March 1, 2011 Port Townsend, WA to Sidney, BC
We sailed under jib alone all day today, soaring across the Juan de Fuca in a stiff southeasterly. Â As it turns out, we snuck across just in between storms. Â We made a wonderful passage in quick time! Â Due to last night’s bon voyage party, I slept like a rock through the alarm, missing a bit of the favorable tide as a result. Â But there was a whole capful of wind in the Straits, and we blasted right through the opposing current. Â “Privateer” is proving again and again that she is a SOLID ride! Â She comfortably shrugged off the roughest seas that the Juan de Fuca handed her today, with casual grace. Â As we sailed inside of Sidney Island, Kelsey spotted a “pod” of seals, swimming and diving through the waves like porpoises. Â Pod and “Privateer” passed eachother about 50 yards off, each going businesslike in their own direction. Â The seals nodded a quick greeting of acknowledgement, then turned their attentions back to splashing through the on-coming rollers. Â We did the same, making a bee-line toward Sidney through rip-tides and square waves. Â Under full speed, the tiller felt wonderful.
I am thrilled to be away from the dock in PT, all checked through Canadian Customs, and in the safe harbor of Sidney tonight! Â Winds are forecast to blow SE 60 knots tomorrow, which is an early spring gale at its finest! Â For now we will take a much-needed rest as we wait for the storm to howl through. Â It’s already blowing 35 out there, I am exhausted, and too tired to write any more tonight. Â The beginning of a voyage is indeed a special time–I am very proud of my ship and my crew (who is hogging the blankets right now). Â We are warm, dry, and happy after a stellar sleigh-ride sail! Â Privateer aced the run today.