Forecast Gales? Time to Go!

Forecasts called for this epic low pressure system off our coast and the resulting winds. It became an all time record low for our area of something below 945 mb. But knowing Aeolus and the San Juan Islands as we do, there is really no forecast that keeps us in the marina. So I made hasty plans to head to the islands and managed to get my older son to join along. 

We left Friday Harbor at around 1:30 on Saturday and there was enough SE wind to sail right up San Juan Channel under head sail only doing hull speed. Once up near the Wasp Islands I was even able to swerve through those passages under sail. But as we popped out past Yellow Island the wind died and we motored the rest of the way to the North Cove on Jones. Home away from home. 

On the way to Jones, a lovely sail

To our surprise there was another boat there! The friendly person tried to tell us there was a storm coming and how to anchor, and I kindly let him know we knew the forecast and had been there many times before. He was on a ball and even had a stern line to the Eastern shore. On Aeolus, our Mantus doesn't drag. Period. 

Anchored in about 25 feet of water near the middle of the cove shore, we were soon on land and loving every second of being back on Jones. We walked around the West side and even got some sun. Then we played some frisbee in the field and just felt immense gratitude. 

The night was peaceful enough and as any captain knows, the sleep is light when storms are forecast. About 5am I woke to some waves entering the North Cove, which is rare. The forecasted E wind was actually a NE wind and yet was only 10-15 knots. Nothing to distress Aeolus! The morning forecast still called for E 15-25 building to SE 25-35. Anything up to 35 knots is really fine in San Juan Channel. You might have a bouncy go of it, but nothing dangerous to any well found boat. 

On Jones West Side. Just a magical place

We went for a hike on Sunday morning, this time around the East side, and then headed out. Our trip back to Friday Harbor was easy in about 15-20 knots of SE wind. On the port quarter. 

Nasty forecast? Just go. We had a wonderful time, and it never even rained on us. My motorcycle ride home was another story, with cross winds of 30-40! 

View to North Cove and toward Canada