Maiden Voyage to Cypress Island

Megan is the birthday girl today, so I am your guest blogger for this post. She jumped out of bed to go for a run this morning, so I'll fill you in while she is gone.

We finally headed out to the islands for a couple days to see if this boat actually sails. She does, and well! A few questions from people about: why this boat? What is different from Low Pressure (last boat)? Didn't Megan swear off sailing forever after the crazy storms on the last trip?


Bottom line is that this boat is unconventional (like anyone you know?), and is very easy to sail. That means safety and comfort, and that's what it's all about for us these days. The rig is called a cat-ketch. There are are two masts instead of one, which means each sail is smaller and more manageable. The masts are made out of carbon fiber and don't have any standing rigging (wires holding them up) so there is less to break and fewer (almost no) dependent parts. Since there are no headsails, when you tack or gybe (turn the boat through the wind), you don't really do anything except turn the wheel and go in a new direction. Simple + easy= more fun!


One big question we had was about sailing with Sugar - she is critical to a happy team: if Sugar no-likey, we no likey. At first she decided the best place to be would be under the helm, but later she headed up on deck all by herself! We'll have to keep the life jacket on her for sure.



Cypress Island was our first foray into the San Juans. Only a couple of hours away and we're transported to a completely undeveloped and primitive landscape.


We hiked the north end of the island, stopping over at Duck Lake (mostly a lillipad bog), and a wonderful pebble beach (if nobody is around, is it really trespassing?) for a quick rest and snack. Sugar took the initiative for a little swim. She is a water dog for sure.

Back at the dock to celebrate birthdays, then we'll be off to the islands again. One look at a chart and we can see a thousand possibilities.