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We're planning an overnight sail to Friday Harbor this weekend, so I was hoping to hear some folks' experiences in the area.
Basically I'm proposing approximately three plans that the crew and I can decide on while we're under way, given the conditions. The reason I'm leaving it up in the air is the forecast: supposed to be north winds for two days, which is great for getting down there from Point Roberts, but sucky on the way back.
Plan A: overnight in Friday Harbor. Pros: electricity, plus a new town to check out. Cons: could be 12+ hours return trip, which means sailing in the dark part way.
Plan B: lots of good anchorages along the way. We could spend the night on the hook in the lee of Jones or Waldron Island. Pros: knock as much as 10 nm and thus possibly 3 hrs off the return trip (beating the whole way don't forget); anchoring practice would be nice. Cons: potentially can't spent much time ashore; no electricity.
Plan C: Sucia/Patos/Matia. In principle we could spend the night there, but it would be almost as easy to just head back to PR for the night and return or go to a different island on day 2. Pros: close to home; familiar with the area; more time to spend on shore. Cons: wife and I have been there already (guests have not).
I've also looked at Roche and Deer Harbors but they don't seem any closer than Friday.
So those are the options. Our guests are fairly newbly but they have been out with us before. Forecast again is for N (sometimes NE, sometimes NW) winds around 20 kt on Monday; currently looking for clear skies but near-freezing temps. Heading northbound late Monday morning also calls for fighting the ebb in the Channel.
I'd appreciate any pointers from mariners familiar with Waldron or Jones Island, or the San Juan Channel in general, especially around this time of year.
Thanks in advance! Will update the forum upon our safe return.
Basically I'm proposing approximately three plans that the crew and I can decide on while we're under way, given the conditions. The reason I'm leaving it up in the air is the forecast: supposed to be north winds for two days, which is great for getting down there from Point Roberts, but sucky on the way back.
Plan A: overnight in Friday Harbor. Pros: electricity, plus a new town to check out. Cons: could be 12+ hours return trip, which means sailing in the dark part way.
Plan B: lots of good anchorages along the way. We could spend the night on the hook in the lee of Jones or Waldron Island. Pros: knock as much as 10 nm and thus possibly 3 hrs off the return trip (beating the whole way don't forget); anchoring practice would be nice. Cons: potentially can't spent much time ashore; no electricity.
Plan C: Sucia/Patos/Matia. In principle we could spend the night there, but it would be almost as easy to just head back to PR for the night and return or go to a different island on day 2. Pros: close to home; familiar with the area; more time to spend on shore. Cons: wife and I have been there already (guests have not).
I've also looked at Roche and Deer Harbors but they don't seem any closer than Friday.
So those are the options. Our guests are fairly newbly but they have been out with us before. Forecast again is for N (sometimes NE, sometimes NW) winds around 20 kt on Monday; currently looking for clear skies but near-freezing temps. Heading northbound late Monday morning also calls for fighting the ebb in the Channel.
I'd appreciate any pointers from mariners familiar with Waldron or Jones Island, or the San Juan Channel in general, especially around this time of year.
Thanks in advance! Will update the forum upon our safe return.