Trailer to San Juan Islands Washington

rgranger · Apr 29, 2020

I use Active Captain when planning trips to new waters. You can get great info on what marinas are there... how to contact them... if they have a launch etc. I will then identify a Marina and call or email them and ask if I can launch a sailboat at their site and leave a truck and trailer for a week. The only time I was told no was because of an overhanging power line at the launch.

Justin_NSA · Apr 29, 2020

BWY is up there. I wonder if they have the scoop on trailer sailing the area and where to leave the truck.
I used to come up often when I worked for Boeing. When the wife came up, I checked out of the Renton hotel on a Friday and we ferried to a B&B in the San Juans . I think it was Orca Island. It was the spot of the Pig War where ever that was. This was a long time ago.

jssailem · Apr 29, 2020

Hi John....
First off you are heading into some fun waters... most of the time. There are a lot of adventures to enjoy.

Suggest, under the current conditions, you check out the local guide sources for information about the islands and restrictions. We have heard the Governor of Washington is planing to “Open Up” the Puget Sound waters On 5 May. But as of yet no one knows what that will mean. Just because the waters may be opened the marinas and the “Best Island Stops” may not be inviting visitors.

Check out Waggoner’s Guide and Salish Sea Pilot for updates on local Closures/Opeenings

Updates - Waggoner

waggonerguide.com

Tide slowly turns

Daily updates of service restrictions at marinas, public docks and marine parks in British Columbia and Washington State as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll.

salishseapilot.com

It took me a minute too grasp the Na Na Na reference in your Avatar. At first I thought you might have been sharing your audition lyric for the Belmonts...

But then I realized you answered the Forum questions with NA (Not Applicable).

AaronD · Apr 29, 2020

We made a similar trip last year in our C-22 (there's another post or two following the one in that link).

There are at several options for launching in Anacortes, including:

--Washington Park (Map) - The city park has a sand / gravel ramp (well, paved partway, but you'll end up on sand). And a trailer parking lot with a self-serve kiosk - $9/day, up to 14 days (per the webpage linked above). We ended up launching there, and it worked fine for us. The dock was short last year (a couple sections had broken off in a winter storm). So recovering was trickier; we planned to go have her slung out at Cap Sante (see below), but we saw someone else pulling out and decided to give it a try. As I said, it's a gravel / sand ramp, so I was glad for 4WD low.

--Skyline Marina - they have a sling hoist and will sling your boat in and out for something like $1/foot. But then you have to step / unstep the mast on the water. And when we were there, they were. busy enough that they couldn't offer a spare slip in which to do that. We did end up spending a night in a guest slip, and it was pleasant enough.

--Cap Sante Marina - They also have a hoist - same basic deal as Skyline. They weren't quite as full and said they could find us space to tie up to unstep the mast, but we ended up recovering at the park ramp.

When we go back (I'm told by the family that it's a matter of when, not if), we'll probably plan on Washington park. We might camp for a night there before rigging and launching, and hop over Rosario in the early morning again.

If you have any more questions about my limited experience small-boat cruising in the SJ's, feel free to ask.

Meriachee · Apr 29, 2020

As John mentioned, what is being seen are marinas not offering transient moorage, which could limit showers and provisioning. Parks closed, putting limits on shore access and generally putting a damper on what you can do.
While this will change, theres probably not a lot of definitive info just yet.

Mikem · Apr 29, 2020

AaronD said:
We made a similar trip last year in our C-22 (there's another post or two following the one in that link).

There are at several launching options for launching in Anacortes.

--Washington Park (Map) - The county park has a sand / gravel ramp (well, paved partway, but you'll end up on sand). And a trailer parking lot with a self-serve kiosk - $9/day, up to 14 days (per the webpage linked above). We ended up launching there, and it worked fine for us. The dock was short last year (a couple sections had broken off in a winter storm). So recovering was trickier; we planned to go have her slung out at Cap Sante (see below), but we saw someone else pulling out and decided to give it a try. As I said, it's a gravel / sand ramp, so I was glad for 4WD low.

--Skyline Marina - they have a sling hoist and will. sling your boat in and out for something like. $1/foot. But then you have to step / unstep the mast on the water. And when we were there, they were. busy enough that they couldn't offer a spare slip in which to do that. We did end up spending a night in a guest slip, and it was pleasant enough.

