Quick update. I got back to Estrella on April 8th and found her in great
shape. A bit dirty from a winter of Columbia River mooring that I easily
power washed off. Brought her engine on line and tested her basic systems
for a trip to the boat yard.

The boat yard work went as planned with the major effort put into swapping
the prop with a new, heavier one. This new prop really smoothed out the
ride and eliminated the annoying singing caused by the old prop when
running at optimum rpm.

After returning from the boat yard I finished up my spring opening work and
my 1000 hour engine maintenance work. By the end of the third week she was
ready for adventure.

Unfortunately covid19 has delayed any big adventures till who knows.
Undeterred I wanted to take her out on a short trip on the Columbia.

I’ve never been to Martin Island and heard there was good anchorage and a
couple of floating docks maintained by local yacht clubs. My partner Al
and I left Estrella’s new slip at Saint Helens Marina on a calm sunny
Thursday.

We had a 2.5 knot down stream current and we’re making 9 knots. At the
Martin island slough I slowed to 3 knots and navigated the channel to a
little very well protected anchorage. 20 to 30 feet of water at a lowering
tide. We docked, took a picture and set out for our return.

Returning we were against the current but it was ebbing. This made for an
easy navigation of the marina boatway and docking at Estrella’s slip.

All and all an easy trip.