New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

4/27/12

WILDFLOWER is all packed up for a road trip. We depart May 1, up the I-5, to Anacortes, WA. There we will launch and spend the summer retracing the exploration routes of Valdes, Galiano and Vancouver. These two expeditions were in search of the NW passage in 1792, and Vancouver didn't know the Spanish were in the vicinity until they accidentally ran into each other in Desolation Sound.

Vancouver was highly depressed, which was why Desolation Sound got its name Not only was it rainy and misty, not only couldn't Vancouver find the NW passage for his King George III, but Valdes and Galiano had already explored and bestowed many of the prominent landmarks and islands with Spanish names. Bummer.

It was fun to have Ruben and Synbad visit Capitola yesterday. Ruben and Robbie now are proud owners of two Moore-24's. His and Hers, so to speak. Their trip to N.Carolina to retrieve Robbie's Moore is a worthy SSS tale of adventure and serendipity.. But I will let them tell it. Good Luck, Ruben, in the SHTP!

Have a good summer all, and write when you find work.

 

[Jonathan Gutoff]

A good read is the journals of Archibald Menzies, the Vancouver expedition naturalist (and surgeon) He was a little happier and more into the voyage than Vancouver. Good Hawaii stuff in it also as I recall...

 

[sleddog]

5/5/12
Greetings from Friday Harbor, WA

Tuesday we trailered WILDFLOWER north up the I-5, from Capitola to Anacortes, WA. 18 hours at 13 mpg, with no scratches to report. The tow was well behaved.

Wednesday, we rigged and launched, before rain set in that lasted into Thursday.

Today, Saturday, long time friend Gary Adams, Annie, and I sailed 20 miles from Anacortes to Friday Harbor to help celebrate M/V CATALYST's 80 B-day. It was a good sail and fun to visit with Capt. Bill and Shannon Bailey, the crew, and their magnificent ship before they leave for Alaska early next week. http://www.pacificcatalyst.com/

Tomorrow we leave for Port Townsend, 25 miles across Straits Juan de Fuca. Hi to all.

 

[brianb]

Great photo's, keep up the photography.

Brian

 

[sleddog]

5/8/12
We had a good crossing of the Straits of Juan de Fuca in motor sail conditions. About 30 minutes after leaving Friday Hbr, we passed through dozens, if not hundreds, of harbor seals, looking like pool toys bobbing on the surface.

Shortly thereafter, down towards Cattle Pass, it was "whale ho!" Steaming directly at us, northbound, was a pod of orcas, maybe 6-8 individuals. They passed close aboard, not a length away, determined looking, like a naval destroyer task force. We could see their eyes and teeth; the big male's dorsal fin higher than our cabin top, and bending off like a Wylie Cat rig in a good Bay breeze.

It was clear where these orcas were heading. Harbor seal for breakfast.

Good news on our 6 hp outboard. After 8 hours of motoring at cruising revs (6 knots), we've used less than three gallons of fuel. A quart/hour seems possible.

 

[sleddog]

5/9/12
With gale warnings in the vicinity, we are snugly moored at Pt. Hudson Marina, in old town Port Townsend. Admiralty Inlet, visible out our back door, is more white than blue, recalling to mind the definition of "spume." While our local breeze huffs, whines, and sometimes shrieks, Pt Wilson light, two miles to windward, is reporting gusts to 39 knots. We are comfortable, with hot showers, wifi, and NW Maritime Center close at hand. Directly across is the classic schooner MARTHA, undergoing a total refit: new keel, spars, and rigging. MARTHA was built at Stone Boat Works in the SF Bay area 105 years ago, and was once a centerboarder Her length on deck is 68 feet, but the sparred length is 84 feet. http://www.schoonermartha.org/

We had a nice visit the other morning with local residents Dan and Linda Newland. Dan, some will recall, is the only three time winner of the SHTP, and Linda has raced solo to Japan. Linda is currently active raising support for restoration of the 23' FELICITY ANN, the first boat to be soloed by a woman, Ann Davison, across any ocean. (1953 across the Atlantic.)

Port Townsend, a sailing town if there ever was one, is a fun place to explore, with history oozing out of the sidewalks and local buildings. A good place to be until the winds let up.

 

[cafemontaigne]

Shoot, I missed you by two days. Idefix was in Point Hudson Marina this weekend as part of the Sloop Tavern's Race to the Straits. 99 boats this year, all double- or singlehanded, racing from Seattle to Port Townsend on Saturday, and back Sunday. Needless to say, it was a blast.

