07/15 - 07/17 Blakely Island

We stopped in at Blakely on our way back from Lopez, taking the scenic route, David wanted to top off the gas tank, and I confirmed my slip assignment. You all should probably call Norma and confirm your slip assignment as well. Blakely Marina and Store, 360-375-6121. Looks like this should be a big one for christenings...
 
I also talked to Norma this weekend and she emphasizes that if you are going to Blakely this summer you need to confirm/or make your reservations in the next week or so. She has a lot of pressure from other boating groups for those slips.

Fred
 
byrdman, blakey is not the island that you traveled on to get to les's but its not to far away as the c-dory travels. and if you need a ride (not a bed) out there i would be more then happy to give you a lift from e.q. to the event. What is the deliver date for the new boat.
 
Pat Anderson":17hqdb8p said:
We stopped in at Blakely on our way back from Lopez, taking the scenic route, David wanted to top off the gas tank, and I confirmed my slip assignment. You all should probably call Norma and confirm your slip assignment as well. Blakely Marina and Store, 360-375-6121. Looks like this should be a big one for christenings...
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Anita Marie":17hqdb8p said:
I also talked to Norma this weekend and she emphasizes that if you are going to Blakely this summer you need to confirm/or make your reservations in the next week or so. She has a lot of pressure from other boating groups for those slips.

Fred
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Thanks for the reminder, gentlemen. Kay called about noon, and Norma said she was the fifth caller today. We got C-11 for Friday and Saturday nights.

I have three weeks in a row off for this, starting July 11. Business junk has most of the first week wasted, but we hope to get up there Thursday. We'll be going out of Decepetion Pass again, trying once more to get a glimpse of Dusty. Maybe, just maybe, he'll let us take him to breakfast Friday morning.

After Blakely, we'll be floating around the islands for a week or so.
 
Pretty sure my boat will be in the water by then. Might be a little soon to overnight aboard, but I would really like to stop by during the gathering. Is this possible? Would I need to reserve space, or is there place to tie up during the day? Did I mention that I have never anchored before? Guess there needs to be a first time sooner or later.

Maybe I should talk to David about how long one should wait before spending the night aboard a new boat. Aren't you supposed to add water first?

Corwin :smiled
 
Corwin, No need to wait to enjoy your new boat. I picked her up and had her home opn Guemes on the 6:30 am ferry on Thurs. Spent an hour ;with my wife having breakfast (thought that to be prudent) and then four hours loading stuff onto the boat. Also installed some permenant things. Had her in the water at 2pm and started the engine break-in while I also got familiar with then new layout.

The water tank is 20 gal and I would do it using Anacortes water. Probably a good idea to rinse the tank once first adding a little clorox ( couple of teaspoons per gal.) I don't remember how the water is at Blakely, but some places have less than tasty water so I like to give it a smell and taste before filling. Of course if that's all you have a choice of then you have to go for it. Sometimes makes for lousy coffee however.

You can practice anchoring anywhere it is out of the way and not to deep, just for practice and to make sure everything works. Don'e forget to fasten the bitter end of the anchor rode to the big eye in the locker. I have heard of someone that forgot. Bye bye anchor. Time for s swim if not too deep.
I dropped mine that same day just to make sure everything was working correctly.

Unfortunately I will be in South Dakota that week-end.
 
Corwin - Anacortes to Blakely is a piece of cake, you presumably have charts but if not, the West Marine / Maptech San Juans Waterproof Chartbook is an excellent one. Straight out of Guemes Channel, across Rosario Strait, through Thatcher Pass, turn right and go up to the Blakely Marina. Call and make a slip reservation, really. At least get a handheld mapping GPS and portable VHF, if you do not have electronics fully installed - Catman notwithstanding, I just don't think you should go out without some kind of GPS. Don't forget your flares, throwable flotation thingee, lifejackets, etc. (check the Coast Guard required list). Then some gas in the tanks, kerosene in the Wallas (not strickly necessary in July we hope), water in the water tank and Thetford in the Porta-Potti, and you are ready to go! Actually, you might want to put a sleeping bag and some food and eating utensiles on board too! I suggest a flashlight, first aid kit and minimal toolbox also. The important thing is to get out there and start having fun in your new C-Dory! You will figure out what you want/need onboard in due course. And TAKE A BOATING SAFETY COURSE, either online or in person - I cannot emphasize enough how helpful this was to us (and you can always tell the people out there who have NOT taken the course). Lots of time to be ready by mid-July! See you at Blakely!!!!



Little Catelyn":35qj4uyx said:
Pretty sure my boat will be in the water by then. Might be a little soon to overnight aboard, but I would really like to stop by during the gathering. Is this possible? Would I need to reserve space, or is there place to tie up during the day? Did I mention that I have never anchored before? Guess there needs to be a first time sooner or later.

Maybe I should talk to David about how long one should wait before spending the night aboard a new boat. Aren't you supposed to add water first?

Corwin :smiled
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Well, it was rather late when I sent my last post --- I was attempting to poke fun at David for missing the ferry and having to spend the night aboard his new boat in the ferry line. Lynn and I visited Guemes Island last year and loved it, but I could see how one could get stuck if running a little too late with a load of groceries --- might have to get out a spoon and eat all that ice cream before it melts.

