No. 313 SeaFair 2016 on the Lake Events

ALBERT LEE APPLIANCE SEAFAIR CUP

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016
GENESEE PARK/LAKE WASHINGTON
FRI/SAT 8 A.M.- 6 P.M., SUN 7:30 A.M.- 6 P.M.

The Unlimited Hydroplanes return to Seattle for another exciting edition of Seafair. These jet-powered marvels are quicker than ever, and as the competition showed in 2015, it's deck-to-deck competition in virtually every heat of racing. Straightaway speeds now exceed 200 mph!
The technology has enhanced, and with it, the level of competition throughout the field has improved dramatically. For the history buffs, the Allison engines of P38 fame return in the former Gold Cup winning Ed Cooper entry, sponsored in 2015 by HomeStreet Bank. This amazing hull runs speeds equal to the turbines while producing over 3,000 horsepower.

Not only is the competition tougher, but the fan experience has been greatly enriched as well. With new apps for virtually every smart phone, live streaming video from the course and cockpit is available to everyone, free of charge.

Seattle companies continue to invest in Seafair with 2015 champion Graham Trucking returning to defend their championship while Albert Lee Appliance returns as title sponsor. New boats enter the water for 2016 including the highly anticipated entry of formidable Seattle team owner Greg O'Farrell.

Seattle remains the heartbeat of Unlimited Hydroplane racing. Join us August 5-7, 2016 where the fastest race boats in the world compete on the world's most beautiful and competitive racecourse, the famed and treacherous Lake Washington!

WEEKEND ITINERARY

 

FRIDAY

9 - 10:15 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Testing
4 - 6 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Qualifying Session

SATURDAY

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Testing
11:35 - 11:50 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1A
11:55 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1B
4:55 - 6 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Testing

SUNDAY

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Testing
10:55 - 11:10 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2A
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2B
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3A
2:50 - 3:05 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3B
4:45 - 5 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat Finals
5:15 - 5:30 p.m.: Awards Ceremony

BOLT ON THE BLUE WATER SKI RACE

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016
GENESEE PARK/LAKE WASHINGTON
FRI/SAT 8:30 A.M.- 6 P.M., SUN 7:30 A.M.- 6 P.M.

Bolt on the Blue, a water ski race expo presented by Overload Productions, is set to make a splash and turn some heads during Seafair Weekend 2016.

Water ski racing is a family-friendly event that’s sure to thrill Seafair’s action-loving crowd. The sport has gained popularity all over the world including in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. Elite racers reach speeds of up to 100 MPH.
Overload, together with the National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) and USA Water Ski, will also host the 20th annual World Water Ski Racing Championships during Seafair 2017.

The expo, which will be held in Lake Washington, will feature top racers and boats, including former world champions Todd Haig and Katelin Wendt, and USA Water Ski Hall of Famer Martie Wells. Spectators are also encouraged to check out racing boats and powerful engines from Mercury Racing and Nordic Boats at Genesee Park.

GRAHAM TRUCKING GRAND PRIX WEST SEAFAIR CUP

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016
GENESEE PARK/LAKE WASHINGTON
FRI/SAT 8 A.M.- 6 P.M., SUN 7:30 A.M.- 6 P.M.

WEEKEND ITINERARY

 

FRIDAY

8 - 9 a.m.: Grand Prix West Hydroplane Testing and Qualifying Session

SATURDAY

8 - 8:30 a.m.: Grand Prix West Hydroplane Testing
4:30 - 4:45 p.m.: Grand Prix West Hydroplane Heat 1

SUNDAY

8 - 8:30 a.m.: Grand Prix West Hydroplane Testing
10:35 - 10:50 a.m.: Grand Prix West Hydroplane Heat 2
3:10 - 3:25 p.m.: Grand Prix West Hydroplane Heat Finals
5:15 - 5:30 p.m.: Awards Ceremony

ABOUT GRAND PRIX WEST (GPW)

 

The Grand Prix West Hydroplane Association was formed in 2009 and promotes a homogeneous class of hydroplane racing where technology, hulls, engine packages, and drivers are comparable enough to provide close, exciting competition not only at each race but within each heat with no one Team considered the “one to beat”. GPW is an independent “club” of, and will operate in conjunction with, the American Power Boat Association. With the recent Memorandum of Agreement signed with H1 Unlimited, GPW will be racing at most if not all of the H1 events in 2015. Teams from around the country will be participating in events and exhibitions throughout the country so come on out and support the noise! Visit gpwhydroplanes.com to learn more.

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No. 312 Seattle Maritime Festival Pier 66

Seattle Maritime Festival Harbor Open House

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 14

Location: Pier 66, Bell Street and Alaskan Way, Seattle

More info:seattlemaritime101.com/vigor-maritime-festival

Bell Street Pier Open House activities:

Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off

Participating restaurants in the Chowder Cook-Off include Ivar’s, The Edgewater Hotel’s Six Seven Restaurant,  Anthony’s at Pier 66,  Elliott’s Oyster House, Bell Harbor Conference Center, The Crab Pot, and The Fisherman’s Restaurant. Purchase a Chowder Passport at the Festival Information Booth or at any participating restaurant for only $5 and you’ll receive a delicious 3 ounce sample of chowder from each restaurant. Sampling stations are located at the participating restaurant. All proceeds benefit the Seattle Propeller Club’s charities.

