Labor Day San Juan Trip

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Ordutch1975

New member
Hi all,

I hope my boat is built and rd by Labor Day. I was thinking of taking a cruise in the San Juan's for Labor Day. Let me preface this post by saying I have never been to the San Juan's. I was hoping maybe some of you who have been can give me some pointers for a nice multi day cruise.

I should by that time have my 23 C-Dory rd to go.

What I would like to know is what is a good place to have my boat put in. I rather have a lift do it than trailering it into salt water. Second what route would you take for 5 days 3 nights of relaxed cruising and sight seeing?

Any pointers for a novice, things I should watch for etc, any help or advice would be appreciated. We plan on this being our true multi-day maiden voyage. Thinking sept 1st through 5th.

We live in Portland, OR I would be happy to buy anyone with experience who could give me pointers a beer at any local watering hole.

Anyone who wants to join us would be welcome too - the more the merrier. We are chill boaters, not in it for rushing rather relaxing, having a good time and cruising for fun.

Thanks,
Harald & Heather
 
That sounds like a great first trip if your boat is ready in time!

The obvious sling-launch choice would be Cap Sante in Anacortes. That was my preference until getting a spot at a dry-stack marina in Anacortes. If you do decide to dunk your trailer in salt, then Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is the best launch near the San Juans. Lots of parking and a good fresh-water wash-down area.

There are lots of cruising destinations in the San Juans, and even on busy holiday weekends you can find space at docks and at State buoys. Every day around 10 AM is like musical chairs, with people coming and going, so if you are making a move on Labor Day Saturday or Sunday just be ready to jump into place around 10 or 11. Last year I spent Labor Day at Sucia Island one of the most popular islands, but stayed in one of the quieter and more remote coves with only 4 buoys (Ewing Cove). The question is, do you prefer marinas or parks or secluded anchorages where you might be the only boat? Will you have a dinghy or way to get to shore? If not, that limits your choices. Some suggestions might include:

Friday Harbor (Marina/ Port)
Deer Harbor (Marina/ Port)
Sucia Island (State park with Docks, many Buoys, and Achnorages)
Matia Island (State park with small dock and a couple of buoys)
Jones Island (State park with small dock and couple of buoys)
Cypress Island (DNR land with many FREE buoys, but no docks and anchoring is discouraged)
Garrison Bay, San Juan Island (Historic site with nice secure anchorage, no docks or buoys. Small dinghy dock though.)
Stuart Island - (State park with 2 anchorages with docks and buoys)

Photos of most of these are in my cruising albums, including last Labor day at Sucia (coincidentally I'm typing this from Sucia right now, waiting for window to open to make my way North into the Gulf Islands), And yes, I'll probably be out here again this Labor Day, so keep us posted and hopefully we can meet up along the way!

-Mike
 
Thanks Mike, I hope we'll be ready to go by then. Boat need to get here and I will be doing the electronics install myself so it will be tight! We'll see they said 60 days from Friday last week. I can't wait! As we get closer I will keep you posted. At this point thinking 1st through 5th
 
Thanks Mike, I hope we'll be ready to go by then. Boat need to get here and I will be doing the electronics install myself so it will be tight! We'll see they said 60 days from Friday last week. I can't wait! As we get closer I will keep you posted. At this point thinking 1st through 5th
 
Hello H and H, if you search around this forum you will find several discussion about best places to launch and visit in the San Juans, although Mike sums it up quite nicely. If you are indeed the chill sort, then I will echo Mike's recommendation for Deer Harbor. It's very laid back. Although there is no big grocery store there, you can get gas, ice, beer, take a shower, and eat a hamburger with a side order of onion rings. What more do you really need? It's also an interesting area to explore by boat.
 
I would strongly suggest that you at least splash the boat near home in the Columbia River for a few hours of sea trials and check out all systems before you under take a 5 day trip. You would not want some little problem to ruin the vacation--plus you will still be in the break in period on the engine for most if not all of the trip.

Is your trailer made specifically for sling/crane launches? (Generally this means some cutouts in the bunks aft, so the aft sling can properly be fitting by the lift.)

I would have guessed more issues finding dockage and buoys on the holiday weekend, but I have avoided the San Juan's on the Holidays.

Mike gives a great list of places to visit for a first trip. I have always included a stop at Roche Harbor on San Juan Island--perhaps as much to get an ice cream and dock walk looking at all of the boats...plus there is a certain charm to the ceremony there. But even a month would not allow you to visit all of the best of the harbors.
 
I fully intend to give her a couple sea trials before the San Juan trip locally assuming I get her on time. If not we'll do a trip later in the year.

It is a boat after all :-)
 
Deer harbor is great, and there is a new pizza place there, and they have great ice cream at the dock store. And it is a nice central location.

And yes, launch in the Columbia, go up to Rooster Rock or Beacon Rock and spend a night, so you get everything sorted out before you have to have it with no place to get it.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

3_Bellingham_Line_of_C_D_s_2009_917.thumb.jpg
 
We loved fisherman's bay on Lopez. They have a nice hot tub to soak in, a decent restaurant and bar at the docks and within walking distance of lots of restaurants and amenities. its pretty quiet and mellow except for on the busiest times. During the busy weekends though Deer harbor is a better choice to avoid crowds.

Our favorite place to launch was Cornet Bay just inside Deception pass. Its a very short run from there to the southern portion of the islands. Always felt Bellingham was a lot more trailering, and a much longer run to Friday harbor or Lopez. For long term parking though Bellingham cant be beat.
 
So I will just pipe in here. So far really good advice and you just can go wrong with most places in the San Juans. BUT on a very busy weekend , labor day, the 4th or memorial day i would not beat on getting dock space anywhere without a reservation. Not saying you cant but dont count on it. Funniest thing you will hear on the VHF on 4th of July " ##Harbor do you have a dock space for a 40 ft anything for just a few hours?"

So do you own a raft and know how to use it? do you own a anchor and know how to use it? ( many dont) How much chain? have 20 ft or better. We like to anchor or tie to a buoy better then a dock. Know how to tie to a buoy?

Now lets talk trash panda. They are big and brave this year. If you have a ice chest on board you HAVE to put a big bungee across the top to the handles at night. I woke up to a sound and turned on my deck light to see 3 of the little bastards all working together. two where trying to hold the lid up while the other one was reaching inside. Crazy.
 
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