Route Suggestions: Seattle to Friday Harbor

T

Tortuga

New member
We're beginning to plan our summer trip -- we'll again be towing Tortuga from Ventura to the PNW -- Portland then Seattle. I'm wondering what the best route from Seattle to Friday Harbor might be.

I can launch north of Seattle, maybe Everett, and run up through Deception Pass -- or launch in Seattle and take the sound west of Whidbey. Or, launch further north, maybe Anacortes.

Unfortunately we'll miss both the Anacortes and Friday Harbor CBGTs as we won't be able to travel until June due to the kids' school calendar. I would think we'll be traveling in either mid-June or July.

Any route suggestions would be most helpful -- keeping in mind smooth seas to the extent possible, my lack of local knowledge, and optimizing the distance traveled (e.g., how far by hwy, how far by water).

Thanks for any suggestions! We made the trip last summer as had so much fun we have to do it again!

Matt
 
Well there are two routes, well three or maybe two and half. Any way if the weather is good and you leave Seattle you can go the outside of Whidbey Island straight to the islands. Cut thru at cattle pass and short run to Friday Island. If weather is bad on the outside and depending on the wind direction you can run the inside of Whidbey Island up to the bridge or cut thru at La Conner and around Anacortes’s then across the pass and thru Thatcher’s pass and on to Friday harbor, Many ways to go.
But the really question is where do you want to launch? I don’t know the south sound very well but there are really no good launches where you can leave your truck south of Everett. Now I have made the run from Everett, close to my house, to the islands several times and to tell you the truth there is not a lot to see. You run the chance of not getting back to your rig depending on the wind without a long slow rocky ride. If you really want to enjoy the Islands I would launch as close to the Island as possible. So where can you launch? Well the short list is Twin bridges, Washington state park, Cape santé hoist, or the marina hoist by warrens place( forgot the name) or at the state park by the bridge near Les's shop. So I will start with my hate list. I hate paying 30 buck for a hoist and they take too long. I hate Washington state park because it can go dry on a low tide and if the wind is out of the North West it is hard to walk on the dock let alone launch a boat. Also no long term parking there. So that leaves the deception park launch or twin bridges. I don’t like deception pass because if the wind comes up from the west it can be a bad ride getting back to it and thru the pass. You will have to wait for the tide to be incoming with the wind. I like twin bridges for many reasons. It’s closest to the highway. It’s out of the wind no matter what and it’s only dry on a minus tide. No matter where the wind is coming from you can get back to it by going around an island one way or another. Now you could go to Bellingham but I hate crossing that bay in the wind. Its shallow and the chop can get bad. So there are the options as I see it. Take a long good look at your map and figure in tide and wind variations’.
 
Tom layed it out very well. I would pick Cap Sante hoist. After a long drive
Anacortes is a good place to get ready for your island time. If you were to launch there 2x per week, all summer long, it would be $$$$$$$ but once or a few times a year to me is worth it. Plus Anacortes is a good place to start and end a trip. Disclamer: I don't live in or have any connection to Anacortes
except to like it there. FYI: the marina Tom spoke about (by Warrens ) is called Skyline. Hope to see you in the islands this summer good luck.

:smiled john :smiled
 
Tom certainly lays out the launch options nearby to the islands and while I would agree the islands themselves are more interesting than much of the stuff between Seattle and them I would disagree with the "there is not a lot to see" part. Since Tom's been around this area a lot, it's going to be less interesting to him than it would be to a visitor who is new to the area. Also, it depends on what kind of things you like to see/do. If you really want to spend all your time focused on the outdoors and nature, I would say you're better off spending nearly all your time in the islands as Tom indicates. If that's your main interest, I'd look also going to some of the marine park islands.

