Deck the Hulls!

Charting options…

We all have our favorite charting sources but it’s good to have other options, in case your batteries die, you drop your phone overboard, or GPS goes out!

Paper charts are the tried-and-true way and everyone should have a basic understanding of how to use them. Even the chart booklets still give you a usable view of your area. NOAA stopped producing paper (RASTER) charts in 2020 and will only update their ENC charts. It’s still a good idea to hang onto those old paper charts/booklets.

Chartplotters have been out for many years and boaters have their favorites (or are stuck with what came with their boat). Those have the ability to update charts from their respective proprietary sites. There are Apps, (such as Navionics) that boaters use on their phone or tablets. Cruising Guides, such was Waggoner, also offer local details.

For planning (and realtime charting with GPS), OpenCPN is a well-known and widely used free program that has an App or can be downloaded onto your pc/laptop. It is opensource, easily customized to your needs and the charts can be downloaded from NOAA for free. Example pasted below…

The dark wet days of winter are a perfect time to plan next season’s cruise!

Winter Storm Season Prep…

Don’t forget to…

  • Secure your halyards away from your mast to prevent slapping in the wind.
  • Remove flags
  • Put out extra dock lines and fenders.
  • Secure tarps, sail covers and roller furling.
  • Securely stow: gear on your boat, steps, items behind your dock box, and bail your dinghy!
  • Make sure your power cord has slack in it and that it is not hanging in the water!
  • Water lines may freeze or be shut off…take appropriate action (top off tanks, disconnect hoses, etc.)
  • Contact the Marina staff right away if you see anything of concern (ie: loose sails, frayed dock lines, continuous bilge pump running and any diesel/oil spills).

Thanks for being a good neighbor…

Halloween is near!!!!

PUMPKIN CARVING “CONTEST!”

Halloween is near so it’s time to put up the decorations,

and carve the pumpkins!    

Be it political, funny, scary or boring…

…show your creative juices   (and one-up your neighbor)

Instead of candles, there are LED candle lights available.

Shilshole Kids will be trick or treating on Halloween on a couple docks-

watch for the postings at your gate

Survey regarding Neighborhood crime

Annually, Seattle University conducts an independent public safety survey of each neighborhood. This captures the concerns of each neighborhood and gives SPD (Seattle Police Dept) clear areas of focus.

Here is an opportunity to address our concerns about the campers, rvs and car prowls that we are experiencing here at Shilshole. Read more on the SPD website below with the link to the survey…

https://www.seattle.gov/police/information-and-data/data/mcpp-about