Tides

At the very south of the Puget Sound, where we are, we get a nice change in tides. Our high tide reaches over 15ft around the full and new moon phases; and the low tides reach a -1ft. During high tides we get the weirdest low frequency waves, it's like a tiny tidal bore. Once they start all the boats get to rock n roll, back n forth. Such an interesting event to see.

Anyhow, our dock moves up and down with the tides. I have never before experienced living so close to the water and having to pay attention to the tides. A high tide is important for us for a few reasons:

The first reason is to get out of the marina in the boat. The inlet is very shallow and there is a sand bar on either side near the larger opening towards the sound. So it can be tricky to get out at low tide, you have to stay within the green and red buoy or you will run aground for sure. Most travel about when the tides are high, or near high tide. 

A sailboat stuck on the sand bar. (Maybe this sailor did not read the charts or have depth sounder? In any case, they had to wait for the high tide later that evening, then floated away.)

The second reason is to get across the gangway. When the tides are low it is a difficult task to walk up, or down, especially when you are carrying or wheeling some heavy items. At times, bringing heavy things down the gangway it looks like a steep hillside you could slide down and get to the end pretty fast, but your landing pad is narrow, and if you miss it you'll end up in the water. We often joke about doing this, one day we may try it, with an empty wheelbarrow, of course!

High tide, an easy walk across gangway.

Low tide, a tough trek up the gangway.