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Jennifer Donogh

Travel Log
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July 27, 2022

A Swell Passage

En Route to Sucia Island

When Shane got off work he began final preparations for our departure. We made it off the dock by 6pm. High tide was at 7pm at almost nine and a half feet – pretty intense!

As we left the marina, Shane was at the wheel and the boys and I were on the bow. It was a hot day, so the air felt so good. There was a bit of wind swell on our bow on the way out, with enough wind that a few boats were out with their sails up.

The kids and I eventually went into the pilot house to procure snacks. Once we got past Drayton Harbor the swell started to pick up. We were headed south outside Birch Bay with the waves on our beam. The wind and current started to increase in opposing directions. The waves got bigger once we were out of the protection of Point Robert’s shadow.

Taking the waves on our side, or the beam, was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. We were pitching from one side to the other with stacked waves that came relentlessly Shane decided to change course.

I am so grateful for Shane’s time as a white water guide, paddling on the mixed up waters of the Snoqualmie. Plus, his hundreds of hours paddling all of the the Puget Sound. He’s so good at reading the water. We needed that skill on Monday night! The Puget Sound is one giant river after all.

Shane pointed our bow west southwest, towards the waves. This made the ride more comfortable for a bit. His plan was to go upwind until we got to a point where we could turn back towards Sucia on an east southeast course. Then go with the following seas. The trip was longer, but much more tolerable.

The waves continued to pickup as we went. Once we got past Alden Bank and into the shipping lanes the water really started to get wild. It really looked like a river we were riding. They were steep, because of the current. Shane estimates at around six feet and with a short duration in between each.

Once while crossing the traffic lanes from Shilshole to Blake Island we had to cross over a freighter wake that was breaking close by. A few of the waves resembled that. Coco Mar did awesome. On the other hand, our paddleboard strap couldn’t hack it. On a set of a few water-over-the-bow type waves, the paddleboard tie down strap snapped, sending the board over the hooks, dangling from the bow.

Shane, already wearing a PFD had me take the wheel. He carefully went to secure the board while the bow continued to rock up and crash down. Once it was secure we carried on until we reached about two miles off of Patos when Shane turned us around to go downwind towards Sucia.

Shane still had to point the boat almost straight east to not let the boat roll too hard. He was having a blast surfing our boat on the waves. We made it almost to the neighboring island of Matia before we could turn back up towards Echo Bay, our final destination. Not before going through competing eddy lines.

We made it to our anchorage about an hour later than expected. Despite the rough conditions we were all in good spirits. Anchoring was quick and easy.

I made dinner with comfort foods for all of us. Shane and I debriefed while the kids watched a show in the salon.

We made a few mistakes that we will be sure to pay closer attention to next time. Stowing is an obvious mistake. We’re purchasing new straps for the paddleboard. Shane would have let it go in that sea state if it fell off entirely, but it was just one strap that made it dangle against our boat. Thankfully nothing was damaged.

I stow Dishy and it’s stand in our cabin on a table-type surface. At one point the stand flew off the table, even with the raised bumper sides. I’ll stow it on the bed during passages from now on. I also have a soda stream that is on a non-skid. The top heaviness of the appliance sent it flying on a beam wave. I’ll lay that flat in a locker.

Personally, I messed up in the nauseous department . The boys and I were doing a load of Shane’s paddle gear laundry in town, with a skatepark visit earlier in the afternoon. I decided we’d wait in the air conditioned Starbucks and have a treat for the final bit of drying. It was hot and I was tired. I ordered a black nitro brew coffee. It was delicious and I drank the whole thing around 4pm.

I have yet to be seasick on the boat. I was definitely seasick on Monday. I’ve read in multiple books that caffeine may cause nausea in rough seas. Knowing that I’ve always gone easy on the coffee before we head out. Wyatt can get pretty queasy in rough water. So, in the midst of wanting to throw up I was helping him with his seasick l bands, grabbing a bowl and telling him everything would be over soon.

He is such a trooper. Both the boys are. Kelly went into his cabin and got cozy while we bounced around. Wyatt eventually took a nap when we were surfing downwind.

I will be more aware of being seasick ready in the future. No one threw up and everyone kept a good attitude throughout.

