Planning a solo cruise starting this week - Seattle to P.A.

W

Wood Zeppelin

New member
This will be my third solo summer cruise in Puget Sound.

2018 - SOUTH (Seattle to South Sound and back)
2019 - NORTH (Whidbey to Bellingham for C-brat Gathering)

2020- CENTRAL SOUND and East Straight. Cruise and Fish.

Plan:

- Shilshole Launch to Sinclair inlet and camp at Illahee Marine Park
- If good fishing at Sinclair(?), stick around for awhile
- Head up thru Agate Pass, fish Jeff Head,
- Visit friends on Whidbey Is.
- Camp near Marrowstone / Port Townsend (Unfortunately it seems Mystery Bay is closed due to Covid)
- Visit friend in P.T.
- Head out past Port Angeles and do some fishing.
- Return home

Wave if you see me! C-dory 16' Cruiser, Blue trim, and an Earth Flag
 
Well I was on my cruise for 2 weeks! Waking up on the water is the best!

Captains Log:

Nights/Anchorages:
(1) Carkeek (the bay north of Shilshole)
(2,3) Illahee Marine Park
(4,5) Port Madison
(6) Liberty Bay / Poulsbo
(7-8) Mystery Bay
(9-10) Sequim Bay
(11-12) Mystery Bay
(13) Appletree Cove (Kingston)
(14) Shilshole marina)

I learned a few things:

(1) Seals make very funny/weird noises at night
(2) The land-bridge between Indian Island and Marrowstone Island has been returned to it's natural state and a proper bridge has been built! This was a migration route for salmon that was blocked. Also the block caused the temperatures to rise in Kilisut Harbor, decreasing the crab and shelfish populations. It's great to see this area getting restored!
(3) 6' Waves on Strait of Juan de Fuca on Monday Sept 7, really rocked my 16' Cruiser. I feel like trouble on the water happens when multiple bad things align at once. I got into a Kelp bed (trying to stay closer to shore) because I couldn't see the kelp due to the rough water. Then lot's of splash on my windshield (hand operated wipers). The three factors got me a little worried, but it's true what they say about Cdory's "the boat will be ok, but you won't"..
(4) Being a Night Owl and a Salmon fisherman is challenging. But I hooked a very big one at 3pm (and lost it!) Damn!
(5) There are a lot of C-dory's in the Port Townsend Area!
(6) I now know I eventually want a bigger C-dory. Cruising in a 16' is like a backpacking trip.
 
I enjoyed your write-up. About the splash on the windshield. I think the cruiser model should have at least one electric wiper (on the starboard windshield). On the angler model the manual handle is within easy reach from a sitting position while it isn't on the cruiser. Also, a 16 footer out in that water should have both an automatic bilge pump and a simple hand pump. Glad you are using and enjoying your boat during these crazy times. I do envy you.
 
We have a favorite anchorage in Kilisut harbor, far from the maddening crowd. I especially remember one winter night when there were storms out on the coast. It drove in lots of seabirds that don't normally raft up in Puget Sound. Lots of peeps, beeps, and whistles in the night.

I put electric wipers on both sides. It is still a bit like looking through a keyhole into a washing machine, but even that is a great improvement.

You either need a bigger boat or an adventurous First Mate. I'm reminded of when I brought my CD 16 from Canada and stopped to try and find a hotel in Vancouver. Vancouver was holding a First Nations convention and the lobby was full of First Nations elders. All of the men immediately went out to look at my boat while I was at the front desk. When I went back out, one guy was peering in the window at the V berth. "Ah, nice boat, room for your woman."

Mark
 
dotnmarty":27sv0hgf said:
I enjoyed your write-up. About the splash on the windshield. I think the cruiser model should have at least one electric wiper (on the starboard windshield). On the angler model the manual handle is within easy reach from a sitting position while it isn't on the cruiser. Also, a 16 footer out in that water should have both an automatic bilge pump and a simple hand pump. Glad you are using and enjoying your boat during these crazy times. I do envy you.
Click to expand...

Thanks Marty! I agree. I have a hand pump on board. But yes, I need an automatic if I'm out solo and the shit hits the fan!
 
Marco Flamingo":31r2zc0h said:
We have a favorite anchorage in Kilisut harbor, far from the maddening crowd. I especially remember one winter night when there were storms out on the coast. It drove in lots of seabirds that don't normally raft up in Puget Sound. Lots of peeps, beeps, and whistles in the night.

I put electric wipers on both sides. It is still a bit like looking through a keyhole into a washing machine, but even that is a great improvement.

You either need a bigger boat or an adventurous First Mate. I'm reminded of when I brought my CD 16 from Canada and stopped to try and find a hotel in Vancouver. Vancouver was holding a First Nations convention and the lobby was full of First Nations elders. All of the men immediately went out to look at my boat while I was at the front desk. When I went back out, one guy was peering in the window at the V berth. "Ah, nice boat, room for your woman."

Mark
Click to expand...

Haha, yes! Thanks for sharing your story, that's a good one!
 
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