Early Season

Its late April in the coastal rain forest. The night air has a wet chill in it. I am cocooned in my sailboat listening to comedy104 over streaming wireless internet. Thoughts of my recent trip to Mexico do not keep me warm, nor does it bring back the sun. It is said April is a cruel month, I believe this to be true in my harbor.

I have done the pre season checklist, engine, lights, sails. I made minor repairs to the galley flipper tap. I even went on a quick shake down day sail. It is still a little stormy and I don't really relish a cold night at anchor in blustery winds.

Its also a 20 nautical mile beat into 20 knot head wind most days to get south out of our mountain sound. Although I occasionally get crew, I usually sail single handed in my sloop. I Have Sailed this area since 2001 as a seasonal culinary worker commuting by boat with extended live aboard times.
Sailing around here in the north pacific close to rocky lee shores is best approached with some fore knowledge. It is my hope that in sharing some of these lessons learned other people can progress on their own learning curve.