Adrian

 

[sleddog]

Today, Friday, is clear, warming, and snow capped peaks, including Mt. Baker to the east, Rainer to the south, and the Olympic Range are visible 360 degrees. We are moored at Pt. Hudson, in old town, a small marina with hot showers, strong wifi, and plenty to see and do at short distance. Despite the proximity of urban environment, we
have a family of otters on the dock next to WILDFLOWER. They come out whenever food is mentioned aboard. A bald eagle is on the breakwater close at hand to port. The seagulls are not happy with this interloper.

Last night was a halibut feed. The neighbors caught a 50 pound, 47" fish using an electric fishing reel. Say what? Annie cooked our halibut portion with brown rice, golden raisins, cranberries, p-nuts, and her selection of plentiful spices. Yum.

This evening we will race in the Friday night races with friends Alex and Elena aboard. Yesterday we hosted the editor of Small Craft Advisor, and he took some pics of us out sailing which may appear on their blog at some point. http://smallcraftadvisor.com/

We'll be in PT until Monday, at which point we depart towards Deer Harbor, on Orcas Island in the San Juans, about 40 miles north of here.. Deer Harbor is hosting a wood boat regatta, and has assigned us a rating of 180 sec/mile. But the winds will likely be light, and we are not so fast if TWS ,8 knots. No worries, as the regatta is more a fun race, than anything serious. What a concept: all wood boats!

Except for the fishermen coming and going, PT is quiet....Schooner MARTHA is being remasted near by by local rigger Brian Toss. I have several mysteries to solve. One mystery is how many local 16-18 foot fishing skiffs have two 200 hp outboards mounted on their sterns, and seem to float level. Our neighbor with the big halibut bragged last night he uses 17 gallons/hour. I smiled and said we were burning a quart/hour when the wind went light.

Another mystery is where our otter family lives. They seem to appear from nowhere, and I half expect one to surface in our bridgedeck aquarium, asking for a snack.

The last mystery is what the heck was that USN submarine doing out front yesterday, headed down inlet towards Roger's house at Port Hadlock? Port Townsend Bay is only 4 miles long and 1 mile wide. Can you anchor a submarine?

No dull moments.

 

[sleddog]

Sunday, 5/13/12
After a delightful week at Port Townsend, we will leave 0730 tomorrow with the tide for Watmough Bay, Lopez Island, 20 miles across the Straits of Juan de Fuca. High pressure weather should continue clear and mild, as the local temp here today was 74 in the cabin. Watmough Bay was one of Rob Moore's favorite places in the San Juans. After that, is it on towards Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, for next weekend's wood boat regatta.

Can't say we will be very competitive in usual San Juan zephyrs. We tried the local Friday night races here. And got flushed out the back of the fleet by 10 Thunderbirds, a J-27, a Yankee, several Catalinas, and Farr 30. The wind was only 4-6 knots, with the occasional 8 knot "gust." Not ideal conditions for racing one's house. In 8 knots of wind, according to Skene's, our 240 sq ft. of sail area generates 60 lbs of wind pressure. In 5 knots of wind, only 30 lb. is generated. So we would need to double our sail area to achieve the same performance level.
Dreamin'

 

[sleddog]

5/16/12

WILDFLOWER's second crossing of the Straits of Juan de Fuca, this time northbound, was a re-play of our soundbound passage: clear, light winds, smooth seas. We ended up the only boat at the dock at delightful James Island, near Lopez Is. Nearby was a family of eagles. At one point we watched an eagle scoop up a good sized fish and fly to its nest with its unwilling participant. Later, we found a drifting dinghy with no ID. I towed it ashore at Spencer Spit, pulled it above the high-tide line, and notified the local ranger. She seemed more interested that the sunny weather had given her a sunburn. But promised to investigate.

Sad news aboard is Ann will shortly be returning to her family and grandkids, home, and job in New Orleans. Annie had never sailed before. Her support during the building, the launch, the shakedowns, and current cruise is outstanding. I cannot be more proud of her and will miss her laugh, her adventurous spirit, and all the good luck she has brought onboard. Good News is SSS has a home in New Orleans!

For any adventurous gals out there, WILDFLOWER now has a crew position open. A good chance to learn and experience the Pacific NW from the small boat perspective. June 1 WILDFLOWER departs Anacortes, WA for the San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands. Princess Louisa Inlet is on the agenda. The warm waters of Desolation Sound in late July and August. Returning to Port Townsend first week of Sept. for the Wooden Boat Festival, aka Wood Boat Woodstock.

