Weather looks good for next 3 days, so...

[baz]

I think we will 'set sail' for 3 days going up north toward Anacortes for a bit. Will check out the Garmin BlueChart Mobile on 1st Mate's iPad and the Navimatics Charts&Tides beta Version 1.0.13108 (63c1241) on my 17" MacBookPro8,3 model. My two Fox Terriers are getting cabin fever and a dose of salt air and some new experiences for them might just be the ticket... 😉

 

[Knot Finishe]

We crossed Georgia Strait just hours ago, and it was beautiful.

I had to chuckle at your nav aids, considering we spent years sailing Howe Sound with nothing more than a chart, and I'm not even sure that was aboard some days. Different times and the brashness of youth - I love chartplotters and such now.

John

 

[baz]

Weather is definitely just right. Called La Conner for an overnight stay and they said I could take my pick of slips as nothing too much is happening. 😀 Should be there at slack if my cruise timing is correct. Then tomorrow will run up to Anacortes/Cap Sante and hang out there for a bit and chat with Anne Cox on/at Dock P-25. Unfortunately I'll miss Ray on Dog Islander and his R-27. I understand that Cap Sante does not have an official permanent Guest dock... I guess I simply call them as I approach to get directions ! I've never entered into the Cap Sante Marina from the water side before and the channel into it seems narrow and at times shallow... per my Chart/Map ????

I can't believe how many pillows and cushions 1st Mate needs for these short trips. :lol: There's so many of them that I suspect the Two Fox Terries will dig in and hide. 😉 It does make for a comfy V-berth mind you. :roll:

 

[Auklet]

Barry --- Once you find the entrance channel to Cap Sante you should not have any trouble with shallows. A helpful word here would be to stay close to the end of the piling breakwater (FL R "6") and be prepared to make a hard turn to starboard. It's hard to see the boats coming out but they normally stay wide in the turn. Stay left of the pump out station. It is shallow between the pump out and the breakwater. If you have not already done so, you might check (http://www.portofanacortes.com/visit/th ... marina-map). Call VHF66a or 360-293-0694 for slip assignment. It should be a perfect day, have fun.

 

[baz]

We layover at La Conner for the night. Very quiet and only one other boat here. There's free wifi which is nice. $0.8/foot for the night. Arrived at slack so current was manageable.
Will go up to Cap Sante in morning. Weather and waters were calm with the odd 1foot chop now and then. Saratoga Passage always has surprises waiting for you, but all was well. Pushed the tug along at 13 Kts for around 45 mins to make slack at La Conner and timed it just right. Most of the trip we made 9 Kts which was leisurely and all abroad felt comfortable.

If Anne reading -- will see you tomorrow at P 25.

Goodnight...

 

[baz]

Barry --- Once you find the entrance channel to Cap Sante you should not have any trouble with shallows. A helpful word here would be to stay close to the end of the piling breakwater (FL R "6") and be prepared to make a hard turn to starboard. It's hard to see the boats coming out but they normally stay wide in the turn. Stay left of the pump out station. It is shallow between the pump out and the breakwater. If you have not already done so, you might check (http://www.portofanacortes.com/visit/th ... marina-map). Call VHF66a or 360-293-0694 for slip assignment. It should be a perfect day, have fun.

Cary: All of that was good info/advice. To tell you the truth, it was nigh impossible to understand the Cap Sante entrance buoys until almost on top of them. There are a lot of those buoys bobbing about. My Chart Plotter showed a series of red buoys outlining the fuel/oil dock but did not see any of them (maybe just one...). Once in clear sight of the Marina's entrance which is almost hidden by the large bluff as you approach from distance it was obvious where things were and your advice on spotting FL R "6" (the last one) and care entering and being ready to turn hard to starboard was excellent info. I was lucky as no boat was leaving as I entered. I liked the NO ENTRY warning sign just before the breakwater :lol: In the busy summer months I can see entering/leaving this Marina could present some awkward moments. I hope Patrick provides good advice for those who have not visited Cap Sante before in the Rendezvous 2013 instructions.

Once inside Cap Sante it was too easy to overshoot my assigned slip dock finger which was C-12. So had to go about and return to between Dock B and Dock C. I missed the B sign (it's possible missing!!!!) and once I saw the D dock I knew I had overshot somehow. The thrusters were shown off and did a good job turning the boat 360º. 😉

Cape Sante gave me 4 hrs of free time on C-12 right in front of Anthony's. Anne Cox was ready with Gus on C-12 and gave me a helping hand. Apart from one other boat on C Dock we were the only ones there. I wonder if C Dock will be used for the Annual meeting later this year for Sep 6-8 ? If not we will all be scattered about the Marina. Anne was docked way way over on P Dock... it was quite a hike over and we needed to exit the Marina docks via the land ramp and walk way around to get to the ramp down to the P Dock.

Anne was a wonderful host and treated 1st Mate and me to a nice lunch on board her NEW green hulled R-29... this was a surprise as last time we met up with Anne she was in an R-25SC. Way to go Anne... seems all our recent TugNut friends are upgrading within 1 or 2 years of owning their first Ranger Tug. Anne does live aboard her boat so it makes a lot of sense. Boy, the new R-29s are VERY nice indeed.

Two things I noted about the R-29... 1) The only real way to get onto the boat is via the swim step. Gill could not have got onto the boat any other way due to her poor balance, 2) The Microwave is located very low down making it almost impossible to see its operating controls -- and Anne and I could not see why it could not be located on the counter top forward of the sinks as there's an electrical outlet handy at this spot. Anne had asked for this change but Ranger Tugs told her "no changes, as production mistakes can easily be made..." !!!!!! I also understand that Ranger Tugs will not swap in the SmartPlug if requested during the boat's building!!!!!!

Anne has tapped into my handy work for making wood panels to cover up the openings above the windshield glass, and on her R-29 there's just 2 on either side of the TV unit. The port side one is considerably larger than the starboard side one due to the searchlight control. I took measurements and will gladly construct these for Anne along with the brass bolts, washers and wing nuts for easy panel removal.

I noted Cap Sante offers US Customs service. This will be helpful for the Canadians attending the Annual TugNut meeting.

Again... Cary, thanks for your advice on entering Cap Sante -- it was helpful. Now of course I know what to expect come Sep 6 for the annual TugNut's meeting. 🙂

 

[baz]

A few snapshots taken along our way

Anne Cox and Gill on Anne's new R-29

La Conner's Bridge in early morning with sun showing it nicely reflected...

A small tug came by very very early while we were docked towing a log jam that must have been 500-feet long. It moved ever so slowly and was fighting the current. It seemed to be making 1/2 kt at best. We left some two hours later and we crossed paths with this tug without its logs but never could figure out where it had unloaded the logs.

A thick unused blanket tucked around the cabin step provided a few Db-s less noise in the cabin. 😉