Weather: Cool-thin overcast to sunny and warm. Winds: SE 15-20 becoming light. Seas: 2-3ft becoming <1ft.
Greeted
with strong winds and ugly waves coming out of Kingston. Made 7kts
beating with a single reefed main with full genoa. With the chop,
thought to head into the Sound and then tack back west and take the
inside passages, Agate Pass, Rich Passage etc, south even though it most
likely meant motoring. Looking ahead, I could see several sails on the
east side of the Sound and realized we could get across and reduce the
fetch, but still get the winds.
Half hour later, we
were in smooth waters off Shoreline and tacking SW. Stayed on this tack
until the waves became uncomfortable and then headed back towards the
shore. Continued this tactic until the winds died just NE of Vashon.
As we continued south, the winds steadily decreased and we shook out the
reef around Shilshole. Still had good winds as we entered Elliot Bay,
making 6kts. We had not been down the east side of the Puget Sound so
it was nice to see some of the places we had read about, Shilshole
Marina, entrance to Ballard Locks, West Point Lighthouse, Elliot Bay and
downtown Seattle.
Had an interesting encounter with a
tug towing a barge...nothing dangerous, just an interesting exercise.
We initially noted the tug about 2 miles behind us in the southbound
traffic lane. As we rounded West Point, it was within a 1/2 mile,
turning into Elliot Bay. Our two vessels were on parallel courses, us
to the north, and they steadily gained on us. At Elliot Bay Marina, it
was clear they were going to pass us. Then the wind picked up and we
began to slowly increase our lead on them, to the point we were about
300 yards ahead, but not yet in a position to cross in front of them.
With the Port of Seattle looming, instead of a 90 degree right turn,
tacking in front of the tug and probably causing a lot of trouble, we
did a left 270, gybing and going behind the tug's barge. The maneuver
went smoothly! Depowered the main by easing it out. As we turned, the
sail started to power up, I sheeted it in, once again depowering it and
positioning it for the gybe. Completing the gybe, we kept the sail
sheeted out and depowered, waiting for the barge to pass. Ended up
waiting for a tour boat also.... Once the traffic passed, sheeted in
and headed out of Elliot Bay IVO West Seattle.
Kept on
this tack to the north end of Vashon and tacked back. At this point,
the winds were light and variable. Just as I was about to give up, a
gust would come along and we were heading south. IVO the West Seattle
Ferry Landing, tacked back and ended up just about were we started on
the previous tack...not getting anywere. Fired up the engine and
motored into the Colvos. Once in the Colvos, S winds picked up.
Sailing proved a better VMG so we tacked back and fourth until the winds
became light, about 1/2 through. Motored the rest of the way Gig
Harbor.
Arrived Gig around 1730 and tired. Tides' Dock
was completely empty and fish and chips are on their menu as is
Shocktop. Stopped, walked the dogs and then sat down for dinner. On
the way to our intended anchorage, we checked out the free public dock.
While the end looked open, the spaces were reserved for dinghies or
pump out. Anchored off Arabella's in 20ft at low tide. Put out 100ft
of scope along with the 10 pound kellet. There were pretty strong tidal
currents and we did not appear to move. The kellet definitely kept the
rode angle down!
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