Anyone sailed San Juans?
- Thread starter AircooledPatriot
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Six days from Everett. You can go lotsa places.
I would suggest picking up a copy of "Gunkholing the San Juan's" from Amazon or a local WM. You could start out on day 1 heading for Port Townsend. Cool little town within 10 minutes walking distance of the Point Hudson Marina. You could then sail straight from there to Roche Harbor on San Juan Is. From there, it's a matter of where ya wanna go. You could also head North from Everett on the inside and exit through Deception Pass, just make sure to arrive there at slack just before Ebb. The current can run 7 knots in the pass. Be sure to wave hello to Bob Perry as ya pass by Tyee Beach. You're within a solid day's sail of the islands from Everett so count on two days transit time and four days of actual touring. Oh, plan around the tides. Nothing more frustrating than sitting in a channel for two hours trying to go 3 miles. The currents run strong at times around here.
I would suggest picking up a copy of "Gunkholing the San Juan's" from Amazon or a local WM. You could start out on day 1 heading for Port Townsend. Cool little town within 10 minutes walking distance of the Point Hudson Marina. You could then sail straight from there to Roche Harbor on San Juan Is. From there, it's a matter of where ya wanna go. You could also head North from Everett on the inside and exit through Deception Pass, just make sure to arrive there at slack just before Ebb. The current can run 7 knots in the pass. Be sure to wave hello to Bob Perry as ya pass by Tyee Beach. You're within a solid day's sail of the islands from Everett so count on two days transit time and four days of actual touring. Oh, plan around the tides. Nothing more frustrating than sitting in a channel for two hours trying to go 3 miles. The currents run strong at times around here.
Six days from Everett. You can go lotsa places.
I would suggest picking up a copy of "Gunkholing the San Juan's" from Amazon or a local WM. You could start out on day 1 heading for Port Townsend. Cool little town within 10 minutes walking distance of the Point Hudson Marina. You could then sail straight from there to Roche Harbor on San Juan Is. From there, it's a matter of where ya wanna go. You could also head North from Everett on the inside and exit through Deception Pass, just make sure to arrive there at slack just before Ebb. The current can run 7 knots in the pass. Be sure to wave hello to Bob Perry as ya pass by Tyee Beach. You're within a solid day's sail of the islands from Everett so count on two days transit time and four days of actual touring. Oh, plan around the tides. Nothing more frustrating than sitting in a channel for two hours trying to go 3 miles. The currents run strong at times around here.
I would suggest picking up a copy of "Gunkholing the San Juan's" from Amazon or a local WM. You could start out on day 1 heading for Port Townsend. Cool little town within 10 minutes walking distance of the Point Hudson Marina. You could then sail straight from there to Roche Harbor on San Juan Is. From there, it's a matter of where ya wanna go. You could also head North from Everett on the inside and exit through Deception Pass, just make sure to arrive there at slack just before Ebb. The current can run 7 knots in the pass. Be sure to wave hello to Bob Perry as ya pass by Tyee Beach. You're within a solid day's sail of the islands from Everett so count on two days transit time and four days of actual touring. Oh, plan around the tides. Nothing more frustrating than sitting in a channel for two hours trying to go 3 miles. The currents run strong at times around here.
Also...
I'd add Friday Harbour and my favorite; Blakely Island Marina ( not sure if it's open this time of year. If you're going now you may want to call ahead ). I'm told Fisherman Bay is very good but I've never been there. I'm sailing the San Juans for 10 days beginning next Friday so maybe we'll check it out. Apparently the entrance is "interesting" so use your charts and check the tide. If you want to cross into Canada, Poets Cove at Bedwell Harbour is real close to Friday Harbour and even closer to Roche Harbour. You'll like it - great hot tub. They have a customs dock but you'd have to call to see if it's open. If not, it's a easy sail from Roche Harbour to Port Sidney to clear customs and then back to Poets Cove. You can clear at either Roche Harbour or Friday Harbour to re enter the U.S.
I'd add Friday Harbour and my favorite; Blakely Island Marina ( not sure if it's open this time of year. If you're going now you may want to call ahead ). I'm told Fisherman Bay is very good but I've never been there. I'm sailing the San Juans for 10 days beginning next Friday so maybe we'll check it out. Apparently the entrance is "interesting" so use your charts and check the tide. If you want to cross into Canada, Poets Cove at Bedwell Harbour is real close to Friday Harbour and even closer to Roche Harbour. You'll like it - great hot tub. They have a customs dock but you'd have to call to see if it's open. If not, it's a easy sail from Roche Harbour to Port Sidney to clear customs and then back to Poets Cove. You can clear at either Roche Harbour or Friday Harbour to re enter the U.S.
