This week's discussion topic is in two parts: What's your all-time favorite port of call? Is it a quiet cove on a deep blue lake... a bustling marina by a major ocean port... or some obscure South Pacific lagoon? And even if you've got the hook dropped in the spot you described above, how long can you stand to be there before you've got get out on the water again? Are you good for a day at anchor? A week? Is it different when you're tied to a dock? Tell us (and show us) your favorite places -- and how long you can stand to be there -- then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Slowing down...
On any given Saturday eve in the summertime, there's a good chance you'll find us anchored in Port Blakely, on the west side of Blake Island, or anchored off the main dock in Poulsbo (Puget Sound). These places are good stand by's for us, as they are close to Seattle. We have a number of favorite spots in Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island when we have a week or more off. I've noticed that I used to want to drop the hook in a different place every night, but I've started enjoying staying in the same place for a couple nights (sometimes even 3!) to really relax and work on boat projects (mostly just puttering around the boat, I don't usually get much accomplished!). Then there's ther opporunity for sailing around the harbor in the dinghy - always a great time. Ah, I can't wait for a week off to spend on the boat this season! Best, Trevor
On any given Saturday eve in the summertime, there's a good chance you'll find us anchored in Port Blakely, on the west side of Blake Island, or anchored off the main dock in Poulsbo (Puget Sound). These places are good stand by's for us, as they are close to Seattle. We have a number of favorite spots in Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island when we have a week or more off. I've noticed that I used to want to drop the hook in a different place every night, but I've started enjoying staying in the same place for a couple nights (sometimes even 3!) to really relax and work on boat projects (mostly just puttering around the boat, I don't usually get much accomplished!). Then there's ther opporunity for sailing around the harbor in the dinghy - always a great time. Ah, I can't wait for a week off to spend on the boat this season! Best, Trevor
My spots
We like to be at anchor or a mooring and not at the dock. Bonaire --We went for 2 weeks and ended up for almost 3 months(small island 8 thousand people) awesome view and water Los Roques ---no people, beautiful, going back during huricane season We swim, read, and relax!
We like to be at anchor or a mooring and not at the dock. Bonaire --We went for 2 weeks and ended up for almost 3 months(small island 8 thousand people) awesome view and water Los Roques ---no people, beautiful, going back during huricane season We swim, read, and relax!
Little Harbor, JVD, BVI
Little Harbor, my one particular harbor, is my place. I get up early with my coffee and sit in the cockpit. I listen to the goats walking on the rocks along the shore; they are bleating; their goat bells ringing. Then the locals are beginning to rise. Standing on their porches on the steep seaside hills, they are communication by voice and "spreading the news". Ahhh, to be there right now --- listening --- watching!
Little Harbor, my one particular harbor, is my place. I get up early with my coffee and sit in the cockpit. I listen to the goats walking on the rocks along the shore; they are bleating; their goat bells ringing. Then the locals are beginning to rise. Standing on their porches on the steep seaside hills, they are communication by voice and "spreading the news". Ahhh, to be there right now --- listening --- watching!
Bras d'Or Lakes, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Canada
Cape Breton's Bras d'Or Lakes in Nova Scotia, Canada is truly a wonderful place to sail. St. Peter's Marina (a non-profit endeavour by the local Lion's Club) is unsurpassed for friendly, knowledgable service (the local grocery store delivers to the marina). After restocking your vessel, there are a multitude of quiet anchorages in the Lakes for you to visit. Little Harbour (terrific German restaurant), the Washabuck River, Long Island and Marble Mountain are not to be missed. Waypoints for these locations are available on our Barrachois Harbour Yacht Club website and click on waypoints on the left border.
Cape Breton's Bras d'Or Lakes in Nova Scotia, Canada is truly a wonderful place to sail. St. Peter's Marina (a non-profit endeavour by the local Lion's Club) is unsurpassed for friendly, knowledgable service (the local grocery store delivers to the marina). After restocking your vessel, there are a multitude of quiet anchorages in the Lakes for you to visit. Little Harbour (terrific German restaurant), the Washabuck River, Long Island and Marble Mountain are not to be missed. Waypoints for these locations are available on our Barrachois Harbour Yacht Club website and click on waypoints on the left border.
Anchoring is a real problem
We have so many places on the Potomac and Lower Chesapeake Bay, it's like asking what is your favorite chocolate! Wildlife is abundant and can be watched while cooking dinner or toasting the great day we just had. Life is adventure to be shared! Jim S/V Java
We have so many places on the Potomac and Lower Chesapeake Bay, it's like asking what is your favorite chocolate! Wildlife is abundant and can be watched while cooking dinner or toasting the great day we just had. Life is adventure to be shared! Jim S/V Java
I have a favorite
but like great ski areas and other things in life, why let everyone know so it'll get crowded?
Stu Just kidding, too many around here to list.
but like great ski areas and other things in life, why let everyone know so it'll get crowded?
