your pride and joy will float away.
Travel Guide, Itineraries, Maps, Charts, Parks and Camping Cruises. Places to go.
Things to do. Pictures, Reviews, Moorages, Marinas, Boat Ramps and Much More.
ATTENTION!
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Monday
Five Easy Steps To Anchor Any Boat
your pride and joy will float away.
Tuesday
Anchoring at Friday Harbor
New comers will be glad to know they have a free anchoring option other than paying for a slip.
BTW, when you arrive at Friday Harbor you may tie up at the breakwater for free for a short time while you run to the store or grab a shower. There is no need to request permission, simply squeeze in where you can. Try to get on the inside, the outside takes a real beating from wakes. (so will your boat) If you spend the night at the breakwater the harbormaster staff will come and collect payment eventually. There is no discomfort discount so you may as well get a slip (call on 66) for peace and quiet and water and electricity, none of which you will find out on the breakwater float.
Where to anchor in Friday Harbor |
Thursday
Seven important actions your Marine Radio performs, but do you need really need one?
If you have a radio you can:
- Call the harbormaster from the breakwater and proceed straight to your slip.
- Call the Coast Guard when you're sinking.
- Call other boats and arrange drinks at sundown.
- Listen to others and be entertained for hours, days, even weeks on end.
- Get weather forecasts in several languages for areas you've never heard of.
- Tell your mate not to worry, help will always be just a radio call away.
- Call vessel assist and have them bring you some very expensive fuel.
What is the best time of year to visit the San Juans
4th of July at Roche Harbor |
Saturday
When a boat comes in to the float, should you offer your assistance?
This is a re-post I have moved to 2019 |
would you offer this guy a hand? |
Heck yes!
That's just basic thoughtfulness, if a boat was sinking you would offer aid, (that's the law) give them a lift or pull them from the drink. Right! I certainly hope so. This would be a good time and place to check out a post called "Paying it Forward" click to rush away and read it!>>
Welcome back, you can now read the rest after the jump >>
Thursday
San Juan area campgrounds with boat ramps
On the mainland:
- Washington Park in Anacortes - located one mile past the ferry landing.
- Deception Pass State Park - roughly ten miles south of Anacortes. It is important to note some of the differences between Washington Park and Deception Pass Park. While Deception Pass camp sites exceed three hundred in three different campgrounds, none are walking distance to the four lane boat ramp at Cornet Bay. However the modern well designed boat ramp claims to have two thousand feet of side tie moorage and overnight at the dock for up to three nights is allowed. Anchoring close by is simple and free. The ramp parking lot is massive and long term is allowed for a fee.
Four lane all tide - Cornet Bay ramp at Deception Pass Park is open 24/7 |
- Odlin County Park on Lopez Island
- San Juan County Park on San Juan Island
- Moran State Park on Orcas Island is a State Park as is Deception Pass. They boast over one hundred campsites, some suitable for RV's. Moran park is not ocean front and does not have a salt water ramp, however it is only five miles to the county boat ramp at Obstruction Pass.
- San Juan Island: If you take your skiff to San Juan Island and stay at a private residence, rental or hotel you can put the boat in at Jackson Beach day use park. The ramp is well designed, has parking and a dock. Jackson Beach is about two miles from Friday Harbor.
Don't forget to check the ferry schedules and fares, hauling trailers on the ferry can get expensive and frustrating - very few do it!
Sunday
First Timers Guide to the San Juan's
Matia Island |
- You need a boat, but you can rent a sail or powerboat in Anacortes or Bellingham if you prefer, and it doesn't take much experience to qualify.
- Size matters, bigger is more comfy, costly and feels imminently safer in a storm. As size goes up, so do your skill requirements. Once past about thirty five feet you will find you don't fit at some docks and fuel burns at over twenty five gallons an hour. Smaller is better at times. Eighteen foot ski and fishing boats or day sailors are very easy to get in and out at virtually all places but with all your food and gear, you will be crowded on board. Above all - don't let your lack of a perfect boat cause you not to go. Take what you have, you can make it work.
