Puget Sound / San Juan launch points

[lannis]

Any tips on the better places to launch my C-22 in the Puget Sound / San Juan Island area . I am hoping to find a good launch ramp where I can safley leave my truck and trailer for a week or so. Freah water launch would be great ! Any tips would be appreciated .

[nimrod]

though it's not freshwater, Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is a good, reasonably priced location. And pretty secure as well, I'm told.

jd

[colobear]

We launch at Cornet Bay by Deception Pass on the Northern tip of Whidbey Island. It is a state park with good launch ramps and park ranger patrols. We have left the truck and trailer there for days on end many times with no problem at all. It is pricey however, $10 day parking fee. You can also launch at the Keystone ferry terminal at Admiralty Inlet across from Port Townsend. You'd actually be launching at another state park with patrols but no fee for parking. Two ramps and a little tide sensitive but fine overall. Many people launch out of Everett. We've never done that but many brats do it routinely. I don't know of any fresh water launches other than Lake Washington/Lake Union in Seattle and parking the rig there for several days might be a little iffy.

Not sure where you're from but there are some significant distances involved. Launching in Seattle and getting to the San Juans would just about be an all day affair even at about 15Kts. I can launch at Cornet Bay and be at Friday Harbor in just over an hour.

[hardee]

Can launch at John Wayne Marina, Sequim. Great facility, nice ramp and freshwater wash deck. 72 hours no problem, $9 launch fee, no additional parking fee, and no overnight security. Up to a week, if you check in with the marina office. Longer than that, might need arrangements. Send me a PM with dates and I might be able to help out with some details.

Crossing the Juan de Fuca Strait may add some spice to your trip. Doable, and often pleasurable, just need to watch the weather.

Harvey
SleepyC

[starcrafttom]

depending on where you are going I would suggest Everett or twin bridges. Everett is the biggest and nicest ramp in the sound. 8 lanes and 300 plus parking spots for truck and trailer. $3 a day for parking in the summer. free in the winter.

If you are going to the sj without spending time in the sound then twin bridges ramp near anacortes is good and free over night parking but pay to launch. we have left our truck there for a two weeks before. you do have to watch the tides, don't try to launch on a 0 or less low tide. time your use at a +2 or more for best results.

[Chester]

Where is the Twin Bridges ramp? I did a web search but for some reason came up with nothing.

[Rock-C]

Bellingham

[20dauntless]

The Twin Bridges ramp is basically at the same place as Twin Bridges Marina. Their address is 11071 Josh Green Lane Mount Vernon, WA. The boat launch is underneath the two bridges there, maybe 100 yards from the marina. We have had boats at Twin Bridges for the last 8 years or so and have never had a problem with a break in while parked at their parking lot, but other people have reported problems. The public parking is a bit more isolated than the marina parking and probably doesn't have CCTV cameras.

Another option are the slings at Cap Sante and Skyline, although both of those are fairly pricy.

[rogerbum]

Iannis,

Not sure why you want a fresh water launch other than it essentially flushes the engines with no extra effort. The Everett launch is on the Snohomish river not too far from the salt so the water there is probably a little brackish. (BTW - Tom - doesn't Everett have 14 lanes? 8 for launch and 6 for retrieve?). It's certainly the best launch facility in the Puget Sound but it's not that close to the San Juans. The launches mentioned by others Bellingham, Skyline, Twin Bridges, Deception Pass are all better for rapid access to the islands. Many launches have a fresh water hose available for flushing brakes and engines.

[lloyds]

Kingston is good, and is seldom real busy. If you park up the hill about 200 yards from the ramp it is $4/day no limit. I usually use Oak Harbor. Shallow ramp but free parking near the ramp. Launch is also free. I just tell the harbormaster I am there and about when I will return. A couple weeks is never any problem.

[lannis]

Thanks , a lot of good info , I am from Vancouver Wash. I have boated alot in the San Juan area over the years but have just gotten into the trailerable boat world . I love my little C-Dory so far and am looking forward to the first big trip other than the Columbia river.

Any more tips will be appreciated.

Thanks again this seems like a great group of folk (C-Brats).

[Robbi]

Save youself the I-5 headache and look into The west side of Puget Sound. One place that is good is the Port of Brownsville
(360.692.5498). It is directly west from Seattle and gives you the
option of going to the SJ's via Admiralty or the inside of Whidbey. Just a thought.

Robbi

[mshepherd]

http://www.skagitparksfoundation.org/swinomish.htm

there is info on the twin bridges launch. I would recommend this launch for quick access to the islands.

[lloyds]

I too much prefer launching from the west side. Hate towing through seattle and points north. I would do it again in september but I have an appointment to pick up the new trailer from Les at Coronet Bay so don't have any choice. I can just feel getting rear-ended in that mess. I have been to Brownsville but have never launched there. I know the folks there are really friendly and helpful.

[hardee]

Brownsville, nice place, great folks, security on duty over night. Might be just a bit touchy, tide wise. It is a short dock when the tide is low. Good access to some nice cruising.

Harvey
SleepyC