05/18 - 05/20 - 2018 Friday Harbor CBGT

The twin bridges launch is one we have actually used a few times for trips of 3-5 days in length and not had any trouble. The current makes it "fun" but we do like the location enough to keep going back. Cornet Bay, which we normally use for this gathering, equals dealing with deception pass which is normally not a problem but still another factor in your plans. This year, we may just use the bridge launch.

Greg
 
Colby;

If your insurance premiums are paid up to date, you may want to have fun cruising and just take a chance. Bellingham is my preferred launch just talk to the harbor master and tell them your plans. They may be able to make arrangements for longer than 7 day parking.
 
starcrafttom":2jnag8yg said:
If anyone thinks their boat or truck is 100% safe at any launch or storage yard, fenced or not, your crazy.

I was talking to my parking structure attendant the other day because I saw some broken glass on my way out. He said that he parks there also, but leaves his car unlocked, the driver's window down, and the glove box open. Any prowler would think that somebody beat him to that one. Somebody on the Hull Truth said that they left their remote release gas flap open. Let a potential gas thief try to get past the anti-siphon gizmo ($50 of gas) without prying open the flap ($500 in body repair).

Making your rig the least desirable in the parking lot helps. Well, it helps you. I guess it makes others the more obvious target.

Probably a good time for a thread on anti-theft measures for tow rigs, trailers, boats, and boat equipment. A couple of times I have forgotten to turn off my floor mat alarm and had my horn go off when entering the cabin. Scares the crap out of me, but I don't know the effect on a drug-addled thief.

Mark
 
Tom I hear what you are saying. Actually, while guilty of overthinking, I also know no lot is completely safe and secure. I've been very fortunate on my longer boat trips with no breakins. But I also don't go parking in places with known issues! And my favorite line I've heard others use, "that's what insurance is for"! So other than the deductible and a possible PITA dealing with such problems, I'm covered! lol. I do have a place to park. That has not been a factor in any of this for a short while! Now the decision is, where to launch near by. And this is where I plead guilty to overthinking. In the end, I'm sure I will find a place to launch, rather it's $7 or $80. (And La Conner is that choice at this time!) I do have an aluminum trailer, but with steel or galvanized steel running gear. You've seen my posts before about electric brakes, and I'll stand by just as good in salt as the rest of the steel running gear and drums. But I've also said maintenance is a big part of that, and that means fresh water rinse down. I plead guilty to being anal about that also. lol! In actuality, it sounds like there are several doable ramps and slings in the area, but most affected in one way or the other by winds, wakes, currents and tides (or price!). Three (four if you include price) of those variables affect the inland lakes and rivers also, so yeah, I'm probably overthinking this! (I also was warned about tides, eddies and currents before my first time boating out to Friday Harbor, and that was a non-event! :mrgreen: ) Colby
 
We used the ramp under the bridge a lot when we had the 22. Its my favorite ramp to tell you the truth. Like the location, like the price, never had to pay for leaving the boat extra days ( that may have changed because they have a pay station now) . we stopped using it because with the 27 ( 30 with the motor) we are longer then the dock unless its a high tide. We never got broken into here but others have.

I find it sad that we have to make our rigs unappealing to the thieves instead of making thieving unappealing . Need to get back to punishments that far exceed the crime.

Here in Marysville and all of Snohomish county really, if you are high on meth the police will not put you in jail. If you are caught in a criminal act and arrested you will be ticketed and released because they do not want you ODing in jail and suing them. So guess what, every thief is high before they go out stealing. There is no deterrent to thief here anymore.
 
That's pretty sad Tom. We do have a drug problem in the Midwest too, but alcohol is probably a bigger issue. Fortunately, at least from my experience, most of our boat ramps are pretty safe. Parking only becomes a problem on heavy boating use weekends, at the smaller lots. And we don't have to worry about tides, but drought and floods can cause some issues. Most our ramps have docks beside them and at least the major ones, are steep enough to work well. Most the local ramps are not in use for lengthy stays. However the ones I use on the Mississippi, and Lake's Michigan and Superior are also pretty safe leaving a rig for several days or weeks. At least I've never had any problems. But they are in campgrounds, or patrolled. Or in areas just not frequented by trouble makers. Colby
 
Colby's former job might be where he picked up the over thinking habit. The rig he drove for work required a bit of thought when parking as well as when launching so he got a little particular about his methods. The people who rode with him appreciated it very much.
 
