Sometimes I see micro yachts being paddled or sailed across straits and marvel at them just as much if not more than the mega bruisers with the eight foot freeboard.
The difference in expense, crew requirements, and comfort are obvious, and if you drill down into the pros and cons of mega versus micro, each skipper will have a laundry list rationalizing and justifying their choices.
In the end, the boats we use in the San Juans are the ones we have, it's as simple as that. It's not a matter of what is appropriate or proper, it's a matter of making proper choices for the conditions, and your boat's ability to handle those conditions.
From a 14 foot open fishing boat, kayak or canoe, to the Queen Mary, all have a time and place in the San Juans.
The boats in the pictures below are likely to be found just about everywhere.
So if it floats -- get going.
![Trailer Sailer in the San Juan's Taking a day sailor to the san Juan Islands](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_jl9btyOjXQK9NqnDoEw3KATp4HFgMok4a3btUPMKbLjFhtMOX2E2LUcQzS-2-xBv5RPDcGeNgDsN8Ramvj_rxiQN0gMut4d2oepi2FhQNAsqjJftIiXabhVTuX1ughnhYNjNnVTYAc/w640-h480-rw/P7070037.JPG) |
Everything but the kitchen sink |
![Tall ship replica at Sucia Island Echo Bay Tall ship cruises](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUJmSJ_eNpv-oYtx190JdxwBWiLI5fvNhrS6EU6O_s4hk3CtIgK0bQdnwc5syKvA0B6mM_Soc6gK8hyphenhyphenTzxBTfv-yei-wRCH90qj-njL9L7YvhqO-lMKF864R6AMS5zSCpZD8DeC7tLiY/w640-h426-rw/P7090100.JPG) |
And the kitchen sink |
![Ocean Alexander at Roche Harbor Mega Yachts in the San Juan Islands](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5DtO-evh8IOpyDg6aau8Llns5z1CFnL0wQBYiEbrH-0BgXRMS8SXMG7N5HCMRazUIadWcJmPDcE0jUH3tkQm4oqw7QJz1uaCqJHhyvUDXtCabhwSl8mQAOHJyiXXM47_9MEBiM_wbYE/w640-h480-rw/P7120342.JPG) |
Too big to fit in picture (please remove shoes!) |
![Jones Island dock and campground Camping in the San Juan Islands with ski boats](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpvi2ANe_eqTkEfrOLF29O8-tiRRYHu40WuYKQ6t4SehN5-fSYnE3uITqntvgxjZiR1waGkF9HMx8OnpFJ4EhZAMPzXdzH99iC3S77jB-6eNUIGSesoeOmWNX65HzEud-F5JtaGPLrmM/w640-h480-rw/P7130368.JPG) |
Runabouts - ski boats - open boats
Common at Jones Island |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6hExqGiXF0-En2kkNoYAh3QXM9_uBa0YMAAU1vVkPHZznp2xQLx6E1WPf6B_-TIPq-ogIx0ND6UoszxgC6F-HupNqrF37ZvQnfCWuBg-6E5zWcFjWVQh0jVt6rPBCJuG0Kc6KIzWjn0/s640-rw/DSCF4826.JPG) |
Mega yacht won't be using any of the park facilities.
These guys anchor out and dinghy into the coves and floats
See the tender on top? |
![Anchoring runabout at James Island Camping cruising near Thatcher Pass and James island in the San Juans](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6eK-eXm2bf5CdQuaiPgdlyujfHJUO34lAiDCzjl4en46QSbdiNjpUiE-5RWvULWk73ybHpe0IMIrc8sdI_fFg-4qGx77gQy6RJeG1-NXBRIWKULoH4atliMF2egsGqUg-gEBW1EpDrU/w640-h480-rw/DSCF4836.JPG) |
Another camper on a runabout |
![James Island float and campground runabouts and daysailers at James Island float](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CGm72wWmwzQAIRaQqQEWIGQmmQ9wPLBowreXS8n74k0K0kZ4NdTkhE9nlBdBoZltkS1f4GFK212zY_2_MKfJAe6sTuwyw3Yu2drYwgOXU7avmSo7VgauIFKHOgk5pthQrMEIQMu1syQ/w640-h480-rw/DSCF4838.JPG) |
They may be using tents onshore at one of three campgrounds on James Island, or just a lunch stop. |
![Kayak campground at James Island Sail and human powered campground at James Island](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKK_gbXS84FK5CoNOkCn9Sl4xxEcmPCFvDBZRNF0aE6MSaUnwtyl9YrHUL2t-Tcf37GExy4iUVl6xxdK2RYt0gVH8dBZIkuJdjcLZIxZTGQLwmumWGxq2xWG2kYQ-ouuPyTpCRs_j25w/s640-rw/DSCF4862.JPG) |
Kayak campers use campground at top of steps |
![full dock at Jones Island north cove old dock at Jones Island north cove](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNq0Wmrw1dTXxknX89y92vCVt9Nmr1M6Cl9Smz-7Zc_U5vNbCzQX5PQ0yPVxymbeN-P5ThYc_8UtyNBSr9tNDE99wAADGw35KjPTPoWqhS3xd4U5CyxDJwWUNooGycyksc9GEntbm21w/w640-h480-rw/DSCF5124.JPG) |
At Jones Island, its a full float of day-trippers. |
![trailer sailers at boat ramp Olympia swantown ramp before facelift](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-fuOcft_Pw-vI4c7MgZ0QQfI9vEWleQY9QWp791yHff3w_laYuCqw8gHPH6g_LCrgaht-Zk1-SC1zoT7_Ttx3gcjwusryqIR4onHZxfEytOiHLy_LSXCPBd4r0OkjchahzcGwPaQ8E4/w400-h266-rw/Victoria+Trip+2005-01.jpg) |
This trailer sailer just rolled down the ramp |
![Rowing sailboat through Lopez Sound towing dinghy in Lopez Sound in the San Juans](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK_JnTwBuc0Ro_sEgGmDNvQ4AWvU-T23CpDn3N51ieoqWChFjdFpfuSqyr5R5NdB-ODJNomec07DxMYxFKjFgxRMokzyYBQR4_qAQVXlsXJAGKgYwftWfDgA-4cHzVNyBHgUbOS5hlZ0/w640-h480-rw/DSCF6031.jpg) |
becalmed in a car-topper in Lopez Sound |
![Paddling to Pelican Beach Cypress Island camping at DNR reserve](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUgoyymBpybW22nmc9MTCExPX_OAeMX4jV0VYZH0TkpAUXEqUNxpjmYdJvTjTyjnwD_wP_BjawMjmfI1-HFDVdh3rM_2YrNdYFokTsPKWrogxxnpLC1z6Ul7OCNjcdJjw9d1eUbEtrkE/w640-h478-rw/DSCF5786.jpg) |
This boater paddles the final feet to Pelican Beach |
![Friday Harbor Breakwater Mega Yacht taking all of transient dock at Friday Harbor on 4th of July](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZm4gfEzXvpDTYedxL56QONjd6tyR_nVeYFk-gsjy4V_m0sQg8LTB4p81IfaeQ3PWdd-jjGGqBa452-8P09N9K9IpTbnJ0xG5t2hh2bbAzpUvuQ6Nfnd4E4gi3kaU0DZiyhvvTrOgp_Q/w640-h482-rw/DSCF6295.JPG) |
Here's a shot that captures mega to mini.
The sailboat is a 70's Catalina 22 towing an inflatable. The mega is 164' Eileen , built in Italy with an 31' beam. If you look closely you can see the 35 foot center console dinghy attached crosswise at Eileens stern.
This was at Friday Harbor on the 4th of July 2016. |