Half Share":1h03cgc0 said:
I just realized how many boats there are going to be at the Friday Harbor Gathering during the same time we planned a visit to the Anacortes Trawlerfest. We plan to buy a boat early next year and C-Dory is our leading boat from the online research so we are thinking about changing our plans to come to the gathering instead of Trawlerfest to be able to actually see some C-Dorys.
We live in Fort Worth, Texas and owned a boat for a short time 25+ years ago. Our plans are to retire early next year and buy a trailerable boat.
Maybe a silly question, but what would be the best way to meet people and be able to see a variety of different C-Dorys?
Is the marina where the boats are gathered obvious?
If you are coming to Friday Harbor, you will need to take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes (Friday Harbor is on San Juan Island, an hour and 10 minute ferry ride from Anacortes, and you need to get in the ferry line an hour or so early if you are driving on). You don't have to bring your car, unless you are planning to drive around San Juan Island; it will save you some $$ to walk on the ferry.
The marina is right next to the ferry landing. The gathering is all the way to the other side of the marina from the ferry landing. Get off the ferry, turn right, walk on the sidewalk by the marina, when you get to the marina office and main pier, walk down the pier. Take the first left, then follow that dock all the way out to H Dock. It is WAY easier than those instructions might have you believe.
If you are planning to spend the night, definitely make reservations. Friday Harbor is a tourist destination, hotel rooms are not inexpensive... but, at the time of the gathering, it is not the height of the tourist season.
You will meet plenty of friendly C-Dory people. Ask, and you will see a variety of boats and get the lowdown on what they've done to personalize the boats for their use.
You won't be the only Texas folks there - my wife and I are from the Tropical Tip (South Padre Island/Port Isabel area). The locals are friendly, but be sure to bring warm clothes... it is brisk by Texas standards. The 10 day forecast is calling for daytime highs in the low 60s during the gathering.
There is nothing formal about the FH C-Dory gathering, especially compared to Trawler-Fest. No dealers showing boats, no seminars... but, if you are interested in what C-Dory life is all about, this is THE place to discover that.
For further reference, my wife and I retired early about 7 years ago, ordered our C-Dory, and have been traveling all over with the boat. We feel it is a great size to trailer and cruise. Coast to coast to coast; Florida, California, the Gulf Coast, the Pacific Northwest, the Erie Canal, Desolation Sound (BC Canada), Lake Powell, Yellowstone Lake... we will be spending 4 to 5 months on ours this summer.
Come join us and see what folks are doing. No entry fee, just bring yourselves and a spirit of adventure.
Best wishes,
Jim B.