Maiden Voyage - Skyline Marina Anacortes

B

Bluechablis

New member
Greetings All

We were fortunate enough to buy Rick and Donna’s “Foggy Dew” and I am in the midst of planning to pick the boat up in the first week of Sept. My wife and I figured this would be a great opportunity to be able to explore our new boat and the San Juans at the same time.

I was looking at Skyline Marina in Anacortes to launch the boat, I understand that they have a boat lift and I assume that they can also provide long term parking (2 weeks) for my vehicle and trailer. Coming from a Sailing background the logistics of trailering a boat to unknown ports, finding launching/parking facilities are a few of the learning curves I hope to overcome.

We are going to have about 2 weeks to explore in the San Juans, what can we expect in terms of weather in the month of Sept? I know up there “you sleep late and miss the whole summer”, that is where I am hoping the cabin of the CDory will shine! No more hanging out at the tiller in the cold and wet.

It is almost unbearable to wait another month to start our adventure but I am passing the time going through all the wonderful information on CBrats and plotting courses on my computer.

Floyd & Eiko
 
As for launching ramps--Active Captain is building a fairly good data-base of those--and we can help contribute. The secure long term parking is a bit of another issue--and one which often concerns me--this is where the C brats who have experience in a specific area can be a great help.

From my personal experience Sept. is a great time in the San Juans (and Gulf Islands--less crowds, and generally good weather. You will have a great time--and have a good boat!
 
September is my favorite month up here. Its almost always beautiful weather, and the alot of the crowds have stored there boats for the season. If you like to fish, its excellent salmon fishing in September.

I don't have any personal experience with Skyline, but it is a really nice facility in a great location. Cap Sante Marina has a sling launch as well.

For just a few days launch we really like twin bridges boat launch on highway 20. The ramp goes deep enough in the water that we can launch and retrieve our 22 on any tide. Its also protected from wind and waves much more than Washington park. It's 7$ a day to park a rig there, so might be too expensive for long term storage.
 
I've launched at Skyline before but it's been a few years. When I launched, there was parking available in a lot across the street and if I recall you could pay for any number of days. I also think they had some longer term parking options available in a fence in area but that it fills during the summer. Best to just give them a call.
 
I launched there once five or six years ago to go to a Bellingham CBGT. Although I only left the tow rig for a few days, I think Catman, of 16 footer Bambina, left his car and trailer for a week or two. Nice facility. Give them a call.
 
Floyd & Eiko, Welcome to C-Brats and congrats on the new to you vessel.

You picked a really nice boat and got it from a really nice couple, who live in a really nice area. (Check my home port :lol: So good to hear you are looking at doing some cruising up here. In C-Brat talk CBGT means there are good times and great friends in close proximity. There is a CBGT planned in Sidney (BC) on one of those first weekends in Sept. Look on the home page here and check the gatherings for the list of signed up folks and link to the discussion thread.

Sept is a great time here with generally good weather and less busy docks, traffic and cruising areas. Labor Day weekend will be busy but after that things drop off some. You will have a great time.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

SunSet_MystryBay_SleepyC_2009_177.thumb.jpg
 
We always launch at Skyline Marina when we cruise to the SJ's or Canada. It's $35 for a round-trip launch/haul-out, and parking in a secure fenced area across the street is $9/day.

Skyline is well-located. It's a quick trip across Rosario Strait to Thatcher Pass and then you are in the San Juan Is.

At this moment we're moored at Patos Island State Park, perhaps the most-isolated of them all, and with a western view for beautiful sunsets like we had last night. It's raining right now.
 
Thanks to you all for all the great info.

Bob - excellent resource there in Active Captain, I will certainly find that useful as we get going in our adventures to come.

We will definitely give Skyline a hoot, paying a fair price for security is not a problem for us. Not knowing what to expect makes us real cautious going somewhere for the first time.

Definitely excited that we would miss the chance for good weather in Sept. After spending some time down in the Caribbean my bones kinda get a little chilly when the coconut oil freezes, which is about 62 degrees. The idea of less people and uncrowded anchorages is appealing as well.