--Cap Sante Marina - They also have a hoist - same basic deal as Skyline. They weren't quite as full and said they could find us space to tie up to unstep the mast, but we ended up recovering at the park ramp.

When we go back (I'm told by the. family that it's a matter of when, not if), we'll probably plan on Washington park. We might camp for a night there before rigging and launching, and hop over Rosario in the early morning again.

If you have any more questions about my limited experience small-boat cruising in the SJ's, feel free to ask.

I would check directly with SanJuan County for the most current and accurate info.

AaronD · Apr 30, 2020

azsailing said:
Thanks all. Aaron that info is exactly what I was looking for. My mac has a swing keel, so its not too bad to launch, so Washington Park sounds good. Can you tell me whether the lot seemed used enough to potentially fill up? Again thanks.

I suppose it might fill up sometimes, but there were a number of open slots when we were there. We arrived on a Monday, which might have helped, but even leaving right before Labor Day weekend, my recollection is that there were a few spots left. In a COVID year? Who knows...

Mikem · Apr 30, 2020

AaronD said:
I suppose it might fill up sometimes, but there were a number of open slots when we were there. We arrived on a Monday, which might have helped, but even leaving right before Labor Day weekend, my recollection is that there were a few spots left. In a COVID year? Who knows...

Unless San Juan county has changed its policy recently they have prohibited marina visits, moorage and even anchoring. The reason given is to prevent stress on the very limited island facilities. And they have either discouraged or prohibited second home owners in the islands from visiting. And our Washington governor has yet to reveal his reopening plan although he promises to announce it May 1 ( I think that is what he said). At any rate, check directly with your destination officials.

Terry Cox · Apr 30, 2020

Last word from the Guvna was to open recreational boating, parks, etc. May 5. What that means remains to be seen.

DrJudyB · Apr 30, 2020

Swantown Marina in Olympia has a very nice launch ramp and parking for the car and trailer for at least 12 days, and probably Longer.

Squalicum marina In Bellingham also has a very nice launch ramp, but they don’t allow long term trailer parking, more than a couple of days, in their lot anymore, IIRC. Call the harbor master and ask for information about long term parking for the trailer. You launch, drive the trailer to a lot, and drive back to the marina. You can park a cat long term there, but not a trailer.

Judy B

jssailem · Apr 30, 2020

Just Checked with Port of Everett
They are permitting limited Recreational Launching. Social Distancing practiced.
Launch Fee is $15 Includes first day of vehicle Parking with trailer attached.
Additional parking days $3.00 per day. No limit number of days. Post payment slip in window.

Rates & Availability | Port of Everett

425.259.6001

Ken Cross · May 8, 2020

When we trailer sailed, we always used Washington Park in Anacortes.
It's basically in the San Juans and if you park there you will spend less time getting there and have more time in the islands.
Now we keep our boat in Everett and it takes a long day or usually 2 days (depends on tidal currents) to get up there.

If you do get up there, let us know. We've met new SBO friends there before and it's a pleasure.

Ken

Terry Cox · May 8, 2020

Ken Cross said:
If you do get up there, let us know. We've met new SBO friends there before and it's a pleasure.

Amen, Bro.

Ken Cross · May 30, 2020

Other than the San Juans, Puget Sound does have some great destinations. Just another something to consider.

Ken

Ziggler · Jun 5, 2020

John, You've re recieved some sound advice so far. I have trailer sailed the San Juans about 10 times starting in 1993 and had my last trip there about 2 years ago. First on a Sydney 17 and then a Paceship 23. I was almost always the smallest boat in each harbor were visited.

LAUNCHING: Washington park is a good ramp for launching and right as close as you can get to the actual islands. And large parking lot for keeping your vehicle and trailer while you sail the islands. A concern I had there and the reason I didn't return in later years was the damage to the trailer with the salt water sitting on the trailer for a week or so. I remember on one occasion we had to use a hammer to try to free up the brakes and axles so the trailer would move. So, instead for the last handful of trips we used Skyline Marina to host the boat off the trailer. They will take a fee to store your vehicle and trailer while you sail. Also a very conveniently located facility to the islands.

Trailer to San Juan Islands Washington

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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