Cheryl and I had planned for a simple over night sail for a quite evening in Snug Cove with our dog Kingsley. We had no idea what we were in for.
The weather was beautiful with 6-8 knots of breeze. We sailed lazily for Point Atkinson where the wind shut off and we motored. Then things started to go side way. On the way to Bowen I fell through the companion way bruising my arm and pride.
Ouch!
When we got to the marina we found that Bowen Island was in the middle of Bowfest, the local Island pride day. It actually was pretty fun with tons of people having a good time. The music however began to grate on the nerves at about 9pm. Luckily they turned it off at 10pm. If only the boat next to us did!
The weather was beautiful with 6-8 knots of breeze. We sailed lazily for Point Atkinson where the wind shut off and we motored. Then things started to go side way. On the way to Bowen I fell through the companion way bruising my arm and pride.
Ouch!
When we got to the marina we found that Bowen Island was in the middle of Bowfest, the local Island pride day. It actually was pretty fun with tons of people having a good time. The music however began to grate on the nerves at about 9pm. Luckily they turned it off at 10pm. If only the boat next to us did!
Typical Wet Coast Weather
We awoke to heavy rain. It made SEA WEASEL feel nice and cozy and we spent a lazy morning getting breakfast and provisions for our return lunch. With no signs of the rain letting up we prepared to leave. As we tided up a man in a 26 foot sailboat with a full family and grandfather aboard approached us and asked us about the wind. He was nervous about the conditions and wanted to know what we were going to do. He told me that the wind was suppose to be blowing over 30 knots at Point Atkinson. I told him we had been through rough weather and were going for it. To be honest I didn't believe him as I had checked http://www.sailflow.com/ which showed light winds.
We motored out into How Sound where it was more or less windless and we continued along towards the Point where we could see wind. As we approached we encountered rapidly increasing wind and current. The boat took on 10 degrees of heel with a bare pole and we found it difficult motoring into the wind and current which was flooding. With our lack of progress frustrating us in heavy winds we decided to hoist our jib and power through the rough seas. This worked beautifully and we were soon making 5.5-6 knots instead of 2 knots.
We arrived home exhausted and wet. Kingsley managed to survive the affair hiding in his pen we made with the lee cloth. All in all a fun trip!
We awoke to heavy rain. It made SEA WEASEL feel nice and cozy and we spent a lazy morning getting breakfast and provisions for our return lunch. With no signs of the rain letting up we prepared to leave. As we tided up a man in a 26 foot sailboat with a full family and grandfather aboard approached us and asked us about the wind. He was nervous about the conditions and wanted to know what we were going to do. He told me that the wind was suppose to be blowing over 30 knots at Point Atkinson. I told him we had been through rough weather and were going for it. To be honest I didn't believe him as I had checked http://www.sailflow.com/ which showed light winds.
We motored out into How Sound where it was more or less windless and we continued along towards the Point where we could see wind. As we approached we encountered rapidly increasing wind and current. The boat took on 10 degrees of heel with a bare pole and we found it difficult motoring into the wind and current which was flooding. With our lack of progress frustrating us in heavy winds we decided to hoist our jib and power through the rough seas. This worked beautifully and we were soon making 5.5-6 knots instead of 2 knots.
We arrived home exhausted and wet. Kingsley managed to survive the affair hiding in his pen we made with the lee cloth. All in all a fun trip!
Motoring towards Point Atkinson in 30 knots.
Motoring towards Point Atkinson in 30 knots.
Sailing towards Spainish Banks in lessening wind.
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