May 9-11, 2006
Jackyard Topmast Rigging and Sails; Port Townsend, WA.
Position: 48’06.64’ N, 122’ 45.39’ W
Captain: Barbara J. Austin
Time on Water: 6 hours
We woke up to yet another beautiful, crisp morning in the Puget Sound only to be slapped in the face with more NW wind. Fortunately for us, Port Townsend was only 12 nautical miles away. So we started heading northwest on a close reach under full sail. Although, at the halfway mark we did have to drop sails before entering the laceType w:st="on">PortlaceType> laceName w:st="on">TownsendlaceName> laceType w:st="on">CanallaceType>. This is a very narrow canal to maneuver in, and the current can be strong through here. Take caution if passing through at low tide (and during high tide as well due to the bridge that lies above the canal). We also passed the quaint little marina of Port Hadlock once we cleared the canal. By this time Port Townsend was in our sights, so Arie and I decided to raise the sails once more and play for awhile. Around 1600 we decided to call it a day and head into the marina for a slip assignment. Just before entering the Port Townsend Boathaven we witnessed our first porpoise breeching the waterline. These are beautiful mammals with their black and white markings similar to that of an orca. Atlantic dolphins don’t even compare.
Port Townsend is a beautiful town with a Victorian theme that graces the downtown area itself. Port Townsend is also the gathering place for wooden boats of all types, and also houses the Wooden Boat Foundation at the Cupola House on Point Hudson. Now, let me be blunt…with beauty and history aside, Port Townsend was our “money pit.” However, when you have Port Townsend Rigging and Port Townsend Sails working for you, all you can do is submit to the experts at hand. Actually, the whole point of our trip to Port Townsend was to meet with Carol Hasse of Port Townsend Sails, and Dan and Lisa from Port Townsend Rigging for the purpose of creating a jackyard topmast, and having new sails made for Nesaru.
Carol and Dan came down to the boat first thing Wed. morning to take measurements for our upcoming projects. Now remember, before they arrived Arie and I thought we had well adjusted, working knowledge of Nesaru’s rigging and sails. Turns out we did not. I will sum up all statements into two words: Learning Experience! In those few hours that Carol and Dan spent with us, we learned more about our rigging and sails than we had for the whole year we’ve owned Nesaru. We feel privileged to have such experts as these helping us maintain the classic, antique look of Nesaru. I have no doubt that she will be stunning once adorned with new sails and a jackyard topmast.
Out of all these qualities there is one thing about Port Townsend that leaves a bad taste in your mouth, the sense that there is competition all around you. You can feel it in the air, and you can sense it with a simple glimpse from a fellow sailor. Arie can even atest to it from the urinal conversations that went on in the men’s room. Norwegian vs American, Who is the better sailor? Now, if that isn’t bathroom reading material, then I don’t know what is. What can you expect from a place that houses so many beautiful boats (and ships even), and attracts mariners from all parts of the world. The best part is to focus on the people that you meet, and listen to the advice that they give. Of course we found that everyone wants to give their advice, but that’s not the point…I’m getting off track. One such person we met was the world’s #1 ranked windsurfer who gave us advice on how to trim our mainsheet to maximize the use of the sail. Well, it worked, and we were even able to come to weather that much more due to the adjustments we made!
There is one last thing I want to say before I end my log for these few days, don’t rely to heavily on the VHF marine weather channel. They could not predict the weather correctly if my life depended on it. I would rather get up in the morning and walk out to Point Hudson to physically see what I’m up against, rather than turning on the weather channel and listening to the current reports. Let’s see what the morning will bring us.
