Labor Day South Sound Cruise - Sept 2-4
We’ll travel south to Gig Harbor and environs for the last remaining 3-day long summer weekend. On Saturday we’ll explore the south sound with a raft up at Fox Island or Filucy Bay to enjoy local wildlife and natural areas. Sunday morning we’ll weigh anchor and head up to Gig Harbor for charming local views and an exploration of the town’s fine dining, wine shops, boutiques, public dock and several breweries. Even a romantic Venice-style gondola harbor cruise is available to rent. Group dinner is a possibility TBD. On Monday we’ll head back to Seattle.
For those so inclined, we'll raft up Saturday night at Fox Island or Filucy Bay. Those who prefer can go directly to Gig Harbor on Saturday and drop a hook or raft up with STYC cruisers. On Sunday we'll enjoy Gig Harbor's local attractions including a whiskey tasting with Sloop Tavern Yacht Club members at Heritage Distilling Company.
Located in Gig Harbor, Heritage Distillery thrives in the heart of this bustling waterfront downtown boating community. We will gather on Heritage's new outdoor deck at 5 pm Sunday 9/3 for a formal 1&1/2 hr educational tasting session lead by one of Heritage's own distillers. Participants will learn about distilling, the aging process, & then be guided through 4 individual & distinct tastes. A complimentary cocktail of your choice is also included in the $45 per person admission (pay upon entry). The distillery tour is limited to 24 participants. Register ASAP to be included in the headcount. STYC is organizing the tasting, and their "participation of minors agreement" is included in the registration.
We will be anchoring/rafting-up in Gig Harbor. If you prefer to tie up in a dockside slip there are 2 options available. Please feel free to make your own arrangements at either Arabella's Landing or the Jerisich Public Dock, both for a mooring fee.
Saturday Sept 2rd - journey down to Filucy Bay or Fox Island (TBD), potluck on raftup or dock (TBD). Register now to be part of the conversation.
Sunday Sept 3th - travel to Gig Harbor, kayak, paddle, Venice gondola harbor cruise, wine tastings, breweries, fine dining, shops & boutiques.
5-7pm - "Happy Hour" Heritage Tasting event (optional)
7pm - Dinner of your choice (if eating out, call locations to make reservations prior to ensure you get in). Evening shenanigans
Monday Sept 4th - Coffee Mug-Up, journey home.
About Filucy Bay:
Filucy Bay is an off-the-beaten-path tidal estuary near the southern tip of the Key Peninsula not far from the small community of Longbranch. This special place is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. Mother bears with cubs trailing are regulars in the preserve, foraging on berries and salmon. When the tide is in, osprey hunt for fish from the air and great blue heron stalk small prey at water’s edge. Owls, woodpeckers, and songbirds thrive in the preserve’s mature forest of fir, cedar, maple, and alder. This bay was also once a favorite fishing spot for First Nations Peoples, and is now an area of interest to archeologists.
More about Filucy Bay
Moorage is available at Longbranch Improvement Club Marina
About Fox Island:
Fox Island, WA is home to a variety of public places and non-profit organizations. Tanglewood Island is the most visible icon of the Fox Island area, with its non-operational lighthouse. The Fox Island Nature Center features trails and picnic areas traversing a wetland stream. The Fox Island Sand Spit features a naturally occurring gravel formation in Case Inlet. Also of interest are the Nichols Community Center and Fox Island playground, as well as the Boat Launch and Fishing Pier located on the easternmost tip of the Island.
More about Fox Island
Fox Island Yacht Club may offer reciprocal moorage
About Gig Harbor:
Charming harbor views make Gig Harbor the perfect spot for our cruising holiday raft-up among fine dining, shops, boutiques, wine shops & tastings, a public dock, and several breweries. Even a romantic Venice-style gondola harbor cruise is available to rent.
More about Gig Harbor
Heritage Distilling Company:
Heritage Distilling Company (HDC) is the most awarded craft distillery in North America 9 years in a row from the American Distilling Institute (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). HDC makes vodkas, gins and whiskeys and is proud to operate distillery tasting rooms in Washington and Oregon including Gig Harbor, Roslyn, Tumwater and Seattle (within the Ballard neighborhood) in Washington and Eugene-Madison and Eugene-5th Street in Oregon.
Heritage Webpage
Cruise Leader: Jenny Heins
