Pacific Northwest Cruising Guide(s)

RobMcClain

RobMcClain

Member
Mary and I are hoping to tow up north this Spring to enjoy the wonders of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and maybe wander some into Canadian waters. I suspect we will start our cruising in the southern area and slowly work north, but we plan to be very flexible - including working our schedule to attend some of the C-Brats gatherings. I suspect we'll also have to pause a couple of times to fly home for several weeks and then return to continue our cruising.

Because this will be our first time cruising this location, what cruising books/guides might you recommend? I have begun reading the Waggoner Cruising Guide, but no doubt there are others you might recommend. All suggestions are most appreciated!

Rob
 
Hi Rob,

Good to start planning early, because there is a huge amount of cruising to do in the PNW and Lots to see and do. I'm sure you will get lots of good ideas here, and there are plenty of guides available.

When I started, I was introduced to a set of guides from FineEdge Publications that I have been pretty happy with. They have a series of books covering from San Diego to SE Alaska.

Here is the link toFineEdge.

And this is the link to the Exploring Guides.

Depending on the area you are planning on you pick which and they are pretty clear, useful and detailed info. I would think, (and highly recommend) that this one is one you would be interested in using:

Exploring the San Juan and Gulf Islands

They also have a set of planning maps that are pretty helpful to set thinkg into perspective. I used both the Desolation and Broughton ones last summer and found them extremely useful.

The Planning maps are here.

Fine Edge is a good source for several other guides too, and you will see them on the first link I posted. The "Explore" set does not get down into Puget Sound, so from Port Townsend south, you are on your own, well not exactly, The Dreamspeaker series is coming out with a Puget Sound book, but I don't think it is out yet. Dreamspeaker series is written with a different flavor, and has hand drawings in pretty good detail, so you may like them better. Take a look at both if you can.

You may want to check into the Washington State Marine Park system, and especially their annual permit. It will pay for itself in about 5-7 uses, and there are some pretty neat places to stay on that. The permit covers moorage at the dock or on a buoy, up to about 3 days per place.

Hope this is some help.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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We carry the Waggoner guide plus a variety of planning maps including many of the Fish-n-maps that are great for general views and planning plus a backup to digital in a pinch.

https://www.fishnmap.com/

Another pair of books we have learned to love are these guides.

http://fineedge.com/HALE%20BOOKS/anchor ... parks.html

http://fineedge.com/HALE%20BOOKS/docks_ ... tions.html

They are both the same in format but one is all about marinas and shore services while the other is about anchoring spots only. They are a great compliment to the Waggoner guide and permanently live on our boat.

Greg
 
Active Captain, is not a cruising guide, but is an to date by many boaters of what you will find--anchorages, hazards, marinas, fuel etc.

I left all of the cruising guides to the PNW with some of the C brats in Sequim--not sure what happened to them. But they should be around somewhere.
 
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