An Anchoring Sail Added to Whisper's Wardrobe

In preparation for leaving Seattle & Lake Union for the months of June, July & August, I came across an ad in SAIL magazine for a Florida company. One of their products is the FinDelta Anchoring Sail. The use of this type of sail dampens a vessel's natural tendency to "sail" with the apparent wind while at anchor. This can be especially helpful in a tight anchorage where one is unable to utilize the Grande' Stern Reel (more later about that).

Here is Whisper prior to deployment of the FinDelta with it still in its bag. This is the first deployment while at the dock to set the line lengths.
Just before the clouds opened up with rain I was able to retension the lines.

This is my other tool for anchoring with stern-to-shore in the San Juan & Canadian Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. It is a spool of 400' of poly line with a tensile strength of 900#.

If you are interested in the FinDelta, contact Banner Bay Marine. If, on the other hand, you want information on the Grande' Stern Reel--that would be ME!

Within two weeks you will be able to follow my "Sailing Saga of the Summer of 2009" here in my blog.

See you on the water?

...And Then There Was Bike #3!

I returned from my week in the British Virgin Islands (more about that later) in time to participate in Opening Day of Yachting Season (m.a.t.l.). Having been gone from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday for the Seattle Yacht Club festivities, I returned to my marina home to discover my bike was GONE!

Bike #1, a West Marine Port Runner folding bike, was purchased July 24th of last year prior to my sailing trip to Desolation Sound. It was stolen from in front of the marina on October 27th.

Enter bike #2. Back to West Marine to buy a Montague CX with 26" wheels, 21 speed. That is the bike that disappeared this past weekend.

And now to bike #3. After searching eBay, I made yet another trip to West Marine. Now I temporarily possess a Montague DX, 18 speed folding bike. After two trips to R.E.I. for a lock, lights, rear view mirror, back wheel platform with pannier pack it begins to resemble its predecessor.

With increased security on my part and any luck at all, #3 will remain in my possession for the long term (that means more than 12 months).

Got wheels Grande!