Yes, it certainly did rain and blow last night. 50-knots at Smith island, 40 at Destruction Island and the Entrance to the Straits of JdF, and 27 at West Point. Even at Discovery Bay, we had 43-knots and it was rattling the entire house. Currently, we have 3-knots out of the NE and a lovely rainbow over Protection Island. I believe this is a harbinger of things to come for this weekend’s big event, the SSYC Northwest Harvest Benefit Race.
September 25 500 mb 
September 25 Surface Analysis 
September 26 Surface Forecast 
September 27 500 mb 
September 27 Surface Forecast 
September 28 Surface Forecast 
September 29 500 mb 
September 29, Surface Forecast
Today’s surface analysis and satellite picture show that the front has passed and is being followed by cooler and somewhat unstable air in advance of another warm front headed towards us tomorrow. The surface chart for tomorrow shows an easing of the gradient however that doesn’t mean light air. We’ll still have nice south to southwesterly of 10-20-knots with the chance of light showers. The breeze will probably be at its strongest just after the start and between 1200 and 1300 hours and then start to ease through the rest of the afternoon, becoming 10-knots or less around mid-afternoon. It will ease on the west side of the Sound first, before a potential northerly fills down the Sound.
The other part of any racing on the Sound is always the tidal currents. Luckily, that won’t be much of a factor.
Tidal Current at West Point 26 Sept
0906 .89 Max Flood
1242 Slack
1400 .23 Max Ebb
1848 Slack
Since the course won’t be posted until tomorrow morning we can only guess what that will be. Considering the near-perfect conditions it’s beginning to look like Start-Blakely Rock-Finish, leaving West Point to starboard on the run to the finish. Even though the tide shows flood until around 1300 considering how much wind we’ve had combined with the heavy rain, there will probably be a moderate wind-generated ebb surface current. So after the start, hold starboard and get to the breakwater as there will be a shift to the SE the closer to the breakwater you get, just don’t get in too far and get out of the breeze. Also, avoid sailing directly into the outfall from the Ship Canal as it could be substantial. Keep working into the beach north of West Point until you can lay the West Point Buoy, then hold port tack across the Sound until you get close to the Bainbridge shore where there should be a shift to the SW. Tack to starboard and work your way up to Blakely Rock.
At the Rock, you’ll probably do a port pole set and hold that until you get lifted and can gybe to aim at West Point and the start-finish line. Remember also that since there is the potential for a northerly to fill down, be watching to the north in case this leg becomes a beat. Just make sure the headsail is set up for a clean hoist.
Sunday will arrive with mostly light air conditions over the Salish Sea and then get ready for an offshore flow to develop which will bring unseasonably warm temperatures and very summer-like conditions to the area.
Have a great weekend!
Bruce has raced and cruised the Pacific Northwest his entire life. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Washington in Biological Oceanography and learned meteorology “to keep from getting kicked around on the race course.” Bruce spent nearly two decades as Associate Publisher for Northwest Yachting Magazine, retiring in mid-2015, and was the chairman of the board of trustees for the Northwest Marine Trade Association in 2014. (photo of Bruce driving Playstation is a bit dated, but cool)