May 10, 2025 – Light air with the flood was about max carried us across to Shaw Island. Barely enough air to hold wing on wing as the current carried us at 3 – 4 knots which was faster than the following wind. A Beam reach carried us through the Wasp Islands by way of Nob Island and back out via McConnell and Coon Islands. Took the North side of Yellow for a distant view of the wildflowers. A humpback whale had come down Presidents Channel but headed West against the flood of Spieden Channel. Winds picked up giving us a fast close hauled sail across the channel. A few tacks keeping the back eddy of the flood before crossing to Shaw and tacking back to Friday Harbor. Gorgeous sailing on light becoming moderate winds with speeds exceeding 7 knots with close hauled full sails.
Route map 5/10/25
Sailing downwind wing on wing
Close hauled sail by Nob Island
Harbor seal hauled out by Shirt Tail Reef
Fast close-hauled sail back to Friday Harbor
Shaw Island coastline
Friday Harbor