PugetSailor.com

May 25, Sunday: Shelton to Filucy Bay

Shelton launch, and transiting Hammersley Inlet

Maybe the high price of gasonline influenced my decision to launch from close to home. Maybe it was because I was tired of feeling anxious about Hammersley Inlet conditions: a narrow, long, winding passage with many shoals, and fast currents at peak flows.

Tugs haul logs regularly through Hammersely, but those skippers have local knowledge. Despite reading guidebooks and talking to locals experienced in transiting Hammersley Inlet, I knew the only way to learn this waterbody would be to sail it myself.

If you have spent time around river systems, you know the outside of river bends is where the channel is deepest. The inside arc of those bends is where shallower, muddier bottoms are built. The eastern half of Hammersley is like a river with channels to the outside of bends, and shallow water toward the inside of bends. Unlike a river, Hammersley Inlet flows in two directions, so there are often two channels present, with shallower water between them.

With water shallow enough to damage most recreational boats, and an inlet so narrow in places you could launch a rock across it with a slingshot, Hammersley Inlet was a waterbody that promised to be interesting. Having finally decided to tackle Hammersley, and armed with NOAA chart number 18457, Whisper found herself bobbing gently in Pickering Passage after successfully negotiating the inlet's channels and shoals.

We launched Whisper on Sunday at high tide from the Shelton boat launch, a shallow gravel ramp with no finger pier. At the launch, there are pilings immediately to the north, and then the Port of Shelton and Shelton Yacht Club docks. Immediately to the south are more pilings. (The photograph of the launch ramp shows the tide lower than when we launched.)

Tidal currents in the channel were predicted to be moderate today. Most of the published advice I've read said one should try to transit Hammersley on a rising tide. In Whisper, that would mean motoring against a building current. With a retractable keel and kick-up rudder, I decided going out on a falling tide was a reasonable risk. I left the keel unsecured so I could lift it quickly, and left the rudder blade unlocked so it would kick up if needed.

I backed down until the rear truck tires were partly submerged and Whisper was floating off the rear end of the trailer bunks. A little push and she was floating for the first time since last fall. I guided Whisper backward to clear the trailer, then pulled her bow around and slid her gently to the gravel and mud shore. While Jan held Whisper, I pulled the trailer up to level ground.

We tied the dinghy to a stern cleat, I started the motor with it lifted most of the way up, and Jan pushed me away from shore and tossed the bow line onto the foredeck. As Whisper glided backward, I went to lower the running motor only to discover I had forgotten to undo the motor locking arm. I needed to quickly get the motor down in the water for more bite and to make sure cooling water was being pumped through the motor!

Those who sail Potters know that with the keel up, there is not much hull shape to keep the boat from sliding sideways. The gentle breeze was pushing Whisper toward some barely submerged pilings by the time I got the locking arm undone and the motor down. (Shelton is a mill town, so the waterfront is heavily industrial in character.) Several turns of the winch and the keel was fully down. A quick tug on the rudder lines pulled the blade down and Whisper was ready. I spun her around and pointed her toward the center of the Hammersley Inlet channel.

I mentioned a dinghy. I have been looking for an inexpensive hard dinghy that would fit in the back of my pickup truck. We recently found an older Olympian dinghy in sound shape. It has enough dings that I'm not too worried abouting adding a couple of new ones. While we haven't officially named it yet, the name that seems to be sticking with us is Taffy...because Whisper will be pulling Taffy.

After the launch, I set the motor to just above idle and kept the sails furled. I needed to focus on the nautical chart and watch the points to be able to follow the chart. Having said that, I was very glad to have chart 18457 because the channels and shoals move around quite a bit, and all other published guides did not contain the detail I needed to feel comfortable.

Whisper glided with the outgoing tide through timber-covered glades, past a mixture of beachfront cottages and large, expensive homes. I saw one other boat while in Hammersley: a sailboat, motoring along ahead of us. I passed several points — Eagle Point, Munson Point, Miller Point, Church Point, Skookum Point, Libby Point, Cannery Point, Cape Horn, Cape Code, Hungerford Point — and was thankful they were distinctive enough to help me identify where I was.

About an hour and a half after launch, Whisper nosed into Pickering Passage. Shoal water exists around the mouth of Hammersley Inlet, just like it was a small river delta. I navigated to the center of Pickering Passage, then turned south toward Hope Island.

Hope Island, Dana Passage, Drake Passage, Filucy Bay

It was the day before Memorial Day and there were many boats about. Did I mention I really did not have an itinerary or plan for this trip? Because of the number of boaters on the water, I knew I could not expect any dock space or mooring buoys to be available. Several boats were on mooring buoys and anchored off the northwest side of Hope Island. I was very surprised to see the buoy on the south side was not taken, and I was tempted to tie up.

But...the Hammersley segment had gone well, I was feeling well, and it seemed too early in the day to quit. So I turneed Whisper's nose into Dana Passage and thought maybe Joemma Beach State Park would be a good destination. As I approached Johnson Point, a quick look toward Joemma Beach through the binoculars revealed many, many boats. I turned toward Drake Passage where I could peek at Eagle Island State Park and into Filucy Bay.

Eagle Island had boats on bouys and at anchor, so I motored into Filucy Bay, staying close to shore to give plenty of room to a runabout pulling kids on an inflatable toy.

The Filucy Bay dock was not visible, hidden behind a plethora of large boats. The anchorage was chock-a-block full, with several rafts of boats anchored out. I headed toward the far north arm, and near the end, found some quiet space to drop the hook in a mud bottom.

About an hour later I was rowing Taffy through the bay when a Potter motored past, looking for anchoring room. The Ida Mae anchored a few hundred yards away. What a delight to see another West Wight Potter in the midst of all these boats! I chatted with the Bryant's for a few minutes, then left them alone to enjoy the solitude.

Tired, I spent a very quiet, restful night at anchor.