Pacific NW Boater

07/12/2021

Check out the latest installment of MV Freedom, where Shawn and Elizabeth explore Arriana's favorite spot in the San Juans: China Caves at Shallow Bay on Sucia Island. You might even recognize the crew of Traveler in the video... 😊

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07/11/2021

Well, will you look at that. Thank you, Steve Swanson! (PO of our boat.) A rebuilt fresh water pump found among spare parts. OK, next Darren will watch some YouTube videos and tackle the removal & replacement. Then we can get “back out there!” (And we’ll order two new pumps. One to replace the stbd engine, the other for back up.)

07/10/2021

Another first! Well, this is a silly one, but it’s the first time we’ve ever seen this green can #1 off Possession Point without a Sea Lion or two on it! 😃

07/10/2021

This was earlier today when we came out of “Hole in the Wall” at the southern end of the Swinomish Channel. Wind jumped from 5 to 30 on the nose. Even though we were on a rising tide, at a -1.5 running one engine we were being very careful!

07/10/2021

9 hours later we drop the hook between Sandy Point and Langley. On one engine we averaged about 5.8 knots, much of the time against wind and current. Good thing our Ford Lehmans have Borg Warner Velvet Drive transmissions, so the port prop could turn freely. Tr**ny still got pretty warm, though…

07/09/2021

Going home inside Whidbey. Transited the Swinomish on a rising tide, but these images (taken at a -1.8 in the north, and a -1.5 in the south) sure bring home the notion of STAY IN THE CHANNEL AT ALL TIMES!!

07/09/2021

Well that’s a bummer! During startup check this morn, we discovered the port engine down 3/4 gallon of coolant. Couldn’t find where it leaked. Started up and the tach only registered 500rpm when it was around 1000. Engine didn’t sound right, and was spraying a bit of coolant up in front. Shut it down. Darren thinks it may be the fresh water pump. Heading for home on one engine to further diagnose and make repairs…

07/09/2021

There’s “swinging on the hook”, and then there’s “swinging AND BOBBING on the hook”! Wind has been 15-20 since we anchored here off Fairhaven. And our big girl loves to dance to and fro in such conditions! Hoping it will let up a bit overnight…

07/08/2021

Well, the BYC reciprocal dock was full (no surprise) but so was the entire marina (kinda surprising, but not)! So we anchored in Fairhaven. Took 3 drops in 20 knots of wind to get the position right, with pulling up a derelict mooring line (attached to something) off the sea floor on the first drop. That wasn’t fun!

07/08/2021

Bound for Bellingham. In 9+ years we’ve never been there on the boat. First time seeing “the backside” of Lummi Island, too. Hoping we can score a reciprocal slip with the B’ham Yacht Club, so we shall see.

07/08/2021

Like mother, like daughter… These two are enthusiastic beachcombers! Beach glass is their favorite (and they always find some here at Cypress Head), but they have just as much fun looking at marine life. Thankful for the DNR and their buoys and maintaining this wonderful island.