sailing in the San Juans
Sailing in the Islands is delightful. I'm sure you've seen the pictures that show the multitude of beautiful islands covered with fir trees. The photos hardly do it justice. Summer is definitely the time to go; July and August are best (the weather isn't as reliable in June). All the stuff you hear about the rainy Seattle weather is true, and the San Juans are in the same weather system (hey, there's a reason those trees are so thick and green!) September is the very best if you can get away then, as the weather is usually lovely and the crowds are dying down. A twenty-foot sailer is not too small for the area as winds are generally light to moderate in the summer months in the vicinity of the Islands. You will want to avoid the Straits of Georgia and the Straits of Juan de Fuca for, as you can see from the charts, those are BIG waters and mostly extensions of the Pacific Ocean, with all the problems of fog, high winds and strong tides. Wind over tide kicks up a very serious sea. The biggest issue with a smallish boat in the Islands is the competition for moorage, as small boats generally want to find a dock rather than anchor at the end of the day. Because of the proximity to Seattle, there is a LOT of traffic in the summer and the little speedboats generally trump the slower sailboats when it comes to finding a dock to tie to. Rafting is considered a mandatory hospitality issue. There are some mooring buoys at most mooring areas, but the anchor ground is usually mud and makes an excellent holding ground for you own ground tackle. The problem is that there are so many anchored boats that you can't put out much rode, and there is always someone swinging in to you when the tide shifts! Sailing in the San Juans is definitely an unforgettable experience, highly recommended. If the crowds are a concern, you might consider the Canadian Gulf Islands. Essentially the same as the San Juans and not that much further north and a lot less busy. I presume you are trailering your boat to the area. Where are you from? Hope this helps! Clay Wright
