Take What you Have and -- GO

      As the primary irritant and contributor to this website, I am drawn back to promoting boating and the San Juans.

        How many times have you heard  (or said yourself)  "I can't because...."   -- finish the statement with any handy excuse for not making that long talked about trip.  In many cases, the excuses I use are bogus or easily overcome.

For instance:

• The no money excuse:
• If you are dead broke, I suggest that you forge ahead and make plans anyway, things have a way of working out.
• Reduce the budget some,  try dialing back what you really need to get going to the San Juans.  
• New radar - NO, new motor - NO - how about used? New plotter - NO.  You may be  hopeless if you need all the newest toys to vacation or go on a boat ride.

• The no boat excuse:

• Take what you have, or consider renting or buying a used runabout or skiff.
• One time we came across a couple (a well seasoned couple I might add) at Pelican Beach.  They arrived in an 8' plywood sailing pram (with oars and no motor) and they had towed another 8' pram with  camping gear.  They told us they had put in at Anacortes and were spending a week as they had done for many years.  I was  impressed and somewhat embarrassed for my boat full of goodies, and creature comforts.

                Let's expand on the idea of buying a used boat.  Once a few years back, I sold our primary boat just a few weeks before a planned trip to the San Juans.   Now boat-less, except for my beloved 9' dinghy, I was faced with canceling my family vacation. Instead, I decided to buy an inexpensive boat, and use it once for our  San Juan trip and then sell it upon our return.  I bought a small well known   readily available sailboat and trailer.  We boat camped for ten days, and then  I sold the temporary boat for 100% what I paid for it. 

          The overall cost for that trip was just the cost of fuel and provisioning.  I know, some people will criticize the wisdom of taking an unknown boat, breakdowns, blah blah blah. Thats OK, I agree what we did is not for everyone, but it worked well for us, and besides, I brought my dinghy and trusted 5hp Honda as back up.

• The no time excuse:
• Baloney - If you really want to go you will make the time, so go mark your calendar right now!
• help for procrastinators --- click here for Step by step plan for that San Juan trip

• One last thought; life happens, when everything in life gangs up on you conspiring to stop your boating trip, don't give up.  Instead, postpone the boat part and go in your car. Camping or resorting around the San Juans is almost as good as boating around the San Juans.

Take what you have and -- GO!

     My new travel guide may be just what you need.  That's right, I am shamelessly promoting my 2017 "San Juan Islands Travel Guide" -- It is a Land and Sea Guidebook, so whether you are a boater, biker, or car camper, it has what you want.   CLICK HERE   or search Amazon Books - "San Juan Islands Travel Guide"

Thanks - John

How to Predict Current Direction in Swinomish Channel

        Sooner or later regulars to the San Juans learn to love or hate Swinomish Channel.  Many skippers form an opinion on their very first transit through this popular eleven mile alternative to Deception Pass. Sailors and under powered puttsters fighting the current, hate it, but turn them around and  suddenly their tune changes as the current whisks them along at four miles per hour.

         One day we pulled in to the city float at La Conner and I grumbled to a local boater about how we had been battling the current for hours on our way from James Island.  I remember his comment, he said, "The current flows one way for twenty three hours and then reverses, and no one knows when."  We all laughed and I figured I should get over it.

         I came across this rule of thumb posted on the Port of Skagit County website for estimating the current direction.  

        The rule of thumb for estimating Swinomish Channel current direction at La Conner goes like this:

                 
The current flows north from 2.5 - 4 hours before high tide to 2.5 - 4 hours after high tide
The current flows south from 2.5 - 4 hours before low tide to 2.5 - 4 hours after low tide
Slack water occurs 2.5 - 4 hours after high or low tide, not at the tide change like in some areas.

          You will still need to consult with high and low tide predictions for La Conner to put these rule of thumbs to use.  Be forewarned, many people consider La Conner tide predictions as hocus pocus because they are often wrong.

      I cannot remember this rule so I am going out on a limb here and offering my own memory trick as follows.   We already know that in the San Juans a rule of thumb is that the current flows north on an incoming tide (flood) and south on the ebb, and we know in the Puget Sound and southern area it is basically the opposite.  So my memory hack is to consider Swinomish Channel as part of and subject to the San Juan rules of thumb.  This means, Swinomish Channel flows NORTH on the flood just like the San Juans, but it is late due to distance.