Specifics/questions can be had by contacting me [email protected]

 

[AlanH]

5/9/12
With gale warnings in the vicinity, we are snugly moored at Pt. Hudson Marina, in old town Port Townsend. Admiralty Inlet, visible out our back door, is more white than blue, recalling to mind the definition of "spume." While our local breeze huffs, whines, and sometimes shrieks, Pt Wilson light, two miles to windward, is reporting gusts to 39 knots. We are comfortable, with hot showers, wifi, and NW Maritime Center close at hand. Directly across is the classic schooner MARTHA, undergoing a total refit: new keel, spars, and rigging. MARTHA was built at Stone Boat Works in the SF Bay area 105 years ago, and was once a centerboarder Her length on deck is 68 feet, but the sparred length is 84 feet. http://www.schoonermartha.org/

We had a nice visit the other morning with local residents Dan and Linda Newland. Dan, some will recall, is the only three time winner of the SHTP, and Linda has raced solo to Japan. Linda is currently active raising support for restoration of the 23' FELICITY ANN, the first boat to be soloed by a woman, Ann Davison, across any ocean. (1953 across the Atlantic.)

Port Townsend, a sailing town if there ever was one, is a fun place to explore, with history oozing out of the sidewalks and local buildings. A good place to be until the winds let up.

bold and underline added by me...I did not know this! It would be fantastic if the boat was restored!

It sounds like you are having a great old time of it......which is *exactly* the idea, yes?

 

[sleddog]

5/18/12
We rafted this afternoon to JZERRO, Russell Brown's 36' proa. JZERRO is one of the most interesting boats I've seen in a lifetime of sailing. Russell has put a lot of thought into his little ship. http://www.wingo.com/proa/brown/jzerrophotos.html

JZERRO "tacks" by reversing direction, always keeping the ama to windward. There is a headstay and jib at either end of the boat, and a rudder/daggerboard also. The ama has a tank for 55 gallons of water ballast. She is one fast cookie. But very comfortable. Russell has cruised JZERRO to Mexico and the S. Pacific.

After our raft up with JZERRO, we returned to the Deer Harbor docks. Some crusty mariner was looking to pick a fight and insinuated WILDFLOWER was a piece of junk and should be "returned to the manufacturer." "How could any self respecting boat builder use such old, outdated equipment?", he asked.

I attempted to tell him the story of the boat and her donated and recycled gear. But he would have none of it. "Junk!" "It must have taken them years to build your boat." "Look, they used lashings on the headstay!" "New boat?" "You got screwed."

I chuckled at his ignorance, and went below. All in a day.

 

[sleddog]

Saturday's Yellow Island Wood Boat Regatta was much fun. Before the skipper's meeting, we got to tour the local Deer Harbor Boat Yard, which is full of treasures from the past, including the miniature tugboat LI'L TOOT, that was won some years ago on the game show "Let's Make a Deal." Two friendly goats, Tom and Jerry, lord over the boat yard, and keep the blackberry vines to a manageable level.

The obvious pride of Cat and Mike, the yard's owners, is their 1934, Luders designed and built, 6 meter CHALLENGE. What a beauty. (see photos)

It was sunny and warm for the race. Winds were light, 2-5 knots. Despite our generous PHRF of 225, our little cat wasn't competitive, and we finished 9 of 9. CHALLENGE won. The Blanchard 26 STARFIRE was second. And the lovely and well sailed Manual Campos 34 VITO DUMAS was third

But we'll be back for the next edition after Labor Day, hopefully with a masthead 155% genoa.

Photos of the Yellow Island Regatta can be found at http://gallery.me.com/christhomerson#100474

 

[sleddog]

Anacortes, WA, with its maritime tradition and proximity to the San Juan Islands, is a second homeport for WILDFLOWER. Close at hand to Cap Sante Marina is Safeway, West Marine, Farmer's Market, and businesses that support the local fleet of sailors, fishermen, and the many visitors that use this small town as a stepping off point for sailing the Salish Sea and beyond.

I first visited Anacortes in 1986 with the old WILDFLOWER, enroute to Vancouver's Expo86 World's Fair. Back then, you could walk down the center of Commercial Avenue, and only encounter an occasional car. Today, things are decidedly more upscale, with property values to match. WILDFLOWER is moored in the midst of the cruising boat of choice for these waters: "trawlers" in the 45-65' range, listed for $500K to $2mil. Nordic "Tugs", Grand Banks, Nordhavens, Diesel Ducks. You name them, they are here. With many for sale. Sailboats are far fewer.