- Bring a dinghy, even a two person inflatable kayak is okay. You need a way to get to shore where there are no docks. You don't have to carry the dinghy on board, you can tow it everywhere you go. Yes you can beach your runabout and let the tide leave you dry but bringing a dinghy is so much easier.
- Sleep on board, at anchor, at the dock, or in the many park campgrounds. (there are about twenty marine campgrounds, you can camp at a different park every night) If preferred, you can spend every night at a marina or resort and sleep on shore.
- The best weather will be in July and August, but the shoulder seasons have less people and okay weather too.
- I suggest you plan a week, but you can make a weekend work. If you have a comfortable all weather boat, spend the summer.
- If you rent, don't forget you have to park your car(s) If you trailer, plan on a daily parking fee of around $12. (Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is free, even long term)
- See this posting for launch ramps. ---launch ramps with long term parking This is probably the only real planning decision you need to make before you go, but we have changed our planned take off point as we drove up the highway. Do not start your San Juan cruise down south in Olympia, Seattle or Everett or Port Townsend or Port Angeles. If you do you will spend much of your time motoring long distances (both ways) My advice is to start in Bellingham or Anacortes using one of the ramps from the list above.
- You need with you on the boat, a chart, or you will get lost, count on it. You should have a list of parks, marinas and resources preferably marked on your navigation chart. Get this chart. Noaa # 18421 - We use noaa chart # 18421 you can see it by clicking here or anywhere charts are sold. Navigation charts do not show what's on shore, (roads, city's, marinas, parks, etc) so we carry a highway map as well.
- Don't run out and buy an expensive chart plotter. At minimum, you need a paper chart, a portable GPS and a compass, your smart phone will probably do. All boats need a depth sounder or you are risking an expensive grounding.
- Sample itinerary: #1. Begin at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham (open 24/7). 2. Head for Friday Harbor and get a slip for your first night or every night (they take reservations). 3. Use Friday Harbor as your base, returning every night to your own slip with power, water, restrooms, on shore restaurants and entertainment. This plan will work for virtually all boaters regardless of gear, experience or creature comfort requirements. None of the Marine State Parks have reserve-able docks or anchor buoys, everything is first come first gets it. This means you should plan on anchoring and using your dinghy, it also means when someone pulls out you may grab the spot at the dock. Rafting is the term used when several boats tie together at anchor or the dock.
- Sample itinerary: #2. Begin at Squalicum again but this time head for Matia or Sucia. Next, Jump over to Stuart and then Roche Harbor or Jones, then to Friday Harbor, then Fisherman Bay. This itinerary will make sure you have a shower and food store available (Roche and Friday) when you really need and want both.
- Fuel is readily available but you should try to have a minimum range of seventy five miles just to be sure should you encounter adverse conditions.
- How many days you spend at each park is up to you, your car and trailer will be waiting in the free parking lot when you circle back to Bellingham.
- Get my San Juan Islands Cruise Guide, it has all the parks, marinas, fuel, resources, phone numbers, etc. and is written specifically for visitors coming by boat. My companion book, the San Juan Islands Travel Guide is written for visitors coming by car or boat.
- Lastly, I can't address everything you may want to know in a single post, so I suggest you search this site and read some more articles. There are several with detailed day by day itineraries. Next, after becoming more knowledgeable about what and where you want to go and do, set aside a week and go. It really is that easy. The central cruising area is small enough that you can completely change your plans on the fly. You don't need reservations, you don't need a plan, you don't even need to bring food, just grab your gear and boat and hit the road. OH - bring some cash for, fuel and park fees and that food I just said you don't need.
John and Linda
feel free to use the e-mail contact form with your questions
Friday
Here's how to get to the Alpaca Ranch and gift shop on San Juan Island
Here is an excellent suggestion for a half day outing. This is what we did. We swung into Garrison Bay, off Mosquito Pass (we were headed for Roche Harbor) and motored right to the little dinghy dock at English Camp. We squeezed in just long enough to unload our bicycles and then moved over fifty feet and anchored, paddling back in the dinghy. So far so good.
