By Tradewinds member Peter D.
Hi Matt!
We chartered a Jeanneau 45 for 10 days from San Juan Sailing in Bellingham. That company just gets better every time. I know that you’ve worked with Roger Van Dyken on your own trips. He runs a smooth operation.
This was a guy-trip (our patient wives stayed home). It’s the year we all turn 65 years old. We all graduated together from Saint Mary’s College (over the hill in Moraga) in 1971.
As we left Bellingham on Wednesday May 26, I hoisted the TWSC burgee and we were off to Shallow Bay (Sucia Island) for our first overnight. We were on mooring balls at Shallow Bay, Prevost Harbor (Stuart Island), and the cove at the back-door of Butchart Gardens. We anchored in Port Browning (South Pender Island, BC), Sidney Spit (Sidney Island, BC), Watmaugh Bay (Lopez Island), and Inati Bay (Lummi Island). We were side-tied at the public wharf at Ganges (Saltspring Island, BC) and at Friday Harbor (San Juan Island).
The TWSC/ASA anchoring and mooring class gave me the confidence and skills I needed to put my bow (and stern) exactly where I wanted. And my line handling crew seemed grateful! This charter was my first experience using a bow thruster and it was really helpful in tight spots (e.g., turning around inside the Friday Harbor breakwater & getting away from the Bellingham marina’s pump-out facility).
Leaving Port Browning, South Pender Island, BC. Can you tell that I’m having fun?
The happy crew of “Misty Blue Yonder” at Friday Harbor.
“Misty” at anchor with stern-tie, Inati Bay (Lummi Island)
Letting our anchor “soak” and settle, Shallow Bay (Sucia Island)
Thanks again to Tradewinds for building my skills!
– Peter D.