Introduction - Penrose Potter Potlatch

Classic potter "Gypsy" prepares to launch at Zittles.

The Northwest Potters are at it again! Join us for a rousing sail in the Carr Inlet! We'll be sailing down to Mayo Cove to enjoy a night of revelry at Penrose State Park.

Early launchers should find ample water on the ramp all day on Friday. Enjoy some sailing off of Johnson Point, or gather with other sailors and cook on your boats or head into Olympia. If anyone wants to organize a group dinner, the help would be appreciated. Watch this space for more details!

Saturday morning launchers will also find the tide adequate for early launch, and all boats should plan on being in the water by 9:00am at the latest. Once we have all gathered and reviewed the route, we will begin by sailing down the Nisqually Reach, passing by Anderson, McNeil and Ketron Islands. As we sail through the edge of the Balch Passage, we will be careful to watch for ferry traffic! Once abeam Toliva Shoals, we will sail down into the Carr Inlet proper.

Track for the weekend sail.

Giving Penrose Point a wide berth, we will head into Mayo Cove, heading to the park float located deep in the cove. For more detailed information on Penrose State Park, click here.

Dinner this year is once again provided by our friend Margaret Heidel, a local resident on the Key Penninsula, and sponsored by our friends at International Marine. Plan on provided your own libations, but food and desert will be on IM.

We will gather at the covered picnic area for a fine dinner and later we can build a fire at the fire ring spin yarns about our days sail. Any musicians in the group are encouraged to bring their instruments and play as they see fit.

Sunday will be a lazy breakfast, then cast off and head up through the Pitt Passage. This narrow passage should be taken cautiously, and those with depth sounders will want to keep a sharp eye. The passage is marked, and sailors should check their charts before entering the area. The chart posted above is not suitable for navigating that passage.

Once through the Pitt Passage, boats may decide to head into Filucy Bay, site of last years April Anderson Adventure, and stop over for lunch at their covered seating area on the dock. Zittles is only about an hour away from this location. Water on the ramp should be fine all day, so captains may take advantage of the day and explore the Johnson Point area more thoroughly.

For more information about the area and the cruise, please visit Tom Salzer's excellent writeup here.

Zittels Marina

The launch ramp at Zittels Marina

The Penrose Potter Potlatch begins and ends at Zittels Marina. For those that want to maximize the sailing fun, a Friday launch and temporary moorage has been arranged. Sailors wishing Friday moorage need to contact Derek to make sure space is made available, and there will be a charge in the neighborhood of $10 for the night. For more information on ZIttels Marina, click here.

Lakebay Marina in the foreground, and the Penrose State Park float above and to the left

Penrose State Park

Penrose State park is the destination for Saturday Night's moorage. Be sure to give Penrose point a very wide berth when entering Mayo Cove, as there are two large reefs extending far out into the cove. A rule of thumb is to make sure that the white building of Lakebay Marina is visible before turning into the cove. Also watch for shallow water while making the final approach to Lakebay Marina. The park float is off to port when entering the final cove.

Satellite view of inner Mayo Cove. We will moor at the park float.

Once at the float, check your depth and compare it to the tide charts below. The float is in shallow water, and while the tide never drops below 2.6ft on Saturday, it may be necessary to pull in the centerboard until later in the evening as the tide returns.

For more information on Penrose State Park Check these links:

• Washington State Park Site

Driving Directions

Zittels Marina is located on Johnson Point in the South Puget Sound. For driving directions arriving from points north, click here. For driving directions arriving from points south, click here.

Here is the "official" driving directions link from Zittels.

Safety

Keeping safe on the water is every captains responsibility. Make sure you review safe boat handling techniques with your crew also. Click here to view the comprehensive safety page.

Tides

Henderson Inlet, Washington

May 2006

Click here for graphical versions of the tides

Attendees

Sign up for this cruise by sending mail . Indicate your boat type/hull number, number of crew, and whether you want moorage at Zittles on Friday. For a list of boats signed up, Click Here.

Sponsors

International Marine:

The manufacture of our fine craft, International Marine, has graciously offered to sponsor the Saturday night dinner at Penrose State Park. Besides making our beloved Potters, IM is also now manufacturing the Sanibel 18, another fine trailer sailor.