05/05 - 05/06 - Lopez Is. Opening Week-end

Launching from Port Townsend.

I keep my boat in a slip at the Boat Haven in Port Townsend, for half the year. There is good parking (but not locked) at the Boat Haven in PT. It is not an isolated place and I have never heard of anybody having a security problem. There is a good single concrete ramp and fuel is available. The ramp at the marina at Port Hudson downtown is unusable for us. The good thing about Port Townsend is that if the forecast is not rock solid, you can take a pretty good look out at the Strait from Fort Worden, which is in town, and if you don't like it you can put boat and truck on the ferry that goes to Whidbey Island. The ferry dock is about a half mile north of the Boat Haven. It costs about $50 each way. The drive from the ferry landing on Whidbey to a launch at Twin Bridges (about 5 miles east of Anacortes) takes less than 45 minutes. The run from there accross Rosario Strait to Lopez Island is about a one hour trip. Sometimes Rosario Strait is quieter than a direct route from Port Townsend to Fisherman's Bay on Lopez.

You can still turn around and circle Whidbey and come up the east side, but that is a long ride. I think it would take me at least three hours to make it to Deception Pass from Port Townsend on that route.

Might get a better reply from Mac on Two Lucky Fish - he came direct up the west side of Whidbey from the south end of the island to Lopez last year.

I've found the water in the Strait off Port Townsend to be very confused when a good wind opposes the tide. We tried a crossing to Orcas last July 4th and had to turn back after a few miles and load onto the ferry.

Lane
 
Hey Ernie,

Glad to see you are planning to attend. We've made the trip from South Whidbey (Cultus Bay/Possession Bar) to Lopez many times - mostly straight up Admiralty Inlet (cause it is shorter), but have resorted to using Saratoga Passage (the East side of Whidbey) when the wind was blowing against us. It would be a very long trip to launch from Port Townsend and circle around the south tip of Whidbey. And you would still have to cross Admiralty at the south end near Foul Weather Bluff (just ask Pat and Patty for a description!)- though it doesn't get as nasty as the Straights of Juan deFuca!

It all depends on wind - if the forecast says it's gonna blow 20 kts from the North or West - I'll come up the east side for sure. Then you'd be better off launching in the Twin Bridges/Anacortes area...


mac
 
John and Adie have called Kathy @ Lopez Island and signed up for a slip and a room in the resort. We are both looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of you. It will be our first group outing in our boat
PLAY TIME. Looked for a sign up sheet on the web site but could not find.
Anyone know where it is? Could use some idea of what to bring along,
"pot luck meal"??? or ???. Seems as if will be great fun.
 
John & Adie!!
We are looking forward to meeting you at Lopez with all the other C-Brats :thup You can view and sign up on the events sheet listed under the "event signups"at the top of this page.
As far as "pot luck" just bring anything!! (for me desserts are always good, hehehe ).
Asst. Rev. Capt. Jim
 
We have 34 boats/names registered to be at Lopez Is on opening week-end.

I have arranged for a CG Auxillary boat safety check to be available while we are there. John Birmingham is a member of the flotilla in Anacortes and will be at Lopez in his Bayliner 32.I have let him know how many boats are signed up. He likes to allow an hour per inspection so I am not sure how many he will be able to do.

It will help immensely if those wanting to be inspected are prepared, ie safety equipment all laid out on the table or bunk for quick check off. Pre-check that lights, horn, etc work.

Go to http://www.safetyseal.net/ to see what will be inspected and must be in good order to pass the test and receive your window decal.
 
If John is taking reservations, please sign Daydream up for a safety inspection!


Anna Leigh":rnesicde said:
We have 34 boats/names registered to be at Lopez Is on opening week-end.

I have arranged for a CG Auxillary boat safety check to be available while we are there. John Birmingham is a member of the flotilla in Anacortes and will be at Lopez in his Bayliner 32.I have let him know how many boats are signed up. He likes to allow an hour per inspection so I am not sure how many he will be able to do.

