RUDDERPOST September 2023 (Cruise Chair)
Where have we been? What have we seen? Who did we meet? What went wrong? And What went right? The summer 2023 cruise season is mostly in our wake now, with this month’s Salmon Bake closeout event in sight. The new Discord chat platform was really valuable for keeping track of one another this summer and is also really easy to use – please register a free account and give it a try! Come to the September dinner meeting to hear and see, and share stories of our 2023 adventures far and near. We also want to hear your ideas for favorite or new 2024 event destinations. One item that has come up is that we’re moving next year’s Yellow Fest to the first weekend of April, since Easter, the traditional weekend for Y/F, will fall in March. The Board agreed that the event should stay in April. We’ll have details in the next Rudderpost.
As we end 2023 and look forward to 2024, Cruise Chair and the Board are working to improve efficiencies and encourage attendance at the club’s various events – more is better!
The Labor Day Cruise was held at Port Orchard Marina, a first call for several of us. The weather was cooperative, their event tent at the outer end of the guest dock was sheltered with two tables and a pair of gas grills and heaters, and the showers were free!
This year’s Salmon Bake is on Saturday 23-Sep at Poulsbo WA, so make plans to join us at the Port of Poulsbo Marina for a dinner of one of nature’s “perfect foods.” By water, the Port of Poulsbo is the last of the three marina near the end of Liberty Bay. By land, under 30 minutes from the Seattle/Bainbridge or Edmond/Kingston ferry terminals and about 45 minutes from Tacoma. Settled by Norwegians, Poulsbo, AKA “Little Norway,” is a preserved yet modern little seaport including the full-service Port marina and a decidedly Nordic flavor. Visitors can stroll the historic downtown waterfront for unique shopping, dining, and socializing options. Timing is everything at famous Sluy’s Bakery, where an out-the-door line may evaporate only a few minutes later. Early risers in the marina will catch the scent of their fresh pastries and breads even before walking ashore.
The marina has fuel and pump-out facilities at the shore end of E-Dock, 30a and fresh water at the slips, and large cleats. Those driving in can park in the Liberty Bay Park lot near the guest dock. For lodging close to the marina, check out Hotel Scandi, Poulsbo Inn & Suites, or GuestHouse Poulsbo.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- All slip reservations and assignments are being coordinated through your EVITE notice. We’ll need to know your vessel’s LOA, beam, and draft, and any tie-up preferences. There is no need to contact the marina directly.
- Reserved slips are available for Sep 22 & 23; take one or both, and please note on the Evite which nights you want, along with your vessel specs and preferences.
- An aggressively safe AC system may prevent a vessel getting the 30a activated at Port of Poulsbo; as a solution, they have a limited number of carts to shunt past the primary system and still deliver safe AC. The office recommends hooking up and turning on AC before checking in.
We hope to see you at Poulsbo and at the September dinner meeting!
