Thefb
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2012
- Messages
- 36
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
- Vessel Name
- Fat Buoy
- MMSI Number
- 338155826
It had been a long week and I was looking forward to an escape with Karie, we had been planning an overnighter somewhere just hadn't quite decided where. I was out of town the previous week and managed to pick up a cold so was a little stuffy and fuzzy headed. (Its 2:00 AM as I write this, sneezing is keeping me awake)
We decided to put in at Seacrest Park near Alki Beach with the intent on cruising to Bremerton for dinner and the night.
The launch was uneventful as Karie and I have a good routine and can have the boat set up and in the water quickly.
The water was mild, no waves and looked like good cruising weather.
We rounded the point a few minutes later and the water became choppy; not bad, at first.
Our first intention was to go around Bainbridge Island to the north simply for the cruise time, however the increasing chop convinced me we should take the direct route.
Maybe I should check the weather....
I turned the VHF to the weather channel and discovered there is a Small Craft Advisory for the area, that would explain the now very busy seas and occasional wave splashing over the bow.
Why didn't we check before?
I suppose the excitement of a short get away and my being out of town influenced our lack of forethought.
Karie has a very worried look on her face at this point and is clearly nervous, I suggest we turn back and put in on Lake Washington, have a nice day cruise and sleep at home tonight. "Its your call" she states.
I decided it can't get any worse so we keep going.
It didn't get any worse, not any better either until we rounded the southern tip of Bainbridge Island.
I don't know how big the waves were however several big ones crashed over the bow as we were going down and they were coming up. I discovered timing was everything in these conditions and adjusted our speed a few times to find the best ride. Hitting the waves at a 45 degree angle seemed to provide the best ride while adjusting the throttle as needed. We experienced some roll however wasn't uncomfortable to me, Karie might dispute that however.
Over all the cruise was exciting but good, the boat handled well and was very responsive when needed. We ran with the autopilot engaged for much of the crossing and only took over when a series of bigger waves appeared or I needed to make a more drastic course adjustment.
It was still relatively early so we decided to cruise up Dyes Inlet to Silverdale for a late lunch. This was a good plan except for the pesky tide, 4 knots was max speed for a while. It was a very late lunch.
Back to Bremerton we made better time as the tide was just coming in and the current wasn't too fast.
We walked the water front area for a couple hours thinking to build an appetite however the late lunch discouraged a full meal. We did share a light dinner at the little hole in the wall Hawaiian place, great food and great service.
So far it has been a great weekend get away and once again I have learned some important cruising lessons.
Weather and tide can have a significant impact!
Had I been aware of the small craft advisory we may not have gone out. I am glad we did as we got the opportunity to experience some bigger seas and gain confidence in the boat and our abilities. I wouldn't hesitate to cruise in these conditions again however Karie may not join me.
This was our first time fighting a tide, not a real problem however I was hungry and we didn't pack a lunch!
We decided to put in at Seacrest Park near Alki Beach with the intent on cruising to Bremerton for dinner and the night.
The launch was uneventful as Karie and I have a good routine and can have the boat set up and in the water quickly.
The water was mild, no waves and looked like good cruising weather.
We rounded the point a few minutes later and the water became choppy; not bad, at first.
Our first intention was to go around Bainbridge Island to the north simply for the cruise time, however the increasing chop convinced me we should take the direct route.
Maybe I should check the weather....
I turned the VHF to the weather channel and discovered there is a Small Craft Advisory for the area, that would explain the now very busy seas and occasional wave splashing over the bow.
Why didn't we check before?
I suppose the excitement of a short get away and my being out of town influenced our lack of forethought.
Karie has a very worried look on her face at this point and is clearly nervous, I suggest we turn back and put in on Lake Washington, have a nice day cruise and sleep at home tonight. "Its your call" she states.
I decided it can't get any worse so we keep going.
It didn't get any worse, not any better either until we rounded the southern tip of Bainbridge Island.
I don't know how big the waves were however several big ones crashed over the bow as we were going down and they were coming up. I discovered timing was everything in these conditions and adjusted our speed a few times to find the best ride. Hitting the waves at a 45 degree angle seemed to provide the best ride while adjusting the throttle as needed. We experienced some roll however wasn't uncomfortable to me, Karie might dispute that however.
Over all the cruise was exciting but good, the boat handled well and was very responsive when needed. We ran with the autopilot engaged for much of the crossing and only took over when a series of bigger waves appeared or I needed to make a more drastic course adjustment.
It was still relatively early so we decided to cruise up Dyes Inlet to Silverdale for a late lunch. This was a good plan except for the pesky tide, 4 knots was max speed for a while. It was a very late lunch.
Back to Bremerton we made better time as the tide was just coming in and the current wasn't too fast.
We walked the water front area for a couple hours thinking to build an appetite however the late lunch discouraged a full meal. We did share a light dinner at the little hole in the wall Hawaiian place, great food and great service.
So far it has been a great weekend get away and once again I have learned some important cruising lessons.
Weather and tide can have a significant impact!
Had I been aware of the small craft advisory we may not have gone out. I am glad we did as we got the opportunity to experience some bigger seas and gain confidence in the boat and our abilities. I wouldn't hesitate to cruise in these conditions again however Karie may not join me.
This was our first time fighting a tide, not a real problem however I was hungry and we didn't pack a lunch!