Moorage in Port Townsend?

[MilesandMiles]

(Please forgive spartan post. Sent from phone while on the road) I plan to visit my favorite little town via water approach this time. Does anyone know about mooring blls or good anchor out spots? I have a dinghy now, rather bypass the marina.

 

[rogerbum]

I haven't anchored out there but Kilisut harbor looks like it has an abundance of good shallow anchorage and appears to be protected on all sides.

 

[hardee]

Brenton,
Roger said:
"I haven't anchored out there but Kilisut harbor looks like it has an abundance of good shallow anchorage and appears to be protected on all sides."

There is a nice state park dock at Mystery Bay, and for an annual fee, which isn't that much, you can stay at the park dock. there is also one at Fort Flagler. Mystery Bay is much more protected. There is anchorage in there too, but it gets busy some times. You can also use the State Park sticker at Fort Worden marine center dock. It is small but better protected. Careful there about the low tides, water gets a bit skinny in there in some places. There are a lot of boats anchored out off the beach all along PT's southern shore, but that would get pretty bouncy in a south wind. I have seen several boats washed up on shore there after a good blow.

I have an album on Mystery Bay. Link is here:

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[fishingmark]

was up there a few months back the marina at port townsend is under construction dont know if has been finished.

 

[hardee]

Port Townsend Boat Haven is not finished, Port Hudson is.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon



Port Townsend Boat Haven, on a cold and windy night.

 

[ddenver]

Some real nice pictures of the Mystery Bay State Park dock and view from the dock there in Harvey's album.

To elaborate on some of Harvey's other comments, many boats are anchored and/or tied to mooring buoys in the extreme far south end of Port Townsend Bay just off Port Hadlock.

If you happen to have Google Earth available you can clearly see the myriad boats tied up in this extreme southern end of Port Townsend bay. As others mentioned, while it would not be quite as protected as Kilisut Harbor it does have a few other advantages such as closer proximity to shopping and some restaurants.

Mystery Bay is within easy walking distance to the small local Nordland Store (flat easy walk). The Nordland Store is almost a piece of history (old style general store) and - though small - offers a surprising variety of items. However; there are no other businesses in the nearby easily walked surroundings.

Meanwhile, moorage off Port Hadlock offers much more access to the small village of Port Hadlock's numerous businesses. A fairly good sized supermarket (QFC), a self-serv laundromat, a few restaurants, a convenience store, a hardware store, the nearby Port Hadlock Marina, and other things are not too distant a walk from Port Hadlock's waterfront albeit up a medium sized hill (as opposed to the flat walk to the smaller Nordland store form Mystery Bay's dock).

Parking availability for truck and/or boat trailer in either location would definitely be somewhat minimal.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions on the area.

Take care,
Dan

 

[Jazzmanic]

We've stayed in the two marinas in Port Townsend and here's my $.02.

We thought the Boat Haven was a nice marina but farther from downtown than we like. It is definitely a nice long walk if you're so inclined to hiking a bit or you can always catch a bus (we did both).

We liked the fact that the Port Hudson Marina was right in the middle of town. However, we had a disturbing experience at Port Hudson a few summers ago. Apparently, the river otters are used to boarding boats and are not shy about looking for food and are also not afraid of humans. We had to bring in our ice chest and shoes from the cockpit to try to keep the critters away. I used to think otters were cute until I couldn't get them off our boat. After that, they resembled, wet, greasy-looking rats.

Wonder if they are still a problem at Port Hudson?

 

[hardee]

Dan, Thanks for the expansion. Good description. I love Google Earth. It's my favorite way to fly. I haven't stayed in that area (south bay). but have gone through there a few times and yes there are lots of boat anchored there. Good protection from the winter south winds. :thup

Peter, Yes, I have seen the otters there, and I have heard of bad experiences, but I think those are not limited to PT. I've seen otters at Mystery Bay, John Wayne, Brownsville, and Port Angeles too. I have friends who were boarded by a seal one night, onto the bow, right over their heads. There was a start :!:

I keep an extending boat hook and a bright flashlight on board, inside, over night -- haven't had occasion to use but just in case :twisted:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Sea Wolf]

We have river otters living inside hollows made in the styrofoam flotation foam within the walkways at our marina at Bridge Bay on Lake Shasta, one family living right by my Sea Ray.

I was braiding three-strand rope to chain one day, sting on a step stool, and a nice plump, healthy critter came by and looked me over.

I thought it was pretty cute, but after having seen them devour fish from the lake on shore after their catch, decided I'd rather keep my fingers on my hands, rather a try to pet the toothy beast! :lol:

Fortunately they don't try to get on our boats, at least so far!

Joe. :teeth :thup