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Friday

Troubling winter time thoughts

       Dinghy's, tenders, shore boats come in a dizzying array of shapes and sizes, and the on going "best dinghy" argument is far from complete in my limited mind.

But right now now I'm wondering if the pointy end of a dinghy is really needed.  I mean the part that is normally above water.

So here's the question, when comparing a 8' pointed dinghy to a 8' blunt nosed dinghy (some call them prams, others punts) do they both have the same load capacity? rowing, sailing ability?  I think if you take a 8' flat nosed dinghy and add back what it would take to make a decent pointed end you would in essence then have a 9.5' (give or take some inches)  pointed dinghy. Am I missing something here?

If I'm correct, it means a flat nosed dinghy of a given length may actually be a bigger boat (other issues and factors being equal) than a pointy dinghy of the same length overall. Right!
I think carried to extremes this line of thinking means a rectangle boat  is bigger, followed by a square boat as being the best shape for big loads. So a barge may be the shape it is for good reason.

So this brings me full circle  back to my earlier thought, is the pointy end of a dinghy really needed, or does it just make it a smaller boat?
Dinghy and Sunset at Matia Island in the San Juans, with Sucia and Echo bay in background


I'm am really looking forward to summer.


Tuesday

Places to go in the San Juan Islands

Places to go and things to do in the San Juan Islands.  All places listed are accessible by boat, some by vehicle also.

  • Hikes:  Pretty much every park has easy to lengthy hikes so instead of making a long list you may follow this link to all the parks  All the parks
    • Eagle Bluff on Cypress (Start at Pelican Beach)
    • Afterglow Mausoleum at Roche Harbor
    • Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island
    • Young Hill at English Camp
    • China Caves from Fossil Bay
    • Vendovi Preserve on Vendovi Island
    • Fort Whitman on Goat Island
    • Turtleback Mountain, begin at West Sound county dock
    • Click here for >> Detailed instructions for the hikes listed above
            
Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island
Eagle Bluff (Cliff) from Rosario Strait


  • Dining/eats:  I have never reviewed restaurants and won't here.  However a newbie to the San Juans has no idea what to expect or where to go so here goes some locations.
    • Blakely's: Just inside Peavine Pass has a small deli bar
    • Eastsound: It's a one block walk from the dock to downtown with many bistros, shops.
    • Rosario: Dock, restaurants
    • Lopez Village - Fisherman Bay: Restaurant at Islander resort or for Dinghy beach landing at Lopez Village
    • Friday Harbor: many places are walking distance from complementary tie ups in marina
    • Deer Harbor: Deli on dock, restaurants on shore
    • Roche Harbor: several restaurants on shore, complementary dock
    • West Beach: north shore on Orcas, deli in store on dock
  • Groceries, shopping:  The best advice here is to bring what you can before you head out, but the San Juans are not without good grocery stores.  You just need to know where they are.  This comprehensive post has them all >> Where are all the big stores?
  • Fuel:  Gas and diesel are readily available.  I would arrive with full tanks but not to worry if you don't.  This link will take you to all of them  >>  fuel docks
  • Museums and points of interest: 
    • Whale Museum in Friday Harbor is just up a flight of stairs from the marina office
    • Turn Point Lighthouse museum on Stuart Island
    • Patos Island Lighthouse Museum on Patos
    • Moran mansion has a third floor museum at Rosario Resort
    • English Camp at Garrison Bay on San Juan Island
    • Sculpture Garden at Roche Harbor
    • There are Saturday Markets at Lopez Village, Friday Harbor and Eastsound

Monday

Where are the Boat Ramps for your San Juan Islands Cruise Vacation?


