Friday Harbor

December 31, 2013

With the weekend available for a trip on the boat, but the Espar diesel heater in the shop (again!) we decided to go to Friday Harbor where we could tie up to the dock and stay warm on the boat using the electric heater. It has been a challenge trying to figure out the Espar heater's intermittent problems. (Jenny Wren's original owner accumulated a pile of receipts for attempted repairs as well.) It is basically a simple system, but it does have fuel metering, electrical voltage,  and air flow/ducting sensitivities. And, of course there is the control box: the mysterious silver box, the size and shape of something that you'd find inside of a bomb, that is the brains of the unit. Hope springs eternal, and I'm optimistic that it will be up and running next week.

Wind on the quarter.

Winter in the San Juan Islands is a good time to sail. There is usually some South wind, moderate temperatures in the 40's, and very few boats on the water compared to the summer. With a North wind, clear conditions and cooler temperatures generally occur. We enjoyed some downwind sailing and favorable currents on the trip to Friday Harbor.  With a tidal range reaching 12' and more, there is a lot of water moving through the channels, passes, and straits during the maximum flood and ebb tides. We use the knot meter and the GPS to give us the boat's speed through the water and over the bottom respectively. The difference between the two is due to the effect of the current. Using the current tables (which show what the current is doing at any given time and place) can make a lot of difference in how the day goes - especially when a boat is only going 5 to 7 knots. Currents of 3 or 4 knots are common in many places, and twice that in some narrow passes. Going backwards, when all of the sails are up and drawing, is bad for morale.

Genoa is hard at work.

Whirlpools, tide rips, and overfalls can be dangerous to small craft and can skew a larger boat around unexpectedly. At times when a strong wind opposes an especially strong current, the tide rips can become very difficult to negotiate and should be approached with great caution or avoided altogether if possible. I have been surprised a number of times by the force of currents,  especially so when they are trying to pull the boat onto the rocks.

Our trip to Friday Harbor was free of such drama: just an easy downwind sail with a slight boost from the current. We stayed well clear of the fast moving and very large Washington State Ferries. They can make me nervous.

Percy is stowed.

And speaking of nervous, Percy, the cat, made her maiden voyage with us on this trip. Our thinking was that it was time to get her familiar with the boat.  Percy's thinking was that this was a lot worse than a trip to the vet. After finding a place where she felt safe from the constant motion, things were a little better. The engine, however, was another story. She really did not like the sound of the diesel engine. This is going to take some time.

Friday Harbor, WA

Friday Harbor is a boat friendly town. The main street through town begins at the ferry landing and the Port of Friday Harbor docks. Everything is within walking distance. The Cask and Schooner was doing a brisk lunchtime business, and the reason for its popularity became clear to us while we were enjoying our meal. Feeling a lot like tourists, we strolled around town and walked the docks looking at boats. It was a good weekend getaway, particularly with the quiet winter atmosphere.