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Boating in the San Juan Islands | Eagle Harbor, Cypress Island

It seems it has been yet another long, wet, and windy winter, and with the appropriate dose of frustration I admit that I haven’t had my boat out of the slip since October.  I generally manage to get away a few times during the winter, but this year I blame the unfavorable weather which aligned with my available time.

This past weekend, though, I was thrilled when the forecast meshed with my calendar, and I was able to shove off – even if just for an overnighter.

Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island is an easy getaway, only about nine miles from my slip in Anacortes.  I’ve always believed that you need not go far to get away, and this quick trip was a reminder that you don’t have be gone very long either to enjoy an opportunity to escape for a bit.

Located in the Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area, Eagle Harbor is a quiet harbor nestled into the eastern shore of Cypress Island.  For more information check out the Department of Natural Resources Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area page.

I hope you enjoy my latest video from my recent visit.  Thanks for watching!

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Airship Jolly Mon

If you’ve followed my YouTube Channel at all, you have seen that I have upgraded Jolly Mon to an aircraft carrier of sorts – I bought a drone/quadcopter/chopper, or whatever you might call it.  Actually – to be completely honest – I bought two, but that is its own story for another time.

I purchased at DJI Phantom 3 Standard, an inexpensive, easy to fly quadcopter that takes pretty incredible video an photos.  It’s a lot of fun…

Here is a short video of my boat under way on the way to the Annual Tollycraft Boating Club rendezvous in Roche Harbor.

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Re-Bedding Hardware, Made Easy (easier, at least)

As part of my recent (and currently ongoing) winter project of installing a windlass, I had the perfect opportunity to take care of a few other items that could use attention.  One of which was re-bedding my bow rail stanchion bases.  Since I had interior panels removed to run wiring, there was no better time to just do it.  It wasn’t exactly a pleasant job, but it’s done, and better than before.  I used a little trick to make the job easier that I’ll share.

I had the original chrome plated bases, that while still functional were looking a little rough.  I figured if I was going through the trouble of taking things apart, I might as well replace them with new stainless steel bases. Continue reading “Re-Bedding Hardware, Made Easy (easier, at least)”

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Cutting Holes: Windlass Install

I enjoy anchoring.  As I gain more experience and increase my level of comfort with my skills and equipment, I’m enjoying it even more.  Over the past few years, I’ve been able to drop the hook in some wonderful anchorages, but I wished I could sleep just a little better knowing I had good ground tackle working for me.IMG_0379

For the past several years I have been using a 22 pound Bruce Anchor and about thirty feet of chain backed up with about 150 feet of rode.  It was perhaps adequate for anchoring in shallow water, but I wanted more.  More chain, more rode, and the ability to deploy and retrieve it all more easily. Continue reading “Cutting Holes: Windlass Install”

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The Boat Show, the Boat Show, Over Fifty Years Ago…

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For some reason, the annual Seattle Boat Show feels like a turning point of sorts.  Even though winter is far from over, and there is plenty of nasty weather on the way, I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I start planning projects and thinking about the season’s upcoming trips.

It’s not just now – I felt the same way when I was a kid, attending the Big Seattle Boat Show in the King Dome.  Our family, along with another family that we did a lot of boating with would go each year – for several years – and it was a pretty big deal.

My friend, Lisa, and I would each grab the first free bag we could get our hands on and begin our trek through all the vendors on the floor and levels of the dome.  There wasn’t a brochure, button, ink pen, free sample, or sticker that didn’t end up stuffed into our, by the end of the day, jam-packed bags.

I think I wore an “I’m a boat nut” button on my jacket through a good part of third grade.  Yes, I was that cool.

I’ll be there later this week.  I’ll grab the first free bag I can get my hands on, but I won’t pick up every…

For a closer look at the pictures above, visit my Old Boating Literature page.