
Trip Report
Sea Kayak - Whidbey Island West Shore - Sailing in a SSE wind
We kayaked and sailed from Keystone terminal to West shore in a SSW wind, establishing a new fastest known time of 6 hours 5 minutes.
- Tue, Dec 17, 2024
- Sea Kayak - Whidbey Island West Shore
- Whidbey Island West Shore
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
In winter, SE storm winds are fairly common and I thought this might make good conditions for paddling the west shore of Whidbey from south to north. I expected a straight tailwind in Admiralty Inlet and then an offshore from Point Partridge to West Beach. Off shore winds can be dangerous, but we choose winds within our ability and planned to stay close to shore.
Ebb tidal current in Admiralty was max at 10:00 am.
We launched at 9:30. Right off Keystone current and waves create chaotic conditions. Further east this eases as you move into an eddy. There is a large eddy west of Keystone. We made an arc toward the center of the channel to stay in strong current. Good sailing to Partridge point.
North of Partridge the wind comes over the land. We did not find it as strong as hoped. It was variable, strong and weak, sometimes with us and sometimes a little to ahead. Mostly, it was on the beam. This pushed us away from shore and it required attention to not get pushed out too far.
There is a south current during ebb. As a result, our progress was often 3.0 to 4.0kt. Not above 4.0 as hoped.
North of Joseph Whidbey the land is lower. At the lowest points, strong winds come off the land. Initially, this made for better sailing and better progress. However, as we reached Ault field, we were a little further off shore than intended. Then Duncan’s sail fell into the water. We rafted up to recover it. Now we were 1/4 mile off shore and getting pushed further by 25 kt winds. We quickly got going and made it back to shore.
We took 3 breaks. Good rest stops at Point Partridge and Joseph Whidbey. Then a shorter break just north of the naval air station to restore Duncan’s sail to working order.
Expect stronger winds off low laying lands, especially Ault field.
We were all pleased to do this trip. Sailing up the coast was not as good as we hoped. Anyone attempting to repeat should be keenly aware of the risk of off shore winds. Next I’ll try a good weather north wind for a north to south run. I think currents are not as contrary during flood into Admiralty.
Our newly established fastest known time has plenty of room to be improved on.