The first week in June we headed west as we are want to do every other year. The goal as always was to pack as much as we could in just a few days. A few repeat experiences and some new ones. Dan was along for the trip and we left super early. Seven hours later found us in Issaquah, Washington and the Cougar Mountain Zoo. After a quick trip to see the animals we checked into our hotel, Comfort Inn SeaTac and took the light rail into town. We had a schooner to catch.
Readers of the blog will remember last time we sailed in Seattle the SV Obsession was fired upon by a schooner in Elliot Bay. This time we took the schooner, Bay Lady out for a cruise. It was my first time on a schooner and was everything I hopped it would be. Here is that story in pictures.
Bay Lady in Bell Harbor Marina
Helping haul the mainsail
Deckhand
At the Helm
Down the deck
Raising the head sails
Bay Lady was custom built for charter sailing in 1989 and runs 85' in length. Her hull and rig are steel with wooden spars. On our sailing day both head sails, fore and main sails were used. It was an amazing feeling standing next the the helm, hands behind my back and looking down the sweep of the vessel. I understand a bit more now about standing an officers watch in my Napoleonic naval fiction books. We also spent a bit of time examining the gaff rig and how we can improve our own. The captain was kind enough to offer some advice on that as well. Seattle's Tall Ship is most certainly worth a trip. We may well go again next time we are in the area and sight seeing.
The next day it was up early and on to Port Townsend. But first I wanted to stop at the US Undersea Museum in Portsbo, something I've been meaning to do. It was awesome and we'll have to go back to get it all. Wonderfully done.
USS Montana License Plate
"Damn it Bill! Slow Down!" DSRV Mystic
"Target Subaru Impreza! Speed 0! Range 75 Yards! Angle on the bow 20! Match sonar bearings and shoot!"
We had a day sail planned with Left Coast Charters, something we've done in the past. I never pass up an opportunity to sail a catboat. Certainly not a wooden one built where it sails. Katie M. is a Crosby inspired cruising catboat, ~23' in length depending on what measurement you want. She was built at the wooden boat building school in Port Haddock, WA and was purchased after only a few times out. Eric Brown and Alyce Flanagan rebuilt the boat and now sail it on a charter basis out of the Point Hudson Marina. She's a cool boat with a custom electric drive and fresh flowers on board. Eric called us and let us know the winds were due up and if wanted to move our sail back a few hours. We did and it was well worth it. There is nothing like an almost hull speed sail on a well reefed cat. I would know.
Alyce and Eric with my CBA Burgee
Heading for the bell buoy
Dan and Kat enjoying the ride
Triple reefed new sail and logo
All to soon we were reaching back into town. Eric gave us a quick waterfront sail by and then it was down with the rig. The electric motor brought us smoothly back to the dock and with a slick docking maneuver it was over. I can't speak highly enough of the whole operation. A true class act in every way. The best way to see a Victorian sea port is in a Victorian era working boat and Left Coast Charters will let you do just that.
The next day we woke up early to ensure a spot in line for breakfast at the Point Hudson Cafe. I had the same meal I had the first time I wandered in back in 2019, Raisin French Toast and eggs.
Food art
After breakfast we needed some help with our Bobcat sail from The Artful Sailor. To work with a master sail maker was a joy and a pleasure and Salty Sue is wonderful. Sadly our schedule meant leaving the sail and we look forward to seeing the finished project. Worth a stop for sure.
Emiliano and Kat
After a day of sightseeing in Port Townsend it was another night at the Fort Worden campground and then back to Seattle. In Seattle we stopped by the Center for Wooden Boats and I took some photos there.
Dan and a schooner
Chewbacco?
Kitten Bow
Kitten at rest
All in all it was a wonderful trip. The sailing was excellent and was good to be near the salt water again. Right now we are planning a return trip in 2024 for the Pocket Yacht Palooza and Crooza. But more on that later.
No comments:
Post a Comment