Favorite destination in the San Juan and Gulf islands

Lil Rascal

Hi,

I am expecting to pick up my new CD-22 cruiser from the factory in mid April. I plan on keeping it up north for a month and a half so that my wife, 8 month old daughter and I can cruise the Islands. I have started planning our cruises and would like to get your opinions on the best places to moor, dock or anchor. This is our first boat and I have almost zero boating experience. I fly airplanes and find that boating is very similar to flying, so I am hoping it comes easy to me and that the islands will be a good place to pratice and learn. Thanks for your opinions.

Scott

Anita Marie · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:16 pm Post subject:

Scott, try this site www.nwboating.com , lots of good info.

Fred

westward · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:23 pm Post subject:

Welcome to boating! In my opinion you've made an excellent choice of first vessel and first cruising grounds. Since it's your first boating experience you may want to favor overnights at places with a dock or float to tie up to. Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) and Fisherman Bay (Lopez Island) come to mind in the US San Juan Islands. Both places are friendly and boater oriented with fuel, groceries and good restaurant meals available. You can reserve moorage at either and use them as bases for endless excursions through the islands. With local advice and a good cruising guide such as "Gunkholing in the San Juan Islands" you will have an awesome experience. Also you could take a power squadron seamanship/safety course at home before you come up. Like flying, I'm sure, boating has a set safety protocol and about a million possible pitfalls; too numerous to discuss here. Good luck and I hope to see your family this summer in the islands. Look for us on the SouthWest side of Decatur Island. Mike on Westward

Lil Rascal · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:58 am Post subject:

Thanks for the quick replies. Fred, that website looks like it will be a lot of help. Mike, You are thinking exactly what I was. Stay at a few nice marinas and then go on day trips through out the islands. I have the book Afoot afloat in the San Juans. Seems to be a great book so far. I didn't realize the islands and places to checkout were so close together. I think picking a few marinas as bases to take day trips from would work a lot better for the wife and baby. I was even thinking of staying in a few hotels or bed and breakfasts every other day or so. I want my wife to like this stuff, so I think that would help. Thanks again.

Scott

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

Scotty, if you have kids then you need to look at things for them to. Blakley marina is my favorite place right now, but has nothing for the kids. lopez islander resort has a pool and hot tub, kayak rental, bike rental, a gym and in the summer a great band on the weekends. friday harbor has shopping and a whale museum. i would hit the state parkes during the week and the ports on the weekend or friday night. also go to english camp, american camp, and the art show at roche harbor. if weather is good and the seas flat bring the pass ports and pop over to victoria . lots of history, tours, museum's, shopping, art. the castle is a blast. the tour bus is ok and the dingy tour is a rip off. lots to do and see besides anchoring at a state park. oh and the gardens north of victoria.

westward · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:19 pm Post subject:

I was thinking along the "make the wife and child happy" lines as well. Hot showers and sit down meals are nice for everyone and spending the night "on the hook" almost guarantees a sleepless night for a new boat owner. Friday Harbor has the most to offer in this regard, as it is indeed a nice small town. Also try Rosario resort on Orcas Island and possibly Roche Harbor(more upscale but very pleasant).

Mike on Westward.