Next we peddled to the interpretation center for a two minute look around, but there was nothing new, so we pushed our bikes up the trail and through the parking lot and back onto the trail, until we got to West Valley road and the trail-head to Young Hill. Don't quit on me now, you have only walked 1,900 feet so far.
We padlocked our bikes to the gate and hiked to the top of Young Hill. This is a killer hike and you can do it in under an hour, but bring lots of water. Search this site for Young Hill to see pictures and the hike. You can skip the hike if you want or skip the bike part.
When we got back down from Young Hill we unlocked the bikes and coasted down West Valley road all the way to Krystal Acres Alpaca Ranch and gift shop. Thankfully we coasted the entire way because our legs needed a break.
All total, the distance to Krystal Acres from the dinghy dock is about one mile, so this is not a difficult or long bike ride, in fact, you could make it an easy two mile round trip walk if you don't bicycle.
I know some of you are thinking, but what about the ride back up all the road you just coasted down. It wasn't that steep, we were able to peddle the entire way back. There are no bike lanes or even much of a shoulder but there also isn't much traffic.
That's it, an easy relaxing way to spend the afternoon on shore and when you get back to the boat, you can stay anchored right where you are, or run the 3 1/2 miles over to Roche and get a slip for the night.
krystalacres.com - (360) 378-6125 - The folks there gave me this great picture to show. Visit the gift shop, get some yarn.
Thursday
San Juan & Gulf Islands Current Atlas - Strait of Georgia - Haro - Rosario - Juan De Fuca
If your serious about working the San Juan currents to your advantage you will want to purchase this current atlas, produced by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. The Atlas is available at West Marine as well as many retailers for about $30
When cruising, having this information handy can save you time and fuel and make the difference whether you get to your planned destination. For instance a boat heading north up Haro Strait near San Juan Island will get a big boost, however by checking the next several hours one would see that the free ride is going to end soon and the train will come roaring back. As a rule of thumb the currents flow north on a flood tide and south on ebb tides but as you can see, rules have exceptions. This forecast is just before the flood tide reverses and becomes ebb, an apt description would be "confused" The confusion will soon end, get your ticket to ride, its free.
This is what the currents looked like on July 13th at 7:49 am, also July 14th at 8:39 am and July15th at 9:26 am. As you can see, your vessel will get a free ride south just about everywhere, but each day at a slightly different time. When planning your passages and your cruise it would be very helpful to consult the Current Atlas first, a simple free ride one week will be the wrong direction the next week. You may want to choose a different departure date.
While were on subject of currents, picture in your mind these big arrows meeting opposing winds and you should then visualize big, steep (dangerous) waves slamming your boat. Then after a few hours the current changes, and all is well in Camelot once again.
this post should be read if big waves bother you >>>wind-versus-current-and-predicting waves
Lately, I have made it part of my cruising to use as little fuel as possible, one cruise we covered about 120 miles over 8 days and used 6 gallons of gas, and most of the fuel was used battling an opposing current between Jones Island and James Island. Unfortunately my schedule dictated the time.
Wednesday
Lessons of a lee shore
Get your Camping, Resort, and Marina Reservations in the San Juans -NOW- before it's too late
Enough with Valentines, by the time you read this, you're either in the dog house, living on your boat, or should be making summer cruise plans. In any case its probably not too late to get that reservation at a campground or marina.
When planning a San Juan cruise you don't need any reservations to have a great vacation, but some people feel better knowing there is an open slip or warm bed waiting their arrival. As a suggestion you might consider making a reservation at a popular stopover for just one or two nights in the middle of your cruise, leaving the rest of your time free to go where the wind blows you, simply staying where you happen to dock or anchor. With a speedy power boat all the San Juan islands and parks are within an easy run no matter where you start or plan to end up. A more sedate pokey sailing type vessel may be somewhat limited how far it can run before the sun sets.
