percival Landing, and at least eight other boats represented by sailors arriving on land. This provided the special opportunity to visit other people’s boats and compare experiences, dreams and challenges. There are lots of stories to hear and tell. Our thanks to the people in this great sailing community who are instrumental in the success and good times of SSSS!
Boats by Water: Cosmic Dancer, Cygnet, Dawn Treader, Gusto, Murrelet, Pas de Chat, Pax the Space Spider, Penguin. Boats by Land: Breezin’, Damn Yankee, Gray Seal, High Wind, Liberty, McSwoosh, Oh My God, Wind Swept.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
New Year’s Cruise photos by Don Waterhouse
