Hi Dave,
You are correct with the wind down South. Double Bluff, Puget Sound and Admiralty Inlet were all pretty light that day. You need a solid 20-25 down there out of the SSE-SSW to get Ebey rolling.
We used to make the drive in the winter season way back when only when gale warnings were issued. This happened a few dozen times each winter season. It was sort of our insurance policy to make up for 4 hours in a car.
The trouble is, there's been so many great days this season on 15-25 and 20-30 small craft advisories it's tough not to get pumped up. The swell you saw at Penn Cove and the wind in Oak Harbour is normal with a 25-35 forecast.
The South side of Kalamut is pretty deep and the wind lifts in front of the face for a ways out. The water was always choppy and the winds light right in front of the bluffs.
The waves form off the southeast side of Kalamut. You can't see the spot until you drive out to the point. The bottom of the bay is sandy but there's a distinct gravel bar made up of baseball sized stones that extends 100 meters out into the bay off that southeast corner.
The deep water swell cleans up in between the point where the bay gets shallow. Similar to the second shelf at Centennial. I've sailed there in 4.2-5.2 conditions several times and the swell was waist to shoulder high and smooth.
All of the big nuking sub 4.0 SE days for me have been at either a Ebey or Useless Bay. Both of those places get very, very big when the direction is good and the wind 30 knots or more. Useless Bay will deliver frontside rides on the far side of the bay opposite the webcam.
You guys are armed with some great spots and good experience already down there. Were you wondering if Centennial was windy the whole time you were at Ebey?
I think Mike said he sailed 15 minutes powered 5.9 and 15 minutes underpowered 5.9 while you guys were on 5.2's and the guys at Crescent 3.7-4.2's.
Your big break through day down there is coming. You and Michael have sure put in the time
Great to have options.......
Cheers,
Chris