For many in the South Sound, sailing means only one thing — cruising! SSSS sailors enjoy some of the most beautiful waters of Puget Sound. Quiet coves, secluded anchorages, as well as charming waterfront towns and quays provide year-round destinations.
Cruising is an important part of South Sound Sailing Society’s program. Cruises provide a great opportunity for people to meet up in wonderful South Sound destinations, share food and camaraderie with other like-minded sailors, and slip away from the hectic pace of life, if only for a night or two.
For those relatively new to the cruising experience, SSSS Cruises provide a quasi-structured and secure way to learn the better points of anchoring, docking, and rafting up with plenty of seasoned and friendly support from other sailors. This can provide the essential first experiences from which confidence builds to explore further and further horizons.
And there is plenty to explore! South Sound sailors roam the northwest’s inland sea, from charming Port Townsend to the San Juan Islands and British Columbia’s spectacular waters. Many keep going, on to Alaska, or turning left where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific for destinations in Mexico, the South Pacific, or further. SSSS sailors have been all over the world. Some have returned and others are still out there cruising.
Let SSSS Cruises be your jumping off point, either for a quiet weekend away from the maddening world or as a stepping stone to a vast horizon. See the South Sound Cruise calendar below for dates and locations.
This year we again have scheduled a cruise for each month. Some are near, some are farther away but all will be attended by sailors, enjoying their boats and the company of fellow SSSS Members. We start the year with the Commodores’ Cruise and follow that with the popular Halloween Cruise. Then we move to Olympia with the November Wine Tasting and December New Year’s Eve Cruises. We are back on the water in January and February at Squaxin and Hope Islands. As the days lengthen, we head to more distant destinations: Jarrell Cove, McMicken Island and Penrose Point. In June, we plan on enjoying the hospitality of the Engvall’s at their family homestead on Anderson Island. July and August Cruises are suggested, but not officially hosted.
Life’s rhythm slows down on the water, so take every opportunity to get out and enjoy time on your boat.
Susan McRae and Rod Tharp, Pax the Space Spider
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, Strider
September 20-21 Commodores’ Cruise Vaughn Bay October 25-26 Halloween Cruise Longbranch November 29-30 Post Thanksgiving Wine Tasting Swantown December 31 New Year’s Eve Percival Landing January 24-25 January Squaxin Island February 21-22 February Hope Island March 14-15 March Jarrell Cove Cruise April 18-19 April McMicken Island Cruise May 23-24 Memorial Day Penrose Point June 13-14 Father’s Day Oro Bay July 18-19 Day After Full Moon Frye Cove August 15-16 Up Hammerslee Inlet Shelton
This perpetual trophy was added in the 2000 - 2001 season to acknowledge the Cruisers within our Club. The Party Boat Award will be given at the June Meeting to the Member who attends the most Cruises, September through May. Attendance at Cruises is expected of board members, so board members are ineligible for this award. To be eligible, a Member must personally sign in at the Cruise. Transportation to the Cruise may be either by boat, by car, or any other method.
See the Party Boat Award, with past winners