Around Fidalgo on the end of a rope!

[halffast32]

What a day on the water!
First off I have to give a big thanks to Chuck B. for hanging out at the float and waiting for me to try and get the Seafair Sunliner up and running. I must have been trying your patience pretty good with my multiple yet futile attempts to get the (insert swear word here) Merc to go. And then to have to drag us thru the pass against the current! That was quite a ride! I still can't believe the indifference the big boats comming toward us showed us. Chuck, I don't think you saw us take a full salty wave over the bow, the windshield and even the bimini. First time I ever stuffed the nose into a wake in that boat! Cheryl was not too happy, nor I! I know you and your Honda were working hard to get us thru. I was surprised to read that that was your first run thru Deception (ours too), as you showed great boat handling in adverse conditions.
Then a big thankyou to John and Diane for towing us back to the launch under the bridge at La Conner. Hopefully there was no damage to your beautifull boat as we were finding the channel entrance.
So thanks to all that helped get us back safe and sound to the trailer. I was pretty close to backing off the thumb screws and making a merc donation to the crab gods. In my younger days that probably would have happened, but the mature me will go out and try and figure it out and throw more parts and time at it. Take it to Lake Stevens where it will perform flawlessly, load it up for an event and let someone new drag us home next time! I just love these old motors..........!!!!!! Never a dull outing for us!!:eek: Gordon & Cheryl

[ChuckB]

Gordon, I know the yacht that doused you, I was too busy dealing with what its wake was doing to the rest of the waves and current to look back. I was just hoping you wouldn't fill with too much water. Great initiation though!
Go OMC!
Oh, and by the way, you're welcome!

[Marvelous]

Well I just need to get this off my chest. The day was fun and exciting with fog-sun-big water and more.

What I am having my issues with is all the talk of buddy systems and taking care of each other. As we left from lunch at Bowman Bay we waited to be sure everyone was up and running. There was a boat not running, and another boat had stayed behind to help. We mentioned to a member that knows the area that we believe they need help. We were told there was nothing we could, there was another boater helping, so everyone just motored on so we followed them.

I for one have never been in those waters on my own boat and going thru Deception Pass was fun for me but not at all for my wife. As we made it through I kept hearing calls for help from the boats that were left behind. Apparently, we were the only boat that was in radio reception as everyone else had sped around the island. We did not know the area and did not want to go forward, but felt compelled to go back as the boaters who were left behind obviously needed help. We started to motor back towards deception pass, all the while continuing to radio for additition help. We finally reached some other boats and together we headed back to locate the boats that had radioed for help.

We were handed the tow rope which was fine except we have been having engine problems (water in gas) our last two outings and not sure how we could tow them without breaking down ourselves. So we assumed we would tow the boat and be led back to Laconner together, as a group, but everyone just took off again. If not for radio calling to please ask for directions we would have had no idea where to go. The boat in tow knew where to go, but we had no radio contact with them, only hand signals. We did hit something while towing but my wife and i just wanted to get back so we just kept motoring.

Before we even reached the bouys to start the trek back toward Laconner everyone was already at the dock radioing about how they were closing the sling. Needless to say we had a complete different view and perspective of the trip. My wife was scared we would not make it back to Laconner, not knowing of what the "hole in the wall" was. With all the boats that went, how was it they all left us while we towed a broken down boat with no clue how to get back. People were more concerned on getting to the sling then helping a fellow boater.

At first we did not want to say anything, but as time has gone on, we felt it was necessary to share our experience. We were drawn to the club for it's love of boating and taking care of fellow boaters.
Enough said- John and Diane Kelly of the Marvelous

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Buddy System

John -

Glad you brought it up--thanks for sharing.

I wasn't there, but considering your experience and that of Chuck Bauer--being left behind while towing--we obviously need to do a better job of defining what the Buddy System means. And we need more detailed skippers' meetings before heading out on adventures, to be sure everyone understands how to communicate with one another, what to do if somebody breaks down (who's best equipped to tow; who knows the local waters best, etc), and exactly where we think we're going together.

