Boat Charters to cruise the San Juan's

B

BRAZO

New member
We have some friends that want to cruise the San Juan's this summer and would like to charter a boat out of Bellingham (or any port close by). Does anyone have recommendations for a boat charter company? - they would be looking for around a 30ft boat to charter for a week or so.

Thanks for your help.
 
I don't know much about this company, but was just looking at their "fractional ownership" (time share on a boat) information. Noticed the do have "charter" mentioned.

They have some nice vessels in their fleet -- Aspen Cats and Nordic Tugs. Nicely equipped and relatively new.

http://gatewayyachts.com/usa/?page_id=178

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
San Juan Charters out of Bellingham have power and sail boats. We chartered a Ranger 29 three years ago. They have Aspens and a Nordic 32 also. Seems like a well run company. They did scare my poor wife with all their talk about "killer" rocks.
 
You might try Anacortes yacht charters. David McKibben of Anna Leigh was a charter captain for them for a few years and could give details.
 
We have had very good experience with San Juan Yachting/Sailing out of Bellingham: sanjuanyachting.com Great boats and great staff. We have chartered both sail and power (the Ranger Tug 29) from them and are signed up for an American Tug 34 this summer.
 
I visited with a couple in Roche Harbor last summer who had chartered that Ranger 29 - they were having a lot of fun. They had no prior boating experience, and were required to have a captain onboard for the first day or two as I recall.

I asked them if they were planning to buy a boat and had rented to try before they buy... "No, we just thought this would be fun. If we decide to buy a boat, it won't be something this small."

That made me chuckle, since we were living on our boat all summer. :wink:
 
I would think about chartering a boat starting in friday harbor. Why burn fuel and time getting to the Island if you could start in the islands and spend all your time just cruising around them. Pros ? Cons?
 
hardee":21bwtqow said:
Just for kicks, Has anyone ever chartered from "Moorings"? They have some nice destinations.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

Not in the San Juans, but we've sailed chartered cats from The Moorings for a week or so each of the last five springs in the Abacos (Bahamas), BVI, or St Martin/St Barts area. Nice, but very spendy for so short a time. Wouldn't consider it if we weren't the sailing "crew" with others picking up most of the cost. Chartering a 39-46' sail cat for a week cost more than spending 3 months in SE Alaska on our boat, including the cost of towing up to Prince Rupert. However - four couples could easily fit on a 46, and split the costs.

Back in the olden days, 40 years ago, we chartered 30' sailboats in the Abacos for about $30/day per person.
 
NewMoon":2gcn4mpx said:
hardee":2gcn4mpx said:
Just for kicks, Has anyone ever chartered from "Moorings"? They have some nice destinations.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

Not in the San Juans, but we've sailed chartered cats from The Moorings for a week or so each of the last five springs in the Abacos (Bahamas), BVI, or St Martin/St Barts area. Nice, but very spendy for so short a time. Wouldn't consider it if we weren't the sailing "crew" with others picking up most of the cost. Chartering a 39-46' sail cat for a week cost more than spending 3 months in SE Alaska on our boat, including the cost of towing up to Prince Rupert. However - four couples could easily fit on a 46, and split the costs.

Back in the olden days, 40 years ago, we chartered 30' sailboats in the Abacos for about $30/day per person.
Click to expand...

Richard, the chartering used to be appealing for the prices, now, it seems mostly just for the pix of the clear water :lol:

Thanks for the reply.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
We have our boat in charter at Ship Harbor Yacht Charter in Anacortes. One of the key advantages is the location in Skyline Marina. You are just across Rosario Strait from the San Juan's. From our slip to Hunter's Bay on Lopez Island is 7 miles.

I believe there is a 26 Nordic Tug and a 29 Ranger Tug in the charter fleet at Ship Harbor.
Lyle
 
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