Gato Verde Sunset Cruise

Written by J.

I found it incredibly ironic when I won the grand prize for the Adult Summer Reading Program at the Whatcom County Library: a sunset cruise for two on the Gato Verde (a Ecologically friendly [green] Cat[amaran]). As last summer ended, we found that we only had a few weeks to redeem the cruise, but were too busy on our end of things to take the time. Luckily it was good through this summer, too. We had a great time. Pictures follow.

The Certificate came with a brochure giving details of GATO VERDE. She is likely the only charter boat on the West Coast with an Electric Diesel hybrid engine (much like what you would find in a Prius, save a diesel rather than gasoline engine). When there is any wind, she sails. During our trip, we backed out of the slip and into the wind to raise the mainsail, fell off into the wind, before he turned the electric engine to "neutral" or "off," and unfurled the jib a bit. We sailed out across the Bellingham Bay for about an hour, then turned back toward shore and more sheltered water. At that point, Captain Todd roller furled the jib and we motor sailed around while the sunset. When we were leaving, Captain Todd mentioned to us that we used a small number of kilowats (a week later, neither of us can remember the figure. What we do remember is being shocked at how little the amount was).

 Here is Captain Todd at the helm while we were leaving the slip. GATO VERDE's home port is at the Ferry Terminal in Bellingham. As the following photos show.

 When Captain Todd went forward to raise the mainsail, I asked if he could use any help. The three of us had chatted on the dock prior to departure. He was curious about where we had gotten the certificate, and we had also explained that we lived aboard our Dreadnought 32 - a lead mine. I was expecting to be asked to pull on the halyard. Nope. He turned off the autopilot and put me at the helm!

What fun! I was there for about an hour or so. I'm not used to steering with a wheel, nor by instruments (you couldn't feel the wind back aft so depended on the wind direction finder - perfect setup for a charter boat, not so much for steering by the wind across your cheek).

There were nine of us guests in total, and of the other seven, only a child had any experience sailing. Needless to say, they were all surprised to see me helming away. It was great fun.


We sailed out into Bellingham Bay for about an hour before turning around and sailing back towards Boulevard Park and the lee of Fairhaven.

It was somewhat disconcerting at first to feel and hear the slapping of the waves between the hulls as they hit the upper deck. On our boat, that means we've hit something. And GATO VERDE had a more sharper "snap" like a sports car while MERGANSER rolls along like a large 1970's Chrysler New Yorker.

Fun to sail, none-the-less, as we were doing an easy 8+ knots in a 12-15 knot breeze with only the jib rolled out 3/4 or so. Captain Todd said we could push things, but for the comfort of the other guests, he was going more for comfort rather than speed.

And the sun starts to set ...

Some cheesy self-portraits while holding the camera at arms length.

Thanks to one of the guests for taking this photo.

Off Boulevard Park.

 

Thanks for the wonderful sunset cruise and the support of our local libraries.
Fair winds, Capt'n Todd and GATO VERDE!

Summer Cruise: 2012 Lopez to Sucia to Home

After church, we were still waiting for the tide to lower then start to rise. We had originally planned on leaving around 1300 as the current would then be in our favor for the rest of the trip. This would have worked perfectly with the 11:00 worship service, but since the worship service was at 9:00, we now had some time to kill. So we took our time getting organized, hoisting PIPPI and LONGSTOCKING aboard, and putting things away. Then it was up anchor, motor around CLOUD GIRL to see if David was about and head out of Fisherman Bay. The kids were helpful by relaying from the depth sounder once again, and again we had no problems as we exited. It is GREAT to have crew like ours!

One of the folks who gave us a ride down from the church (we went in two cars) told us they lived in a gray house by the day marker. All the houses looked grey to us, but we waved at all of them just to be sure. Hope they saw us.

We had already made our decision as to which way we were going to go to Sucia. After three times traveling up or down President Channel to the west of Orcas Island with no wind, we were going to try the east side of Orcas and Rosario Straight. Besides, we'd not gone that way before.

Here's our trip visually (just follow the purple yarn from the yellow pencil to the red pencil):

As we came up around Lopez, into Upright Channel and then past Upright Head (which is the ferry terminal for Lopez) there were about three ferries moving through. The problem with ferries is that the bow looks just like the stern. Add to that, the fact that they were swinging around to make the ferry landing, and it took close watching to see where they were all going - let alone which way! Needless to say, we stayed out of their way.

Here's a ferry heading into the terminal at Upright Head, Lopez.

Then on across towards Peavine Pass.