Even if you don't reserve some fancy resort for a stopover visit you can still make a day time visit to Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Deer Harbor or many others, park that yacht for free, or anchor and dinghy to the dinghy dock, then armed with a fistful of quarters enjoy a wonderful, blissful, rejuvenating, hot shower. You will get back to the boat refreshed and ready to continue your vacation anew.
Hot showers are still free at Lopez Village.
Check it out here >>> Lopez Village Free Hot showers
Thursday
How to Secure Your Yacht Like You Want To Keep It Forever
Enough with the rants, every boat needs four or more lines going from the boat to the float. I know, people make exceptions sooner or later, such as, “It was just a five minute stop over to get ice, or the water was so smooth,” that’s fine, you’re the skipper and it’s your call.
Don't forget to have oversize fenders, but even that wont save your boat if you park somewhere you shouldn't.
Ahoy! |
Friday
Deception Island
Sunday
Two Perfect, Almost Secret Coves
The problem is that our charts do not show all there is to know.
Lummi Island Campground:
This is a small five site waterfront campground within the 650 plus acre Lummi Island Conservation Area. It is a very hard to find place, the picture posted and my description will be your best resource for finding your way.
For those of you new to the area, Lummi Island is that big land mass blocking your way to just about everywhere when you put in at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham.
The campground is near the south end of Lummi on the east side. Your NOAA based chart will show Smugglers Cove, Inati Bay, Reil Harbor in that order, just south of the small Reil inlet is an even smaller cove. There is no name but your chart should have a little boat symbol which is the icon for a mooring area but don't get your hopes up, this is a dinky little cove that will require a stern tie or anchor to keep you from swinging onto the rocks. You can pull off a 2 to 1 rode lunch stop if your lucky. It is unlikely two boats can coexist unless they raft.
By now you should have figured out this place is perfect for kayakers, but you can squeeze in. The dinghy beach is gravel. Use the campfire rings and composter outhouse. There is even a loop trail to hike.
Look for this sign as you coast along the shore, it is high up on the bluff on the right side of the cove facing somewhat southward.
The pic looks big but from the water the sign is small and easy to miss. |
For spending any time here you will want to tie to shore or drop a stern anchor |
Monday
Excellent Eight Day Cruise Over Labor Day Weekend 2018
Because of a hectic summer with two weddings and a Boston trip we almost stayed home, but just before Labor Day I said lets go or forever wish we had. On the morning of our departure we were battening down and about to hit I-5 north when a neighbor came walking by. He is also a San Juan traveler so we ended up talking for two hours.
Finally heading out, we immediately stopped to fill the trucks 33 gallon tank, next stop besides the usual rest areas was Seattle where we picked up another 29 gallons. It is always a shock to find out we only have a few gallons left when I am hauling 10,000 lbs. Next stop was Winco in Tulalip where we purchased our entire food and beverage supply. No shopping list for us, we just walked the aisles and filled the cart with everything we liked, except we forgot to get a sack of ice for our drinks even though we talked about it in the check out line.
We arrived in Bellingham about two hours before sundown, took the port of Bellingham exit and went straight to Fred Meyers for the forgotten ice. I am thinking, I hope this 30-40 minute delay doesn't bite us, especially after losing 2 hours gabbing at home. (see, no stress for me!)
Splashing the boat and parking in the free lot was a breeze as it always is, but hosing down my salty trailer got me all wet because the water hose is full of holes. ( zero kudos to Squalicum Harbor staff in charge of wash down hoses.)
Staying at the transient dock and paying the tourist per foot fee just didn't interest me this trip, I wanted to get underway. I said to Linda, we have one solid hour of daylight and I can anchor in the dark at Inati Bay if I have to, so off we went. We arrived at Inati Bay on Lummi Island almost exactly at sunset. I set the anchor in fifteen feet, thirty feet from shore, opened the first box of wine and broke out the barbecue as darkness settled around us. I remember looking at the ink black water and the nearby shore cliffs blending together and thinking how anchoring in the dark would have meant dropping the hook a lot further out.