Thanks for the check list Pat. I have already taken the boating course offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. I hope I can get the electronics installed first. When my boat was delayed, I put off ordering an inflatable --- big mi$take to wait. Oh, and I'll try to remember to put some gas in the tanks before heading out the first time!

But I'm sure that it will be too soon to spend the night aboard at this gathering. Won't have window covers by then, or camper back. And, I haven't even thought about a sleeping bag yet. So, it will have to be a day trip(s). Still think I should reserve a slip?

Thanks,
Corwin
 
But I'm sure that it will be too soon to spend the night aboard at this gathering
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Corwin,
I would like to add my 2 cents worth as a newbie boater and new C-Dory owner. My wife Caryn and I stayed onboard the first night we had C-Dancer, at Twin Bridges in March no less. After finally getting the break-in hours out of the way, we just completed a wonderful trip to Lopez Island for the C-Brat gathering. It was fantistic, the people are all super friendly, everyone is willing to share their knowledge along with hosting their own show and tell and we're so glad we went. We spent two nights at Lopez with no privacy curtains or camperback (we'll be getting those installed over the next two weeks at Canvas Riggers) and it didn't deter us at all from having a great time.

So I would ask you to reconsider, it's great fun and well worth it.

Peter & Caryn
C-Dancer
 
Little Catelyn":560at4jb said:
But I'm sure that it will be too soon to spend the night aboard at this gathering. Won't have window covers by then, or camper back.
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You would not be the first, nor will you be the last, CB to use towels as window covers at a CBGT! And at least half the boats don't have a camper back.


c-dancer":560at4jb said:
So I would ask you to reconsider, it's great fun and well worth it.
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Ditto! Don't make us run a Poll on this!!
 
Ditto on Tyboo's comments. I've never had window coverings and have spent many nights on board. You can change in the v-berth with some effort (it has a zippered cover) OR just steam up the windows with your spouse and then change standing up... :P
 
I have had my boat since jan and now have a 149 hours on it. We spent every weekend in jan in the islands some where and have done two c-brat gatherings. We , Susan ,james and myself, still do not have window shades on the boat. Susan does not have the time during the week and weekends are for boating. You can get dresses while laying in the v-berth, its just not fun. I have held blankets up around my wife while she gets dressed. Also just wear your pj's to the shower and get dresses there. But do come on out to the gathering.
 
You can get dresses while laying in the v-berth, its just not fun.
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I realize the "s" key is right next to the "d" key, so I am betting you mean one can get "dressed" in the v-berth. Otherwise, I will have to take your word for how much or little fun it would be. :shock:

Them guys up in Alaska don't have to worry about this - going to Naked Island, and all. :smileo

Sure glad you got a sense of humor, Tom!
 
Haaa, haaa, haaa... this is too funny! Guess I had better look for a sleeping bag. And, if I want to get any sleep at all, I had better look into reserving a slip --- err, maybe I should have said moorage space.

Note to self: bring towels, leave dresses at home :wink


Thanks everyone,
Corwin
 
Yes, definitely, make the call to Blakely Marina today...the slips will be all gone shortly if they are not already all gone. Norma is not fooling here. Then you would only be able to come for the day (unless you wanted to anchor out, which is possible), and would KICK yourself. Usually there is a Saturday cruise, probably whale watching on the west side of San Juan Island, but who knows. Some folks skip the cruise and go fishing or crabbing (if there is a crabbing season). The big deal is the Saturday night potluck, you don't want to miss it for sure, that's when you get to meet everybody, check out all the boats, swap stories, etc., which is what the C-Brat deal is really about, in my humble estimation - these folks will be your new best friends! And you don't want to be motoring home in the dark, now, do you? Sunday morning there will be boat naming ceremonies (christenings). Really, eveyone has to overnight on their boat for the first time some time - it is no big deal. If you don't have a sleeping bag, an old army blanket will probably do just fine...Like the shoe company says, JUST DO IT!!!!



Little Catelyn":3h6g2rwf said:
Haaa, haaa, haaa... this is too funny! Guess I had better look for a sleeping bag. And, if I want to get any sleep at all, I had better look into reserving a slip --- err, maybe I should have said moorage space.

Note to self: bring towels, leave dresses at home :wink


Thanks everyone,
Corwin
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Okay, I'm in! Or, at least I would think so. Called Norma, but she was out in the garden at the time and said she would call me back. Haven't heard back yet, but she would probably have said if they were already full. So, if she calls back with good news I can go back to worrying about the boat...

Now, about those towels; do you
just steam up the windows
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as described earlier first and then apply the towels, or does this require duct tape from the get-go?

Hope the boat's ready by then...
Corwin
 
I probably would not wait for the call back - give her a call a day until she gives you the dang slip assignment! There are other people chasing these slips, and she can't hang onto them for the C-Brats indefinitely.

Is there seriously a question about whether your boat will be ready? Our CD 25 appears to have been about a 60 day production, started March 15 with delivery on (scheduled for) May 13 (tomorrow, hurray!!!!).


Little Catelyn":2o5i264c said:
Okay, I'm in! Or, at least I would think so. Called Norma, but she was out in the garden at the time and said she would call me back. Haven't heard back yet, but she would probably have said if they were already full. So, if she calls back with good news I can go back to worrying about the boat...

Corwin
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