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X-Yachting 2013
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84 x-yachting 2013 d esolation
sound
is one of the most spectacular cruising areas in north america, and an idyllic destination for seattle-based couple
robert
and margaret youngjohns who sailed the region this year with their xc 45
skyedancer
, and a couple of four-legged friends.
robert
explains, “desolation
sound
is about 150 miles north of the san juan islands and received its somewhat depressing name from captain vancouver during his journeys of exploration in 1792. it is a massive collection of islands and deep fjords and proved intensely frustrating for vancouver as he looked for a north- west passage back to the atlantic.” these days, thanks to modern charting the
sound
is a source of enjoyment to yachtsmen rather than frustration, as a protected marine park. “our starting point was our base of roche harbor in the san juan islands,” recalls
robert
. “roche harbor is about 75 miles north of seattle and can be reached by a small plane in less than 30 minutes. with a small airport very nearby, it is the almost perfect place to combine my two passions of flying and sailing!” travelling by cirrus sr22 the couple can reach their yacht from seattle in around 30 minutes, compared to a five-hour road trip. “to maximise our time in the
sound
itself we were able to persuade our friend ian fraser of fraser yacht sales to deliver the boat to comox at the south end of the area. ian had helped me choose the xc 45 and is one of those people for whom nothing is too much trouble,” added
robert
. “we flew up to comox to pick up the boat and were able to find the delivery crew still at sea for a – slightly shaky – aerial photograph!”
robert
and margaret have owned
skyedancer
for a year, having previously owned racer-cruiser designs. “we made the decision in 2010 after a visit to the factory, and took delivery in 2011. i’ve raced sailboats all my life and i was looking for something that was comfortable but still sailed well. the x-yachts philosophy with the xc range – fast cruisers for people who used to race – fitted perfectly.” the pair usually sail doublehanded, accompanied by at least one
skyedancer
at anchor where captain vancouver named the region desolation
sound
. the couple’s three dogs also enjoy cruising aboard the xc 45.
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