Antithesis to West Marine lies just up the street in an old brick building. Anacortes Marine Hardware and Supply is the oldest marine hardware store on the West Coast, in continuous operation since 1913. Part museum, most anything marine can be found if you look hard enough. Need a brass diving helmet? No problem! Also to be discovered are two fluffy and friendly inhouse cats that sleep in their fleece beds next to the register and wood burning stove, but are ready at moments notice to guide you through the back rooms of obscure boat parts. In exchange for a scratch, of course. http://bitterendblog.com/?p=1715

Had dinner last night with Hank Thor, a local sailor and supporter of SSS. Hank has a fascinating history, and raced his first Transpac in 1953. Besides sailing his Espirit 37 FREJYA, he builds airplanes, skis, is an architect and is a wealth
of information. Of interest to me is the fact that in the early 50's, Hank drew the plans for the 19' Malibu Outrigger, the first beach cat multihull on the West Coast. In 1949, Warren Seaman and other locals were using this outrigger to surf waves off Santa Monica. It was only when a unique sailing rig was later added, that the Malibu Outrigger came into its own as an inexpensive way to go fast. Hank reported over 10,000 plans were sold, many to Europe. http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/designs/malibu/outrigger.htm

 

[sleddog]

6/3/12

Stuart Island, in the San Juans, marks the most NW corner of the continental U.S. To be more exact, Turn Pt. Lighthouse on the NW corner of Stuart is as far as you can go. Canada is visible three miles away, and Canadian waters begin just offshore. Big ships round Turn Pt. light close aboard, as do orcas and porps. Eagles soar overhead.

It is a nice two mile hike from Prevost Harbor to Turn Pt, through a quiet fir forest, disturbed only by a jackhammer woodpecker. Just past the community school (enrollment:2) is the airfield. "Field" is the correct term, as regular mowing needs to be done to take off. Past the cows, the airfield is so narrow and short that it must take a significant amount of courage to want to land here (see photo.)

Turn Pt Lighthouse is being restored by the BLM, and will feature an interpretative center for the few who make the hike to this historic location. In a glade by the light is the U.S. most northwestern public restroom, a beautiful cedar outhouse. This is no Ranger Rick porta-potty. You open the door and see somebody cares. Inside is a bath rug, sink with mirror and towels, hatrack, art, lace curtains. The whole enchilada. Well done, BLM.

As WILDFLOWER left Stuart Island for Canadian waters, we passed an old friend: the Mull 42 IMPROBABLE. Back in the day (1971) she was revolutionary red hulled flyer, with linked titanium winches, lenticular rod rigging that could be tacked, and a 7' Kauri tiller that took three to pull on a spinnaker reach. We cut our teeth on Dave Allen's IMPROBABLE. Commodore, Ron Holland, Dave Wahle, Kim Desenberg, Billy Barton, Tom Wylie, and a whole host of SF Bay area sailors. IMPROBABLE is now owned by Len Schwab, Bruce's dad. And 40 years later is still capable of turning heads.

 

[sleddog]

After a quick crossing of Haro Straits, WILDFLOWER arrived in her first foreign port: Tsehum Harbor, Sidney, BC, Canada. The bay was full of occupied moorings, with no room to anchor. We took a slip at the only game in town: the upscale Van Isle Marina. "Fleur' looked decidely incongruous amongst the fleet of big power boats, 50-120 feet. My neighbor, a 100 footer, has two power cords, each the size of my wrist.

There's a whole subculture here servicing this fleet: mechanics, cooks, electricians, and especially boat detailers. The economic downturn doesn't appear to have hit this sector.

Yesterday we took WILDFLOWER on a harbor cruise to Canoe Cove, next harbor north from Tsehum. Few big power yachts there, and plenty of history. GLADIMARUS was there, along with the beautiful KATIE FORD. Oily George and his bucket of linseed oil was there with SURF SCOTER. But what really caught my eye was the black 70' CARLOTTA (1899). Her 20' oak sprit was retracted. No engine. No winches. Her oars were ready. And the 8' tiller. CARLOTTA must displace 50 tons or more. You obviously don't sail CARLOTTA with kids.

 

[AlanH]

I'm thoroughly amused by the guy who thinks that you got screwed by the sale of your boat.

I think you should go buy an oversized shore power cable, just to fit in...

 

[AlanH]

View attachment 142View attachment 143View attachment 144View attachment 1456/3/12

Stuart Island, in the San Juans, marks the most NW corner of the continental U.S. To be more exact, Turn Pt. Lighthouse on the NW corner of Stuart is as far as you can go. Canada is visible three miles away, and Canadian waters begin just offshore. Big ships round Turn Pt. light close aboard, as do orcas and porps. Eagles soar overhead.

