When you think Duck Dodge, you think Lake Union; but each fall, there’s a fun race across Puget Sound that ends with a famous Duck Dodge raft-up in beautiful Port Madison. The 2025 edition was special. Here’s a quick rundown from the PRO and Head Mallard.

Photo by Josué Alexander Ibarra.

Rum Run was a blast!

With ambiguous wind in the morning we somewhat arbitrarily decided on West Point being the first mark. Around the second start, the wind changed from light and variable to none at all, prompting us to consider calling the race before it had even begun. But the sight of first start boats making steady if slow progress toward West Point was enough motivation to scoot across the Sound and set up a finish line. Assuming most boats would not be able to finish under sail, we announced a cutoff time of 4:30pm.

What a gorgeous day to cross the Sound! Lack of wind notwithstanding, we were grateful to be on the water. About two-thirds of the way across, the wind even picked up and we were able to sail the remainder of the journey. Got the line set up and sure enough, first start boats were only a few minutes behind us. And just five minutes before the 4:30 cutoff Goose and Sweet Jesus crossed the line a couple seconds apart in fierce competition for third place in the fourth start. We placed three boats in all starts! The vast majority of boats that started made it to the finish under sail. Way to stick with it folks!

Shoutout to Solution for their fantastic pirate outfits and to Beasley on Faster Horses and Rebekah on Sea Cup for single-handing. And as always thank you for the bribes—Kraken rum and some delicious millionaire short bread! Great sailing season everyone! Hope to see you all at Duckin Out on October 7.

Photo by Shez Tucker.

Rum Run Results

First Start
1. Freja
2. Mystic
3. Zephora

Second Start
1. Gamin
2. Solution
3. Luciatha

Third Start
1. Airloom
2. Iskra
3. 20 Degrees

Fourth Start
1. Cadence
2. Goose
3. Faster Horses

Header background photo by Josué Alexander Ibarra.