A sail to Flattop Island & New Channel

July 21, 2020 – Wing on wing – sailing fast and close to shore of Point Caution with a sprightly beam reach to the Wasp Islands. A moments calm drifting through the narrow pass of Nob island before tacking back to the North side of Shirt Tail Reef. The extreme low tide showed many rocks not usually seen and today these rocks were the resting place for seals warming in the sunshine. Tacking to come around Yellow Island back to McConnell and then wing on wing North through Spring Pass and on to Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Today Flattop Island was a city of eagles. Both North and South had groups of eagles engaged in eating and establishing their pecking orders. We had some impressive fly bys and swoops to the water with talons outstretched. We were hearing great eagle calls.

Tacking around Gull Rock and a fast sail to Ripple Rock. Sailing the edge of the Kelp forests where the seals were lounging on the floating fronds. Between the Cactus Islands and down to Spieden Island we followed the forested shoreline in the reflective waters.

Reefing the main before clearing Green Point and meeting a maelstrom of current and wind. With main and headsail appropriately reefed we were able to sail comfortably. Motor-sailing after O’Neil Island we were able to hug the San Juan coastline back to Friday Harbor. A fun day sailing the Salish Sea.