We had left the safety of Ganges Harbor for a new anchorage, Glenthorn Pass. It wasn’t far, a couple hours max. The bay from Ganges turns into Captain Passage, complete with a bit of ferry traffic and tidal streams. As we headed out I remember telling Sarah “This is a great place to sail. Great wind, not too much.” But we had a goal. A new anchorage for us. Would we find room? How about the holding? If the wind came up in the night would we be able to sleep? These things the captain thinks about.
We spent the week there without any problem, even when NW guests demanded I check our position in the middle of the night. Pulling anchor with a light wind and calm tides we headed back to Ganges to resupply. Once again I found myself telling Sarah how nice the area was for sailing. But we didn’t sail other then letting our headsail out while motoring.
We’ve talked of this, Sarah and I. How do you balance the desire to get from point A to B with the mechanics of sailing? We need to sail, we want to sail. When I study the tides and weather I plan for the best passage. I don’t plan for the best sailing passage.
The area we’re in is known for a reliable daily wind pattern. Downwind sailing rules for boats heading to Ganges, all others tack to make headway out to Captain Passage. After modifying Odyssey’s rigging for sail control at the mast, it’s time for us to see what she can do. Now we can take her out, push ourselves by giving her all her sails, see where she stiffens up. We need to learn to trust ourselves in higher winds. She is more then capable of handling anything the Islands have to give her, even in the worst winter storms.
For the next several weeks Sarah and I will be sail training. It’s time for us to let our sails take us to new places.
We do this because the spaces here are too great for us to do anything else. Of course we will be careful. I’ll watch the tides and winds. The difference is, I hope, that all sails will be out, sheets tight, wind on the beam.
Thank you Bob for your comment. We understand each other.
We spent the week there without any problem, even when NW guests demanded I check our position in the middle of the night. Pulling anchor with a light wind and calm tides we headed back to Ganges to resupply. Once again I found myself telling Sarah how nice the area was for sailing. But we didn’t sail other then letting our headsail out while motoring.
We’ve talked of this, Sarah and I. How do you balance the desire to get from point A to B with the mechanics of sailing? We need to sail, we want to sail. When I study the tides and weather I plan for the best passage. I don’t plan for the best sailing passage.
The area we’re in is known for a reliable daily wind pattern. Downwind sailing rules for boats heading to Ganges, all others tack to make headway out to Captain Passage. After modifying Odyssey’s rigging for sail control at the mast, it’s time for us to see what she can do. Now we can take her out, push ourselves by giving her all her sails, see where she stiffens up. We need to learn to trust ourselves in higher winds. She is more then capable of handling anything the Islands have to give her, even in the worst winter storms.
For the next several weeks Sarah and I will be sail training. It’s time for us to let our sails take us to new places.
We do this because the spaces here are too great for us to do anything else. Of course we will be careful. I’ll watch the tides and winds. The difference is, I hope, that all sails will be out, sheets tight, wind on the beam.
Thank you Bob for your comment. We understand each other.
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