It will help immensely if those wanting to be inspected are prepared, ie safety equipment all laid out on the table or bunk for quick check off. Pre-check that lights, horn, etc work.

Go to http://www.safetyseal.net/ to see what will be inspected and must be in good order to pass the test and receive your window decal.
Click to expand...
 
Folks, as you probably know, Smith Island lies on the course line from Admiralty Inlet to Cattle Pass. Those boats going to Lopez might want to check the real time wind and wind direction at Smith Island at: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=sisw1 It is a good indicator of conditions on the Eastern end of the Straits of Juan deFuca. If there's fog predicted, give me a PM for a visual report. We are at 800' overlooking the Straits.

We probably won't bring Dreamer due to a previous committment for Saturday. It should be ready for us to take delivery in a week! :D :)

Roger
Dreamer

 
37 boats/names are now posted as attending the opening week-end Lopez Island CBGT. Now I am thinking we may need to bring 2 pony kegs. 64 pints of beer to a pony, mmmmmm,,yeah 2 ponys it is. Pale Ale and Hefewiezen? Probably misspelled Hef, if so, Pat will correct it.
 
I called Kathy yesterday and threw my name in as well. Sure looking forward to seeing you all and making a fun run after I got cheated out of the gathering in Poulsbo. If any of you are concerned about wind conditions here in the Puget Sound this web site: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/maciver/Ferry/Ferryjs/mainframe1.htm
shows the wind conditions (and temps) being reported by the Washington State Ferries as they make there scheduled runs. Gives a pretty good over all look at the conditions. See you soon.

Doug
 
Cool site, Doug! We experienced some of those winds this morning coming home from Blakely Harbor!

Now under two weeks to Lopez! Yahoo!



Doug / Liberty Call":29zw7p06 said:
I called Kathy yesterday and threw my name in as well. Sure looking forward to seeing you all and making a fun run after I got cheated out of the gathering in Poulsbo. If any of you are concerned about wind conditions here in the Puget Sound this web site: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/maciver/Ferry/Ferryjs/mainframe1.htm
shows the wind conditions (and temps) being reported by the Washington State Ferries as they make there scheduled runs. Gives a pretty good over all look at the conditions. See you soon.

Doug
Click to expand...
 
OK, dare we think this thought? The C-Dory crew worked 24 / 7 to have the TC255 ready to show up at Blakely last year...might C-Ranger be doing the same thing? Wouldn't it be AWESOME to see the C-Ranger 25 come cruising into Fisherman's Bay? The Livingstons claim they don't have time to follow this site, and I can guaran-damn-tee that Jeff Messmer ain't tellin'! :lol:
 
Wow, 37 boats signed up so far.
My wife wants me to skip the Halibut opener in Newport this year.... maybe I'll try prawning?

I am half nervous to sign up because every time I do something conspires against me.

If I were to come (hypothetically of course ;)) what port would have the best access and parking if I were coming from the greater Portland Oregon area?

I may be able to borrow a friends prawning gear, would Roger or Dusty be interested in showing me the proverbial ropes?

Maybe one of you could PM or email me what to expect so I can try to be prepared? Well, just in case the planets all align or something ;).
 
Anacortes is the closest, makes for the quickest trip over, Everett and Bellingham have the best launch facilities. Everett is probably the longer boat ride (I am guessing 3-4 hours, maybe more, to get up Saratoga Passage, out Deception Pass and over to Lopez) but Bellingham is of course the longer drive, being probably an hour and a quarter north of Everett. Anacortes, either Twin Bridges County Launch or the Washington Park Boat Launch, which I believe is the City of Anacortes are OK, both have tide and current issues in my opinion. Sling at Skyline in Anacortes is best for secure parking, but really pricey and you have to be back on their schedule. We are launching at Bellingham and opting for a nice little cruise down to Lopez I think.

P.S. - BRING BLOWTORCH!!!!



Mr. Fisherman":2ejqc51t said:
If I were to come (hypothetically of course ;)) what port would have the best access and parking if I were coming from the greater Portland Oregon area?
Click to expand...
 
fisherman, if you are coming up from portland and the weather is good, real good, i would launch from the port townsend area. No driving thru seattle,something I hate, and its only 25 miles across the straits, more or less. the weather has to be good for a few days to make it worth it. Halibut is open up here in the straits right know and ling cod will be open during the trip so bring your gear.

