Exciting winds for today’s sail

August 6, 2020 – Strong winds from the West today and we raised the main after leaving the harbor and went straight to second reef. A fast beam reach took us to Shirt Tail Reef and we came around Low Island for a moments respite with the resting harbor seals before heading back to the outside of Yellow Island and catching the wind to sail to Jones Island. Taking the west side of Jones Island we then picked up the ebb current out of Presidents Channel to sail North but head West into New Channel. Winds were 20 knots plus and we sailed fast but comfortable with some spray coming over the bow in the white cap white water river rafting conditions.

New Channel gave another period to rest and drift along the Spieden forested shoreline. Fallow deer and Mouflon sheep were grazing at the foot of the steep cliffs. Rounding Spieden Island we found a number of Bald eagle with immature eagles feeding. Rounding Sentinel Rock and its harbor seal community we then headed for the shoreline of Stuart Island. Winds dropped and we shook out the reefs to full mainsail.

Following the Stuart Island coastline to Lovers Leap and Turn Island lighthouse. Winds dropped as we rounded the corner into Boundary Pass. Earlier in the day Orcas had been sighted Northbound from Kelp Reef and we were hopefully scanning in the improved visibility. But Orcas were not re-aquired today and we continued to round Stuart Island coming back into New Channel via Ripple Pass and the Cactus Islands

The flooding current gave us a fun sail backwards in New Channel admiring the gorgeous views. We drifted at over 5 knots untill catching wind from the West funneling through Spieden Channel The sail home was a very fast beam reach down San Juan Channel. Lots of great sailing today and Peniel continues to prove her stout sailing ability.