Day 2. Got the coffee dripping first thing. Last night was great, stars were out. Actually slept in a little. We listened to the weather radio for conditions expected if we head for Victoria. Sounds like a go but I'm not sure. With deteriorating conditions expected that evening we might be headed into a gale if the front blows in early, but at this point I am set for going to Victoria.
We up anchor and head south around Lummi so I can get a better picture of the Lummi Island Campground sign (takes two minutes), when we clear the south end and head northwest, I'm staring right at Clark Island, Clark is another on my bucket list of places I need new pictures for my planned updated Cruising Guide. We grab a buoy at Clark and dinghy ashore. I haven't changed my negative opinion of Clark but I did get the pics I wanted. Linda thinks I'm unfairly maligning Clark but I am more convinced than ever that putting a state park in the middle of Rosario Strait is a dumb, bordering on dangerous idea.
Tuesday
Who owns the Shoreline above and below the high tide line in the San Juan Islands?
For the most part, you may anchor anywhere you want, except vessel navigation channels and marked farms. It doesn't take much common sense to figure out not to anchor in the middle of a boat congested narrow thoroughfare, (marked or not) but some daydreamers will do just that.
Just because it’s legal to anchor doesn't make it a good idea. You can walk most beaches, below the normal high water line, but many properties own the adjacent tidelands and may or may not be marked. Not all shorelines have beaches and so private land will extend to the water’s edge. Most of the dry land (above high water) is private and you will be trespassing if you come ashore and hike into the woods. Some landowners don’t care if you come ashore, and some do. Many will have signs that alert you to their wishes and you should respect their wishes. If it were me I would not anchor off shore from a sign that said no trespassing, why ruffle someone’s feathers by anchoring or walking in their backyard.
Sunday
Inconsiderate Boating
Stop, don't read further if you don't want to hear my rants. My current boat leaves a huge wake at times. I know because I can see it and I admit have had a few radio calls chastising me. I also know how to minimize or eliminate my wake entirely and so do all the other skippers out there.
So here's the rub, why are there so many witless morons creating monster wakes where they cause damage? I don't believe for a second that they aren't aware of their wake. I believe they are jerks and inconsiderate asses that don't deserve the privilege of driving a boat.
I'm not saying to drive slow or at no wake speed all the time, I'm saying to pay attention to the damage your wake is doing. Not only are you being an ass but you are liable for damage or injury caused by your negligent driving.
If your wake swamps or rolls a small boat, you are liable. If your wake smashes a moored boat into a float causing damage, you are liable. If your wake capsizes a kayak causing a drowning, you will be held liable and probably go to jail.
If you think this is only true in marked no-wake zones, think again, you are wrong. You are responsible for your wake damage anywhere and everywhere, marked or not. That 200 foot rule many signs and publications tout is not your free pass to be irresponsible, your are still liable for damage your wake causes.
There, I'm done.
Wednesday
Is a Bag of Beans the best way to insure Boating Pleasures?
This brings me to bean bag chairs and boats. This unnamed world cruiser said that his favorite chair for his boat was a bean bag. A bean bag, you’re kidding, do they still make them? Well, yes they make them and $20 later I had a brand new bean bag chair for my 28 foot sloop. I store it in the v-berth along with bags of sails. My kids quickly learned that it conformed to uneven decks, it could be crammed against shrouds, masts and stanchions, and made uncomfortable cockpit combings a thing of the past. The bean bag chair has become a must have piece of cruising/camping equipment on my boats, and while it’s true, storage is limited, tough decisions have to be made -- the bag-o-beans wins out even if it means leaving the 150 Genoa home.
Thursday
The Fastest Way to the San Juans On Your Own Boat Begins in Anacortes at Washington Park or Cap Sante
There are several other places I recommend over these two depending on where I'm going and other plans.
Take a look at this post >> Trailer boat ramps
Monday
Is Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham the best way to get to the San Juan Islands? - YES!
Saturday
Victoria Cruise Itinerary and Customs at Roche Harbor
and San Juan Islands Stop Overs
- places to launch and stay on your boat
- distances between stops
- customs and immigration
- alternate planning
- what to expect
- basic boating information
read more