Port Townsend, WA Anchorages

DannyO

DannyO

.
Jun 12, 2012
19
Hunter 340 Jantzen Beach
Hi everyone,

I'm planning to take the boat up to the Puget Sound area from Portland, OR at the end of June and looking for any tips/experience with anchorages in the Port Townsend area. The plan is to leave the boat there for the summer while I still work in the Portland area and do short weekend/week long island hoping trips in the San Juans. Port Townsend seems to be a good place to get to by car and then sail north from there. I've heard that the PT Boat Haven area is/can be pretty disastrous on the hook. Is Port Hadlock any better? Kala Point? Or is there a better place to anchor that I'm overlooking? I am sailing a 2001 Hunter 340 and have a Vulcan 15 anchor. Thanks in advance for the tips.
 
MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

.
Dec 28, 2015
1,897
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
On anchor, you can’t beat the protection of Mystery Bay on Morrow Island. Getting in and out takes a little bit of attention but not too bad. I’d recommend finding a place farther north on the east side. It’s faster to drive than to motor/sail across the straight since you are driving that far already.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,788
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
The issue appears to be one of exposure. Anchoring at PT leaves you exposed on a lee shore for winds from the south across a large bay. P Hadlock is the opposite. While both are being used by boats on a mooring leaving a boat on her anchor for a week or more would not be my first choice.

You might explore Mystery Bay off of Marrowstone Island, Sequim, Port Ludlow, Kingston, and Poulsbo which offer more sheltered waters. Check locally with the marinas to verify that you can use the waters for long periods at anchor. There are some controlled waters in the area that limit the time boater’s can use the anchorage. It’s the shore folks concern about abandoned boats. You might find someone to keep an eye on your boat and will give you a call in an emergency.
 
SoSound

SoSound

.
Nov 21, 2007
673
Beneteau Oceanis 34 Kingston, WA
MikeHoncho said:
On anchor, you can’t beat the protection of Mystery Bay on Morrow Island. Getting in and out takes a little bit of attention but not too bad. I’d recommend finding a place farther north on the east side. It’s faster to drive than to motor/sail across the straight since you are driving that far already.
Click to expand
:plus:... for everything here. If you just look at a chart, Mystery Bay looks terrifying, but it has become one of our favorite destinations! If you have a cruising guide with a description of the entry, follow their guidance and keep a close eye on your depth sounder, make your first entry on a rising tide and it shouldn't be a big deal.

I would not recommend Kingston as a good place to anchor. It's exposed to wakes from every container ship, cruise ship, and WA State Ferry (every 45 minutes) that passes by. In the two years that we have been here, we have seen multiple boats of various sizes drag anchor or aground when the tide is low. There is one wreck that is still on the beach, two years later.

I also agree with being farther north and on the east side. Or, choose Port Ludlow or Port Hadlock and make the drive via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or Olympia/Shelton, Washington State Ferries wait times to cross the sound can be two hours or more during peak travel times on Fridays and Sundays.
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

.
Apr 8, 2010
2,091
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
Head Sail said:
I hope you're planning on getting a slip. Don't leave a boat at anchor while you're in Portland.
Click to expand
He seems to want to anchor in/at Port Townsend, WA.....
I would also add that holding ground there has a poor reputation BTW.

Edit: I misread the sentence. I thought it was referencing anchoring a boat in the Portland area. Sorry 'bout that.
 
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AaronD

AaronD

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Aug 10, 2014
732
Catalina 22 9874 Newberg, OR / Olympia, WA
I haven’t spent any time near Port Townsend, so I have nothing to offer on anchorages or holding there, I hear it can be a fun area; my sister and family kept their boat there for several years.

This is a long shot, but if your primary cruising target is the SJs and Canadian Gulf Islands, you might consider locations near Anacortes as well. We've sailed from there for all our SJ trips.
  • 
Pros:
    • Closer to the SJs - an hour or so hop across Rosario vs. several hours in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
      • Cypress and James Island are both really close if you just want to get somewhere quick for a first night or on your way back to the car.
    • Weather and conditions on Rosario are worthy of respect, but I suspect you might find quite a few days you’d like to head out (or back) when Rosario seems doable but Juan de Fuca doesn’t.
  • Cons:
    • ~60-90 minutes longer drive - on a good day
    • It means driving up through Seattle - so there won’t be many good days :(

That trade-off probably depends on your planned trip lengths - if you want to get out for a 3-day weekend, being closer to the SJs could be a big deal. If you’re headed out for a week or two, maybe it doesn’t matter so much.

