A TIME FOR
SECLUSION, TRANQUILITY, AND SAFETY BY DEANE HISLOP
Summer has officially come and gone. As the majority of boaters in the Pacific Northwest head home for the season, this opens the waterways to those of us determined to continue our boating experiences. The off-season offers a respite as anchorages are deserted, marinas and marine park docks become our own, guest moorage rates are reduced, and no jockeying required at the fuel dock or launch ramps. The sea and wildlife are unencumbered by summer’s steady stream of boat traffic and visitors walking the park trails. The seals and otters take on an indignant “this is my cove” attitude. The weather becomes cooler and days shorter, the winds increase, and storms come frequently. For some boaters this is bad news, however, for seasoned mariners this change is welcomed with open arms. Though off-season cruising may seem unappealing to the unfamiliar, the hardy few know it offers a chance to experience 70
familiar waters in new ways. The landscape takes on a different cloak, the crowds thin out, and well-known places feel somehow different. There are few pleasures better than curling up in a warm salon with a good book on a rainy day. After Labor Day, there are fewer boats out on the water, and the trend accelerates as we move through the calendar. Most boats spend half the year idle at the dock, orphans from October through March. Just a handful of intrepid boaters enjoy the solitude and serenity of year-round boating, and if you want to be part of that bold crew, it is important to be properly prepared and practice safety first. Let the Weather Rule Check the weather before heading out. Storms occur in the fall and winter with more regularity than in the summer. For off-season