Also...
I'd add Friday Harbour and my favorite; Blakely Island Marina ( not sure if it's open this time of year. If you're going now you may want to call ahead ). I'm told Fisherman Bay is very good but I've never been there. I'm sailing the San Juans for 10 days beginning next Friday so maybe we'll check it out. Apparently the entrance is "interesting" so use your charts and check the tide. If you want to cross into Canada, Poets Cove at Bedwell Harbour is real close to Friday Harbour and even closer to Roche Harbour. You'll like it - great hot tub. They have a customs dock but you'd have to call to see if it's open. If not, it's a easy sail from Roche Harbour to Port Sidney to clear customs and then back to Poets Cove. You can clear at either Roche Harbour or Friday Harbour to re enter the U.S.
I'd add Friday Harbour and my favorite; Blakely Island Marina ( not sure if it's open this time of year. If you're going now you may want to call ahead ). I'm told Fisherman Bay is very good but I've never been there. I'm sailing the San Juans for 10 days beginning next Friday so maybe we'll check it out. Apparently the entrance is "interesting" so use your charts and check the tide. If you want to cross into Canada, Poets Cove at Bedwell Harbour is real close to Friday Harbour and even closer to Roche Harbour. You'll like it - great hot tub. They have a customs dock but you'd have to call to see if it's open. If not, it's a easy sail from Roche Harbour to Port Sidney to clear customs and then back to Poets Cove. You can clear at either Roche Harbour or Friday Harbour to re enter the U.S.
All good choices for a basic intro
I would spend the first night in Port Townsend, then to Friday Harbor, if you don't like the hustle and bustle, go right across the channel to Parks Bay, nice little anchorage though you can't go ashore, very scenic though. Then up to Sucia for a night or two, down to Blakely island, then home through Deception Pass; alternately past Anacortes, through Padilla bay, down the Swinomish channel through pretty LaConner.
I would spend the first night in Port Townsend, then to Friday Harbor, if you don't like the hustle and bustle, go right across the channel to Parks Bay, nice little anchorage though you can't go ashore, very scenic though. Then up to Sucia for a night or two, down to Blakely island, then home through Deception Pass; alternately past Anacortes, through Padilla bay, down the Swinomish channel through pretty LaConner.
All good choices for a basic intro
I would spend the first night in Port Townsend, then to Friday Harbor, if you don't like the hustle and bustle, go right across the channel to Parks Bay, nice little anchorage though you can't go ashore, very scenic though. Then up to Sucia for a night or two, down to Blakely island, then home through Deception Pass; alternately past Anacortes, through Padilla bay, down the Swinomish channel through pretty LaConner.
I would spend the first night in Port Townsend, then to Friday Harbor, if you don't like the hustle and bustle, go right across the channel to Parks Bay, nice little anchorage though you can't go ashore, very scenic though. Then up to Sucia for a night or two, down to Blakely island, then home through Deception Pass; alternately past Anacortes, through Padilla bay, down the Swinomish channel through pretty LaConner.
Ken, if Canadian Customs aren't manning Bedwell,
just tie to the dock and go up the ramp. Next to the building on the pier are three Customs phones. Just pick one up and it'll ring to their main office. Just be sure to have your paperwork with you. Works great. Five minutes and you're clear. Remember when WE had an even BETTER system? Just call U.S. Customs when returning underway, with your cell-phone. Did it last, three years ago. Damn bureaucrats!
just tie to the dock and go up the ramp. Next to the building on the pier are three Customs phones. Just pick one up and it'll ring to their main office. Just be sure to have your paperwork with you. Works great. Five minutes and you're clear. Remember when WE had an even BETTER system? Just call U.S. Customs when returning underway, with your cell-phone. Did it last, three years ago. Damn bureaucrats!
Ken, if Canadian Customs aren't manning Bedwell,
just tie to the dock and go up the ramp. Next to the building on the pier are three Customs phones. Just pick one up and it'll ring to their main office. Just be sure to have your paperwork with you. Works great. Five minutes and you're clear. Remember when WE had an even BETTER system? Just call U.S. Customs when returning underway, with your cell-phone. Did it last, three years ago. Damn bureaucrats!
just tie to the dock and go up the ramp. Next to the building on the pier are three Customs phones. Just pick one up and it'll ring to their main office. Just be sure to have your paperwork with you. Works great. Five minutes and you're clear. Remember when WE had an even BETTER system? Just call U.S. Customs when returning underway, with your cell-phone. Did it last, three years ago. Damn bureaucrats!