It is a nice two mile hike from Prevost Harbor to Turn Pt, through a quiet fir forest, disturbed only by a jackhammer woodpecker. Just past the community school (enrollment:2) is the airfield. "Field" is the correct term, as regular mowing needs to be done to take off. Past the cows, the airfield is so narrow and short that it must take a significant amount of courage to want to land here (see photo.)

Turn Pt Lighthouse is being restored by the BLM, and will feature an interpretative center for the few who make the hike to this historic location. In a glade by the light is the U.S. most northwestern public restroom, a beautiful cedar outhouse. This is no Ranger Rick porta-potty. You open the door and see somebody cares. Inside is a bath rug, sink with mirror and towels, hatrack, art, lace curtains. The whole enchilada. Well done, BLM.

As WILDFLOWER left Stuart Island for Canadian waters, we passed an old friend: the Mull 42 IMPROBABLE. Back in the day (1971) she was revolutionary red hulled flyer, with linked titanium winches, lenticular rod rigging that could be tacked, and a 7' Kauri tiller that took three to pull on a spinnaker reach. We cut our teeth on Dave Allen's IMPROBABLE. Commodore, Ron Holland, Dave Wahle, Kim Desenberg, Billy Barton, Tom Wylie, and a whole host of SF Bay area sailors. IMPROBABLE is now owned by Len Schwab, Bruce's dad. And 40 years later is still capable of turning heads.

IMPROBABLE.... wow. I remember that boat, it was just as I was starting to get into sailing, and this gigantic War Boat sailed by the islander Bahama I was crewing on. I remember gawking like a startstruck teenager.

 

[sleddog]

6/7/12

WILDFLOWER has temporarily left the land of "Loonies" and "Twonies," which are Canada's $1 and $2 dollar coins. You need a handful of these for a hot shower or laundry at the marina. Canada was more expensive than expected, about 30% more than U.S. due to value of dollar and 12% tax on everything.

Rain chased us back across Haro Straits. With a fair (ebb) tide of 3 knots and a port tack reach, we hauled the mail to Roche Harbor, where armed customs officers welcomed us back to the U.S. with a bunch of intrusive questions. What, are they not going to let me back in the country if I don't have a cell phone? That seemed to be a concern.

The Hotel Haro at Roche Harbor has an old tradition of the lowering of colors at sunset, which comes about 9:30 p.m. at this latitude (48-38 N). Part tradition, part Disneyland, the flags were struck to the report of cannon fire and the theme from Bridge Over the River Kwai. I whistled along.

Our sail to Friday Harbor was in a puffy SW wind and smooth water. I tucked in a reef just before a healthy gust came off the hills, and we scooted along at 11 knots for a short time. The tide was again fair. Until just before Friday Harbor when we hit the incoming flood at Pt. Caution.. In the space of one boat length the tide went from 2 knots ebb to 5.5 knots flood. We were stopped dead in our tracks, and it took the OB at full throttle to make crawling headway along shore.

I anchored in the low rent section just north of Friday Harbor marina. There is quite an assortment of liveaboard contraptions here. The local beach front property owners are not happy with their view of the "fleet." Soon after anchoring, I took the binos, aimed them at the sun, and focused the beam on the hatch board. Sure enough, there was the black dot of Venus transiting the face of the sun.

Wed. morning was a -3.0' low tide. Just before WF took the ground, I pulled anchor from three feet of water and motored over to the Marina dock. $20 for the night seemed good value for a secure berth with an incoming late season front and strong SE winds forecast.

 

[sleddog]

6/10/12

Friday Harbor is the hub of the American San Juan Islands. It is about the same size as Belvedere/Tiburon coves. In this area, ferries, float planes, and super yachts come and go with frequency. The waterfront scene is ever changing during the summer season. http://www.islandcam.com/fridayhrbr.html

Nearby is the schooner SPIKE AFRICA. She was designed and built in 1972 by Bob Sloan as a working schooner, and used to carry race boat gear to and from Mexico and Hawaii races, as well as appearing in many films and TV shows.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.386184762099.171835.342940562099&type=1&comment_id=12734344

After Bob Sloan died, SPIKE AFRICA, languished in the tropical sun of Kauai and fell on hard times. But new owners here in Friday Harbor have totally restored her from keel to truck. Geeez she looks good and stirs the sailor's soul.

The author and conservationist Ernie Gann lived near Friday Harbor. His aviation and sea stories are epics and a great read. I recommend his autobiography SONG Of the SIRENS, particularly to anyone with schooner in their blood.