Our First Trip

Bringing Hana Home:

Hana moored at Port of Edmonds.

Our purchase was finally completed, and we were able to get up to Oak Harbor to bring our boat home.  After a quick trip into REI for some kick butt solar gear (Goal Zero Guide 10 Bundle at REI), we packed our bags and headed up to meet our new sailboat.

The trip out of Oak Harbor was ill timed, but since that was the only time our broker could meet us it would have to do.  We were fighting a low low tide and had to stay right in the middle of the channel as we were going out.  The upside came from the fact it was Tuesday, and there was no one else out on the water.  As we were transiting, we could hear the jets off in the distance doing their training exercises at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.  

Once we turned south we caught a bit of breeze and spent a few hours sailing before the winds died down just south of Gedney (Hat) Island.  At this point it was nearly 1800 and we had spent the bulk of the day in the sun, so we decided we wanted to stop instead of traveling all the way to Bremerton that day.  Using our Cruising Guide (A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands by Migael Scherer) we found information for the Port of Edmonds and gave them a call to see if they would have any guest berths available.  After I explained that we would be gone early the next morning, as soon as the fuel dock opened, he said we could berth overnight at the travel lift pier.  

Port of Edmonds travel lift pier.

The travel lift pier was very nice, and just up the ramp was the entrance to Anthony's, so as soon as we pulled in I went up to place an order for fish and chips and their mahi-mahi fish tacos for us to have for supper.  Once that was in place, a quick walk down to the fuel dock and we filled out the after hours form for guests.  This was located in a small plastic box on the far end of the fuel dock, near the diesel pump.

After hours Guest Moorage forms and night drop.

The next morning the fuel dock opened at 0700, so we filled up our tanks with diesel and set about on our merry way.  The morning was breathtaking, enough of a breeze to sail, and sufficient traffic in the form of ferries and the Victoria Clipper to keep things interesting.  

The Victoria Clipper passing in front of Mount Rainier.

Victoria Clipper crossing behind the Kingston-Edmonds ferry.

As we headed towards home we had the choice to continue down through Puget Sound and then around to Sinclair Inlet, or to go through Agate Passage.  Since we had never been through Agate Passage, that was the obvious choice.  As we rounded into Port Madison, the winds really started picking up, to the point that we had to put away our jib.  As we drew closer to the Agate Passage bridge, we put away our sails to have more control (a bit of a newbie nerves, but it worked well for us).  Unfortunately, after we crossed the bridge into the passage and out of Port Madison, the winds died completely, and we made the last few hours to Bremerton under power.  I spent the time taking plenty of photos of the breathtaking homes along the water in Bainbridge Island.

Agate Passage bridge when approach from the north.

All-in-all, for our first trip it was great.  We were able to see many different things, without anything really going wrong to have us sufficiently excited for the next time we can go out.

My husband's handiwork to flemish the lines.