The last time we came home from coos bay we cut off of hwy 5 at olympia and drove up the kitsap to kingston and took the ferry over to edmonds. It was faster then driving thru tacoma and seattle.
 
Ray -- Weather depends!

Unless hiway 101 is screwed up (as it is some times) I'd leave I-5 at Olympia and head up 101 to Pt. Townsend. Good overnight facilities, and the crossing to Lopez can be a piece of cake or a miserable ride - weather.

I'll have our shrimp gear at Lopez and my pleasure to show you how and where - limited knowledge, but happy to share what I know. Those little rascals are just like salmon - if they know you are coming - swish - outahere! I can put a shrimp pot in my favorite spot and get zip - 60 ft. away and fill the pot. Fortunately, the 6th is a great neap tide day and the shrimping area is just a short ride from Lopez.

Because I boat out of Cornet Bay at Deception Pass I tend to favor that area. No problem to Lopez if under about 30 knots wind from the West... sloppy of course. And If it's really bad we just go up through La Conner and stay on the lea side of the islands. Not even a challenge for a halibiut fisherman! And I've seen some nice ones weighed in this week. No barn doors, but a few in the high 90's.

Come if you can!!

Dusty
 
Despite my situation, you know we will be at Lopez!!
We will be ably assisted by Dave and Roberta, C-Brats coming to their 2nd Gathering , but first cruise. The have a CD16the Honey Do, but will be cruising on the Laurna Jo for this trip. and staying at the resort.

I have my almost 40 year old, Christening Shirt all spiffed up and ready for some serious(did I say that?)Christenings! I know David and Pat will have the proper libations for the ceremonies.
Now all the folks who want to Christen thier boats, just jot down on a note card or something the pertinent info, boat name , family name, and address if you want it sent to you, and we will be good to go .
This time I won't rely on my memory(partial CRS Disease), so will have the proper scripts :embarrased
 
David,

Is there any kind of schedule for our stay? Dinner one night (where?), potluck (when?), etc. Who will bring what?
My chief organizer is interested!!

Dusty
 
I've never known one of these to be "really" organized. Maybe Poulsbo was the closest. Friday dinner is whatever happens. On the boat or in the restaurant. Usually somewhere to cruise is suggested Saturday morning. Shrimpers and fishers head out and return. Sat evening is the potluck. There isn't any list of what to bring. Everyone just shares what they have. Most of the time more food there than we can eat.Also there is no meeting room any longer at Lopez. The room we used three or four years ago was converted into a small gym. The last two years we kind of took over the docks and ate on, in, around the boats, leaving enough room for others to pass on the dock.

All I know is I am bringing two kegs.
 
Mr. Dusty. My chief organizer just asked me the same questions. I'm glad you asked the question before she made me.

Can you tell me what kind of arrangements I need to make to park our rig for the weekend at Cornet Bay? You mentioned a bumper sticker in a earlier post. Is their a permit or pass I need to procure ahead of time? If so, could you comment on that process.

We're looking forward to going through Deception Pass this year and thinking we will depart around 10:00 AM Friday morning. I think this time roughly coincides with slack tide. Anyone else heading out from Cornet Bay Friday morning?

Tim
 
TrueStory,

We will be parking our rig at Cornet Bay and heading out to Lopez Friday Morning. The launch ramps hav been newly improved and are quite nice. This will be our first time parking there but my understanding is that there is a ten dollar per night fee. The ramps are state park ramps as is the parking. There is a box to pay launch fees unless you have the annual launch permit, (which I just got online) I assume the parking fees are handled the same way.

Lopez will be our first real trip in C-Cakes so we are a little unsure of just how accurately we can forecast our departure time but we live just ten minutes from Cornet Bay. We would be happy to join you for the trip over. What route did you have in mind?

Barry and Patti on C-Cakes
 
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