Koosah was returning from a pleasurable vacation in the San Juans. It was shared with Keith and Gail Grant, Cygnet, Forrest and Kathy Koponen, Cool Change, and Gary and Linda Zerbst, Infinity. The last night all anchored in Blind Bay on Shaw Island and departed in different directions the next morning.
We decided to go to La Connor. Over the years, this has been an expensive stop for Koosah! A few times Koosah managed to obtain reciprocal moorage at the Swinomish Yacht Club on E Dock, but even with those savings the Master Card always sustains a huge dent. The yarn and antique shops, plus the exceptional dining draw us to town. One year we were rewarded with a “wonderful” “unique” antique double drop-leaf table for less than one boat buck. We returned to La Connor the next week in the Windstar to retrieve the valuable item.
Our daughter’s family time shares a beach house located on the west side of Camano Island facing Whidbey Island on Saratoga Passage. In years past she had driven the three grandchildren to La Connor and left them to spend the night on the boat. The next morning we motor through the Swinomish Channel, south on Saratoga Passage, anchor in front of the beach house, and row the kids ashore. This is fun for all!
This year, due to the kids’ schedules, they could not join us in La Connor. Linda and I enjoyed the evening, met some friends we had not seen for a long time; it’s amazing whom you run into when you are cruising! And next morning headed down the channel. The weather was overcast with no wind, so it resulted in a motor through all of the powerboat wakes to the beach house. We anchored and the grandkids rowed out to meet us. It was a long row. The water along that beach area of Camano Island is shallow.
Some memorable hours were spent with our family. The wind started to increase. Koosah was in an exposed area with over ten miles of fetch. Time to weigh anchor. We set sail with the number three and a full main. Within 20 minutes a reef was tucked in. Ten minutes later a double reef! The front was moving through the area! Close hauled to Hackney Island at the entrance to Holmes Harbor, then a tack east back to Camano Island. Koosah was making 6 to 7 knots, the wind was blowing in the high twenties, and then the rain came! Looking towards Everett the black clouds and loads of lightning were demonstrating a display of humbling magic! Our plan was to go to Kingston but the storm demanded that the plan be changed. This was a vacation, not a race!
Where to go? Everett was in the middle of the lightning and Edmonds was just about as far away as Kingston. There were no protected anchorages that we were familiar with. Ah ha! Langley! We had always passed by it because it was in the middle of the day and we were either on our way to the islands or on our way home. The only time we did stick our bow into the harbor it looked too crowded and we continued on.
This afternoon was different. Koosah was at thirty-degrees of heel and the next sail change was to the storm jib. It would be a slow slog for our 21-horsepower diesel to push the 15,000 pounds of Koosah up wind against the waves that were becoming larger. Langley was A Port in the Storm.
An attempt to call on the cell phone revealed the number out of service. After landing it was discovered that the Langley Marina Store was out of business and the Port of Langley telephone numbers were (360) 221-2611/(360) 929-6751. No response was received on VHF. Koosah would go in unannounced and hope for the best.
Langley is a small harbor with pilings as breakwater. As one enters it is similar to entering a room without windows; you cannot see out. Koosah slowly edged her way into the harbor. It looked full, boats everywhere. Someone yelled, “What’s your beam?”
I shouted back, “11'1".
He replied, “Pull up your fenders, you’ll just fit!” That was the Harbor Master, Ben Reams, issuing the instructions from his boat. Several boaters rushed over to assist us. The winds were still howling but it was calm in the harbor. The hardest part of docking was squeezing Koosah into a space that was only 11' 1"; feet wide! Since the boat next to us was the Harbor Master’s we could push against it until Koosah fit. As you can see by the photo, one did not worry about falling overboard!
What a relief! Safe haven for the night and electricity included! We paid our moorage and enjoyed talking with other boaters. The way they can get so many boats in that small harbor is fascinating. They Med Moor only without the anchor! Boats will put their stern to the dock and tie off to other boats. Where one boat would normally fit, three can now find room. There is also an abundance of rafting. Cooperation is the key.
The Port of Langley plans to increase the size of the harbor. Details are on their website. The new marina will allow for some permanent moorage and an abundance of guest moorage. Langley would become a destination port. Boaters could spend more time in Oak Harbor, Coupeville or La Connor discovering bargains because the next stop south is a short distance.
The climb up the hill from the harbor to town was steep. We turned left, headed south, and discovered a restaurant, Edgecliff! A stunning view of Saratoga Passage, the Cascades, the lightning storm over Everett, and most importantly, Koosah, snugly tied at the dock! The food and service were superb.
Linda and I walked throughout the downtown. There are several restaurants, gift shops and a variety of stores, including a fabric store for quilters! After touring the town, we walked back down the hill to Koosah and had a sound sleep as the storm blew itself out during the night.
So, don’t count Langley out! Ben can always squeeze you in! The town is a fun place to visit, and it is A Port in a Storm!
Dave Knowlton, Koosah
Photos by Dave
above right: Koosah is squeezed into a slip.
below: the Port of Langley
