A roaring campfire and singfest in 30-degree weather on a remote island.

What could be better?

That’s the way the Friday Harbor Sailing Club started its 2009 cruising season last weekend. Six sailboats and one motorboat (ugh) moored alongside the float in Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island, and one anchored out.

A merry potluck dinner on the float was capped with champagne and cake in honor of club Commodore John Manning’s birthday.

Four intrepid sailors hiked out to the Turn Point lighthouse Sunday morning while the rest enjoyed coffee and sea stories on the float.

Light to no wind required motoring most of the way home Sunday.

— Fred Hoeppner is a competitive sailor and a retired Navy captain. He lives on San Juan Island. Write to him at fphoeppner@interisland.net.