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I’m Going Somewhere! March Cruising in the San Juans

It has been a pretty lousy winter for boaters in the Pacific Northwest this time around – at least it has been for this boater.  The weather man says you can count the “nice” days we’ve had since October on one hand, and pretty much all of them I’ve been tied up with work or other obligations.

When my schedule coincided with a favorable weather forecast, I just had to seize the opportunity to get away from the dock for a few days and enjoy the offseason’s lack of crowds and a little sunshine for a change.

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Early May Getaway (VIDEO)

With the recent summer-like spring weather, I was thrilled to finally have an opportunity to get away from the dock for a few days.  Between work obligations and boat projects, I simply haven’t had the time to get out when the weather has cooperated.  Unlike years in the past, when I’ve done a considerable amount of winter cruising, this time around I haven’t been out since September.

I recently completed installation of new electronics, including a Raymarine C97 chart plotter, Raymarine Quantum Radar, and Si-Tex Class B AIS Transceiver.  The radar sits atop a PYI Seaview radar mount on the hardtop.  In addition, I had the boat in the yard for bottom paint, a new thru-hull transducer, and a buff and wax of the hull.

With projects done, new toys to play with and learn how to operate, and a few days off, I grasped the opportunity and left Anacortes with a late afternoon start Sunday.  I had a wonderful run to Fossil Bay on Sucia, arriving just before sunset.img_2224

There were several boats in the bay, but plenty of room at the dock and several vacant buoys.  I chose a buoy and enjoyed the quiet night. Continue reading “Early May Getaway (VIDEO)”