However, if you like to visit nice restaurants, see some good museums, do a little shopping, stay in the occasional hotel or bed and breakfast, then there's a lot to do in Seattle, Tacoma and places along the way. I personally love mooring right downtown in Seattle at Bell Harbor Marina and walking around the waterfront shops. There's a number of good restaurants nearby, and Pike Street Market, the Seattle Art Museum and Pioneer Square (live music) are all available on foot. In Tacoma, you can moor close to the Museum of Glass. Blake Island State Park is great and there's native american stage show and salmon bake there mid day and in the afternoon in the summer. The little town of Kingston is a fun place to wander through and they have a nice farmers market on Saturdays. The moorage at Langley is nice (small but nice) and there's a great ice cream shop you can reach on foot from there. I like a few of the restaurants close to the Everett marina and there's a local brewery you can reach on foot from there. There's a good sushi place you can walk to from the moorage in Edmonds and an Anthony's home port restaurant there.

So it really depends on what kinds of things you want to do and how much time you have. So tell us a little more about your plans/desires and we can chime in with more detailed ideas/suggestions.
 
If the San Juan Islands are your main focus, then I'll throw my .02 cents into the mix. My preference in launching is Bellingham. Yes, the Bellingham Bay can become a "washing machine", but so can many other places that you have to cross from all of the other launch sites. The great thing about Bellingham is that they charge $5. to launch at their ramp and you can park your tow rig and trailer for free. Many C-Brats have parked there for extended periods of time while they cruised the San Juans, Gulf Islands and beyond.

As far as "urban" sight seeing is concerned, I agree with Roger a cruise to downtown Seattle and many of the other places he mentioned are well worth considering. My preference for launching when visiting those locations is the outstanding launch ramp in Everett.

I've not been concerned about the safety of my tow rig and trailer at either of the above launch sites.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the many locations with sling launches, because they are only accessible during "business hours" and many times I return from my cruises after they have closed. In the summer, daylight hours extend to 9 PM.
 
Everybody has made good points here, I will throw in with Rev. Dave here for Bellingham, IF you are not interested in the stuff Roger mentions, i.e., you main interest is the San Juans. But Roger is right on all those places, the Seattle waterfront is awesome, Kingston and Langley (and Coupeville and LaConner) are all worth a stop. Unless the weather is absolutely perfect, I would avoid Admiralty Inlet and take Saratoga Passage. Otherwise, I would start in Bellingham. Crossing Bellingham Bay is usually no worse than crossing Rosario Strait! Slings really restrict when you can come and go, and Tom nailed the problems with all the other launch sites around Anacortes. We are also no fan of Twin Bridges (under the bridge) - the current in the Swinomish Channel has caused us big problems more than once. The $5 launch and free (and secure) parking at Bellingham are hard to beat. The protected route is down around the south end of Lummi, over the top of Cypress, through Obstruction Pass, down through Upright Channel and you are pretty much staring right in to Friday Harbor. Or pop out of Bellingham Bay through Hale Passage on the north end of Lummi and hit Matia and Sucia first. Any way you go, enjoy!
 
As another cruiser from So Cal, I've just got to get my 2 cents in..

First, if you've got some time, a short (2-3 day) cruise from Swan Marina at Olympia is worth while.

If you've got the usual 2 weeks, spend a day or two touring Seattle, and then head up to Bellingham. It's easy to put the boat back on the trailer, if you've launched in Seattle/Everett, and just head on up. Saves time and money. The Bellingham launch site is good, and more importantly, you can leave the truck/trailer there for a couple of weeks, free. Its a short haul to either Sucia or Matia State Parks for the first day. Both places have mooring and floats. From there, Friday Harbour is just a skip and hop. Just leave Bellingham early in the day, similar to crossing to Santa Cruz Island.

If you end up in the Gulf Islands, in Canada, remember to check back in at Friday Harbour, since Bellingham is not a point of entry, though Anacortes is. The islands are close together, so a trip to the Gulf Islands or even Victoria is a reasonable thing to do.

It is different up there. We'll be up there this summer. Hope to see you.

Good luck, Boris
 
Boy oh boy oh boy! I can hardly wait to get Daydream back to Hilton Harbor in Bellingham. Will probably get it there in April, although it may not be until May for the Friday Harbor and Anacortes CBGTs. I hope you all announce your visits so we can plan to meet up, if only for a night or two, in these marvelous cruising grounds!
 
