Hello, seeking advice on boat mooring in PNW....

I just put our boat into the "big shed" at Skyline for the winter. It holds a lot of boats, big and small. It isn't heated, but there is 110 power. I was told there used to be a problem with the old roof leaking and pigeons crapping on the boats. The roof has been fixed, and they cover your boat with visqueen so it's protected from any bird issues.

I worried about the boat all of last winter with it's acres of canvas and the 70 knot storms that blew through Skyline Marina. It's a great relief to have it under cover and except for the haul out, the cost is comparable to keeping it in the water.

I actually like Cap Sante Marina a lot, but moorage cost for our boat was a third less at Skyline and you're just 7 miles across from the islands.
Lyle
 
Update: I'm following all leads shared here (thanks!) leaning toward La Conner in slip or Friday harbor (or possibly Olympic pen side) Yes, staying a safe distance from Seattle proper is my style to (but still close enough to visit if the need arises)

Removed the silly star stickers off her today, complete removal of blue stripe (back to red trim) soon or spring. Her new name...(wait for it)....:)

C-4 Miles :)

My 15 month old son is named Miles, and I have important future plans involving him and fishing poles and explorations.

I'll post here when the spot has been secured, right now I'm reg'ing in Minnesota before transport North.

Thanks again everyone,
Brenton
 
We were very happy with two summers of dry storage at Hilton Harbor in Bellingham for our CD25. If I recall correctly, I think the monthly rate was $220 (Patty will correct me if I am wrong), and that included unlimited in/out in their sling. If you can't get there by closing, you get the gate code and they will have your boat in the water tied up for you. We had access to electricity via an extension cord and water was nearby as well. I don't think you can stay on your boat in the storage year, but we would frequently stay the first or last night out at Chuckanut Bay, which is only a few miles away, very convenient!
 
Doryman":3qz23fbq said:
I was curious about the reference to the seaplane hangar so did a bit of research and am wondering if we are talking about two different places. In this history, in the section about fishing and lumber, it mentions the drying shed.Warren
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Same place - it's still listed as an FAA Seaplane base:
http://www.airnav.com/airport/21H
Seaplane Base Ownership and Management from official FAA records
Ownership: Privately-owned
Owner: SKYLINE MARINE CENTER
2011 SKYLINE WAY
ANACORTES, WA 98221
Phone 206-293-5134
Manager: KELLY LARKIN
SKYLINE MARINE CENTER, 211 SKYLINE WAY
ANACORTES, WA 98221
Phone 360-588-9695
 
I found Twin Bridges to be expensive at $350 for my 16 footer. If Friday Harbor becomes a serious contender, I just left a 30 ft moorage I was paying $200 a month. He wanted $325, but he was willing to take my offer as he had empty slips. You can get electricity, but you need to have the power company put a meter in the box. The owner lives at the end of one of the docks so you always have someone looking over your boat. There is a building with toilets and showers and coin op wash and dry. Above the marina is a parking lot you could keep your truck and trailer. I don't think he'd charge, especially this time of year.
Parking and boat ramps are at a premium at Friday Harbor. As already mentioned, you'll want bottom paint if you plan to keep it in a slip. I learned the hard way how "things" will grow on the hull. There is a shipyard close by that does good work if you don't want to do it yourself. FH is in area 7 and crabbing is closed until next year around July. Other options might be Lopez or Orcas Island. Since I work only a mile from this moorage, I would be happy to keep an eye on your boat while you're back home.
Todd
360.378.2117 ext 390
 
Todd- We have been paying $245/month for the past few years. Is your rate a monthly rate or yearly rate?

We kept our last boat at Skyline (about 6 years ago) and, other than the location, we were really disappointed in the service and amenities. We did explore keeping our C Dory there but wanted dry storage. We were told that they needed ~3-4 days notice to put the boat in the water and had to purchase a trailer. It seemed that everything that was included at Twin Bridges was an extra at Skyline. The fuel dock was always closed so we ended up at the local gas station with gas cans.

Sorry to be so negative about Skyline because if they had a Twin Bridges set up there, I would move in a minute.

I have heard that Skyline changed ownership a few years ago. Can anyone tell me if their service has improved?

Gene
 
If you are still looking for more options, consider Edmonds marina, if you want closer to SEattle. http://www.portofedmonds.org/mar_fac.htm

They have covered and uncovered storage, docks are gated, 24 hour security, very nice marina. They have plenty of parking and should have a place for your trailer in the dry storage area. No ramp but do have slings/lifts. Unfortunately, they don't allow Cdory's in dry storage due to the shape of their bunks, they can't take the flat bottom of a Cdory.

As for Portland, plenty of marinas there... Search Hayden Island Marinas (Hayden Bay, Tomahak Island Marina, Columbia Crossings, Salpare Bay to name a few) the last one is brand new and very nice. The are located on Hayden Island just under I5 in the Columbia River. There are others along Marine Drive in North Portland, further east of Hayden Island. Also consider Vancouver, WA, just across the river (Steamboat Landing is a small, nice gated marina, pumpout, but no gas). Also in Washington, further east is the Port of Camas Washougal. Covered and uncovered moorage, fuel, pumpout, and launch. Don't know about storage for a trailer, but I'm sure they can talk to you about that. Also consider marinas on Multonomah Channel (just off the Willamette River heading north along Sauvie Island). Plenty of marinas in Scapoosse (about 30-45 minutes outside of Portland) on the channel, which will probably be your cheapest option. Marinas on the channel closer to Portland would be Fred's, Rocky Point marina, Happy Rock moorage, and others.

