A New Voyage

The boating part of my life started before I was born. After spending a couple of summers chartering a boat in the San Juan’s, my grandfather Lloyd Olason and his twin brother Lynn built a 34’ Ed Monk design from plans. The year was 1954, and it took about a year to build with the help of family and friends. The Ebb Tide was launched in the spring of 1955, the year my dad, Don Olason, turned 11 years old.

Cruising all over Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and as far north as Desolation Sound, the Ebb Tide carried the Olason families everywhere; a family heritage and tradition was born. Don took his girlfriend Cheryl on family vacations in high school, they later married. I call her mom.

In the summer of 1969, my dad returned home from his last Naval cruise aboard the U.S.S Enterprise off the coast of Vietnam. He took my mom and my brother Todd up to the San Juan’s aboard the Ebb Tide for a much needed vacation.

I was born in April of 1970. Three months later I made my first trip to the San Juan’s aboard the Ebb Tide. The family tradition was carried on. We spent at least one week a year cruising on the Ebb Tide; my brother and I would often spend several more weeks with my grandparents who utilized us as crew for their extended vacations.

The family tradition continues with generation three introducing generation four to Cruising; My brother Todd, aboard the Nehalania, with his wife Monica and their kids. My cousin Brady (Lynn’s grandson) and his family aboard the Hale Kia, my cousin Megan (Lynn’s grandaughter)and her family aboard the Norwexican.

The Fun Tide Too, a 29’ 1964 Uniflite, is our vessel for Cruising. My better half Theresa and I together have 6 kids. Jessica (15) and Tyler (12) are my kids, Evan (16), Sarah (14), Zoe (11) and Jack (8) are Theresa’s; together we make up the crew for the Fun Tide Too. 2011 is our first summer together aboard the Fun Tide Too, and our adventures have already begun.

Memorial Day weekend was spent on Jones Island, our 4^th annual cruise to Jones. The (above mentioned) “Olason Armada” were all in attendance along with our friends Brent and Georgia Wyman and their family.

The 4^th of July weekend was celebrated at Roche Harbor where we met up with friends Kim and Norma Pierce aboard the Ocean Lady.

The end of July was spent cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands, the Norwexican, Hale Kia, Nehalania and the Fun Tide Too took a 10-day cruise (starting in Everett, Washington) to several ports with the northern most port being Telegraph Harbor in the Gulf Islands. 8 adults and 12 kids on 4 boats, it was a great trip!

My professional life only briefly entered into the maritime world. I worked for a summer for YachtCare at the Elliott Bay Marina and also had a stint at Jacobsen’s Boats and Motors in Ballard. I always loved the small-block Chevrolet engine that powered the Ebb Tide, my grandfather taught me all about it. I started getting involved with cars and racing at the early age of 14.

Since 1996 I have worked in the Automotive Public Relations world. Relationships with media and the manufacturers were created over the years and I continue to do some automotive based consulting and events throughout the year. My goal for Sail and Power Cruising is to marry my professional experience with media, marketing and public relations to my lifelong passion for Cruising the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

To all the sponsors and advertisers, I very much look forward to meeting you and hearing your thoughts and ideas on how to make this site a great resource to the boating community.

To all the readers and contributor’s, I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you!