Harvey - Although I haven’t met Rick and Donna yet in person I can tell they are fine people which is reflected in care and detail that they have given to “Foggy Dew”. We are certainly lucky to find them! The day I sold my NorSea 27 “Bluechablis” I called them up and bought “Foggy Dew”! Hopefully when I pick the boat up we will have a bit of time to head over to the “Oak Table” there in Sequim, ever hear of it? If we can get off our butts and get our passports renewed that Sidney gathering sounds like fun, will work on it.
 
Bluechablis":1gxocjgr said:
Definitely excited that we would miss the chance for good weather in Sept. After spending some time down in the Caribbean my bones kinda get a little chilly when the coconut oil freezes, which is about 62 degrees. The idea of less people and uncrowded anchorages is appealing as well.
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62!! Up here that's time to break out the shorts and sandals :wink:
 
Floyd,

Be sure and keep in touch. We can meet when you are up. I'll have to get in touch with Rick again soon.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Thank you all for the help and encouragement, I am happy to report that we just got back from our adventure and the boat and the experience was everything that we dreamed about and more!

I have posted a few pictures to my album and for anyone interested to my blog

http://floydsbrain.blogspot.com/

Harvey, sorry we didn't hook up. I heard someone hailing you at one point but didn't hear a response.

Using Skyline Marina for the Sling and storage was perfect for us, however the Cap Sante Marine was supposed to perform a job for us in the 2 weeks we were gone but I guess they were too busy.

Looking forward to seeing some of you all on our next adventure!
 
thataway":1nd12zth said:
Nice photos!
What is the van you are towing the C Dory with--and what is its tow capacity--and how did it perform?
Thanks
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I have a 2005 Dodge Sprinter Van with a Mercedes 2500 Diesel engine. It's rated tow capacity is #5000 lbs but it really performed nicely. The boat weighs in at 4600 something lbs so I am a bit worried over the long term life of the van, our next vehicle will be a Diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee and we should be set up pretty nicely!
 
Hi Floyd & Eiko,

Nice to get to catch up. Sorry to miss you on this first trip out. Looks like you did a great one though. It is a nice area and there are lots of great cruising choices. Yup, you did miss a great CBGT at Sidney, and some "interesting" navigation possibilities in some places too :twisted:

Glad you are enjoying Far C'r and looks like she found a good home.

BTW, I like your tow vehicle choice. I will be interested in how it does. It is one of the versions I have been looking at for boaterhoming possibilities.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I gotta admit...it's really strange seeing somebody else having so much fun on my boat...without me on it! :lol:

We're so happy that you guys are the ones who were able to buy her. I know she's in good hands and that was important to me. We can feel your excitement and it looks like you had a blast in the SJI's. We wish you all the best in your travels!

Rick & Donna
 
I loved the video. Your enthusiasm made me realize I take for granted our own backyard. You guys definately scored some really beautiful conditions too!

Ill have to get out there this weekend after watching that.
 
Welcome to the world of power boating and as a bonus, trailer boating. There a a lot (2?, 20?, 875?,) C-Brats that have changed over to C-Dorys from sailboats. Usually because of growing old. Glad to see you did it for another reason.

Having a great trailer boat makes a lot of places available that are just beautiful. You've visited 2 and you get to find and enjoy many others. And at the same time that boat is seaworthy to haul to Ventura and visit the Channel Islands, San Francisco and tour the bay. While I miss the feeling of sailing, C-Dory is a great way to go.

And if you ever bring Far C'r to San Diego, give us a call and maybe we can spend a couple of days in the water.

Boris
 
Floyd & Eiko, You did a superb job on that video (and a bunch of the others I checked). Looks like we hit some of the same places, just not at the same times that week. Don't know if Rick and Donna have seen that video or not but I will pass on that you are treating the boat just right :thup :thup

Hope to get to cross wakes come next season in the San Juans.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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