If it’s just for the summer (did I understand that correctly?) I’d be thinking of a slip up there. But that’s easy for me to say - someone almost always has a slip to fit my 22 footer, and I know that’s not always the case for a bigger boat.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,788
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Head Sail said:
Especially with a 34' boat and 15lb anchor.
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Head Sail, He has a #15 Rocna. That would be a 33lb anchor.

While I like my 35lb Mantis design better it is a decent anchor for most sites if I was aboard the boat. I would not leave my boat anchored overnight while I was ashore in an exposed anchorage like PT. To leave the boat anchored a week at a time at PT while ashore, would also never meet my safety standard.

We each act as skipper of our boat and the freedom to make decisions are our own.
 
DannyO

DannyO

.
Jun 12, 2012
19
Hunter 340 Jantzen Beach
Thanks for your feedback everyone.

I have a slip for just 2 weeks in PT. Decided not to anchor there (thank you all). Instead, I think I'm going to sail up from PT and anchor in Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor (south side) and just ferry across to Anacortes. Those anchorages seem much more protected and better holding. I'm hoping to find a buddy while up there to keep an eye on the boat while I'm away as well as put an apple AirTag (or something similar) on the boat to monitor.

I have been trying to find a slip up near Anacortes, but that seems like wishful thinking. I'm told there are 3 year waiting lists. If anyone has a line to anyone that might sublet, I'm all ears.

My anchor seems to hold pretty well. It's about 33lbs and I have 120' of chain rode and another 300' of rope rode. I know the tidal changes up there can really swing, but I think I have that covered.

Again, thanks for all the feedback. I'm heading out in a week so if you have any other tips, please let me know.
 
Head Sail

Head Sail

.
Nov 13, 2013
723
Catalina 34 Tacoma
You will find both Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor very difficult to find anchorage. Especually this time of year. Most of the good spots have private buoys. Recommend a slip if you're going to be away for some time.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,788
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Danny, do-not count Everett out. With 2300 slips it may not have a long wait. There is turnover. Also you may find a temporary while the owner is out for the summer.

it is only 3 hours (200 miles) from Portland.

A day trip to the Islands.
 
MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

.
Dec 28, 2015
1,897
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Yea, a extra 90 minutes in a car beats a 3+ hours to cross the straight if weather allows.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,788
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
That would be true MH.
Unless…
The reason one is going to the boat is to be on the boat… then 3+ hours seems a lifetime of fun, when compared to 90 minutes in a car.

There is just so much water to explore and enjoy. So many different routes to take, and so little time to sail all of them.

I am thinking, a strategy worth considering is to take any place that has an open slot for your boat and meets your price range. Get on the water and start to explore. At the same time, get on the waitlist for a second site on the edge of what you identify as your sailing area. When the new site becomes available jump to the next lily pad. That way you progressively explore new water and have an ever changing sailing experience.

Just one way of keeping your sailing a fresh adventure.
 
MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

.
Dec 28, 2015
1,897
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
jssailem said:
That would be true MH.
Unless…
The reason one is going to the boat is to be on the boat… then 3+ hours seems a lifetime of fun, when compared to 90 minutes in a car.

There is just so much water to explore and enjoy. So many different routes to take, and so little time to sail all of them.

I am thinking, a strategy worth considering is to take any place that has an open slot for your boat and meets your price range. Get on the water and start to explore. At the same time, get on the waitlist for a second site on the edge of what you identify as your sailing area. When the new site becomes available jump to the next lily pad. That way you progressively explore new water and have an ever changing sailing experience.

Just one way of keeping your sailing a fresh adventure.
Click to expand
I can’t wait to be retired…..lol
 
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DannyO

DannyO

.
Jun 12, 2012
19
Hunter 340 Jantzen Beach
Thanks everyone. Heading up on Saturday. If you see me up there, would love to say hi and have a drink to say thanks for the tips and info. Here's to good weather.
 
mermike

mermike

.
Nov 21, 2012
704
Yamaha 33 Port Ludlow, WA
We're heading to Victoria from Port Ludlow on Monday. Looks like a week of good weather ahead
 
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