Olga public dock has room for about three boats on each side, all buoys are private. |
The dinghy's at Olga belong to locals, there is no access to beach except, a nasty slippery, very steep, and thorny trail in brush under ramp. |
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Olga public dock has room for about three boats on each side, all buoys are private. |
The dinghy's at Olga belong to locals, there is no access to beach except, a nasty slippery, very steep, and thorny trail in brush under ramp. |
Having just returned from a 200 mile sweep around the San Juan's, I am fresh with observations and thoughts of how to improve the experience.
Everyone knows that dock space is first come first served and not to expect room for one more when you arrive. However, there is room for more if you try using some common sense. Somewhere in the mountain of state park dock rules and regs is the suggestion to locate boats close together. Spacing boats fifteen feet apart is not helpful and yet it is common. Tying ones dinghy to the float instead of rafting it is another obvious inconsiderate ploy that effectively exclude others. By the way, did they pay for the extra dinghy footage?
Speaking of dinghy's, many parks have designated dinghy docks but I see people with fifteen foot inflatables, complete with 50hp outboards, consoles, windshields and bimini's, side tied at the dinghy dock forcing real dinghy's to make do as best they can. What is really annoying is when you realize the offending dinghy belongs to the fifty five footer tied to the same float.
Speaking of bigger or smaller boats, a considerate skipper will let his longish bow area stick out beyond the end of the float so his fifty five feet only uses forty feet of dock. Stop! I know this trick is a bad idea in some locations and for some boats. Obviously, I'm not suggesting being foolish, I'm suggesting being thoughtful and considerate.
While we are talking considerate activities, how long is long enough or too long to run a generator? During my latest visit we were treated to a generator running for eight hour stretches. It was during the daytime and it was fairly quiet but come on, at least get off the dock and anchor out a ways. I was anchored out myself, it must have been no fun at all for the people close by.
I spend some of my non San Juan boating time around jet skis, water skiers, tubers, newbies, loud music and alcohol fueled people enjoying the water. As such, I expect close encounters, big wakes and general on water mayhem. But not in the San Juan's, the San Juan's attract an older more refined, mature crowd. We have miles of room to navigate, there is really no reason for close encounters. Jet skis are outlawed and proper boating is the norm. On this visit a thirty five footer at high speed overtook us and passed by so close they would have hit us if I had turned unexpectedly. I had no time to react, their wake rolled us so violently that one crew was thrown out of their seat and some of our belongings came crashing off shelves and out of cabinets breaking on the cabin sole. I regret I did not get a picture or name of the offending boat. I am not embarrassed that acting on reflex, I cussed them over the radio. Then after realizing in my haste I may not have keyed the mike, I did it again clearly to make sure they heard. I hope they heard me but my antenna was down with the inflatable on the roof so my range was greatly reduced. I apologize for may last paragraph, I'm still reeling when I think about the incident.
On an upnote, at Jones Island, as we were anchoring, a skipper at the float yelled over to us that he was leaving in a few minutes. We aborted lowering the hook and moved over, thank you very much.
Also at Jones, we thought we lost a cell phone, trail mix and passports in a drybag at our camp site, only to find it two days later where a racoon had stashed it in the bushes, unharmed but chewed on.
More than a decade ago I installed an outboard bracket to carry the dinghy motor on the back of my 40 year old Nordic Tug. The transom mounted bracket allows me to store the 5hp Honda and easily transfer it to and from the dinghy. Thinking way ahead, I mounted the bracket down low so that if I ever needed an emergency push or trolling kicker, I would lower the motor, connect the fuel line and away we'd go.
Well it finally happened. Last month, the tug made a strange sound so I shut off the motor and began drifting. Because I had forgotten how the mechanism worked and fiddling with it while hanging over the back end was a little uncomfortable, it took me a few minutes to get the prop in the water and the fuel line connected. After about ten pulls the motor came to life and we were ready to go.
Holding the cowling I pointed it at what I guessed was straight ahead. I shoved the gearshift into forward and twisted the tiller to a medium fast idle. At first we didn't move but then it was apparent our nearly ten thousand pounds was actually making headway. Because I was hanging over the back, I yelled to Linda, asking if we were pointed okay or should I try steering. Her answer was not helpful.
I made my way inside and determined we were indeed headed for a mud flat. I turned the wheel and observed an agonizing slow response. The gps showed we were making 4 mph but our smallish rudder is designed to have the force of the diesel engine pushing our 18" prop wash against it. The outboard is far over on one side and actually behind the rudder. Never the less we began turning away from the shallows.
So, the system worked. I can't say I am impressed with performance but it will beat using the canoe paddle that I keep on board. The two gallon fuel tank will be very limiting and I am aware that the outboard can't be lowered with the dinghy on its davits.
I know others have get home plans and motors, I thought some may benefit hearing my experience.
Oh, and the tug, as always, it was fine.
Image Courtesy the Port of Friday Harbor |
Roche Harbor |
I was busy cleaning out my laptop and as usual became sidetracked reading something I wrote. I immediately noticed punctuation and other errors but more than that, I vividly remembered the situation I had written about and how shaken I was. I remember thinking that perhaps risking my family's lives was not my decision to make. I remember considering turning around and quitting boating right then and there.
I hope I have caught the attention of others like me. Below is the gist of what I wrote almost ten years ago.
Crossing Rosario Strait heading into Thatcher Pass, we were all staring out the front and not paying attention to our sideways set (side drift) when out of the corner of my eye I caught a movement that turned out to be rocks coming at us fast. (full flood must have been 3+ knots) The current was forcing us sideways straight onto the rocks of tiny Pointer Island. I swung hard over and pushed her to full throttle, our outboard barely pulled us away with one hundred feet and two or three seconds to spare. I shuddered thinking of my family on board and almost quit boating right then and there.
While we’re talking currents, I am sure you know that
your boat will be dragged sideways whilst you drive forward when crossing a
channel or fast water. It is very easy to not pay enough attention to the currents “set and
drift” and what’s on the side of your boat. Let’s put it simpler, if you’re
driving forward and looking forward you will miss what you’re heading for
sideways. It is easy when close to hazards to allow yourself to be dragged into them because your looking where you want to go, not where you are really going. Tip. Please re-read
that last sentence and get it into your default system, it may save your boat
or someone’s life.
Please leave your SCARY story in the comments below. You will never know but you may save someone. John
Places to go and things to do in the San Juan Islands. All places listed are accessible by boat, some by vehicle also.
Eagle Bluff (Cliff) from Rosario Strait |
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.
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
What are you waiting for - Winter? |
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 |
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.
The boardwalk quickly gives way to forested trail |
steel railings, doors, long gone |
trees have taken back the island |
the round pit is where one of four guns was anchored |
rooms and hallways are interconnected
If you want some more off the beaten path places to explore, try this post.
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Moran Park entrance on Orcas Island |
Cornet Bay transient dock and launch ramp at Deception Pass park |
Jones Island State Park |