Recent content by Auklet

Greg, Simple answer to your question: All the marine state parks listed on their site have buoys open for a fee. Instructions are generally written on each buoy. Just about everything else is a private buoy. These are mostly a white ball with a blue stripe and should be left alone. There...

Saw the Oracle off the ferry dock the other day. You're right, it's easy to spot, but don't look for a boat. All you see is the mast, a black vertical line about 160 feet high and five feet wide. Answer to a question asked: It will miss Deception pass by about 16 feet. Answer to a question...

Too big a question, too little time. There's a place for just about every cruising need in the San Juans. I agree with Daydream, a good set of charts and a guidebook will allow you to find your perfect place. A few of mine are Sucia and Stuart, any bay on either. Both offer great hiking...

If you behave yourself, getting into Canada is easy, but coming back to U.S. you are required to have a PASSPORT. I believe car rentals are available in Sidney. Very good bus system to Victoria but watch out, there are two types. Local and express. The local takes about two hours, but it...

Trinity --- I have been sitting here for some time trying to piece together a quick lesson on Puget Sound boating conditions. Unfortunately where you live can be the most difficult area to predict. I'm sure that you have heard of the "convergence zone". This is where the west wind comes...

Dave --- The R25 is a near perfect boat for the two of us. If you can't find a boat near Vancouver let me know. We would love to show you ours. We are just down the road in Anacortes. I'm trying to picture overnighting in the boat with three active boys. You are younger and more...

Greg -- Save the guesswork, get yourself a copy of "The Burgee" from Pierside Publishing Co. Has everything you need to travel the Salish Sea (Puget Sound, etc.). We have traveled these waters for many years and wouldn't be without it. There are other books but this one is the most...

Greg -- Just a few observatons. I agree with everybody so far. Love Poulsbo (I used to live there), but you've been there. Ludlow only if you like a quiet anchorage in the back bay. For that I prefer Mats Mats, a real adventure, don't think thats what you are looking for. Nothing at...

Capt. Pat---- Couldn't agree more. In the last 30 or so years I have owned seven boats with frp hulls. All were kept in the same waters. Only one developed blisters. Go figure. The procedure I used to correct that problem was crude and harsh but it was the only cure available 25 to...

Small correction on Andrew's address: andrewcustis@rangertugs.com On my Ranger the bottom coat was put on by the dealer, not the factory. Had a choice of hard for trailered boats or soft for water moored boats. Most boats now don't need a special barrier coat. The quality of fiberglass...

This is my first post so I hope I punched the right button. Regarding zincs, the number and their survival depends a lot on your location. When my previous boat (Catalina 28) was moored at Shilshole (Seattle) I had two zincs that needed to be replaced twice a year. When I moved to Cap Sante...