PugetSailor.com

Day 4: Blake Island to Poulsbo

I'm not sure where to go today. I have no plan. NOAA weather radio is telling me of expected north winds to ten knots, but as I motor away from Blake Island on a falling tide, I feel on my cheek a gentle south breeze pushing up the Sound.

I raise all sail and begin sailing dead downwind. As the wind curls around the lee side of Blake Island, it shifts and Whisper finds herself pointing directly toward Rich Passage. The decision made for me by the wind, I work against the current to enter Rich Passage, a narrow, winding saltwater river that sees much boat traffic.

What a great decision. Sea lions resting on one of the channel buoys bark as I sail by, and ferries glide by, moving quckly.

I'm listening to VHF channel 14 to learn if any large vessels are going to be transiting Rich Passage, and I hear a U.S. Navy vessel will be escorted out by two US Coast Guard vessels. I circle near Manchester State Park, buying some time as the current wanes and the vessel traffic passes. Surprise! It is a submarine, escorted by two U.S. Coast Guard cutters!

After 6.9 nautical miles in 3.3 hours, Whisper exits Rich Passage, still under sail, but soon the wind fades away. With no schedule to keep, and multiple destinations ahead, I idle the motor and Whisper glides up Port Orchard at 3.8 knots, reaching Poulsbo 9.1 nautical miles later.