February 8, 2020 – To Reef or not to Reef that is the question. We chose the first reef point but quickly found we were overpowered as we rounded the point of Friday Harbor into San Juan Channel. The wind came from the north throwing spray off whitecaps onto the foredeck. So we bore off on a fast reach into the protection of the shoreline of Shaw Island.
Falling off we sailed wing on wing along the shoreline of Shaw Island and then ran with the wind to Turn Island. Interestingly today we didn’t see many harbor seals just a few tucked behind the rocks in the lee. As we picked up speed wing on wing into Griffin Bay we decided against heading towards Cattle Pass and jibed for a fast beat towards Flat Point, Lopez Island. Winds whisked spray over the bow onto the foredeck as we caught the fetch from San Juan Channel.
We held a good speed Northeast up Upright Channel but winds became fluky as we neared Orcas Island. So we visited the shoreline of NE Shaw Island and then crossed to Upright Head. After following the steep forested cliffs to Odlin Park we headed into wind and took the pass inside of Canoe Island. An eagle called as we navigated fluky winds through the narrow channel against the tide.
Sun broke through the clouds offering a view towards Port Angeles, a welcomed sight as we drifted in light air around the Southern tip of Shaw. Crossing towards San Juan Island winds increased from zero to fifteen to twenty and this time the whitecap spray was highlighted with sparkling sunshine. Our passenger Ryan at the helm noted our speed at 8.3 knots!
Route Map 2-8-20
Sailing downwind with strong winds behind us
Pair of bald eagles outside of Friday Harbor
Harbor seals tucked inshore south of Turn Island
Looking towards Obstuction Pass
Puffy clouds over the Olympic Mountains
Sailing under beautiful blue skies
Our passenger sailing us back to Friday Harbor
Sailing with the first reef