Wild ride on the Sound

[Ernie]

I’ve had Daisy inside the locks to have new kicker mounted. Weather has not been good for getting her home, with more on the way.
I got a few stout crew to come with me today to bring her home . Whooo Hooo! What a ride. Wind did not moderate as predicted. Wind bounced around at 25 to 30 + and waves kept coming on the nose at 4’ to 6 ‘. I’ve been slowly learning Daisy for the past few months. Today I feel like I graduated from the introductory class. This little boat is a tuffy! Pushed through at mostly 8mph and surfed home at 14 mph when we were able to make the downwind turn into Elliott bay.
I chose to go for it and Daisy was up to it. Don’t need to do that again soon.
PS now enjoying the AFC game a lot

 

[walldog]

Always a good feeling to see what these boats will take. Having been in similar situations in our 21, 27, and now our 31, they will handle a lot more than us. Stay safe.

 

[harry ames]

And no one shot any video? Aw, come on people! Tugs bashing through seas are a great teacher for the rest of us.

 

[Ernie]

That is what I realized just as we skidded through the breakwater into our home marina
Lesson one, be prepared, with everything stowed or well placed if you might need it underway.
I was 100% locked in on the wrestling match with the helm. Today I’m a bit stiff and my legs are actually sore,like after a hard workout at the gym. There was not a second to do anything but drive and brace for the next one. Lesson two :designate a camera person to document,but be sure they are well seated and focused first on their own safety( lots of hard surfaces to avoid in the boat.
What I got better at : small moves of the wheel and throttle to angle a few degrees off as I approached the wave top then back a few dgrees to come out the bottom and then more power up the next one, etc etc
By doing that persistently I was able to avoid most of the free falls.