FYI - did you know that all of Swinomish Channel (at least where land is) is a "No Wake - Slow Zone"

Merry Christmas

Kraken Christmas 2016

San Juan Islands Kayak Campsites and Launch Points - GPS

 Campsites and Launch places for kayakers

Below and on map are campgrounds for kayakers

 Black labels below and on MAP - are kayak launch sites - most with parking

You should ride "San Juan Transit"

    It's not too early to be making plans for your next trip to the San Juan's.
Part of making workable plans is knowing what your options are.  If all you want to do is sit on your boat in some secluded hideaway, then stop right now.
   
           If on the other hand you think about what new excursions wait you if you just had some way to get around, keep reading.

         Did you know that San Juan Transit runs a "Sunset Tour" from Friday Harbor to Lime Kiln?  It takes about an hour.

         Did you know that you can ride your bicycle to any point they service and then come back on the little bus if you are too tuckered to ride back?  5 bucks, and if it's raining, still 5 bucks.

        Here's an idea, I'm going to do.  I'm going to start out by riding to American Camp, Then hop the transit over the mountain to English Camp, then ride to Roche and then catch the transit back to Friday Harbor.

     San Juan Transit carries bicycles on the front and if they have  more they bring them inside.
one way fare is $5, all day is $15, two day is $25.


      With a little creative thinking outside the box and free inter-island ferry service, you can get off the boat and expand your horizons.  Sit down with a ferry and transit schedule and see what you can come up with.  (they are both online)
 Daily, May 20th to Oct 6th (2016) - Before waiting for the bus, check the most recent schedule at  http://www.sanjuantransit.com/schedules.html or call 360 378 8887
     

Lopez Island Transit stops - Weekend service only on Lopez - June 21 to Sept 7

Ferry Landing – Odlin Park – Lopez Farm Cottages – Lopez Village – Golf Course – Shark Reef Park – South End Gen Store – Lopez – School – Hummel Lake – Spencer Spit State Park – Lopez Village Market –

Orcas Island Transit stops - Weekend service only on Orcas - June 17 to Sept 5

Ferry Landing – West Sound – Turtleback Mtn. Trailhead -  Deer Harbor – Golf Course – Eastsound Market – Rosario Resort – Moran St Park –

San Juan Island Transit stops - Daily service, May 20 to Oct 6 (2016) 
See spring , summer, and fall schedules 

Friday Harbor ferry – American Camp – Lavender Farm – Lime Kiln/Whale Watch St Park – SJ County Park – Snug Harbor Resort – Krystal Acres Alpacas – English Camp – Sculpture Park – Roche Harbor Resort – Lakedale Resort – San Juan Vineyard

Sunset ride from Friday Harbor to Lime kiln and back. Be at the stop 3/4 hour before sunset.
Friday Harbor stop is the little foot passenger island opposite  the ferry waiting lanes!

Cattle Point Resident

     Look who we met on the edge of the road while biking to Cattle Point and American Camp?

     We are on the high bluff overlooking Cattle Point and the Strait of Juan De Fuca with nothing but grassy fields in all directions.  This healthy looking guy appeared to be looking for handouts.

I have never seen a fox that hasn't seen me first and wasn't running for the hills.

Another good reason for getting off the boat.

10+ things To keep on the boat for successful trips in the San Juan's or just to the river.

    Over the years I have been impressed by well prepared boaters I meet.  A skipper will offer to lend me a tool or give me a spare part he just happens to have on board.

      What really impresses me is when they say "just a second, let me take a look" and they are back in one minute with exactly what I need.  I can't find one of my five flashlights let alone a spare 3/8" galvanized shackle in under thirty minutes.

      I carry stuff I may need, and of course some of it is never needed, but I never know, so yes, "let me take a look."

  

 Here is my incomplete list of things I keep on the boat all the time, you may have your own ideas.

Not necessarily in order of importance:

1. Dramamine seasickness pills or gum.
1. take them ahead of time if you suspect a problem
2. Extra line or rope.
1. You may never need it, but someone else might.
1. I carry an old barbeque bag stuffed full of misc. long and short lines.
3. Miscellaneous tools.
1. Vise grips, adjustable wrench, four way screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, channel locks, wire and rope cutters, knife - more? yes a flashlight
4. An oar or paddle for the big boat
1. Even a thirty footer may be paddled a short distance.
5.  A telescoping boat hook.
6. A bucket with a strong bail. (lately I have been using those square kitty litter ones cause they fit below deck better)
7. Duct tape, cable ties, hose clamps, roll of ss wire. Coffee cup full of nuts bolts screws little things, pencils
8. Big sponge, big rag, paint thinner.
9. Big magnet with an eye.  (this has saved my cookies, big time)
10. Mirror
11. Basic first aid supplies
1. At the very least I bring along  bandaids for minor cuts.
12. Soft Scrub w/bleach - you need this!