          Taking your boat for a camping vacation cruise isn't expensive or difficult if you know the places to go and what to do. If you're going to camp aboard I recommend that you start out in Bellingham, all the places to travel are close by. But if you need a campground for your home base you should reserve a site at Washington Park in Anacortes and launch your boat at the park ramp..
Recommended #1 best  #6 last      #1 being the very best in my opinion  Oak Harbor is ranked #6 simply because they are farther away.
  1. Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham  -  unlimited free parking, fresh water rinse hoses, guest docks, restaurants (you will be glad you began and ended your trip here) (updated 10/1/21) I just became aware that Squalicum Harbor has changed their free parking to FIVE days maximum. This is bad news for some of us that like to take 7-10 day cruises. I recommend calling them.  Cornet Bay requires payment but at least has  much longer parking. 
  2. Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park  -  lots of pay to park, guest docks, nice place and float to hang out.
  3. La Conner (south end Swinomish Channel) city ramp, float, on street parking, cheap fees, guest docks.
  4. Washington Park in Anacortes  -  limited pay parking, double ramps with float but open to swell and waves from Geumes Channel,  no guest docks,  very nice on site campground, easy bike ride or hike to ferry.
  5. Twin Bridges (north end Swinomish Channel) County ramp, limited pay parking, small float that's dry at low tide, security risk area  NOTE: It's just a little further to La Conner and well worth it!
  6. Oak Harbor  -  free ramp, $2/day parking, guest docks nearby, full marina services nearby, long walk to town!
  • Cap Sante in Anacortes is not listed because they have a sling, not a ramp, Cap Sante would be second choice if you want to sling your boat in. Guest docks and big RV or trailer pay parking lot. (you can spend a lot of bucks here)

San JUan Islands map showing boat ramps at Cornet Bay, Squalicum Harbor, Twin Bridges, Oak Harbor, Washington Park, La Conner,

Click on picture to make it bigger!
For first timers, see articles titled  "San Juan Islands for First Timers"
Click below


Saturday

They say Canada visits are open after July 21st 2021

      I just read a website that says we can go back and forth after July 21st.  This is undoubtedly subject to change with current conditions and remember what the US says and Canada says may differ so check with both sides before you cross over.

     Interestingly,  the last time I had a passport problem (expired) and could not find the answer online.  I simply called the office in Friday Harbor and talked directly with an agent. He gave me the straight and current poop in a simple phone call.  It made me realize how much I had gotten away from talking to people who actually run the show.  Now if I can get certain people to quit texting for hours on end when picking up the phone is more expedient anyway.


San Juan Islands visiting Victoria, Butchart Gardens


Wednesday

Summer is upon us - Memorial Day kick offs are this weekend

 and we don't know what to expect regarding Covid 19 closures - openings or anything else. Are we allowed to visit Canada, what about our regular haunts and favorite hideouts?

I was hoping to give everyone a heads up for Fourth of July plans around the San Juan's but I am in the dark.  I know that earlier this month we dropped in on a scheduled rendezvous at a local dock and only three boats showed up, all stating they didn't know anything about approved  summer activities.

Well, all I can say is, we will be heading out as often as we can, trying our best to enjoy cruising in 2021 and beyond.

John


Friday

Summer Cruising Plans - Do it now! - Ten resorts and phone numbers where you can reserve a slip

 Sometimes it is really nice to have a slip reserved just for you.

      After spending a few nights on the hook somewhere, or jostling for dock space at a park that only holds four boats and has no water or shower, I look forward to my guaranteed reservation.

If you have a firm date planned, 4th of July maybe, you can call or get online and reserve a slip.


  1. La Conner 360 466 3118
  2. Cap Sante  360 2930694
  3. Squalicum Harbor 360 676 2542
  4. Blakelys   360375 6121
  5. West Beach  360 375 6121
  6. Islander Resort  360 468 2233
  7. Friday Harbor   360 378 2688
  8. Roche Harbor   800 586 3590
  9. Deer Harbor  360 376 3037
  10. Rosario Resort  360 376 2152

Most of these places will be able to fit you in with short notice, but plan ahead to be sure.

Did you know?
For your land bound friends and relatives (children). They can make campground reservations.

  • Sucia Island State Park
  • Odlin County Park
  • San Juan Island County Park
  • Spencer Spit State Park
  • Washington  Park (Anacortes city park)
These five parks are boater accessible and take reservations for camping.

Think outside the box, and plan a combination land and sea adventure with your non-boater friends.