Vessel Tours :

Canadian Navy's Glendyne, Seattle Maritime Academy Instructor, Global Diving’s Munson, King County Research Vessel Liberty, Seattle Harbor Patrol and Seattle Sea Scouts Propeller.  In addition, the Port of Seattle will have their Bomb Squad Truck and Dive Truck and the Coast Guard will have a trailered vessel on the plaza at Pier 66. Also, look for displays from Puget Sound Maritime and Captain's.

Free Harbor Tours

Departing at 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm 

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No.289 Super Pod with Island Adventures

Island Adventures
http://www.island-adventures.com/
1801 Commercial Ave
Anacortes, Wa
1-800-465-4604

Back out on the waters of Puget Sound with Captain Scott and crew for a sunset sailing aboard
Island Explorer 4.
Arrived early in Anacortes to check in with Island Adventures and then it was off to grab some lunch and scenic views atop of Cape Sante Point before heading down to the marina to board the 3:30pm sailing.

looking west from Cape Sante Point overlooking the marina 

Trip started off with motoring out into Rosario Straight past Washington Park, Burrows Island and Allan Island before crossing over to the south end of Lopez Island where we came across an out of season Steller Sea Lion and harbor seals on "Swirl Rocks."

Steller Sea Lion out on the rocks

After about an hour we arrived at the south end of San Juan Island and saw a group of Orcas near the shores of South Beach. It was soon pretty evident that we found ourselves in the middle of a      Southern Resident Killer Whales Super Pod with members of J, K, and L Pods surrounding the boat on every side. Spent about an hour on scene with this super pod before heading home during sunset

setting sun behind Lopez Island, WA

Arriving back in port just as the sun is setting on a great day 

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No. 258 Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Hiram Chittened Locks
3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
MAP IT

Looking west towards Puget Sound from the Small Lock

The Hiram Chittened Locks, named after Army Major Hirman Martin Chittenden, opened to boat traffic in 1917. The locks are located on the western corner of Salmon Bay along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Locally they are also known as "Ballard Locks" although there is a pathway that connects Ballard with the Magnolia Neighborhood to south.

Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the lock infrastructure stretches nearly 400 feet across one of the widest bodies of water along the ship canal. Lake Union freshwater table is 20 feet above the salt waters of the puget sound. To prevent saltwater intrusion from the tidal puget sound entering the fresh waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington and disturbing the freshwater ecosystem a 40 foot tall dam was installed. 

The purpose of the Hiram Locks is to maintain the freshwater table of Lake Union at or above 20 feet above the saltwater puget sound table. This main function is done by a 235 foot long spillway with 6 hydraulic gates that are 32 feet long and 12 feet tall. They can be open or closed depending on the amount of drainage required. The Lake Union and Lake Washington water table has to be maintained within certain tolerances because of infrastructures east of the locks such as floating bridges, moorings, channel markers, and vessel clearances under bridges need to be accurate. 

During the summer time the spillway openings are reduced to raise the lake levels for recreational boaters and also store fresh water in case of drought conditions. 

In order for boats to pass to and from the lakes into the puget sound there are 2 ship locks at the north end. The large lock is 80 feet wide and 825 feet in length, and the smaller lock is 30 feet wide by 150 feet in length. Both locks can raise or lower boats in under 15 minutes. Everything from canoes, kayaks, pleasure yachts, sailboats to commercial fishing boats and container ships pass through the locks transporting over 1 million tons of cargo, fuel and seafood.

Control Light for the Small Lock 

Large Spillway to control Lake Water 

Boat exit the large lock into Lake Union

Between the large and small locks

West Larg Lock Gate closed

Control Tower for the lock system 

Looking down the 825 foot long large lock

Spillway from Ballard side

Salmon Waves," artist Paul Sorey

Salmon Waves," artist Paul Sorey

USCG Crew prepares the 45 FRB for the lock

USCG 45' FRB takes a ride on the boat elevator

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No. 255 Whale Tours from Everett, WA

Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Tours departing from

            Everett, WA                            Anacortes, WA                               Port Angeles, WA

    March 1st ~ May 18th               April 12th ~ October 25th                August 23~ November 29th 

Starting Saturday March 29th Island Adventures newest vessel the Island Explorer 4 will join her bigger sister ship the Island Explorer 3 for her first whale watching season. She will start off running gray whale watching trips from Everett and then to Anacortes for the start of the Orca season. Later this summer Island Explorer 4 will be in Port Angeles, WA for humpback, Orcas, Minkes and Gray whales sightings. 

Island Explorer 4 details:

New to Island Adventures in 2014, the Island Explorer 4 is the little sister to the Island Explorer 3. She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.

Powered by 2 next generation Cat Marine Diesel engines she is able to maintain 15+ knots all day long while being environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and meet California Marine Environmental Standards. 

Island Explorer 4 enters the Gardner Channel which it will call its Port for the 2 weeks

Island Adventures owner and operated Shane Aggergaard sailed Explorer 4 down from Anacortes

Crews prep Explorer 4 for docking 

Starboard dock lines at cast 

Island Explorer 4 is ready for it 3 hour tours starting Saturday 

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