We've launched at Bellingham a couple times and the conditions were good coming and going.
The bay does have a reputation and I'd like to get a feel of what it can dish out. Lets assume I'm not asking about serious storm conditions.
On a lumpy day would it rate a 'Man, this stuff's getting old real fast' or an 'Oh crap, we shouldn't be out here'?
I know this is subjective but any input would be helpful.
 
Crossing Bellingham Bay is usually no worse than crossing Rosario Strait!
Click to expand...

Thats one opinoin. The problem with bellingham bay is that it does not take a lot of wind to get rough. Its the 6inch to 2 foot washing board bang bang ride. Its not for a long ways but I hate it. I will take 4 to 6 foot in the strait's any day.

Yes pat is right about the current in the swimnomish channel at the twin bridges ramp if you are not ready for it. I just take a look and know that you can only use the up current side of the dock. DO NOT try for the down current side of the dock. you just have to have a plan before you get to the dock. susan and I have done it so many times it's easy. I like it for several reasons that I mentioned. Many folks think that its unsecured. I have never had a problem parking my truck and trailer there for a week or two. I have "heard" about problems but its always a guy who knew a guy that had his truck broke into. Hell my boat has been broken in to twice in my yard but never at the ramp. They have a wash down at the east end of the parking lot. its well lite at night too.

About seattle, there is a lot to see in seattle but where would you launch? I would never leave my truck in Alki ramp. I drove thru there once and a truck and trailer were missing all the rims. Other then that I dont know were you could launch and leave a truck. I dont think Shilsoe (?) will let you park over night. The other reason I dont go to seattle much is the homeless. Sorry guys the marina is nice and the resturants are great and lots to do but the smell of piss everywhere and all the homeless hanging around and sleeping in the streets is something I cant stomach at all and I cant ignore it either the way the locals do. Would not take kidds there at all. I will get hell for that but you should know what you are getting it to. Its like San Fransico, In the 80s to was clean and great on the weekends. By the mid 90s it was a still is a dump. There is not a safe way to walk from pikes market at night to the marina in IMHO. Victoria on the other hand is a great city and if the weather is right you should go there for the big lights city thing. Lots to do there and its very clean. Another place we love by water is the Butchart gardens. If you go in the back way there is a dock and moorging bouys that you can use for the night. If the bouys are full there is a marina park around the corner that is good. If you stay in Victoria you can take the bus to the gardens. Its a good day trip. lots of place to go and reseach before you come.
 
Depending on how much time you have and what you want to see, a couple days in Seattle might be fun. I don't know anything about overnight parking here since I've never had to deal with it, but others might. Bell Harbor would be the ideal place to moor since it is right downtown. And perhaps I'm immune to it, but I've never had a problem with homeless people or walking at night in Seattle. It's no worse than other major cities, and probably better for the most part.

Unless you have lots of time I'd skip the trip from Seattle to Friday Harbor by boat. I've done Mercer Island to the San Juans many times in my Whaler, but that's a boat I can cruise at 35-45 mph compared to the C-Dory's 20 or so. I always went the inside way despite the extra distance. It is generally calmer and there are more places to stop if need be.

My advice is to launch in Anacortes or Bellingham. I personally always launched at Skyline since it is the closest to the Islands. It is only 6 nautical miles or so from James Island which is a nice state park, has a sling so you don't have to get the trailer salty, and a place to wash the boat down after you are done. We park cars there a lot since the passenger ferry to Decatur Island leaves from there and have never had a problem, but other people have reported some break ins.

We keep our boats at Twin Bridges Marina which is right next to the launch ramp there. We have also not had any problems with parking there, but have heard stories of break ins. The distance to get to the islands is roughly doubled from Twin Bridges compared to Skyline. Like Tom, I prefer crossing Rosario to Bellingham Bay. C-Dories seem to prefer bigger, longer period waves to the smaller, shorter period ones you are more likely to encounter in Bellingham Bay.

Regardless of where you launch, spend time at Sucia Island, Matia Island, Jones Island, James Island, Roche Harbor, and Friday Harbor. They are all great places. The state parks are relatively inexpensive and offer lots of opportunities for walking around and exploring. There are lots of other nice places to anchor, but going ashore can be tough since most of the land is privately owned. Have fun!
 