Everybody wants to do the right thing, and we've seen countless examples of the Buddy System working brilliantly in the club...but it's always good to be reminded that we can do better.

- Marty

[Skagitguy]

John, My son and i did not EVEN know there was a problem until we did heard it over the VHF ( we had not heard any problems or ANYTHING over the VHF till then ) at Hope Island. At that time we started back to Deception Pass to help. We saw ChuckB ( who was going to travel on to Everett) towing Gordon. The next thing we saw was ChuckB handing you the tow line. If i known there was a problem about ( the brake in time for your new motor like you told me at the dock when you got back ) you towing Gordon i would have step in and would have tow them. We were left to figure out the channel area ourselves. I had to think back to 2004 when it was the last time we went thru there. I did stay back at the channel opening ( we had a chart ) to guide you via VHF to the first set of Nav markings to make sure you did not go into the shallow areas that were down to 6-7 feet. After that it was just following the next set of Green & Red nav markings that were just up ahead of the first set and then there was a third set ( that turned to port a little ) before you enter the eastern part ( by the Rainbow bridge ) before you where in "downtown " LaConner. As far as the "Hole in the Wall" i have never understand why it's called that myself? Bad radio reception i think played a big part to this problem. I do hope your boat and motor are ok. Best,Chuck

[ChuckB]

To a certain extent I feel responsible for part of John's dilema. I had found the "Hole in the Wall" that morning in the fog, and should have just continued the tow with an escort. Gordon was concerned for me because i was boating back to Everett, so i gave it to a more powerful boat.
I only have a handheld VHS radio. Obviously not enough range. As boats passed around the point and into deception, I could raise no one. In the pass it was loud, I was busy, but at least i could hear John and Chuck Carey, but no one else. Before going back to the North Sound/San Juans, I will have a larger antenna and better VHF.
Whe I used to lead hiking trips in the Wilderness, we always had a strong lead, and the strongest in the rear. That way no got left behind and if there was a problem experienced help was at either end of the pack. Food for thought.
Going through the pass was no fun unescorted; no one to break the way, honk at the Yachts that were barreling down on us, ( it's hard to hold the wheel, throttle, and radio a well as hit the horn).
Just things we need to think on, myself included. ChuckB

[Helmar]

To a certain extent I feel responsible for part of John's dilema. I had found the "Hole in the Wall" that morning in the fog, and should have just continued the tow with an escort. Gordon was concerned for me because i was boating back to Everett, so i gave it to a more powerful boat.
I only have a handheld VHS radio. Obviously not enough range. As boats passed around the point and into deception, I could raise no one. In the pass it was loud, I was busy, but at least i could hear John and Chuck Carey, but no one else. Before going back to the North Sound/San Juans, I will have a larger antenna and better VHF.
Whe I used to lead hiking trips in the Wilderness, we always had a strong lead, and the strongest in the rear. That way no got left behind and if there was a problem experienced help was at either end of the pack. Food for thought.
Going through the pass was no fun unescorted; no one to break the way, honk at the Yachts that were barreling down on us, ( it's hard to hold the wheel, throttle, and radio a well as hit the horn).
Just things we need to think on, myself included. ChuckB

This is where you take the hull numbers off and file a complaint on those inconsiderate bas*&%*$.
I hate snooty people anyway

Yes, the buddy system needs a little tweaking.

I wonder if the 30-30 rifle that works for Sharks, works for Yachts

[ChuckB]

This is where you take the hull numbers off and file a complaint on those inconsiderate bas*&%*$.
I hate snooty people anyway

Yes, the buddy system needs a little tweaking.

I wonder if the 30-30 rifle that works for Sharks, works for Yachts

Helmar,
My Grandmother used to use a shot gun to scare away less than desireables. But I was a little busy with conditions to get hull #'s and Gordon was under a wave. Not the first time a Yachter has doused or run at my boat. ChuckB

[timw]

Your grandmother used to shoot at boats?..

[ChuckB]

I know she brandished the shotgun, she was all of 4'10". I don't know if she ever fired it...