Logistics meant the simplest thing would be for Lisa to take us down to Anacortes, and then drive back up and pick us up at our slip at Pt. Roberts. Neither of us preferred the idea of me soloing it, so it was great that our friend Robert was available and enthusiastically agreed to join me for the trip.
Upon arrival, the first thing we had to do was shoo off the riffraff -our friends Jim & Cheryl were standing right in front of our new boat! They were there at Cap Sante attending a Nordic Tug gathering, but a nice coincidence. Having spoken with them at a Squadron picnic about this boat that we hoped would come together, it was really nice that they were the first aboard her.
After fuelling up, Robert & I were off. A typical 'later than planned' departure meant that we would be hit harder by tidal currents for most of the trip. Forcasted winds were 2-4 knots, so we were pleased with the 7-10 we found as we exited the marina. We un-furled the genoa and headed across for the SE tip of Guemes Isl. Things were settling in, there were a few tankers anchored to be navigated, so we were in no hurry to get our main up. In fact, once we were to that point, we looked ahead only to see the 3 or 4 boats rounding Guemes get knocked. Change of plans. Unfamiliar still to us, we elected to simply furl in a little genoa and be conservative. Turned out to be the better plan. We had a 18-20 kn head wind as well as an opposing current all the way up to the north tip of Lummi Isl. We motor-sailed; actually it was more like motoring with a reefed headsail for steadying of motion. We didn't worry about trying to figure out all the electronics, but 'heading' feature on the auto-pilot was simple enough to engage, and all we needed on the longish S-N legs of the trip.
Lisa and Elsa were waiting for us at our slip at PRM. Our slip is on the awkward side of the wharf finger, so this docking is a little more challenging that my inaugural on at Anacortes fuel dock, but in unscathed. Full of varying conditions, it was a good (but long) first trip for me on this boat. I was again so grateful that Robert was able to join me, as it would not have been the best first trip for the rest of the family. This is going to be an enjoyable, fun, comfortable boat for us. I can't wait!