Stu Just kidding, too many around here to list.Puget Sound - too many to list
Liberty Bay - eh John? Port Townsend, Mystery Bay, Mats Mats, Port Ludlow, San Juan Islands - too many more. Gulf Islands - the same - Ganges is nice to get a bite and supplies. Victoria - Butchart Gardens side. Desolation Sound - Tenidos Bay for a hike and a swim in the lake or anywhere on the east side where you can drop the hook and tie your stern. Barkley Sound - Pipestem is good and thousands of other places. One could spend years exploring anchorages and never get bored or be disappointed. I can stay on the hook until I need food or fuel which is a long time.
Liberty Bay - eh John? Port Townsend, Mystery Bay, Mats Mats, Port Ludlow, San Juan Islands - too many more. Gulf Islands - the same - Ganges is nice to get a bite and supplies. Victoria - Butchart Gardens side. Desolation Sound - Tenidos Bay for a hike and a swim in the lake or anywhere on the east side where you can drop the hook and tie your stern. Barkley Sound - Pipestem is good and thousands of other places. One could spend years exploring anchorages and never get bored or be disappointed. I can stay on the hook until I need food or fuel which is a long time.
Chesapeake Bay/St. Michaels Annapolis
There is nothing like sailing, and then motoring the final little bit into St. Michels, Maryland, docking, and eating at one of their quaint, rustic restruants. A quick walk through the town central takes one back in time. After, anchoring in the harbor, under the lights, and reminiscing over the visit can make one's day! Annaplis a bit more commercial but even just as fun. Great sights, good eateries, good docking, etc.
There is nothing like sailing, and then motoring the final little bit into St. Michels, Maryland, docking, and eating at one of their quaint, rustic restruants. A quick walk through the town central takes one back in time. After, anchoring in the harbor, under the lights, and reminiscing over the visit can make one's day! Annaplis a bit more commercial but even just as fun. Great sights, good eateries, good docking, etc.
Sea of Cortez and San Carlos
San Carlos, Sonora Mexico is amazing...mountains, desert, unspoiled anchorages, all within a half-day drive of the Arizona border.
San Carlos, Sonora Mexico is amazing...mountains, desert, unspoiled anchorages, all within a half-day drive of the Arizona border.
Cayos Cochinos
Twenty-two years ago my bride and I bare-boat chartered a CSY 37 out of Roatan, Honduras. About halfway between Roatan and the mainland is a very small group of islands called the Cayos Cochinos...Pig Islands...because they have wild pigs roaming on some of them. When we sailed around the northern point of the largest island, into a half-moon shaped anchorage, we couldn't believe what we saw: palm tree covered land rising almost straight up to a peak about 1500 feet high, a few houses built into the side of the "mountain", a pristine beach, and chrystal clear, mirror smooth water. I'll never forget waking up the next morning, getting a glass of orange juice and sitting on the deck thinking there couldn't be any place on earth more breathtakingly beautiful.
Twenty-two years ago my bride and I bare-boat chartered a CSY 37 out of Roatan, Honduras. About halfway between Roatan and the mainland is a very small group of islands called the Cayos Cochinos...Pig Islands...because they have wild pigs roaming on some of them. When we sailed around the northern point of the largest island, into a half-moon shaped anchorage, we couldn't believe what we saw: palm tree covered land rising almost straight up to a peak about 1500 feet high, a few houses built into the side of the "mountain", a pristine beach, and chrystal clear, mirror smooth water. I'll never forget waking up the next morning, getting a glass of orange juice and sitting on the deck thinking there couldn't be any place on earth more breathtakingly beautiful.
where ever you aren't...
don't mean to be mean but we like any anchorage that we are ALONE. We acutally sold our big boat (three weeks before hurricane Charley destroyed our area, talk about good timing!) for a smaller boat with a swing keel just so we can get into the mangroves and be left alone. If you see a small boat tucked away in the mangroves it's probably the two of us along with our closest 50,850,204 mosquitoes to keep us company......
don't mean to be mean but we like any anchorage that we are ALONE. We acutally sold our big boat (three weeks before hurricane Charley destroyed our area, talk about good timing!) for a smaller boat with a swing keel just so we can get into the mangroves and be left alone. If you see a small boat tucked away in the mangroves it's probably the two of us along with our closest 50,850,204 mosquitoes to keep us company......
