CRUISING - EVENT REPORTS - 1999

Rendezvous Schedule

Cruiser of the Year 

Member Reports Index 

Event Reports 2002

Event Reports 2001 

Event Reports 2000 

Event Reports 1999

1999 Tri-Dyes Messabout Report

by Scott McCulley

We got up at the crack of dawn on Saturday to get an early start. Unfortunately, the trailer light connection on our planned tow vehicle was broken and the right turn signal on the trailer had some water damage. We switched to my trusty old beat up Ford Ranger, repaired the trailer light, and took two vehicles to carry crew (Donna and Michael) and gear. In an effort to make up the lost time, we took the Bremerton ferry and managed to arrive in Silverdale about noon.

The sky was gray with broken clouds and wind from the northwest at about 15-20 mph. Much to my dismay there were no sails to be seen on the inlet! We launched and retired for lunch at a tavern (What is under the fig leaf in the women's bathroom, Donna?).

Casting off, we set sail for the east side of the inlet and spotted two beached tris stranded well above the falling tide. We anchored offshore and Greg's father ferried Michael and myself in to help launch the Fulmar 19 and Rave. Greg had spotted us at the ramp earlier but was car-less and couldn't get around to watch. Several other NWMA members showed up and we manhandled the Rave down the water and installed Greg in the cockpit for a sail.

The weather was improving with a few sun breaks, wind falling off to the 10-15 mph range. We picked up some extra crew (John Simpson) and chased the two other boats. With a crew of 4 we were keeping pace with the two lighter tri's. There was not quite enough wind to get the Rave up on it's foils. Our only misadventure was using the centerboard as a depth finder. There is a shoal that extends way out at low tide on the east side. Quick work with the centerboard and we tacked away.

After an exchange of crew back at Greg's house we headed out again for a short sail with two prima Donnas on board (Greg's wife is also named Donna). We retired to the Silverdale public float for the evening about 7:00 pm. Checked in at the Cimarron Motel and cleaned up. Pizza and pasta at Spiro's was delayed until about 8:30 pm while waiting for the tide to come in so that the Rave could be recovered. The house Chianti was excellent, the food a little bland and the company wonderful.

Sunday the wind turned around from the south in the morning, blowing 15-20 mph with a few whitecaps. The three meter fleet (4 boats) was setting up in the parking lot. Michael and I sailed back over to Greg's house and anchored offshore. My crew abandoned me for the Society for Creative Anachronism Medieval Faire, so Ingvar Andermo and his wife joined me for a short sail to chase the three meters. Lunch was cold cuts at Greg's house while sitting out a brief rain shower.

Michael took the tiller for the afternoon run down the inlet. We were getting shifting winds at the center of a convergence zone. No matter what course we sailed, we were always heading into the wind! Charlotte had promised to meet us with her 16' monohull, sailing up from Bremerton, but she misjudged the tide and didn't get there until after we had packed up and left for home.

The trip home was uneventful. We had dinner at Johnny's of Fife, salmon topped with crab, bay shrimp and cheddar cheese, yummy! A quick rinse at the car wash to dilute the salt water and Tigger was back home.

For pictures of this great event checkout Tigger's 1999 Logbook page.