Cheryl McChesney of Bluewater Yachts (BWY) in Seattle has authorized me to spread the word. BWY has acquired a lift. This is a wonderful thing. Plans are being discussed for dropping X sailboats into Lake Union for the duck dodges which start this Tuesday night.
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/1114/
The duck dodge is one of the top 100 things to do in North America. It is special kind of race where you can leave your motor running until the start. But it attracts some of the best sailboat crews in the world, the same crews racing Swiftsure on May 25th.
After the racing there is a raft up party and I know from personal experience that anyboat with a table is popular. The City breaks up the partying at 10 PM. It is not as wild as it use to be owing to that.
BWY has overnight docks near the crane. If at all interested contact Cheryl, who can warn you about the optional parties and explain race rules. The races are held in front of BWY.
Todd and Cheryl will have a full range of services oriented around the crane so pre or post dodge you will be able to get those chores done by their crew. Eventually 80 percent of BWY's operation will be under the crane.
The crane is operational as of Friday. X cruisers may be lifted in by chain plate (this is a testament to the strength of these vessels). Plans to purchase straps have been made and full operation after the rendezvous.
Oh - now this is cool. 13 X cruisers and about twice that number of Ms will be at the June 18th Port Orchard rendezvous. There will be a not-quite race in the format of the Duck dodge but not competitive (you compete against yourself). Todd and Cheryl can support a few more boats at the rendezvous and I especially want to encourage potential X race boats.
You do not need to be a current customer or have purchased your boat from BWY. You are expected to become a customer of BWY however. So filter that. Use the crain for lower unit maintenance or bottom cleaning, something like that. In any case if at all interested in learning the duck dodge style of racing, which ignores the scarry start part of racing, do call BWY.
A post of the crane will be made below http://www.pacificfog.net/phpbb/viewtop ... c&start=80 which gives the French definition of a blue water cruiser and here when that is possible.
Murrelet
1999 Mac26x
Olympia Washington
Sail Number 79020
Blue Water Yachts
crane photo
she is a brute:
[img]http://www.eskimo.com/~mighetto/crane.jpg[/img]
If you do not see the image, try:
http://www.eskimo.com/~mighetto/crane.jpg
Of course the BWY sign will replace the current one. I really do not know how Todd et all pulled this off. Timing related to the poor economy and street/warf redevelopment causing the former business to go out-of-business, I suppose. The crane upper portion is fused. It does not retract. This limits the total lifting weight possible, which Todd will never need. You can still lift a dozen X and Ms at once. (not going to be done of course). One at a time.
[img]http://www.eskimo.com/~mighetto/crane.jpg[/img]
If you do not see the image, try:
http://www.eskimo.com/~mighetto/crane.jpg
Of course the BWY sign will replace the current one. I really do not know how Todd et all pulled this off. Timing related to the poor economy and street/warf redevelopment causing the former business to go out-of-business, I suppose. The crane upper portion is fused. It does not retract. This limits the total lifting weight possible, which Todd will never need. You can still lift a dozen X and Ms at once. (not going to be done of course). One at a time.
cruising clubs
The most friendly to MacGregor Yachts club in Puget Sound, because I am a board member, has Reciprocal Memberships with the following:
Bremerton Yacht Club
Canadian Forces Sailing Association
Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham
Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma
Everett Yacht Club
Flounder Bay Yacht Club
Gig Harbor Yacht Club
Nanaimo Yacht Club
Navy Yacht Club Everett
Oak Harbor Yacht Club
Port Madison Yacht Club
Port Townsend Yacht Club
Poulsbo Yacht Club
Quartermaster Yacht Club
San Juan Island Yacht Club
Seattle Singles Yacht Club
Sequim Bay Yacht Club
Swinomish Yacht Club
Tacoma Yacht Club
Tomahawk Bay Yacht Club
Vancouver Rowing Club
West Seattle Yacht Club
If you think you might visit just two of these clubs this summer, get in touch with me. In a month I will be able to set you up with a membership in South Sound Sailing Society until the end of the year which will get you free moorage for one or more days at the above. Our activities stop during the summer as the fleet moves north but I can cut you a deal owing to that on the remainder of the year membership fee. The cost would be something like two nights moorage.
[email protected]
Bremerton Yacht Club
Canadian Forces Sailing Association
Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham
Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma
Everett Yacht Club
Flounder Bay Yacht Club
Gig Harbor Yacht Club
Nanaimo Yacht Club
Navy Yacht Club Everett
Oak Harbor Yacht Club
Port Madison Yacht Club
Port Townsend Yacht Club
Poulsbo Yacht Club
Quartermaster Yacht Club
San Juan Island Yacht Club
Seattle Singles Yacht Club
Sequim Bay Yacht Club
Swinomish Yacht Club
Tacoma Yacht Club
Tomahawk Bay Yacht Club
Vancouver Rowing Club
West Seattle Yacht Club
If you think you might visit just two of these clubs this summer, get in touch with me. In a month I will be able to set you up with a membership in South Sound Sailing Society until the end of the year which will get you free moorage for one or more days at the above. Our activities stop during the summer as the fleet moves north but I can cut you a deal owing to that on the remainder of the year membership fee. The cost would be something like two nights moorage.
[email protected]