Key Cay, BVI
Definately Key Cay in the British Virgin Islands. The Sunsets are fabulous the breeze is warm and free and the anchorage is empty. Just don't be there early in your cruise because the groundswell can be significant. A little closer to home. We love sailing into Newport Harbor and ancoring over near Ida Lewis and taking the Launch in for dinner. Make sure you leave some different lights on or you will NOT be able to find your boat in the mooring field, unless of course the launch pilot is the same and he will know exactly where you are anchored. Then in the morning the New York and Ida Lewis Yacht Clubs salute the raising of the flags. It scared the shit out of me the first time I was there. Then I realized that they were shooting at each other. Definately entertaining. I especially enjoy the mornings when the mists are thick. WHEN DOES THE BOAT GET PUT BACK IN THE WATER???? AAAAHHHHH!?!?!?!? Not until APRIL!??@?@#*$#^@&#@#&^& I just can't wait! Happy Sailing. Spencer
Definately Key Cay in the British Virgin Islands. The Sunsets are fabulous the breeze is warm and free and the anchorage is empty. Just don't be there early in your cruise because the groundswell can be significant. A little closer to home. We love sailing into Newport Harbor and ancoring over near Ida Lewis and taking the Launch in for dinner. Make sure you leave some different lights on or you will NOT be able to find your boat in the mooring field, unless of course the launch pilot is the same and he will know exactly where you are anchored. Then in the morning the New York and Ida Lewis Yacht Clubs salute the raising of the flags. It scared the shit out of me the first time I was there. Then I realized that they were shooting at each other. Definately entertaining. I especially enjoy the mornings when the mists are thick. WHEN DOES THE BOAT GET PUT BACK IN THE WATER???? AAAAHHHHH!?!?!?!? Not until APRIL!??@?@#*$#^@&#@#&^& I just can't wait! Happy Sailing. Spencer
Great Guana Cay
Great Guana Cay is in the Sea of Abaco, Bahamas. You can dock at the Orchid Bay Marina, and hit a bar, Nippers, for drinks and dinner. There is an uninhabited bay on the North Side where boats will wait for Whale Cay Passage to calm down. Anchor there and ding in. Hike 5 minutes to the Atlantic side of the island to a probably deserted white sand beach. Carpe diem. At anchor or dockside, I've never spent more than 2 nights in the same place. JohnnyMac S/V Dawn Treader H380
Great Guana Cay is in the Sea of Abaco, Bahamas. You can dock at the Orchid Bay Marina, and hit a bar, Nippers, for drinks and dinner. There is an uninhabited bay on the North Side where boats will wait for Whale Cay Passage to calm down. Anchor there and ding in. Hike 5 minutes to the Atlantic side of the island to a probably deserted white sand beach. Carpe diem. At anchor or dockside, I've never spent more than 2 nights in the same place. JohnnyMac S/V Dawn Treader H380
Quiet Spot
Amongst my all time favorite anchorages is Harbor Island off Drummond Island,MI. The cove is sheltered from all winds, the water is clear and the only bugs that bother you are big enough to eat. My first visit there was on my Honeymoon, I was not in the least troubled to be there for a few days.
Amongst my all time favorite anchorages is Harbor Island off Drummond Island,MI. The cove is sheltered from all winds, the water is clear and the only bugs that bother you are big enough to eat. My first visit there was on my Honeymoon, I was not in the least troubled to be there for a few days.
I do it for the kids...
There's this lagoon, actually an old logging pond, surrounded by Martin Island on the Washington state side of the Columbia river. It is sheltered, the water is calm and warm in the summer time. I rig a swing off the mast for the kids, they swamp the dink, they go ashore and pick blackberries and dig ineddible clams, and otherwise have a great time. We do our anual swimming check there. I do lifeguard duty and maintenance, the wife catches up on list making, maintenance, and sleep. On holiday weekends it can get busy, during the week it's deserted. A little to close to I-5 for pure quite. Favorite harbor (so far), Bell Harbor, Seattle. Pike Place market and the Seattle Aquarium are right there, easy for Seattle area friends to join us for great evening sails with dinner in town afterwards. Favorite anchorage (so far): any place with no traffic, just the missus and me, or a way to get rid of the kids for several hours. Warm water is good. Dream: Down the west coast, destination Sea of Cortez.
There's this lagoon, actually an old logging pond, surrounded by Martin Island on the Washington state side of the Columbia river. It is sheltered, the water is calm and warm in the summer time. I rig a swing off the mast for the kids, they swamp the dink, they go ashore and pick blackberries and dig ineddible clams, and otherwise have a great time. We do our anual swimming check there. I do lifeguard duty and maintenance, the wife catches up on list making, maintenance, and sleep. On holiday weekends it can get busy, during the week it's deserted. A little to close to I-5 for pure quite. Favorite harbor (so far), Bell Harbor, Seattle. Pike Place market and the Seattle Aquarium are right there, easy for Seattle area friends to join us for great evening sails with dinner in town afterwards. Favorite anchorage (so far): any place with no traffic, just the missus and me, or a way to get rid of the kids for several hours. Warm water is good. Dream: Down the west coast, destination Sea of Cortez.
how to choose??
There are too many to count, but one especially sweet one that comes to mind is Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island in the San Juan's... quiet and secluded. Another is Sucia Island, also in the San Juan's... ahh they are all good there!
There are too many to count, but one especially sweet one that comes to mind is Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island in the San Juan's... quiet and secluded. Another is Sucia Island, also in the San Juan's... ahh they are all good there!
Todd Inlet, Vancouver Island
One of our favorites. It's at the backside of Buchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. Very quiet, though not un-crowded on the weekends! You take your dinghy on a five-minute ride to the dingy dock at the back entrance to the gardens. Boaters get all day in and out privileges. Stay over a Saturday night and watch the concert on the lawn, and later the fireworks show in the garden. What fun!
One of our favorites. It's at the backside of Buchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. Very quiet, though not un-crowded on the weekends! You take your dinghy on a five-minute ride to the dingy dock at the back entrance to the gardens. Boaters get all day in and out privileges. Stay over a Saturday night and watch the concert on the lawn, and later the fireworks show in the garden. What fun!
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