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It seems that everyone from California has been saying, “Get around Point Conception earlier rather than later,” in an ominous tone. Well, Sampaguita has done it. In true Flicka 20 style, she rounded it in the dark last night. (The sound of the invisible surf can be ominous.) I say true style because she’s perpetually two hours late. It’s not her fault. Her legs are short, and can only expect to average… Read More
This happens every afternoon as the thermal westerlies kick in. It feels like I’m in a M. Night Shyamalan movie. I’m planning my escape under and out of the Golden Gate. It requires an outgoing tide and NOT a strong westerly wind. Afternoon departures are not on the menu. I met Monica Grant, the editor for ‘Lectronic Latitude, and her husband, Jay. They are proper people and sailors and it was an… Read More
A version of this article was first published on the July/Aug 2019 issue of Small Craft Advisor Magazine. This is a popular post. It must have some value. Please consider a donation to help keep it available for reference and future consumption. Thank you. PayPal or Zelle: wheelersf@hotmail.com “How do you run a stern-tie setup when you have limited working and storage space on board?” This is one of the questions I asked… Read More
It was Day 15 of my 2017, “June on the Hook” expedition, in Sampaguita, my Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 sailboat, and a leisure day in Canada’s Vancouver, British Columbia. I was anchored in False Creek, and it was here that I considered the international affair of “the boaters’ gaze” and “the anchor stare.” In False Creek it is at its extreme. Most boaters do “the gaze” whether they admit it or not. Being… Read More
Approaching Nootka Sound It’s heady sailing to a place Captain Cook sailed to. Nootka Sound, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, was that place for me. When I left Port Langford on the north side of Nootka Island, headed south, I was undecided whether to go on the outside or inside. With the morning winds light, I headed for the inside. However, they picked up before I had gone very far, so… Read More
I was rinsing down the anchor gear on deck of Sampaguita, my 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, back in my home port when a dock mate walked by. He asked,” how much anchor rode is that?” “300 feet,” I replied. “Do you really need that much?” “Yes, if I anchor in 60 feet of water and I put out 5:1 scope, I do.” I have used all of it at times. In the… Read More
I sailed out of the Utsalady Bay anchorage at 9am with a light South wind and a waning flood tide. I sailed around the North end of Camano Island and beat my way down Saratoga Passage. The flood turned to ebb but the current was “weak and variable” in this area. Still, I made decent progress. As I approached Camano Island State Park, I got a lift from the wind as its… Read More
On Day 3, I went from Mats Mats to Port Townsend via the Port Townsend Canal and Port Hadlock. I originally planned to take my time in leaving, but upon checking the current chart for the Port Townsend Canal, I realized it would change to a flood earlier than I originally expected. The VHF weather forecast also said it would be blowing 20-25 knots from the South which would have these two… Read More
sailingwithjosh
Sailing With Josh 