Karma's Next Adventure

Stella Maris

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
1,500
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
Vessel Name
Destiny
Maureen and I will be heading out for Blakely Harbor next Saturday (July 10th) morning. As we prepare for our trip north to Desolation, we are testing all systems to insure that everything is in working order. While in the past we never stayed in Marina's, with Karma we have never anchored. This next weekend, the anchor will be tested.

So far, we have determined:
We can get by for four days on the standard water tank
We can keep the batteries charged throughout the day using the two small solar panels
We can go for four and half days without needing to pumpout. (we know we can go longer, we just don't push this one. Once the "yellow" light comes on, we pump within the day)
We have tested the launch and retrival system of the dinghy from the hardtop.

Anyone wishing to join us in Blakely Harbor is welcome.
 
I am curious what you have found or estimated your cruising range at various speeds. Of course varies with sea conditions, but assuming "average" conditions and a full load of fuel how far do you think you can you go on full tanks leaving at least 10-15% reserve?
 
It would be easier to answer this in this manner:

At 6 knot's we burn two gallons per hour for a range of 360 KM
At 8 knot's we burn four gallons per hour for a range of 240 KM
At 11 knot's we burn seven gallons per hour for a range of 190 KM
And at the killer 18 knots, we burn 14 gallons per hour for a range of 150 KM

Given that, we have a 120 gallon main tank and a 30 gallon reserve/generator tank. Distance traveled is only taking into account the main tank leaving 30 gallons of reserve. The speeds and distances are taking into account slack or little current. Riding the current can increase the distance greatly.

Our average cruising speed is 8 knot's with average consumption of 4 GPH. On the return from the Gulf Islands, we had a two knot boost from the incoming tide pushing us along at 11 knots while we were showing a burn rate of only 5 GPH!

Our normal cruise consists of running up to 15 knots after exiting the marina for about ten minutes. This warms the motor and oil. We then drop down to 7 knots until we are ten minutes out from our destination at which time we run it back up again.
 
Thanks for the very complete answer
 
We will be heading out late this evening to spend the night on the mooring poles on Blake Island. In the morning we will be heading over to Blakely Harbor to hang on the hook. Anyone wanting to join us is more than welcome!
 
Toni and I are on a mooring buoy on the north side Blake.
 
We will honk real loud as we go by tonight..... should be around midnight!!!!!! We will be in Blake Island Marina until around 10 to 11 tomorrow and then heading to Blakely Harbor (three miles away) to hang on the hook. It is the one thing that we have not yet done on Karma! Come on by!!!!!
 
David --- Many years ago (about 20), there was only one power cable in Blakely Harbor. I knew about where it was and was able to avoid it. I know that many other cables have been added over the years and the latest updated charts designate the whole bay as "cable area". Strongly urge using a trip line on your anchor. My favorite Bainbridge anchorage is on the north end of the island in Port Madison. Once I lost an anchor on the south side of Blake when I hooked a streetcar. But that's another story. Have fun. --- Cary
 
A street car???????

Thanks for the tip on Blakely..... would not want to loose that new Rocna Anchor.....
 
I think we'll come out and raft up for lunch. We're going to Subway before we go to the marina. What can we get you? Anyone else going to be there?

Cheers
 
Karma's anchor has hit the bottom for the first time! Hopefully we will see it again....... We are on the hook in Blakely Harbor.

We ran into Toni and Russ on Traveler on our way out. They were headed for Bremerton. Great looking vessel they have there! I will post the pictures I took of them later.

Anyone wanting to join us is welcome.
 
Our first night of hanging on the hook on Karma went off without a hitch. For the majority of the day the breeze blew out of the east keeping our bow facing the city. We spent the entire afternoon sitting on the foredeck just admiring what has got to be one of the best views anywhere. Clear blue sky, blue water, and one of the most beautiful city skylines anywhere. And all this from the foredeck of Karma!

At about two we were suddenly overrun by pirates! Well maybe not real pirates but a large group of boaters (12 boats in all) with everyone dressed up as pirates. They came into Blakely Harbor and rafted for the afternoon. It was quite the sight to see! By five, all but two vessels had departed.

We had ten additional vessels overnight in the cove with us as well as a nesting pair of eagles. The eagles were visible for the majority of the day roosting in a large pine right at the waters edge. After dinner we went back up to the foredeck and watch the city transform into a whole different world as the sun set behind us. The skyscrapers all took on various hues of orange and red as the sun approached the western horizon. As night closed in, the lights of the city came on! What a sight!

I awoke this morning to the screech of one of the eagles along with foghorns...... it seems a fog bank had formed overnight! The cove takes on a whole new appearance with fog hanging overhead. It is still and quiet with barely a ripple on the water.

Anyone looking for a great spot to overnight or just hang on the hook for the afternoon, I would recommend giving Blakely Harbor a try!

Karma's next adventure will take place on the 24th and 25th of July. We will be spending next weekend in our other home in Henderson. Not quite sure why, just think we should be there at least once a month......

See you on the water!
 
Well we got the anchor back from Blakely Harbor! It came up with issues what so ever!

Our next adventure will take us to Des Moines Marina on the 23rd of July. We will hit the farmers market on the morning of the 24th and then head over to Gig for Saturday night. Anyone wanting to join us, please feel free to do so.
 
Any tips on where to anchor in Blakely Harbor?
 
Hey Karma,
Make yourself a anchor thimble like we have I think they will work. We are glad you guys are having fun.
Bob
 
Trinity,
We anchored in the back south west corner of Blakely. There is a small inflatable on a mooring ball that we anchored in front of. We dropped the hook in 27 feet of water (Low tide). We had a terrific view of Seattle from this location.
 
Thanks
We plan on checking it out this summer.
 
Let us know when you plan to be there. If you feel like company, maybe we will join you. It is a very nice place to spend an afternoon and evening.

Waking in the morning to fog laying low over the water, fog horns off in the distance, the smell of fresh coffee on the stove. What more could you ask for. Incredible place!
 
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