Spidsgatter Pax

First sail 2008

It was a warm sunny August day, the 11th, to be precise, when we set sail for the first time on Pax. Nearly a year of restoration work, new sails, rigging, engine work and interior were done.

Mt. Baker

Mount Baker is visible from home, so it was only fitting that we'd head out into Admiralty Inlet and towards this beautiful mountain on our first sail.

Marrowstone Point, where I first sailed

Hard to believe it was 1992 that I first sailed and on our first sail in 2008, we sailed for "that point", the one Dr. David Lewis had pointed me toward on that fateful day.

30,000 people at Wooden Boat Festival

When I could, I spent some time onboard Pax guiding tours below, answering questions and promoting the excellent Port Townsend marine trades who helped me with the restoration this past year.

Best buns in the boatyard

There's a reason Pax got nicknamed "best buns in the boatyard" last winter. Here, you can see the famous spidsgatter curves.

Cupola House and Pt Hudson Center dock

Cupola House and Center Dock where Pax lives year round are shown here, quietly prepared for the arrival of 200 wooden boats that pack this harbor for Wooden Boat Festival. No idea why this photo refuses to right itself. In the meantime, rotate away!

Lettering on main sail

In Denmark, the "klass" spidsgatters are categorized by square meters of sail area. Pax carries 45 square meters of sail, however, since we don't know her official class specifications we only put the S45 on the new main. If we find she is one of the Danish originals, a D and number will be added, just below.

Jan at the helm

We split the duties for our first sail based on each of our comfort zones. I drove the boat in harbor and deal with the engine. Jan handles the helm under sail and the main sheet, while I run around the fordeck, handle the jib and back stays. We learn more each sail.