Yeah!
We do this trip all the time: Leave Everett around 2pm in the afternoon. I typically leave work down in Seattle at noon and sneak out. Head up Saratoga Passage toward Oak Harbor. Keep going until you get to Hope Island or Skagit Island just East of Deception Pass. This takes us 8 hours in our boat at 6knts. Both of these islands are marine parks with no facilities. Next morning you are about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the pass. You can plan your transit from the park can. Take the morning slack and head for James Island about 3-4 hours north up Rosario Strait. Nice short run and you can get off the boat on James. From here you can hit anything in the islands. On the way back as others have suggested we head for Port Townsend. We then leave one more day for the run back to Everett.
We do this trip all the time: Leave Everett around 2pm in the afternoon. I typically leave work down in Seattle at noon and sneak out.
Head up Saratoga Passage toward Oak Harbor. Keep going until you get to Hope Island or Skagit Island just East of Deception Pass. This takes us 8 hours in our boat at 6knts. Both of these islands are marine parks with no facilities. Next morning you are about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the pass. You can plan your transit from the park can. Take the morning slack and head for James Island about 3-4 hours north up Rosario Strait. Nice short run and you can get off the boat on James. From here you can hit anything in the islands. On the way back as others have suggested we head for Port Townsend. We then leave one more day for the run back to Everett.Yeah!
We do this trip all the time: Leave Everett around 2pm in the afternoon. I typically leave work down in Seattle at noon and sneak out. Head up Saratoga Passage toward Oak Harbor. Keep going until you get to Hope Island or Skagit Island just East of Deception Pass. This takes us 8 hours in our boat at 6knts. Both of these islands are marine parks with no facilities. Next morning you are about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the pass. You can plan your transit from the park can. Take the morning slack and head for James Island about 3-4 hours north up Rosario Strait. Nice short run and you can get off the boat on James. From here you can hit anything in the islands. On the way back as others have suggested we head for Port Townsend. We then leave one more day for the run back to Everett.
We do this trip all the time: Leave Everett around 2pm in the afternoon. I typically leave work down in Seattle at noon and sneak out.
Head up Saratoga Passage toward Oak Harbor. Keep going until you get to Hope Island or Skagit Island just East of Deception Pass. This takes us 8 hours in our boat at 6knts. Both of these islands are marine parks with no facilities. Next morning you are about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the pass. You can plan your transit from the park can. Take the morning slack and head for James Island about 3-4 hours north up Rosario Strait. Nice short run and you can get off the boat on James. From here you can hit anything in the islands. On the way back as others have suggested we head for Port Townsend. We then leave one more day for the run back to Everett.
Marinas or Anchoring?
I have made two trips to the San Juans in the last two years and spent a few weekends at Sucia as well. Sucia is a Marine Park with little to no ammenities, but a few stinky composting outhouses. Nice hiking and likely great solitude this time of year. Many boaters from Point Roberts head there due to the close proximity. Friday Harbour has it all, a busy, bustling port with all the ammenities one could ask for, a favourite stop over for us. Roche Harbour has rich history and the nearby Garisson Bay to explore plus several ammenities. Blakely is a gated marina with exceptionally clean facilities and well groomed grounds. By gated I mean it is privately owned/run and has a fence around it to keep you in so that you do not tresspass anywhere on this private island. Rosario is a must see, a bit pricey but worth the extra. They have a historical presentation at the mansion that you should not miss. Three pools one with bar, and high end restaurant. Deer Harbour is a rustic sort of place, you can slip or anchor and there is a shuttle bus that takes you into town. There is a very fine (pricey) reastaurant a short walk up the road. I have yet to visit Fishermans Bay but it is on my list. Crossing into Canada adds customs complications and further travel, best saved for a future visit. The San Juans will keep you well occupied for the six days. Since Ken is on for 10 days it might be more enticing for him to head north, lots to see. For what it is worth, we have been getting more than our share of excessive wind up here, rain too, be prepared for any onslaught of foul weather.
