From Penn Cove to the Coupeville Wharf

The sea was like glass today so we weighed anchor for the first time. The anchor rode is all chain so our scope was only 3 to 1. Gnettie was at the controls and brought the ship up on it while I reeled it in. To my amazement the windlass picked the anchor right out of the mud. We then practiced with the ship to see how she handles. With rudder to full port after some practice we were able to turn the boat 360 degrees in her own length which is called a Standing Turn. So if we get to a busy place with no room we can simply turn it around and get the hell out. After practice we headed for the Coupeville Wharf. I ended up a little close because the GPS failed on the way over. We ended up about 500 feet from the pier.

Coupeville from the water.

Early the next day I suspected that the anchor had been dragged during the night because it looked like we moved a lot closer to the wharf. Yikes! The engine is always ready to run while at anchor for just this reason. With Gnettie at the helm we were able to raise the anchor and re-anchor the ship where I wanted to go earlier. This time she put the boat in reverse a little longer until the chain went straight out from the bow. While in reverse the anchor plowed into the sea floor and the chain actually ran my windlass backwards. Now I know this time the anchor won't slip !

Spent the next few days getting gas, fuel and water from the pier. Gnettie went to Oak Harbor to do the laundry. I keep going through my list fixing minor issues with the boat, and trying to perfect the dinghy handling when we tie up to the big ship. It's a learning curve !