Follow this link to a post outlining a land and sea outing involving - cars - campgrounds - ferry rides - bicycles and one boat used as a taxi.
Outside the box cruising

Marinas and telephone numbers in the San Juan's
What are you waiting for - Winter?




Monday

Where is Odlin Park Dock on Lopez Island



Odlin Park float on Lopez Island holds one big or two little boats



       This is one of those really handy but easily overlooked places you may be driving by.  San Juan County Parks allow two hour tie ups but I have left my dinghy all day, tucked in out of the way while bicycling the island or running to Lopez Village.

        You can anchor as close as you want and stay as long as you want. If you are really a rule stickler, simply drag the dinghy up above high water. The park bathrooms, fire pits, and parking lot are just a 200 foot walk away.  If you bring your bike like me you can ride into Lopez Village, it's only about 2 1/2 miles.

        Since all of Odlin Park is  totally exposed to wakes from Upright Channel, anchoring is always very rolly polly and boats at the dock get smacked around too. You can use one of four  park buoys for a small fee and still flop around. Other than that, Odlin is a great place to expand your horizons.


Odlin Park dock on Lopez Island
I don't think bicycles and dinghy's work well together, what do you think?


Map showing Odlin Park and Spencer Spit park in the San Juan's
Since parks aren't marked on charts, this snapshot may help you find Odlin Park.

Update: We have dropped the kids here again (Odlin Park). This time they had reservations for a campsite (smart idea). They left their car at Washington Park in Anacortes, and came by bicycle on the ferry to Orcas.

I know that may seem confusing since Odlin Park is on Lopez.
So here is the quick low down.

We started at Squalicum Harbor - Bellingham
 and anchored at Jones Island.
Two days later we picked them (our adult children) up at the county dock in Eastsound (Orcas)
Went back to Jones where they camped on shore.  The next day we ran over to Stuart and rode bikes to the lighthouse, then came back and camped at Jones again. The next day we dropped them at the county dock at Odlin Park on Lopez, and we  took a slip at Friday Harbor.
Two days later, we picked them up off the beach at Odlin Park (bikes in dinghies),
had an ice cream break at Blakely's,
and then hiked Eagle Bluff on Cypress.
We tried to camp at Cypress Head, but  because of wind ended up anchored for a calm night at Saddlebag Island Park where they slept on shore again.
On the kids last day we dropped them and their bikes at the dock at nearby Washington Park where their car was parked. We then ran back to Bellingham and slept at the dock in Squalicum Harbor.

If you have read this far, you should see that mixing ferries, foot passengers, bicycles,
 and camping on shore, can all come together for a custom outing in the San Juan's.
Did I mention the visit to the brewery in Eastsound?

If Lopez Village is on your bucket list (free showers) try this link.
How to land your dinghy at Lopez Village


Wednesday

Pontoon boats, Hobie Cats, Wave Runners



      W
hy are some boats seldom or never seen in the San Juans?  I'm going out on a
limb here and speculating because I really don't know why I have never seen a pontoon boat in the islands. I may have seen a small cat once but I don't remember when. 

     I have read that jet skis and pwc's are forbidden in San Juan county so that explains their absence on the water. I have seen them many times on the decks of larger yachts or being towed. Small cats with limited or no storage don't lend themselves to cruising but I would think that if a kayaker can get by with minimal gear so can a  wet and wild sailor in a wet suit. This leaves me with pontoon boats.  Party barges as they are sometimes called are common on lakes and rivers and easily trailered. They can certainly carry camping gear and some have cabins, so why aren't they seen in the San Juan's?  

     I'm guessing that pontoon boats don't do well in big waves. Except with suitable weather windows big waves might be avoided (this is a big maybe). Big wakes are another thing but they happen everywhere including lakes and rivers, especially with the advent of ballast shifting wake boats.  My next thought is that party barges are the boat of choice for the younger crowd and much of the cruising crowd is a more seasoned bunch preferring beds, fridges and galley sinks.  

    I will be on watch.

                                              pontoon boat in the San Juans