I don't see any reason to make an exhaustive list with things like - an anchor, extra batteries, spare filters, fuel additive, energy bars, pretzels, etc.  Those things belong on a different list.

Let's get some boater input!

   

 Use the comment box below and tell us some things you would like to pass on to fellow boaters.

some examples to get you thinking would be

1. don't bother going to ????
2. We had a great time at ??
3. don't forget to bring  ??

click on comment or no comment to leave comment!

What is the proper way to tie a cleat

     I may be stepping on hallowed ground with this subject, agree or disagree, it's up to you.

        

         Generally, I only use cleats for two things.  #1 to quickly secure the boat when coming into a slip or float.  #2 to permanently tie the boat.  This may  seem like the same two things, but they are not.

        When coming into the dock under adverse conditions, the crew may have only a split second to secure the line and move to the next line before the wind or current drags the boat out of reach.  Sometimes skippers come in too hot and snagging a wrap on a beefy cleat may be necessary to stop the boat from crashing -- another split second job.

        Once the boat is under control, #2 comes into play where I go back and redo my cleating for a permanent job.

      The accepted way to cleat a line is as follows:

         Run the line under the far horn, around the base, and then around the base under the near horn.  Do not double wrap the base.   Your line should look like a loop was dropped over the cleat.  Next take the line up over the middle of the cleat and around the far horn again, repeating figure eights across the cleat.  Finish it off, with one or more half hitches (single twist) on the horn(s).

        The reason for not using complete or multiple wraps around the base is so that the extra  line cannot ride up during a moment of slack and then pinch tight on itself creating an overwrap that cannot be undone under load.  Sailors that have experienced an overwrap on a heavily loaded jib sheet winch will recognize this potentially disastrous situation.

        

        Use up any extra line with more figure eights or lead the line back to the boat, but don't leave a trip hazard across the float.

 more on this topic >>>

What's there to do in Friday Harbor? - How about going to another island, or two, or three - For Free!

Foot passenger holding area at Friday Harbor (strongly resembles a corral )

Walking bikes on ferry seemed prudent

First island

     We arrived in Friday Harbor for the 4th of July celebration on the 2nd and so had a few days to kill.  With our floating motel safely tucked into a slip, we rested easy Saturday night. The 26 mile run from Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham was uneventful partly due to catching some decent currents and a sunny rest stop at Blakely's.  Sunday morning arrived with coffee, bagels and cream cheese, and then  we walked our bikes over to the ferry terminal and caught the 8:30 AM ferry to Shaw Island.

     After a stopover on Orcas, the four of us and one Labradoodle walked off at Shaw Landing.  The ride is free as is all inter island foot and bicycle traffic, so we simply checked east/west schedules to make sure we had a ride back to Friday that afternoon and headed out with full water bottles and a handful of granola bars.

Second island  

  The ferry ride was a welcome break from driving our own boat and the view from the high deck is great.  On Shaw, we took pity on our four legged member and limited our ride to the county park at Indian Cove, a distance of around four miles round trip.  Much further dog trotting I suspect.  The road is paved and hugs the water around most of Blind Bay before turning inland at the community center and shooting straight over the small hill to the east side and Indian Cove.  The wooded campground was full as expected, and kayaks were strewn about above high water amongst the driftwood.  We rested, beach combed, and then headed back to Shaw Landing after about an hour.

 (FYI, you can make camping reservations up to 90 days in advance at all three San Juan county parks at https://secure.itinio.com/sanjuan/  or google San Juan County Parks) or try clicking here >>San Juan County Parks (3) 
     While waiting for our ferry ride back to Friday we sat around the cozy little picnic area eating ice cream purchased at the Shaw Landing General Store.  All in all it was a resoundingly relaxing laid back morning.

     Getting back to Friday Harbor before 2 PM left us with much of the day still ahead of us, and since they unload foot passengers before the cars, we were back on the promenade  minutes after the ramp went down.

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