A year or so ago the admiral and our five year old granddaughter had been out for a week long cruise around the islands and had just left Roche Harbor under sail heading east through Spieden Channel. Our plan was to head south to Friday Harbor for the evening.
As we entered the north end of San Juan Channel, our late departure from Roche exposed us to a strong incoming tide current, so after a brief consultation with the crew, we decided to instead head through President channel towards Echo Bay, Sucia Island.
Nice brisk sail, all the way. As we approach the entrance to Echo Bay, I can hear the rumble of an approaching thunderhead from the east. Good thing, as I stow the sails and duck into the Bay, the wind force picks up dramatically. Lots of anchoring room here so I pick my regular spot, drop and set the anchor in the, by this time, drenching downpour.
Once I set my anchor, my usual routine is to look around to make sure the set is holding, that near-by boats are at a reasonable distance and that we can settle in for the night.
Well, the boat behind us, on a mooring ball, would have none of that. He comes up on deck and hails to me that we are too close, are we aware of the 100 foot rule, and that we need to move. And if we don't he hopes we have good insurance coverage, hence as he is busy writing down our boat name and hailing port.
Okay, so in the drenching rain, rather than argue over his 100 foot rule estimation, I raise the anchor, move far away from this nice neighbor, and reset for the evening.
A bit later a small schooner arrives and anchors in front of us starboard side, as I point out to him the location of our anchor. He is close, but I am comfortable, that is until the next morning.
I had let out 140 feet of rode, which is adequate for Echo Bay with water in the 20-25 foot range. So, I'm pulling in our anchor and his schooner is getting closer and closer. By the time our anchor is below our boat, his schooner is maybe ten feet away from ours; really close. Good thing that the conditions during the night kept us apart.
I could have been a stinker like the other boater, but what is the worst that could have happened? The schooner skipper was on deck when I hoisted our anchor and we both just shook our heads. Sometimes you just never know.
http://bellinghamster.com/echobay.htm
As we entered the north end of San Juan Channel, our late departure from Roche exposed us to a strong incoming tide current, so after a brief consultation with the crew, we decided to instead head through President channel towards Echo Bay, Sucia Island.
Nice brisk sail, all the way. As we approach the entrance to Echo Bay, I can hear the rumble of an approaching thunderhead from the east. Good thing, as I stow the sails and duck into the Bay, the wind force picks up dramatically. Lots of anchoring room here so I pick my regular spot, drop and set the anchor in the, by this time, drenching downpour.
Once I set my anchor, my usual routine is to look around to make sure the set is holding, that near-by boats are at a reasonable distance and that we can settle in for the night.
Well, the boat behind us, on a mooring ball, would have none of that. He comes up on deck and hails to me that we are too close, are we aware of the 100 foot rule, and that we need to move. And if we don't he hopes we have good insurance coverage, hence as he is busy writing down our boat name and hailing port.
Okay, so in the drenching rain, rather than argue over his 100 foot rule estimation, I raise the anchor, move far away from this nice neighbor, and reset for the evening.
A bit later a small schooner arrives and anchors in front of us starboard side, as I point out to him the location of our anchor. He is close, but I am comfortable, that is until the next morning.
I had let out 140 feet of rode, which is adequate for Echo Bay with water in the 20-25 foot range. So, I'm pulling in our anchor and his schooner is getting closer and closer. By the time our anchor is below our boat, his schooner is maybe ten feet away from ours; really close. Good thing that the conditions during the night kept us apart.
I could have been a stinker like the other boater, but what is the worst that could have happened? The schooner skipper was on deck when I hoisted our anchor and we both just shook our heads. Sometimes you just never know.
http://bellinghamster.com/echobay.htm
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