Launch in Blaine vs Bellingham to cruise San Juan's

B

BRAZO

New member
I might already know the answer to my question, but just want to verify. Our boat is currently in Birch Bay, WA and last year we launched out of Blaine and cruised up to Vancouver and over to the Gulf Islands.

This year we plan to stay in the US and cruise the San Juan's. Would it be better to tow the boat the 20 miles down to Bellingham and launch or is launching from Blaine just as good? We will have the View as our tow vehicle, so we want to minimize the distance if possible (don't anticipate any towing issues, but have only towed the CD22 a short distance with the motorhome).

Thanks for your help.
 
I guess it depends upon where you want to go first! Blaine to Sucia is an easy cruise in nice weather and I think a little bit shorter than cruising from Bellingham to Sucia. It doesn't seem worth it to start down in Bellingham if you're concerned about the tow.
 
You're a little more exposed to the Strait of Georgia going to Sucia from Blaine but since your boat is there already I'd just watch the weather and go from Blaine.
 
colobear":2k71igwz said:
You're a little more exposed to the Strait of Georgia going to Sucia from Blaine but since your boat is there already I'd just watch the weather and go from Blaine.
Click to expand...

Crossing Bellingham Bay can often be less than a picnic too.
 
Dad kept his boat at Blaine for a few years. If you are going out for a long trip then Blaine is just as good. You just have to watch the weather and time the tides when you come and go. If the wind is more then 20 from the north or west and the tide is in coming you might want to wait until the tide turns or the wind slacks off. Same if the wind is up out of the south and its a out going tide. Other then that it can be smooth. You don't gain anything by going to Bellingham unless you are going to head straight to Friday harbor and even then its just a hours difference.
 
how is the marina/launch facility at Blaine? I haven't been there yet, but we did launch from Bellingham to FH on advice from these forums and were very happy with the facility, rinse down station, etc. but for us driving from Enumclaw, it was a different story and the alternative was Anacortes.
 
We've never launched at Blaine but have been there and looked the ramp over. In comparison with Bellingham, for me Bellingham wins hands down; multiple lanes, good docks, good and free parking. Anacortes is pretty much sling launch though you can drive out to Washington Park and launch at the ramp there.
 
I've launched the Tomcat a few times at Blaine. There's only two ramps and depending on wind and tides there can be a bit of vegetation on the ramp that makes it slippery. However, other than that it was good. It's not too busy and there is a good washdown facility at the N end of the parking lot. It's a relatively short trip to get past the marina and out of the no wake zone. It's the best place (IMO) to launch for trips to Canada as it's a very short trip across to CA customs in White Rock.
 
The free parking and agreeable folks at the port are what swings it for me at Bellingham. Great place to launch for extended cruising. But the bay can be a bear. Last time across I was picking kelp off my radar arch from waves coming over the top.
 
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