After hearing so much about Sucia (maybe we’re just wearing them down), the Munros were determined to join us down there again. Both Lisa and Peter were working, but with Lisa off at 1530, and her new job being in Surrey, we figured we’d be in good shape for getting away in good time. So after dropping Lisa off at work (so we wouldn’t be leaving a car there for the entire weekend), we went about our day, then loaded up our gear and picked her up from work. Although her work is about halfway from the house to the marina, after driving through the heart of Surrey, it still took just as long to get to the boat, and after stopping at the bank & for groceries, it was still a push for our 1800 departure. Running against the wind, waves, and tide, it was 1925 by the time we pulled in to Fossil Bay. The bay was the fullest I’ve seen it; there was no dock space or mooring buoys left, so we elected to anchor.
One of benefits of a Mac is how little water it draws. I knew we would be having a neg. tide on Sunday morning, so I checked the current time, the tide chart, and watching the depth sounder, went up as far into the head of the bay as I felt comfortable with; directly abeam of the top of Dock #2. After setting anchor and taking bearings, we proceeded start getting settled in and making dinner, as we knew the Munros would be following in shortly. The Munros came across from Blaine, but had a slow, rolling trip, with seas abeam. We got them tided along our starboard side.They were glad to get in, and to save time, their girls borrowed our dinghy to take in their tent and get camp set. By the time everything got taken care of, we had a bit of time to visit, then it was time to call it a night. We were awoken a few times during the night. Some of that was likely due to anchoring ‘jitters’, but some was due to our tender bouncing against BoB’s hull; it’s amazing how loud that can be from inside! After I adjusted the inflatable’s lines, all was fine. However, around 0100 a large, displacement hull boat came in, setting itself up to anchor even closer in than we were. I was about to say something, but then they must have thought about it, and moved farther out -although they were pretty tight where they did finally chose.
Saturday morning we got things going by getting the Munros dinghy inflated; we had a leisurely morning then went off to do a little exploring of the trails and beaches of Sucia. The Munros were taken by Shallow Bay and I think that is where we would like to target, weather permitting, for a future trip to Sucia. There are several bays with buoys and good anchoring bottoms around the island, but exposed to different wind directions. Part of the appeal of Shallow Bay is China Caves, where the kids had a blast climbing around the worn sandstone caves and working their way up the vertical chasms. After a late lunch the kids created a full blown dinghy race/tourneyment, followed up with a dunking contest! In the end, there were people on the shore as well as from other moored boats, cheering them on and enjoying their good natured competition. After dinner at the campsite, and some serious 6-Dice games, we enjoyed the campfire as it burned down. The really loud campsite from the night before was very quiet (after a visit from the park warden, who left his park vehicle parked within view Saturday night), so we called it a night and rowed back to the boat.
Sunday morning was the lowest tide (-0.7 @ 0742) of the weekend, and I rose at around 0630, to find we had about 3 ft of water still under us (I had expected about 2), but I think the boat just past us assumed all would be okay seeing a sailboat so far in... right? Given that he didn’t raise the twin outboards he had on the back, I’d guess that’s what he was thinking, as they awoke to find themselves still firmly aground the soft, muddy bottom. Other than making a required trip in to take their dog for a walk, they made their way out shortly after being refloated.
It was an easy trip home for the Munros, and Amanda’s first anchoring. They agreed with all praises we had placed on Sucia, and were already talking about ‘next’ trip. Another great weekend. More photos
One of benefits of a Mac is how little water it draws. I knew we would be having a neg. tide on Sunday morning, so I checked the current time, the tide chart, and watching the depth sounder, went up as far into the head of the bay as I felt comfortable with; directly abeam of the top of Dock #2. After setting anchor and taking bearings, we proceeded start getting settled in and making dinner, as we knew the Munros would be following in shortly. The Munros came across from Blaine, but had a slow, rolling trip, with seas abeam. We got them tided along our starboard side.They were glad to get in, and to save time, their girls borrowed our dinghy to take in their tent and get camp set. By the time everything got taken care of, we had a bit of time to visit, then it was time to call it a night. We were awoken a few times during the night. Some of that was likely due to anchoring ‘jitters’, but some was due to our tender bouncing against BoB’s hull; it’s amazing how loud that can be from inside! After I adjusted the inflatable’s lines, all was fine. However, around 0100 a large, displacement hull boat came in, setting itself up to anchor even closer in than we were. I was about to say something, but then they must have thought about it, and moved farther out -although they were pretty tight where they did finally chose.
Saturday morning we got things going by getting the Munros dinghy inflated; we had a leisurely morning then went off to do a little exploring of the trails and beaches of Sucia. The Munros were taken by Shallow Bay and I think that is where we would like to target, weather permitting, for a future trip to Sucia. There are several bays with buoys and good anchoring bottoms around the island, but exposed to different wind directions. Part of the appeal of Shallow Bay is China Caves, where the kids had a blast climbing around the worn sandstone caves and working their way up the vertical chasms. After a late lunch the kids created a full blown dinghy race/tourneyment, followed up with a dunking contest! In the end, there were people on the shore as well as from other moored boats, cheering them on and enjoying their good natured competition. After dinner at the campsite, and some serious 6-Dice games, we enjoyed the campfire as it burned down. The really loud campsite from the night before was very quiet (after a visit from the park warden, who left his park vehicle parked within view Saturday night), so we called it a night and rowed back to the boat.
Sunday morning was the lowest tide (-0.7 @ 0742) of the weekend, and I rose at around 0630, to find we had about 3 ft of water still under us (I had expected about 2), but I think the boat just past us assumed all would be okay seeing a sailboat so far in... right? Given that he didn’t raise the twin outboards he had on the back, I’d guess that’s what he was thinking, as they awoke to find themselves still firmly aground the soft, muddy bottom. Other than making a required trip in to take their dog for a walk, they made their way out shortly after being refloated.
It was an easy trip home for the Munros, and Amanda’s first anchoring. They agreed with all praises we had placed on Sucia, and were already talking about ‘next’ trip. Another great weekend. More photos