05/18 - 05/20 - 2012 Friday Harbor CBGT

Like Barry Says, crossing the Strait of Juan, can be "interesting" and the mile or so from Cattle Pass can extend way past that if the time, tide and winds are opposing. Going across the Strait can be a really nice trip, flat and glassy, or it can be not so flat and glassy. I have done it in around two hours and it has taken all of four hours, (due to the jog and slog method), but I have never not felt safe, just really challenged in course keeping.

Anyone planning to cross the Strait from anywhere on the south side should plan on leaving early in the morning. No 0700 is not early. The closer you leave to breaking daylight, the less wind (usually) there is to deal with. The hundred yards or so at Cattle Pass can get bumpy, so a tide check for that end is a good idea. I have not done that yet.

On the other hand, I would like to travel with a group, for fun and photos so might consider the Coronet Bay or Bellingham alternatives possibly.

Harvey
SleepyC

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I need advice about my options for long term (2 months) parking a 24 ft. RV with C-Dory boat trailer at Bellingham Marina. I talked with the Harbor Master office and they said that my only option for long term parking for such a rig is at Fairhaven long term parking facility ($30/week) and launch the C-Dory at the Fairhaven boat launch. It looks like the launch ramp is within (long) walking distance from the long-term parking lot. I assume folks are launching on the 5/17 and staying at the guest dock and leaving early on the 18th for Friday Harbor. Does anyone know of a better option for parking the RV and are folks launching on the 17th? Things seem complicated at Bellingham but maybe that’s just because I’m a newbie.
Jon
 
I don't have any recommendations for long term parking in Bellingham (although you could call some of the storage places in town, as some of them are gated and accept RVs). I do recommend, however, not launching at Fairhaven unless you have a standard size truck for a tow vehicle. The launch approach requires that you enter through a ver narrow alley and then make a 360 degree turn before backing your boat down the grade. We used to launch our 16 C-dory there with our Subaru and it felt tight.
 
I just signed up and live in Friday Harbor. Have the Angler 16 Looking forward to participating in the fun. Is there an agenda for the gathering? Is there anything we can help with on this end in Friday Harbor? Norris & Karen Palmer.
 
We're planning on launching from either Anacortes or Bellingham on Friday, probably around noon-2:00. Anyone else think they'd be launching from either of those places around that time that we could follow? This will be our first trip on the sound!

Also, I've gotten pretty good with the trailer (still takes a few shots to get it backed down a long ramp sometimes) but I'm hoping the Anacortes ramp and parking lots are fairly straightforward to maneuver around. And hopefully there's ample trailer parking?

Thanks in advance for the tips!
 
Hi all,

33 boats signed up thus far!! Looks to be another good time. We are looking in the Weather Dances for the PNW manual for any last minute new steps and will do our best. The agenda is as tight and structured as always...not! Most people arrive noonish on Friday, dinner Friday night about 5:30 at Downrigger restaurant, Saturday 10AM West Marine always hosts us for a shopping spree, (they give us 10% off) with donuts/coffee. Breakfast on your own, some good breakfast places in town, the power squadron is doing a flare demonstration/shoot on Saturday AM but it is too far to walk from the marina. I'll look into ways to get there. Various gossiping venues i.e. our boats will be open on Saturday so be prepared to sit around and tell wild tales. Some will be up early and off to fish or shrimp. David McKibben and I will be doing CG Vessel Safety Checks throughout the event (one reason WM sells so many flares while we're there :lol: ) We will have some Christenings/namings of vessels to do, the pot luck will be on Saturday afternoon and usually starts around 5-5:30. We have a secret and special guest appearance from a famous C-Brat entertainer booked for the potluck Shhh! can't say who now. Sunday AM folks are on their own, and most depart around noonish. Some of us are heading up to Victoria BC after the gathering, some off to Sidney BC, some heading into the San Juans or Gulf islands. If you are planning to do any of those things (or others) and are willing to invite others along, please put the word out here on the FH CBGT thread. Boats will be departing from Cornet Bay, Bellingham and other places to make the trip. If you want to form a flotilla or are unsure of the way to get there/new to the area, just put the word out here on the site and people have been very willing to make the crossings together. I'll do another post when we get closer to remind everyone about mooring locations and details.

Patti and I are looking forward to this.
 
ferret30":3ill9bx0 said:
...I'm hoping the Anacortes ramp and parking lots are fairly straightforward to maneuver around. And hopefully there's ample trailer parking?

Thanks in advance for the tips!
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the Anacortes (Washington Park) ramp is kind of small and can be very busy if fishing is open. It can also be challenging at low tides and/or if the wind is from the North.