Sorry, no idea about pricing, but I'm sure google will lead you to the right websites with prices or a phone number to inquire. Contact me directly if you want more local knowledge on any of these. I may not personally know, but can ask around to boating buddies and find out what they know.

Erin
 
You might get a more definitive answer from a Portland based C-Brat, but if you are considering winter cruising on the Columbia River, just know that not far east of Portland, (locally called the "Gorge"), it is not uncommon to have pretty cold and windy conditions, and they can come up FAST. the down river side, west of Portland has some nice and pretty well protected areas, with lots of cool sounding Indian names, and interesting history.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
FYI...My slip on Tomahawk Island (Jantzen Beach) is $125/month. It's a 26 foot uncovered slip with lockbox, water and metered power. Also included are a locked parking lot and dockside restroom facilities. Slip rental rates can be cheaper in the Multnomah Channel, Camas and St Helens.
Winter cruising on the Columbia is one of the hidden secrets...you have the whole river to yourself (except for occasional ship and barge traffic). However the Columbia Gorge (east of Rooster Rock) must be avoided if bad weather is expected. There are very few places to hide and the water can get pretty rough (even in the summer!).
Between Portland and the coast the river widens and there are more islands with the resulting side channels. Once you pass the Longview bridge the character of the river changes even more becoming wilder and more scenic. It increases to 8 miles in width at one point. The Lewis and Clark Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to spend time exploring and observing.
 
I moor my boat at Kalama, 30 miles north of Portland. It's covered, secured, plenty of parking, for $92/mo., including power.

-Greg
 
It's looking like the Portland area is less expensive to keep one's boat, and I like the city of Portland for urban explorations...friends there too. Does anyone know much about the fishing in the Columbia river, especially West of the city? If wind is an issue, perhaps not the best place to learn how to captain a CD22, is this even an issue down river to the West, or mostly concentrated East toward the Gorge?

Thanks,
Brenton
 
The wind is mostly to the east of Portland. Some times wind can kick up in the Portland area, but not any worse than any other place. I'd imagine the Willamette is more protected from wind than the Columbia if it is a bad day in Portland.

I don't think you will have much problem learning. Just stay in on the really bad days- just like anywhere. We've been out in windy conditions a few times, and with the wind and current, have to take a few passes at the dock, but otherwise it's fine. Great boating community in Portland, too. Good power squadron if you want to take classes.

There are always lakes nearby to take the boat to that are fun. Most of them are stocked (can't say specifics- not into fishing myself. sorry)
 
I'll add my 2 cents about Twin Bridges. We've stored our boat there for 5 of the 6 years we've owned C-Dancer. We love it there. Great facility and real nice people. Plus they fill your gas tanks when requested and have a very respected boat mechanic on site, Scott Roberts of Granite Boatworks and finally they store your trailer. The initial reason we chose TB was due to it's location at the gateway to one of the most spectacular cruising areas around, the Salish Sea-home of the San Juans and the Gulf Islands. Nuff said.
 
Portland is a nice city but the cruising is better from Olympia north, to the South and Central Puget Sound, the San Juans, the Southern Gulf Islands, the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Desolation Sound, the Broughtons and even the Inside Passage of the Northern B.C. Coast and SE Alaska. Where are you going to cruise in Portland?

MilesandMiles":1y42taqw said:
Thanks. Very handy info about the Portland area.
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quick update from a coffee shop in Missoula, will be in Seattle area by bedtime tonight (Thursday) hopefully connecting with Sensei and DNA around Fri or the weekend, La Conner and a few spots over on the Oyl Pen to consider, then down to Portland to hopefully connect with Chuck. Cross country trip moving a little slow due to giving people rides off craigslist to help with fuel costs. Saw the doc "Inside Job" in a great old theater in Missoula last night...a must see IMHO. Have a great day everyone, Brenton
 
Another update: In Seattle, dumping rain, but warm (by Mn standards) Stocking up on food at Whole Foods near NorthGate, forgot that rush "hour" lasts pretty much all evening here :) It was snowing on the pass, but turned to rain by North Bend. Great to be here..got a call into Sensei (Roger) about to put one in to DNA (another Roger) Meeting up with Chuck in Portland on Monday morning. Picked up a rain jacket, still hunting for pants. Fishing gear and other gear on the agenda tomorrow. Have a great Friday everyone!--Brenton
 
In Port Townsend...just wow! What a nice town. $192 bucks a month for a slip at the town marina, will be talking to the main man tomorrow.

Duck Love
ducklove.jpg

Tomcat for sale. 99K and some change. 1st one I've ever seen in person. Also saw a blue trimmed 22-cruiser today.PTtomcat.jpg
 
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