San Juan and Gulf Islands

starcrafttom":3jhkh6qc said:
James I get what you are saying but anchoring out and seeing town are not one choice or the other. This is why we love having a dinghy. No you cant anchor out in Victoria but you can in Oak bay and then use the bus system to get around. I like anchoring in Friday harbor, Ganges, Roche and Sydney far better then using their docks.
Click to expand...

I hate anchoring. My old c-dory doesn't have any kind of windlass, or anything like that. Pulling up all that chain and anchor hand over hand is non-trivial under the best of conditions. Also, if I overnight on the hook, I kiss a good night's sleep good-bye as I watch the anchor sink out of sight. Even if I do manage to get to sleep, I have nightmares about drifting around until my boat crashes onto the rocks. I do have a light lunch hook for crabbing, but nothing I would trust if I wasn't on the boat and awake.
 
We do both, depending on where we are. Sometimes I just want a nice shower followed by a nice dinner...and to pass out without worry about drifting.
 
John , we have dragged in our 22 before we were set up right. You have to have the the length of the boat in chain. We had 30 ft for the 22 and it never dragged again. I have 100 ft of chain for the 27 and we have never dragged. Yes get a windless. The best sleep I get on the boat is on anchor, with the anchor alarm set, both of them.
 
starcrafttom":3bdeqow4 said:
John , we have dragged in our 22 before we were set up right. You have to have the the length of the boat in chain. We had 30 ft for the 22 and it never dragged again. I have 100 ft of chain for the 27 and we have never dragged. Yes get a windless. The best sleep I get on the boat is on anchor, with the anchor alarm set, both of them.
Click to expand...

I have more than enough chain and anchor (that's one of the reasons why it's such a pain in the butt to haul it up by hand). I have an anchor alarm and I know in my head that I've done everything right and have the rode to ride it out. I've never dragged as far as I know. But I cannot convince my unconscious self, apparently.

I've never looked at getting a windlass and don't know where I'd install it because the old C-dorrys don't have an anchor locker either. I keep my anchor and chain in a big plastic tote box that usually stays in the cockpit unless I move it around to trim the boat.

Anyway, I've derailed this thread, perhaps I'll start another about retro-fitting a windlass.
 
Pretty sure I advocate doing what makes each individual/couple happy. Goodness knows I've seen Tom and Susan at the docks at Friday Harbor. Anchoring out is a part of the cruising experience. As is "marina life". To tell others that they should or shouldn't do something because that is your preference doesn't take into account what others may like.

Yes, you can anchor out and dinghy in, as Tom mentioned, in Oak Bay... then get on a bus and see the sights on the way to Victoria. OR you can tie to the dock at the Inner Harbour, and have all the cool stuff along the waterfront as part of your experience... like listening to the music from the buskers after buses have stopped running for the day... or having a dessert waffle from one of the vendors to go along with your sundowners... or being able to walk from the boat to one of the many great breakfast places near the Inner Harbour, without having to get a dinghy down wait for a bus, walk from the bus stop to one of those breakfast places, then wait for the bus again, dinghy back to your boat, then wrestle with the dinghy to get it on top of the boat again. Yeah, some of us would be just fine with some easy-living right at the dock.

I think there is some misconception that I don't think people should anchor out... nope, never said that. In fact, if you look at the original post that started this thread, my response to that post was suggesting some good marinas to visit AND some nice places to anchor. It seems that some boaters don't think you are doing the "boating experience" properly if you aren't anchoring out every night... I would not be one of those. I think it is a bit ego-centric when someone asks about good/bad marinas and they get advice that they should avoid marinas.

We spent three summers living on our boat in the marina at Friday Harbor - it was a delightful experience. We made lots of new friends, had pleasant walks to restaurants and the grocery store, showered on our own boat (instead of schlepping to the marina showers), enjoyed watching some satellite TV, and just enjoying the sights and sounds of marina life. Should everyone try that? It doesn't matter to me - I don't think it is my place to tell others how they should boat. But, I am willing to give some advice when asked for it.

I really hope the folks who asked about traveling in the San Juans and Gulf Islands are having a great time, enjoying the area the way they like! :lol:
 
John, I cant help you with the inter worrying. I do the same thing on early morning fishing or hunting. So worried that I will sleep in that I never get to sleep in the first place. Hunting buddy is busting my ass for hiking slowly but he does not know that I have been up for 30 hours!!!!

I love being on anchor and at the dock. Both have their place at different times. I would anchor out a lot more if we had a shower. Working on different alt. to a shower but some times you just need the high PSI of a good hot shower.

last thought , I would never let the lack of dock space keep me from exploring and enjoying a town or harbor. Many weekends being on the hook is the only choice for friday harbor or ganges ( as examples).
 
Back
Top