I have made two trips to the San Juans in the last two years and spent a few weekends at Sucia as well. Sucia is a Marine Park with little to no ammenities, but a few stinky composting outhouses. Nice hiking and likely great solitude this time of year. Many boaters from Point Roberts head there due to the close proximity. Friday Harbour has it all, a busy, bustling port with all the ammenities one could ask for, a favourite stop over for us. Roche Harbour has rich history and the nearby Garisson Bay to explore plus several ammenities. Blakely is a gated marina with exceptionally clean facilities and well groomed grounds. By gated I mean it is privately owned/run and has a fence around it to keep you in so that you do not tresspass anywhere on this private island. Rosario is a must see, a bit pricey but worth the extra. They have a historical presentation at the mansion that you should not miss. Three pools one with bar, and high end restaurant. Deer Harbour is a rustic sort of place, you can slip or anchor and there is a shuttle bus that takes you into town. There is a very fine (pricey) reastaurant a short walk up the road. I have yet to visit Fishermans Bay but it is on my list. Crossing into Canada adds customs complications and further travel, best saved for a future visit. The San Juans will keep you well occupied for the six days. Since Ken is on for 10 days it might be more enticing for him to head north, lots to see. For what it is worth, we have been getting more than our share of excessive wind up here, rain too, be prepared for any onslaught of foul weather.
Marinas or Anchoring?
I have made two trips to the San Juans in the last two years and spent a few weekends at Sucia as well. Sucia is a Marine Park with little to no ammenities, but a few stinky composting outhouses. Nice hiking and likely great solitude this time of year. Many boaters from Point Roberts head there due to the close proximity. Friday Harbour has it all, a busy, bustling port with all the ammenities one could ask for, a favourite stop over for us. Roche Harbour has rich history and the nearby Garisson Bay to explore plus several ammenities. Blakely is a gated marina with exceptionally clean facilities and well groomed grounds. By gated I mean it is privately owned/run and has a fence around it to keep you in so that you do not tresspass anywhere on this private island. Rosario is a must see, a bit pricey but worth the extra. They have a historical presentation at the mansion that you should not miss. Three pools one with bar, and high end restaurant. Deer Harbour is a rustic sort of place, you can slip or anchor and there is a shuttle bus that takes you into town. There is a very fine (pricey) reastaurant a short walk up the road. I have yet to visit Fishermans Bay but it is on my list. Crossing into Canada adds customs complications and further travel, best saved for a future visit. The San Juans will keep you well occupied for the six days. Since Ken is on for 10 days it might be more enticing for him to head north, lots to see. For what it is worth, we have been getting more than our share of excessive wind up here, rain too, be prepared for any onslaught of foul weather.
I have made two trips to the San Juans in the last two years and spent a few weekends at Sucia as well. Sucia is a Marine Park with little to no ammenities, but a few stinky composting outhouses. Nice hiking and likely great solitude this time of year. Many boaters from Point Roberts head there due to the close proximity. Friday Harbour has it all, a busy, bustling port with all the ammenities one could ask for, a favourite stop over for us. Roche Harbour has rich history and the nearby Garisson Bay to explore plus several ammenities. Blakely is a gated marina with exceptionally clean facilities and well groomed grounds. By gated I mean it is privately owned/run and has a fence around it to keep you in so that you do not tresspass anywhere on this private island. Rosario is a must see, a bit pricey but worth the extra. They have a historical presentation at the mansion that you should not miss. Three pools one with bar, and high end restaurant. Deer Harbour is a rustic sort of place, you can slip or anchor and there is a shuttle bus that takes you into town. There is a very fine (pricey) reastaurant a short walk up the road. I have yet to visit Fishermans Bay but it is on my list. Crossing into Canada adds customs complications and further travel, best saved for a future visit. The San Juans will keep you well occupied for the six days. Since Ken is on for 10 days it might be more enticing for him to head north, lots to see. For what it is worth, we have been getting more than our share of excessive wind up here, rain too, be prepared for any onslaught of foul weather.
I keep my boat closer
to the islands just for that reason. Everett would be a closer moor for me but I'd rather put that 30 miles in doing 60 to 70 on the freeway.
to the islands just for that reason. Everett would be a closer moor for me but I'd rather put that 30 miles in doing 60 to 70 on the freeway.
I keep my boat closer
to the islands just for that reason. Everett would be a closer moor for me but I'd rather put that 30 miles in doing 60 to 70 on the freeway.
to the islands just for that reason. Everett would be a closer moor for me but I'd rather put that 30 miles in doing 60 to 70 on the freeway.
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