If you are coming up from Seattle or the south sound you could break up the trip by hitting Seattle or Paulsbo or even Blake Island. Then the second day head to Port townsend for lunch and a look around. Then stay the night or head to The SJ's in the evening. If the straits are flat its a great run. That way you could come back down the inside and hit La connor and Langly or Oak Harbor, I always forget about Oak Harbor.

I have not had the boat south of seattle at all and really should spend a weekend down that way. Lots I have not seen.
 
Actually, launching and parking at Eddie Vine Boat Launch at Shilshole / Golden Gardens works fine - you can park overnight or multiple overnights there, we have done it quite a bit, one of our favorite quick overnight spots is Blakely Harbor on Bainbridge...THE best view of downtown Seattle anywhere. But for two weeks out, you still can't beat Bellingham! We cross Bellingham Bay every time out of Hilton Harbor - can you get your fillings knocked loose in the short chop? Occasionally! MOST of the time it is no big deal. Honest.
 
This is great local knowledge -- I appreciate the different perspectives. As we get closer I may have more questions. Sounds like we may just want to drive to Anacortes or Bellingham since we won't have as much time as would be needed to do a longer passage.

Thanks! Planning for summer gets me through the cold months. In the 40s down here in the evenings -- which for us is freezing! :smileo

Matt
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Cornet Bay. It's a state park with a decent ramp (way better than the Anacortes city (not state) park (Washington Park). I believe you can park your rig there, although I never have. It's just a short run from there through Deception Pass to wherever you want to go in the San Juans.

Warren
 
Doryman":19yjrh8g said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Cornet Bay. It's a state park with a decent ramp (way better than the Anacortes city (not state) park (Washington Park). I believe you can park your rig there, although I never have. It's just a short run from there through Deception Pass to wherever you want to go in the San Juans.

Warren
Click to expand...

Tom did mention it, he just referred to it as "the state park by the bridge near Les's shop".
 
We launch at Cornet Bay at Deception pass State Park, 10 miles from our house, routinely. Very good protected launch ramps, lighted parking overseen by state park rangers and with park "hosts" on site. A small fee about 8$ to launch, $10 a night to park overnight. It is about 1 1/2 hours from there to Friday Harbor at 12-15kts. You can easily avoid Cattle Pass which can be quite rough if tides and wind are in opposition, by going through Lopez or Thatcher passes. Rosario Strait must be respected. I have never found Deception Pass to be a problem in a C-Dory plus, it is spectacular. For even more fun skip Deception, the "big" pass and go out through Canoe Pass but to do that make sure you look the charts over carefully and pay attention. In my opinion Cornet Bay is much better than the city park (Washington Park), near Anacortes. Unless you have a roller trailer or your bunks are modified for a sling, sling launching at Cap Sante or Skyline with a bunk trailer can be a pain so I suggest you give Cornet Bay serious consideration. When you get closer to being here PM me and I will be glad to help with more details, trip suggestions, launching assistance, etc.
 
When we chartered a sailboat to tour the San Juans the Summer before last, we went out of Bellingham, and I was extremely favorably impressed by the whole facility, including the security, free unlimited parking, showers and bathrooms, stores and all marine services, cleanliness, immediacy of the Coast Guard Station, friendliness of the surrounding community, launching facilities, etc. Everything except valet parking!

Crossing Bellingham Bay in about 15 knots of wind seemed like it would be no big deal for a C-Dory, though I'm sure we had it easier in a 50 ft Beneateau sailboat.

I'd go back in a heartbeat! (Could do without the rain, though!)

Lots of fun threading your way through the islands and their passages, too!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I am still a fan of Oak Harbor for launch and parking. The launch ramp is shallow but very doable, (and free) and the parking is secure and free. It is only about an extra half hour or so south of cornet bay on saratoga passage. I like cornet bay also, plus you get to go over and see Les, but if you are staying a few days the $10 parking fee starts to add up.
 
We cross Bellingham Bay every time out of Hilton Harbor - can you get your fillings knocked loose in the short chop? Occasionally! MOST of the time it is no big deal. Honest.
Click to expand...

Don't trust him, He's a lawyer and a bar keep, two professions that will tell you what every you want to hear.
 
Back
Top