Well, I think Tom may have not realized we live only 25 miles or so from Lake Washington. Idaho would be a 6+ hour drive. We are not really expecting to get great sailing in, we are going for the fun and celebration of 4th of July. I agree that better sailing is to be found on Elliott Bay, but we have done that a number of times in our M17 and various larger sailboats. Besides, I think the trip from Lake Washington to Lake Union is going to much shorter than waiting in line at the locks and the rather long journey down the ship canal. We have rafted up in Lake Union in past years (not in this sailboat) for the fireworks show, and it was a load of fun. Also, we have a few friends who will be bringing a ski boat and a jet ski to Lake Washington so it is more a party event than a sailing event. And who knows, sometimes the wind kicks up a bit in the lake too. Rick

-------Original Message------- From: W David Scobie <wdscobie@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: 4th of July sailing Sent: 28 May '08 18:03

rick:

i'm with tom on this ... why go on lake WA?

here are my opinions -

* lake washington doesn't have much 'sailable' wind in the summer * lake washington is CROWDED on holidays and weekends * lake washington is filled with alcohol fueled PWCs, ski-boats and speed-boats that have no idea the rules of the road when on-the water (or off becaue the booze) * did i mention the lake is crowed with powerboats ... well because of all these boats putting out BIG WAKES that bounce off of all the shore lake WA becomes this giant confused sea of waves -- think of your worse tide-rip situation and it is the entire lake! * the launch ramps are CRAZY with folks ... do you wish to be in the middle of this having to rig the boat?

i've sailed lake WA many times in craft smaller and larger than M15/17/23s. only once was it enjoyable - mid-week off season where there was wind and NO ONE ELSE on the water (was in a neptune 24 in the late 70s).

in general no location around puget sound where one can view fire works that is enjoyable, again in my opinion, on a boat.

being in a 'small boat' with all the big, fast and drunk-filled boats zipping around means one would spend the time avoiding 'CRUNCH' to their lapstrake hull.

my 2-cents.

dave scobie M15 #288 - SCRED visit Scred's www-site: [LINK: http://www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred] www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred

_RICHARD EVERETT <RICK@SKYKO.COM>_ wrote: My wife and I are going to put in on Lake Washington the morning of the 4th. We plan to spend the day sailing around the lake and then motor up to Lake Union, raft up to the other boats and watch the fireworks.

We have never put in on Lake Washington with a sailboat, and I was wondering which boat launch you guys prefer? I was considering Magnuson Park, since it has 4 ramps and 120 spaces, but maybe there is a better place on the north side of the lake? (we are coming from the east) Best bet is to get there early, since it would really bite to set up your sailboat, launch it, then find out someone took your parking space. :-)

Any chance we will see another Monty on the lake on the 4th?

Rick M17-635 Eidolon