Weather and a few other things have sent me south to Puget Sound. The extended San Juan Islands gunkholing plan didn’t work in part because the continued southerly winds make most of anchorages uncomfortable. I did spend enjoyable times at Parks Bay Shaw Island, Jones Island and Garrison Bay San Juan Island. A friend also shared pointers to avoid the sunken wrecks and I spent a night anchored in the North Cove at Friday Harbor.
Crossing Strait of Juan de Fuca was a non-event – a early wakeup followed by a long motor. It was chilly and I was in full raingear to keep warm. It didn’t rain.
As SWALLOW approached Point Wilson the sun burned away the clouds so the afternoon was warm-ish. I timed the crossing and rode the flood going 8+ knots into Admiralty Inlet.
An unseasonable cold period is settling into the area. The strange Summer weather has continued into these early Fall days. Since early September it had been chilly, wet and a wind event every couple of days.Yesterday sailed in a 5-10 knot wind through sun, hail, heavy rain and a rare (though not as rare as they used to be) thunderstorm.
SWALLOW had a companionway area leak that I fixed this spring. During the heavy thunderstorm rain water leaked, as all boat leaks do, onto my berth.
I believe that this water was coming through the gaps in companionway boards and the slider hatch. I’ve seen other boats with a canvas cover that can be put over the companionway – I’m thinking this may be a solution for SWALLOW.
As I write this the woodstove warming and drying SWALLOW’S cabin. In a couple of days I’ll go to Port Townsend to spend time with my dad, install the new galley stove, and restock the boat before heading to the southern portions of Puget Sound.
S/V Swallow 