I am thinking of sailing the San Juan Islands this summer.Has anyone sailed the islands? How are the winds? Is it too much for a 20' sailboat? Thanks John
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It Can Be Okay
The winds can get really strong as they shoot down the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the currents are usually strong, also. There's currents all over the place, currents that oppose each other which create standing waves. Cattle Pass is usually "fun" with steep current and wind waves and there are some other places that will leave you with memories. But, if you know what can happen given certain conditions (which way the current is going, what the weather forcast is) then you could do okay. I'd certainly recommend stocking up on reference materials and reading them well before you arrive. In the summer time there are a lot of power boat wakes. An alternative, in the summer season, is to cruise South Sound: Olympia up to Vashon Island. Most of the power boaters are up north which leaves the area nearly deserted! And winds tend to be more reliable, that is, light. Either way, advance preparation is the key to a successful and fun trip.
The winds can get really strong as they shoot down the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the currents are usually strong, also. There's currents all over the place, currents that oppose each other which create standing waves. Cattle Pass is usually "fun" with steep current and wind waves and there are some other places that will leave you with memories. But, if you know what can happen given certain conditions (which way the current is going, what the weather forcast is) then you could do okay. I'd certainly recommend stocking up on reference materials and reading them well before you arrive. In the summer time there are a lot of power boat wakes. An alternative, in the summer season, is to cruise South Sound: Olympia up to Vashon Island. Most of the power boaters are up north which leaves the area nearly deserted! And winds tend to be more reliable, that is, light. Either way, advance preparation is the key to a successful and fun trip.
San Juan Sailing
Hi John, I live in the San Juans. I think your success in sailing up here really depends more on what you are comfortable with than the size of your boat. Boats smaller than 20 feet have crossed oceans. Summer weather here is usually very settled, particularly in July and August. However, it always pays to listen to forecasts as exceptions occurred. As John and Ray have pointed out, there are big tidal ranges here, 6-10 foot swings twice a day are normal in the summer. That much water movement creates strong currents in certain areas. There are guides (Washbournes) that show you where and when they will be at their strongest so you can avoid them as necessary. There is also a lot of boat traffic in the summer, but the wakes are generally no more then you'll find other places. If you do come, I would avoid the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Try putting in at Anacortes which will limit the amount of open water you have to cross to get to the Islands. As John Nantz pointed out, do some advance reading and let me know if I can provide any further information. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Hi John, I live in the San Juans. I think your success in sailing up here really depends more on what you are comfortable with than the size of your boat. Boats smaller than 20 feet have crossed oceans. Summer weather here is usually very settled, particularly in July and August. However, it always pays to listen to forecasts as exceptions occurred. As John and Ray have pointed out, there are big tidal ranges here, 6-10 foot swings twice a day are normal in the summer. That much water movement creates strong currents in certain areas. There are guides (Washbournes) that show you where and when they will be at their strongest so you can avoid them as necessary. There is also a lot of boat traffic in the summer, but the wakes are generally no more then you'll find other places. If you do come, I would avoid the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Try putting in at Anacortes which will limit the amount of open water you have to cross to get to the Islands. As John Nantz pointed out, do some advance reading and let me know if I can provide any further information. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Go for it but be cautious
My wife and I did it twice last year with our O'Day 22, once in June and the other time in September. It is only our second year with the boat. It is a shoal keel w/a center board. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. It seems to help when traversing a strong current in light winds to raise the board. I wouldn't even attempt it as a novice sailer (speaking of myself)without the security of the outboard. We had lots of fun and it is an experience we will always treasure. June had brisk winds and the temps are still cool. September we had seen light winds and even lighter crowds. Both times, Friday Harbor was the place to tie up for the night. Mooring rates were reasonable at 17 a night. Rosario Resort on the other hand was 40 a night. All places offer coin op showers. Like one person mentioned thare are other cheaper options such as mooring balls and the like. I like the protected harbor for the small boat gang just in case it gets ugly overnight. The big challange up there is the currents and staying clear of the ferries. The currents can move your boat faster than your outboard and the ferries move at 19 knots. I have read a horror story about a guy who got swamped in his 30 footer with an eight foot wave in thatcher pass. There are usuallly enough boats around if you had to call out with a may day. We launched out of Anacortes both times. They are short on boat ramps and the one that they do have is very shallow. With a quick jaunt across Rosario Strait (approx 6 miles) you are back in semi-protected water. Watch the narrow channels during tide change as I have been tuned 180 degrees by the current. With the right preperation (reading current and nav. charts along with GPS,compass, and VHF) one should be OK. Watch the weather and have fun. That idea about the Columbia sound great too but I wouldn't miss out on the San Juans either. Good Luck Brian
My wife and I did it twice last year with our O'Day 22, once in June and the other time in September. It is only our second year with the boat. It is a shoal keel w/a center board. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. It seems to help when traversing a strong current in light winds to raise the board. I wouldn't even attempt it as a novice sailer (speaking of myself)without the security of the outboard. We had lots of fun and it is an experience we will always treasure. June had brisk winds and the temps are still cool. September we had seen light winds and even lighter crowds. Both times, Friday Harbor was the place to tie up for the night. Mooring rates were reasonable at 17 a night. Rosario Resort on the other hand was 40 a night. All places offer coin op showers. Like one person mentioned thare are other cheaper options such as mooring balls and the like. I like the protected harbor for the small boat gang just in case it gets ugly overnight. The big challange up there is the currents and staying clear of the ferries. The currents can move your boat faster than your outboard and the ferries move at 19 knots. I have read a horror story about a guy who got swamped in his 30 footer with an eight foot wave in thatcher pass. There are usuallly enough boats around if you had to call out with a may day. We launched out of Anacortes both times. They are short on boat ramps and the one that they do have is very shallow. With a quick jaunt across Rosario Strait (approx 6 miles) you are back in semi-protected water. Watch the narrow channels during tide change as I have been tuned 180 degrees by the current. With the right preperation (reading current and nav. charts along with GPS,compass, and VHF) one should be OK. Watch the weather and have fun. That idea about the Columbia sound great too but I wouldn't miss out on the San Juans either. Good Luck Brian
Check the Charter Co. Websites
Check ut the charter company websites for sample cruise itineraries. They're by nature conservative in where they suggest their charterers take their boats. We chartered a trawler (yes, a power boat) out of Anacortes a few years ago and, aside from a couple of narrow passages with high current, would have felt comfortable pretty much anywhere in a sailboat.
Check ut the charter company websites for sample cruise itineraries. They're by nature conservative in where they suggest their charterers take their boats. We chartered a trawler (yes, a power boat) out of Anacortes a few years ago and, aside from a couple of narrow passages with high current, would have felt comfortable pretty much anywhere in a sailboat.
Go for it
The wife and I spent six weeks sailing the islands two years ago, our C22 was our home and it worked great...We'd spend a couple days out on the water and then dock to take showers and wash cloths and back out for a couple days.....About once a week we would end up back at Friday Harbor for dinner out and a movie....On the trip, we were married at the little church on the hill above Roach Harbor on the north end of San Juan island....We'll be going back up this fall after the crowds leave....
The wife and I spent six weeks sailing the islands two years ago, our C22 was our home and it worked great...We'd spend a couple days out on the water and then dock to take showers and wash cloths and back out for a couple days.....About once a week we would end up back at Friday Harbor for dinner out and a movie....On the trip, we were married at the little church on the hill above Roach Harbor on the north end of San Juan island....We'll be going back up this fall after the crowds leave....
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