 These two videos give a 360 view and then show us entering Peavine Pass between Obstruction Island and Blakely Island. You'll notice that we are motor sailing under mainsail and staysail.

 Did you notice how fluky the wind became while coming through the pass? We had a slight following breeze (it was coming from the south following Lopez Island) then it switched into a head breeze coming through the pass from Rosario Straight and the east side of Blakely. We were glad to get through. But once through, the wind became steady and from behind us for a very broad reach - almost a run. Great sailing. So we raised the Genoa and dropped the staysail for a romp, hitting 7.4 a couple of times, but mainly saying in the 6 knot range.

We were then faced with a decision to make. Which side of the Peapod Island group to pass on? We decided to stay further out of the traffic lanes (although we saw no shipping) and go between Orcas and the Peapods, as the chart and photo below show.

Up and around the point we sailed, seeing a lug rigged gig way over by Lummi Island. She and her crew were cross in our direction, and looked like they might be headed towards Sucia, too.

We needed to make another decision as we came out from the Peapod Islands and around Orcas Island's Lawrence Point. Which side of Barnes and Clark Islands to pass? A look at the current table showed that the "outside" had more current running in our favor, so that's the way we went. We noticed the gig did, too.

The kids snapped this photo as we passed Clark Island.

Here's the gig. There were about 9 - 11 adults on board. When they saw us coming they started to play around with the blue tarp/ground cloth/sheet to add extra area. As we caught up to them, we yelled across to one another a bit. Then as we sailed pass, they suddenly shouted out "Hip, Hip, MERGANSER!" We were hoping they'd come into Echo Bay on Sucia, but they turned into neighboring Matia Island instead.

It wasn't long afterward and the wind dropped off, although still behind us, as this photo shows.

As we came in there were harbor porpoise feeding. We tried to catch one on film, but were unsuccessful. Then there was a huge splashing and thrashing noise as a huge seal was beating a salmon against the water. We tried to get it on film.

But the wind picked up enough for us to ghost into Echo Bay and anchor under sail. M. took the helm the entire way, learning about jibing (when the main sail goes from one side to the other when running down wind) and down wind sailing in light airs in general. She did a great job and surprised a few adults as they watched her at the helm, Mom standing to the side (but available) and Pop moving forward to drop sails and the anchor. Great job, M.!

Monday found us just lounging. Then the evening was spectacular. Someone in the anchorage started to play her cello while the sun set. What a perfect end to a perfect day!

Tuesday we headed for home.

We sailed off the anchor and tacked out of Echo Bay. When between Matia and Sucia the wind fell then quit. There is a reef just to the Northeast of Sucia, near the entrance of Echo Bay, so J. reluctantly turned the engine on. Did we mention J.. hates to motor? But he admits that he likes the engine more than running up on a reef! Besides, this will help to charge the batteries after a few cloudy days.

But it wasn't long before the picked back up again, the engine silenced, and it was a joy to sail!

On the way E. started a crocheting project.

Here's a video and some pictures of us trundling along. When L. was filming from the foredeck the speed was 5.2 - 5.3 knots.

This chart came in turned "sideways." North is to the Left, South to the Right. Drayton Harbor is in the Upper Left corner, the pencil marking where these photos were taken.

It was about here that I. and then M. went up to the bow. They love to sit on the bowsprit and hang on to the pulpit. It is great to have kids who know how to safely move around on the boat. J. even joined them for awhile. As L. wrote in the Log:

MERGANSER's awesome strength can be felt. She loves to sail.

I. took some wonderful pictures from up here. We'll let her share them on the kids posting.
Way to go, I.!

Up in the fore-peak, E.'s project continues!

We had a lovely sail around Birch Point and into Boundary Bay, where the wind actually held. Usually it dies as we round the point, but on this night, the wind stayed fairly steady, although it did drop, and consequently so did our speed.

We decided to sail all the way into Drayton Harbor before starting the motor, lowering sails, and motoring into our slip. At this point, E. popped his head up - with a HAT on it! Way to go, E.! Nice beret!

We were in our slip by 1955.

Then the clean up began, and the packing! While the cruise came to an end (and we were saddened by it ending), we were excited to be heading across Washington to join the L.'s family in celebrating her parents 45 wedding anniversary! Yeah for them!

[We've sense returned and school has started up - wish to make a quick report that it was an absolute delightful and joyous time!]


What supper kids we have! It is just a joy to share this lifestyle with them. All three are very creative intelligent people who are passionate about a whole lot of life. So here's a "Hip, Hip, Hooray!" from the parents on MERGANSER to our E., I., and M.!