As far as staying out of rough conditions goes, Shane said he should have known the wind opposing the current would make for uncomfortable cruising. However, the conditions were not what we expected. The wind was stronger than forecasted and the current was moving swifter than instruments we use was showing. Shane thought changing course earlier might have helped. Ultimately, for how often we are out on the water, things will happen. We’ll continue to do our best to grow as mariners.

Im grateful for Shane’s experience, creative thinking and positive attitude whenever we’re on the water. Also, for Coco Mar. The only other vessel we saw that night was a smaller sailboat off of Sucia. You could see the mast was swinging hard from side to side. Finally, I’m grateful for our beautiful cruising grounds in the San Juan Islands. It was so beautiful. We were gifted with an impressive sunset as we passed into the protection of Sucia.

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Hi, I’m Jennifer Donogh,

Hi, I’m Jennifer Donogh,

the Cruise Director for our 41' ketch sailboat. We're traveling a lot, so creating healthy routines is a priority for me. Plus, planning fun excursions, meals, and onboard activities for our family of 4.

Current Location

Current Location
San Juan Islands

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Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
jenniferdonogh
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Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
7 days ago
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1/1
@jenniferdonogh

Liveaboard Life

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What I Use

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G7X Mark II

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  • Family Winter Update

    January 9, 2023
  • Reality Check: Fall Edition

    October 23, 2022
  • Hippity Hops Through the San Juans

    August 5, 2022

Follow Along @JenniferDonogh

Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
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Follow
Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Don’t rock the boat, baby 😘

“Recents” from February - it was a busy one! Kelly is in a drama production here on island. The kids have been climbing (and Shane). Shane has been sailing, paddling, sauna-ing, and working on the boat (and working). We’ve made a lot of local friends and new boat buddies! Homeschool was mainly done off the boat this month with a lot of time exploring our out of this world surroundings.

Grammy and Grampy came to visit. Friday Harbor is a favorite boating destination for them, but their first time staying with us! 

The family traveled to the mainland for a boat part once and bundled it with a Trader Joe’s stop and to see Ant Man (we loved it). 

It sounds like March is going to live up to its name and we’re ready for it.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
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Don’t rock the boat, baby 😘 “Recents” from February - it was a busy one! Kelly is in a drama production here on island. The kids have been climbing (and Shane). Shane has been sailing, paddling, sauna-ing, and working on the boat (and working). We’ve made a lot of local friends and new boat buddies! Homeschool was mainly done off the boat this month with a lot of time exploring our out of this world surroundings. Grammy and Grampy came to visit. Friday Harbor is a favorite boating destination for them, but their first time staying with us! The family traveled to the mainland for a boat part once and bundled it with a Trader Joe’s stop and to see Ant Man (we loved it). It sounds like March is going to live up to its name and we’re ready for it.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
Neptune in his natural environment 🔱

Shane’s instincts are to go where the wind is — mine tell me to hide 😋

📸 by Wy
jenniferdonogh
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Neptune in his natural environment 🔱 Shane’s instincts are to go where the wind is — mine tell me to hide 😋 📸 by Wy
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people. If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
V A L E N T I N E ‘ S  D A Y

Coco Mar is all setup for Valentine’s Day! Last year Wyatt and I did a doodle challenge for February that Kelly and Shane are joining us in this year. We’re also going to watch some rom coms! 

#valentinesday #boatlife #liveaboard
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
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V A L E N T I N E ‘ S D A Y Coco Mar is all setup for Valentine’s Day! Last year Wyatt and I did a doodle challenge for February that Kelly and Shane are joining us in this year. We’re also going to watch some rom coms! #valentinesday #boatlife #liveaboard
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
You know it gets windy there with the gnarled trees and grass like that 😋

The boys and I tried to hike around here last June when we anchored in Griffin Bay. I had to call Shane to pick us up early in the dinghy because my eyes were too swollen and itchy to keep going. Oh well! We had a mostly dry hike this time and the views were beautiful. Especially on the west side overlooking Victoria.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
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You know it gets windy there with the gnarled trees and grass like that 😋 The boys and I tried to hike around here last June when we anchored in Griffin Bay. I had to call Shane to pick us up early in the dinghy because my eyes were too swollen and itchy to keep going. Oh well! We had a mostly dry hike this time and the views were beautiful. Especially on the west side overlooking Victoria.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Jennifer Donogh 2022 Video Editing .