Both Cornet Bay and Bellingham are nice big ramps, well protected, with safe parking.

jd
 
Ferret30, I will put in a plug for the twin bridges ramp. Its a state or county ramp with a large parking lot under the highway 2 bridge over the swinomish channel. Its fine for a 22 to launch at all but minus 1 tides. The washington park ramp can be a pain at anywhere from a plus 1 or less. I have never had a problem with leaving my truck at twin bridges in the last 7 years. Its a little farther then the Washington park launch but less crowded and more parking. We launch the 27 there all the time. We will be launching there Friday after noon or the week before and leaving the boat in La Conner. We will cross to the islands either under the deception pass bridge or by anacortes. If we are around you are more then welcome to follow.
 
Have to disagree with my good friend Tom. Bellingham is the clear choice! Great ramps, ample free parking, and most important to me, you don't have to contend with the Swinomish Channel currents at Twin Bridges that can confound both launch and retrieval, especially if it is busy at the ramp.
 
pat we have this disagreement about how wrong you are all the time. :roll: bellingham is fine if you like to tow farther, run farther and cross bumpy bellingham bay twice.

twin bridges is fine for any one that can pilot a boat. You just have to plan and look before you attempt to dock. :wink:

I wish that the city of anacortes would build a ramp for some one other then the gill netter. They have a nice ramp and parking lot near the boat builders that would make a great launch but its not open to the general public as it has been explained to me.

All the ramps have draw backs. bellingham is just to far for me. Its a in bellingham, which is not where Iam going. twin bridges has a current ( oh my :shock: ) washington park sucks at low tide and if the wind is blowing and is suffers from not enough parking, no over night even thu I have, and not enough dock. ( which is a problem at twin bridges too) Deception pass is great but lacks a lot of parking and if the wind is up can be a rough ride getting to the pass from the islands.

I wish sky line had a ramp. It would be a money maker even at $5 a shot. close to the islands, protected from wind and current and no pass with a shallow bar and high currents to cross. If I was going to keep a boat in the water it would be at skyline if I could afford it.
 
I will launch 0n 5/17 afternoon at Bellingham and stay at a guest dock. I would like to leave fairly early on the 18th to beat the wind BUT I would also like to tag along with other C-Dory's who have more experience than I do which is zero in these waters. See yaall then
Jon
 
For anyone thinking of launching from Sequim, (John Wayne), halibut season is open in May, and includes Thursday, Friday, Sat and (I think) Sunday. Parking lots will be full -- very early, and even out on the road.

There are options, like launch Wed evening and stay at the State Park or JW Marina, and then be able to leave on the water early the next day. The early trip across the strait CAN be beautiful ...... or ... otherwise. But, being on the water is better than not, always.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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Daydream may be spending Thursday night at P Dock at Squalicum as well, you are welcome to cruise to Friday Harbor on Friday with us if you like.

riversun45":xhsporfg said:
I will launch 0n 5/17 afternoon at Bellingham and stay at a guest dock. I would like to leave fairly early on the 18th to beat the wind BUT I would also like to tag along with other C-Dory's who have more experience than I do which is zero in these waters. See yaall then
Jon
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Shipyard Cove has a great launch in Friday Harbor in the same bay as the town. The ferry ride over is not that expensive with a trailer and is just good piece of mind. You are already in the San Juan's and now you can go to the outer edges. Call 360-3785101 Speak with Arnie Bentzen about trailer storage and launch.
 
Wondering if we could follow anyone up from Everett / Everett area? This will be our first longer distance trip.

Cross fingers for great weather...
 
Anyone leaving from Bellingham? What time? From google maps, it looks like the trailer lot can get pretty full. I'd hate to get up there Friday and not be able to find parking.

For people that are starting from Coronet bay, what time would you be arriving there? If we end up going through Deception we'd probably want to tag along with someone else.
 
ferret30":2b0eabr4 said:
Anyone leaving from Bellingham? What time? From google maps, it looks like the trailer lot can get pretty full. I'd hate to get up there Friday and not be able to find parking.

For people that are starting from Coronet bay, what time would you be arriving there? If we end up going through Deception we'd probably want to tag along with someone else.
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There is a lot of trailer parking at Bellingham, if you're going to be back in a few days. If you plan to use their long-term parking, you need to check in with the port office. Even in mid-July on a weekend, we've been able to find parking there.
 
We're gonna be leaving out of Bellingham. We usually strive for a mid-morning launch, but that doesn't always work out. Sometimes M gets home very late from the hospital so she needs more sleep.
 
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