Introduction - April Anderson Adventure: April 8,9,10 2005

Michele Sladko ready to launch her p15 SeaHorse

Join the Northwest Potters for another glorious sail in the mostly undiscovered wonders of the South Sound. Sailors arriving on Friday will launch at Zittels Marina, and moor overnight. Sailors can mingle and reconnect with old friends and meet future old friends. Early arrivals might take a day sail and enjoy the views off of Johnson Point.

Some of the 20 odd boats at Jarrell Cove from "Mothers Day May Madness" 2003

Saturday arrivals can be assured of good water on the ramp, as the high tide occurs early at around 6:30 am. In order to avoid a ramp pile up, plus the possibility of congestion due to other boats launching, all Saturday boats should be launched by around 9:00am. After a "skippers meeting", in which we will establish our VHF working channel and discuss our route and general safety issues, the fleet should be ready to head out by 10am. Our journey will start with a counterclockwise journey around Anderson Island. Possible stops along the way include the beautiful Oro Bay (anchor only), with Eagle Island as our proposed lunch stop.

NWP boats drift down the Case Inlet in light winds

Anchoring at Eagle Island is poor, and the currents rip between Anderson and McNeil Islands, so we will try to take the two buoys on the NW side of the Island. Rafting will be a must. Beaching is a possibility, but only near slack low tide, which occurs conveniently at 1:50pm.

Track for the weekend sail.

The evenings destination will be at Longbranch Marina, maintained by the Longbranch Improvement Club. They have ample moorage and a covered picnic area where we will enjoy a super dinner served up courtesy of IdaSailor Marine, a sponsor for the trip. The Dinner Menu will include:

Drinks and veggie items will not be provided, so be prepared. Saturday night is the big night of the cruise, so bring your yarns and a little grog, and sit back and have a gam with your fellow sailors.

Sunday morning is lazy breakfast at the dock for the afternoon ramp users, and a mad dash to Zittels for those that want an early start. Sunday take out will be ideal at either before 12:00 noon, or after about 4:00pm or so. What's the hurry? Have a good breakfast, then head out for some great sailing in the Johnson Point area. A dip down into the Case Inlet, or even a journey deeper into the Carr Inlet is not out of the question. After haulout, we can bask in the afterglow of yet another great NWP cruise!

Zittels Marina

The launch ramp at Zittels Marina

The April Anderson Adventure begins and ends at Zittels Marina. For those that want to maximize the sailing fun, a Friday launch and temporary moorage has been arranged. Sailors wishing Friday moorage need to contact Bill or Derek to make sure space is made available, and there will be a charge in the neighborhood of $10 for the night. For more information on ZIttels Marina, click here.

Click here for information about Johnson Point and nearby destinations (link to nwboating.com).

Driving Directions

Zittels Marina is located on Johnson Point in the South Puget Sound. For driving directions arriving from points north, click here. For driving directions arriving from points south, click here.

Here is the "official" driving directions link from Zittels.

Eagle Island

Eagle Island. Note the "wake" off the island as the current rips thru the Balch Passage

Situated between Anderson and McNeil Islands, Eagle Island Marine Park is another of the small gems found in the South Puget Sound. The park encompasses the entire island, and has no facilities other than 3 mooring buoys Strolling around the island, or careful exploration of the interior via rough trails are the main attractions here. A population of harbor seals calls this small island home, and can often be seen on the beach or swimming in the strong currents that rush past the island.

Sattelite view of Eagle Island

Longbranch Marina

Sattelite image of Longbranch Marina and Filucy Bay

Our Saturday destination and mooring location is at the Longbrach Marina which is run by the Longbranch Improvment Club. Located on Filucy Bay on the quiet Key Penninsula, this will be an ideal location to visit with fellow potter'ers and enjoy the peace and quiet so abundant on the South Puget Sound. Click here to visit the LIC website.

The Longbranch marina has an excellent facility for guests located right on the dock. If inclement weather should crop up, they even have tarps which can be secured to the sides of the dockside picnic area to keep the rain out.

Saturday nights festivities will revolve around a pot-luck style dinner/BBQ. Details on this will follow, and some surprises are in the works, so stay tuned.

Check these links:

Shoreline photo of Longbranch Marina

Safety

Keeping safe on the water is every captains responsibility. Make sure you review safe boat handling techniques with your crew also. Click here to view the comprehensive safety page.

Tides

Henderson Inlet, Washington

April 2005

Click here for a graphic of the tides for the weekend.

Attendees

Sign up for this cruise by sending mail . Indicate your boat type/hull number, number of crew, and whether you want moorage at Zittles on Friday. For a list of current attendees, click here.

Sponsors

The Northwest Potters are happy to announce that IdaSailor Marine has graciously offered to BUY US DINNER on Saturday Night. IdaSailor Marine is a manufacturer of boat parts for many small trailerable boats, including of course the West Wight Potter we all love and sail.