05/08 - 05/11 - 2025 Friday Harbor C-Brats Get-Together

[DayBreak]

For those who have recently signed up for the FH gathering, there are 12 vessels that plan to head up to Princess Louisa Inlet at Chatterbox Falls when the event ends on Sunday. If interested, you are welcome to join the group. Start planning now and get your C-Dory ready for this 270 mile round trip. A final planning meeting will be held on Saturday afternoon just prior to the Saturday potluck on the party barge.

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=32124&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

[DayBreak]

We are about 3 weeks away from being able to start our annual C-Brats gathering at Friday Harbor.

Upon arrival, when you can see the Port of Friday Harbor marina, please remember to call in for slip assignment. What may appear as vacant slips on H-Dock will not necessarily be the case. Many of us will be out for part of a day with our boats taking in all that the San Juans offers in the way of fishing, whale watching and island exploration. What appears to be an open slip on H-Dock will probably be one that is already paid for by another C-Brat. When they come back, they will expect to see their slip open to them. Please be mindful of this and call in for slip assignment. Almost everyone has requested the website reservation code. H-Dock will be full of C-Dory boats that will extend along the walkway and into G-Dock for this event.

Don't forget to bring your Boating / Travel / Local History Book Exchange Material to share with others at the 2 PM book exchange on Saturday prior to the 5 PM potluck held on the party barge.

We are excited to see everyone again soon along with so many new folks coming for the very first time. Get there safely and we look forward to another great time being with you all. Gary and Colleen

[Catman]

Thanks again, Gary and Colleen.

The Puget Sound weather in mid-April has been mostly sunny and considerably better than March. Hopefully warm sun and light winds will greet us in three weeks!

[DayBreak]

Thanks Brock. Looked at the extended weather forecast for FH and it looks very favorable for our gathering now just two weeks away. Hope the winds also favor everyone in travel.

Just spoke with Molly at the Port of Friday Harbor and she counted 19 folks who have made a reservation for H-Dock so far. We have 43 vessels that plan to come and so there is room to confirm your place on H-Dock now if you wish. It is not required that you make a reservation but keep in mind that there are only 30 slips on H-Dock. When H-Dock fills up, the Port will continue assigning our boats up G-Dock starting from the walkway. Even if you have a reservation for H-Dock, remember to call in for your specific slip assignment when you arrive. Send a PM to Colleen and I if you would like to make a reservation with the Port and we will give you the required group code for these blocked out slips. See you all soon. Gary

[Hunkydory]

We launched from Port Townsend on April 15th & since have been staying at the various island parks. Beautiful weather, that looks to continue right up to the Gathering. At present, we are headed to Reid Harbor on Stuart Island from Friday Harbor.

We have only seen one other C-Dory, a 16’ & it was at Sucia Island. I thought, I heard Harvey on Sleepy-C calling on the VHF for any C- Dorys, but no answer when I tried to call him.

Jay

[DayBreak]

Jay, good to hear from you. Wish for you safe travels. So jealous that you are already on the water and we (Colleen) are not. I have been looking at the extended weather forecast and it looks good for our annual gathering at FH. Hope the weather pattern holds! Enjoy your travel today on your way to Reid Harbor. This early in the season, I would expect that you will find a spot on the dock when you arrive. Our plans also, this year are to launch out of Port Townsend/Boat Haven, two weeks from today. Can't wait. Enjoy!

[Salmon Fisher]

Boat Christening Information Needed

One of the really special traditions of any C-Brat Get Together is the christening of boats. I will be performing boat christenings after the big potluck on Saturday evening of our upcoming gathering. If you would like your C-Dory christened please PM me with the following:

-Boat name
-Family's last name

If you know someone who has not had their boat christened, please pass this information onto them.

See you all in Friday Harbor soon!

Patrick

[colbysmith]

I’m also already on the water! At Lake Powell! But will be at Friday Harbor in time for the gathering. In the meantime you can follow my blog here on my time in both places.
https://findpenguins.com/77ono0cdqci52/trip/lake-powell-and-pnw

[DayBreak]

Colby, I am really enjoying the daily photos and videos of your time now at Lake Powell. I am amazed at how far you are able to travel into those canyons with your boats. I will continue watching. See you soon at FH. Be safe!

Thanks Patrick for..."performing boat christenings after the big potluck on Saturday evening of our upcoming gathering." Hope folks send you an early PM in order for you to prepare.

[multimediasmith]

Hey Colby,
Beautiful area... but the PNW is hard to beat... Where are you leaving your truck and trailer up there... Everett? Can you make any suggestions for that area?

Have recovered from the loss of the 25 last fall. I've been working on outfitting the little Marinaut since acquiring it in January. Planning to get out of the South this summer. Looking forward to your posts and pics... thanks for that.

Best
Dale Smith

[colbysmith]

[ricka]

We are also trying to find a launch and long term parking in the Anacortes Bellingham area. We are looking around the area and have had a hard time finding long term parking for the truck and trailer. I am not sure if the Anacortes sling launch will work with our TomCat as we have the inside tunnel side bunks on our trailer.
Any one have ideas of places to check out

[ricka]

The cost for the Cap Sante launch is
21’ to 23’ $51 round trip
24’ to 25’ $63 round trip
26 to 29’. $87 round trip

Yesterday April 28th

[DayBreak]

For anyone considering a launch at the Port of Bellingham/Squalicum Harbor, it only allows 5 days (free) of parking for your rig and has a rinse station. You could consider parking immediately south of the parking lot in the dirt parking area (next to the U.S. Coast Guard office) for a longer stay if using Bellingham. Consider driving about 15 minutes further north and launch out of Braine. They offer free 2 week parking of your rig or even longer if you wish but you need to check in with the Port office so that they can make note of your rig being parked there. Parking has security much like Bellingham and offers a rinse station. Fairhaven Boat Launch just a few miles south of Bellingham is worth considering for long term parking, has a rinse station but the launch is somewhat shallow and not so good at a lower tide.

[colbysmith]

Does anyone have a 12" round fender that they would like to trade for a 20" round fender? If so, I"ll bring the one I found up at Lake Powell with me to the gathering. If you've been reading my blog, you can see it's a pretty nice one. If I don't have any interest, I'll leave it back in my truck. The sucker is big and takes up too much room in my cockpit!

Also, a request. I'll be bringing my coloring book with me to the gathering. This is the same book I've brought to all the gatherings I've attended over the last numerous years. There will be one page picked out. Just color an item on that page, and then put your name and your boat's name. Even if you don't have a boat and are just visiting. And feel free to look through it to see all the C-Brats that have participated. I really do appreciate it. If you get it, try to get it done and then pass it to another C-Brat. By Sunday, if you have it, get it back to me. Thanks much! Colby