Less than ideal conditions for a Thanksgiving weekend trip - Poulsbo, WA

[Nehalennia]

On Friday after Turkey Day, we launched at Shilshole marina in Seattle and met Seattleite at the south end of the Marina after he and his bride came through the locks, from Lake Washington. The crossing conditions were not ideal, with a white capped 2-3' sea. Once we crossed to the West side of Puget sound, with Poulsbo our destination, the seas calmed down as we ran under the Agate pass bridge, connecting Bainbridge island and Kitsap peninsula.
The Agate pass bridge

We then tied up side by side in Poulsbo and in the pouring rain, headed up to lunch.
The rain continued, but we were on a mission to bounce around town and check out the different pubs and restaurants. The temperatures were predicted to drop and they did, from a really wet lower 40s to near freezing. We had a great meal at a Tapas restaurant on Friday night and turned in full of spirits, good food and company. The night was windy and we heard the splashing of the water on the hull all night. Reports from our friends and family back home on Facebook were that it was snowing pretty good. We didn't see snow any until we awoke Saturday AM, but the wind was in the 20s gusting to 35.

Cold Saturday morning

Saturday the sun had come out but it was bitter cold (for us PacNWers) that's below freezing. The wind howled all day, continuing in the 20s gusting to 30.

Nehalennia and Lunasa (Seattleite) side by side.

We had another great day walking through the Norwegian town and checking out all the shops.

It was a great getaway despite the weather. Saturday night was super cold and the space heater did a great job keeping the cabin warm, but it worked it's heart out. Sunday we awoke to a couple frozen boats, but it was time to head home. The winds had calmed and it was a nice boat ride home. I was thankful to have a hydronic heater.

There was another yacht club there for their Christmas cruise

Lunasa chillin'

Sunday AM

When we were heading home, another friend that lives along the water, saw on facebook that we were leaving Poulsbo. She captured us crossing in front of her house with the Olympic mountains, dusted with the fresh snowfall, in the background. I thought these were cool pics.

Depsite the cold, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I absolutely love getting out on the boat. Thanks Seattleite and Lunasa for a great trip.

 

[MonacoMike]

Thanks for sharing! Awesome pictures. With the right equipment you can have fun in any weather. A friend of mine says "there's no such thing as bad weather only bad clothes".

Glad you had a great weekend,

MM

 

[Bucit]

Us Floridians would say if it gets below freezing we're staying on land and inside! No way I would go boating in sub-freezing temps with winds blowing 25 knots.

 

[alwhite00]

Thanks for the pictures and the story.

 

[kilroy]

Thanks for sharing. Great pics!

 

[Nehalennia]

Yes, the hydronic heat really helps take the chill off for the Fall, Winter and early Spring runs. It was still worth it to head out. I just really feel the stress roll off when we get in the water.

 

[Do Over]

well done....great pics....."boating" its not just for summer anymore

 

[jthatcher]

I am a firm believer in boating year round if you can. We have ours rigged for the cold and love going out.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Great pics and, cold weather not withstanding, it looks like you had a good trip. Thanks for taking us along with you.

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks guys. Happy to do it. It's been awhile since I've had a moment to reflect and share.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Awesome Todd! Thanks for sharing. Paulsbo is on our list of places to see when we go north in 2016.

 

[Quint4]

You sir are a true boater.

 

[SeaAyeOwe]

Wow - hats off, I can only stand back in awe. Great pics and thanks for the inspiration.

 

[Tman]

I love it. Elizabeth and I stayed put at Elliott Bay...regrettably. We would have joined you on the trip to Paulsbo. The feast at Elliott Bay was nice and all, but we both would have preferred to have been at some cruise destination frankly. Great pictures!!

 

[jitts3]

I love the pic with your boat running by and the snowy mountains in the background! I have been out that way many times with the Peterbilt and always thought it was a great view regualdless of the season.

 

[aquadancer]

Very cool (and cold!) trip and awesome pics!

 

[themikehyde]

Sorry to ask a stupid question, but what is a hydronic heater?
Do you have your Freshwater winterized?
Jealous because I pulled mine out last Sunday.
Mike

 

[Nehalennia]

I keep Nehalennia in a garage, that I can heat if needed. So I don't winterize and she's always tucked away ready for the next trip.


Hyrdonic heat is like your car. It pulls heat off of a heat exchanger that works like your car.


For the bride, she gets this "Hot Tube" that she can put under a blanket and she's toasty and happy.


On my side next to my right knee


Then there is one under the stairs entering the cabin



.....and another in the mid-cabin. I added a 12VDC and 120VAC outlet while I was in there.

 

[islandhopper00]

Cool trip Todd. I miss your boating pictures.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

Todd, thanks for bringing us along with your great story and pictures. My favorite is the ones of you and your buddy coming home, with the mountains as a backdrop, wow!