Monday, 28May2012: Poulsbo to Port Townsend

Weather:  Overcast and cool.  Winds:  S 5 to zero ultimately NW 15-20.  Seas:  Calm becoming 2-3ft.

Strider inport Poulsbo with Captain's Mast

After a nice, warm weekend in Poulsbo and satisfying our Viking Cup (Sluys Bakery) needs, watching bald eagles fishing between the dock and sea wall (including roosting on Captain's Mast - poop on the boat, poop on the boat!) departed Poulsbo with the tide anticipating a push north.  With Kelly at the helm, departure was pretty, like we had done it before!  Motored out of Liberty Bay in company with Captain's Mast.  RT checked our radar signature, which was nearly zero, pointing out reflectors were needed.  Water balloons were exchanged!

Motored through Agate Pass, picking up a south wind in Port Madison and sailed @5kts under main and screecher.  Watched a bald eagle attempt to take a fish.  Attempting multiple grabs, the eagle nearly settled into the water like a goose before recovering and flying off!  Since this was within 150ft of the boat, it was quite a show.

Wind totally died as we exited Port Madison.  Motored until the wind started to build from the northwest, around Kingston.  Started sailing, tacking back and forth up the Sound.  Wind continued to build, along with some rain.  Reefed the main and as the wind fluctuated, reefed the genoa as required.  Managed 8-11kts with 12-26kt apparent winds and the reefed main provided a nice, stable ride!  Reef early, reef often!

Approaching Admiralty Inlet, 3ft wind waves, with a fetch from Victoria, made their appearance.  While Skyline was only a couple hours away, the day had been a long beat.  3ft waves would have only exacerbated the pounding and we decided to go into Port T and crossed Port Townsend at 7kts.  Once again, Kelly at the helm, entry into Point Hudson Marina was a coordinated and smooth effort.

Kelly deserved a dinner out and we hit Fin's Coastal Cuisine followed by Elevated Ice Cream.

Lesson Learned:  The convergence zone.  Now had first hand experience and recognized it.  The dead wind zone south of Kingston was the heart of it, could see the clouds were different.  Perhaps, in the future, I can take it into account and take advantage of it...somehow.