Phil Gowens, tell us about your trip!

[Barry Pyeatt]

Hey Phil,

The weather wasn't the best we have to offer, but then it is Spring. How was your sailing adventure into the San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands?

[Phil Gowans]

Thanks for asking - it gives me an excuse to post some pictures. I took over 100. I had a great time up in your country. I drove hard the first day and got into Seattle fairly early the next day. I went to the Center for Wooden Boats. I got some pictures of Amie, the Friendship Sloop there. Since she was discussed here earlier I'll post them here.

Barry, I took your advice and went to Port Townsend by way of Anacortes. It made a beautiful drive. We were on board for 6 days. The first night we anchored around Cattle Pass. The second day was in Blind Bay. The fourth and fifth day was at Sidney harbor and the last night was off Fort Mason. The Old Gaffers race was from Sidney around Rum Island and back to Sidney. It was interesting because we had about 6 kts of current to fight between a couple of islands. It took an hour to get through there. We were literally sailing forward but going backwards for part of the time.

The Alcyone, boat I was on is a topmast schooner so there was a lot of sails to play with. We had 9 sails up at one time during the race - the Flying Jib, Jib, Staysail, Fore, Main, Maintop, Fisherman, Rafee, and Course. That only left the foretop and stunsail not up. Unfortunately the race only had 9 entries. It was great to be amongst so many other Gaffers. All the owners knew each other and the parties before and after were a lot of fun. It was neat to be at the same dock with all the others and be able to go around and see the other boats.

I took this one during the race on the bowsprit. Now that was fun.

We came in third and here's a picture of #1 Slojvnd (on the right) and #2 Briony.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of our boat under sail in the race, but here's some the day after (no Course or Fisherman though).

I had a wonderful time. I learned quite a bit and really enjoyed it. They even gave us the opportunity to swing off the yard into your 50

[Sailor3356]

Wow what a great trip. I for one would like to see more of your pictures. Have you ever noticed that we will get pictures of every one elses boats under sail but never our own. I have had mine for 11 years and not one of my pictures show it under sail.

[Bill Paxton]

I've been giving my Weekender steriods, but she still doesn't look like the Alcyone.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Nice photos Phil. I'm glad you enjoyed the trip. Looks like you had some sunshine at least for part of your trip. Weather is generally better there than in Seattle. Because it is in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. The Canadian Gulf Islands have some incredible scenery and great crusing waters. But yes...the water is cold, year around. Hypothermia is an issue that we don't take for granted. But it is refreshing on a hot summer day.

That is some of the prettiest sailing country in the world as far as I'm concerned. Some nasty currents in and around some of those islands during flood or ebb tides.

A little further up the coast of Vancouver Island there is a very narrow part in the strait. There used to be some infamous rocks there that were a menace to navigation. (Race Rocks) The currents around those rocks were incredible and trying to get a boat thru there was a real challenge during max. flow. The rocks are gone now (blew them up) and it is a lot better, but I can remember waiting til slack tides to try to get thru the area.

[Mike Henderson (Oregon)]

GREAT photos. Thanks for posting them!

[Mike Pennington]

Way Cool, Phil,

I see what Barry meant when he said check out your post. I got to get back down to the San Juans, and Port Townsand. I miss those waters, and since I wrote a fiction novel about the area, I am feeling nostalgic. :roll:

And how about that Anacortis? I love that little town!

The trouble is I'll have to take a month off next summer to pull that one off. Sail a few Canadian lakes on the way, oh yeah! Now that would be a vacation!

Mike

[Tim Diebert]

Wow...great story, great trip, super images. Thanks Phil.

I sailed out of Sidney harbour for years. I love that area. There are so many possible destinations for even regular day sailing. All year sailing...a tad chilly in winter but better winds.

Barry and you mentioned rips and tides.....I have done a bit of that "looks like I'm going forward...but actually slipping back" kind-of-sailing....so I can relate a bit.

I worked for an old ship wright in Sidney for a couple of years who sailed a lot up island. There is one spot....don't quote me...Sansom Narrows?...that has such a bad rip through there the Killer whales wait it out. He said one time he missed the slack and was waiting it out with a cup of tea and watched a huge dead head ( full size Douglas Fir) submerge in the worst of it...and reappear a good deal further along...HEAD FIRST. He had a Collin Archer double ender, a heavy boat, and knew that rascal would have punched a hole in his boat.

Serious stuff.

I live a good deal inland of my old cruising grounds now, but I dream of one day of dragging my boat back there and spending a week or two gunkholing about.

One of the coolest parts about sailing those areas were the variety of boats to watch. Lots of old classic stuff.....and long distance cruisers.