I find it sad that we have to make our rigs unappealing to the thieves instead of making thieving unappealing . Need to get back to punishments that far exceed the crime.

Stop. JUST STOP! We can't do that!!!! That's mean and, and unfair...and, and something-ist and something-ic... You know. It's a free for all, baby! To hell with rules and accountability and consequences. We are in the "Utopia" of western WA! Light a joint, inject some smack or a speed ball and enjoy...
 
TyBoo":3nhv66nr said:
Colby's former job might be where he picked up the over thinking habit. The rig he drove for work required a bit of thought when parking as well as when launching so he got a little particular about his methods. The people who rode with him appreciated it very much.

Commercial airline pilot?
 
I'm lost. Can someone direct me to the symposium on the Friday Harbor Brat Bash held I believe on the third week in May? I seem to have landed on the crime and bad actors thread.
:wink:
 
Sorry Catman. Yeah, this thread has woven thru a few other topics! lol.

Commercial airline pilot?
Yep Local Boy. Thorough planning and checklists for everything. Then go and enjoy the ride! (Familiarity helps, but if not careful can breed contempt!) Works subbing on School Buses too! And boating excursions... lol. I'm pretty certain in the end everything will work out, I'll have a great time, and I'll wonder why I spent so much time planning and worrying! :mrgreen: Colby
 
Dragging this thread back to the Friday Harbor Bash. I'm leaving here in 2 weeks for the drive out, and wonder what kind of schedule is planned! Are there any side trips during the day? Or is most the time spent on the dock and in town? I know of at least one couple (future C-Brats) that are coming to go for a ride, and compare the different C-Dory's! I plan on docking at FH on Thursday afternoon, so will of course try to get one of the better spots! :mrgreen: And I might as well warn you now. I'm bringing along a coloring book that I won in a silent auction at the first St. John's River gathering I attended a few years ago, and expect everyone to do some coloring. It's already got 15 pages colored from CBG's I've attended. I've already got two pages in it picked out for this gathering!
Looking forward to meeting many more of you West Coasters, and getting some more "tidal" experience! Colby
 
Thanks Brock! You made me LOL. I was wondering when we would quit talking about launching and start talking about lunch. Everyone should be thinking about what to bring to the potluck. I love a good potluck.

Margaret
 
Coming over from Guemes Is on Sat. I will spend one night in town and come back home on Sunday. Not a fan of sleeping on a 16 with no canvas. Maybe I can piggy back in a slip for the night as someones dingy.
 
Hi all,

So as we approach the date I need some help. I am new to how the gatherings work. My wife and I intend to take the 17th to 21st off of work for this trip. We live in Portland and either will be taking off the 16th in the evening and putting in on the 17th in the morning or leave very early and put in later in the morning on the 17th. Either way we are both excited to meet you all. The questions I have:

1. Is anyone launching on the 17th and from where that would you mind us tagging along so we can follow someone with more experience? I am not to worried about which port but coming from Portland Bellingham is a long ride - ancortes or south would be ideal.

2. Do we need to contact the harbor since we are coming a bit early?

Thanks all & look forward to meeting you. If you see a C-Dory 23 with a stressed out captain trying to dock that will be us try not to laugh too much :-).

Harald & Heather
 
Harold, et al that are driving north on I-5. I know I am a bit biased about driving in Seattle (Which is really from Olympia MP 102 north bound to about Mt Vernon Exit ???) you can avoid some traffic hassles, take a very beautiful, peaceful and curvy route up Highway 101 to Port Townsend, and yes, you get a boat ride, well actually a ferry from Port Townsend over to Whidbey Island which will cost you about $65 for a 22 size C-Dory, but just think of that as half price on the psychologists couch fee, and remember all the neat scenery, less traffic and single lane highway instead of 3 - 5 lanes of breakneck towing on the spaghetti turnpikes.

And time wise, it will take you about the same time and you will feel more rested.

And you can thank me later. :wink:

(PS: Might be a good idea to call ahead and get a WA State Ferry reservation for that little boat ride.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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We agree on the Olympic Peninsula route. Used to live in Quilcene. If the Whistling Oyster is still open you could stop for a libation.
Hank and Pat
 
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