DuckDogTitus
New member
colbysmith":vuzdx335 said:
well, it is wednesday!
the weekend warriors are busy at their offices reading your updates.
San Juan Islands June 2014
- Thread starter colbysmith
- Start date
well, it is wednesday!
the weekend warriors are busy at their offices reading your updates.
colbysmith
Active member
Ok, photo album back in business. I'll upload occassional photos to my album. Just go to the last nested album titled San Juan Islands June 2014. 
colbysmith
Active member
In Friday Harbor now. Very smooth crossing from Anacortes using the route highlighted in a previous message. (Left Anacortes around 10 am after looking for and finding a geocache! Pulled into Fisherman's Bay at Lopez Island on the way over for lunch. (Otherwise, ride over would have been about 90 mins at 16mph.) No problem going thru the narrow channel, into Fisherman's Bay, just keeping that first signboard marking the shoals to starboard as we entered. Watched a float plane land and take off between all the mooring buoys.
Here at Friday Harbor helluva long walk up to the marina office and showers and walked past two C-dorys on the way, Blue-Cdory and Sweet Dreams. Will have to see if they are frequent users here. Also parked two slips over from a Tom-Cat "Tommy". More photos will be posted to my photo album later. Oh yeah, showers at Cap Sante were ok. Just enuf water flow, 7 minutes for 4 quarters. Here (Friday Harbor) I think it said 5 minutes for 6 quarters... Colby
Pulled into Fisherman's Bay at Lopez Island on the way over for lunch. (Otherwise, ride over would have been about 90 mins at 16mph.) No problem going thru the narrow channel, into Fisherman's Bay, just keeping that first signboard marking the shoals to starboard as we entered. Watched a float plane land and take off between all the mooring buoys. Here at Friday Harbor helluva long walk up to the marina office and showers and walked past two C-dorys on the way, Blue-Cdory and Sweet Dreams. Will have to see if they are frequent users here. Also parked two slips over from a Tom-Cat "Tommy". More photos will be posted to my photo album later. Oh yeah, showers at Cap Sante were ok. Just enuf water flow, 7 minutes for 4 quarters. Here (Friday Harbor) I think it said 5 minutes for 6 quarters... Colby
DuckDogTitus
New member
congrats on your arrival! :beer
Colbysmith said:
Hi Colby, Yes both of them are locals there. The "Tommy" I don't know about. Have not seen it but then I usually tie up along the H or G dock so it may have been somewhere else.
Keep your eyes open and you might see "Wild Blue" in the neighbor hood too.
Sure hope you have a great time in the islands.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Hi Colby, Yes both of them are locals there. The "Tommy" I don't know about. Have not seen it but then I usually tie up along the H or G dock so it may have been somewhere else.
Keep your eyes open and you might see "Wild Blue" in the neighbor hood too.
Sure hope you have a great time in the islands.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
colbysmith
Active member
Finally met Jim on the Wild Blue today. In fact, he was just a few docks down from us. Water was almost perfectly flat today. Late start to the day (we are on vacation after all. Went up to Roche Harbor using the north entrance around the west side of Pearl Island with no trouble. A call to the Marina there said we could dock on the dock by Customs. We were on the end close to the sea plane dock, and while one of the marina gals walking by said we were fine, Customs didn't want us there, so we moved back almost behind the float plane dock. (Kind of a wedged in space that we fit perfectly in.) Customs guy said it would be a busy day. They did have a few boats they were working, but after walking around for a few hours we came back to an almost empty dock.... Anyway, enjoyed the sites of Roche Harbor, then used Mosquito Pass south (following another boat out), as thought we'd go down to just off Lime Kiln Point Light House to look for whales. No luck, so headed back north to Reid Harbor in Stuart Island. Very serene. Just checked it out, as wanted to get back to Friday Harbor for supper and the evening. Ok, am I the only one that leaves float plans with marina personnel? Probably more cautious than I need to be, but I've noticed out here that many of what appear to be new kids working the desk, they seem to be lost as to what a float plan is.... Think I'll just stick to checking in with my brother or sons, as I doubt any overdue calls would be initiated by marina staff....
Went up to Roche Harbor using the north entrance around the west side of Pearl Island with no trouble. A call to the Marina there said we could dock on the dock by Customs. We were on the end close to the sea plane dock, and while one of the marina gals walking by said we were fine, Customs didn't want us there, so we moved back almost behind the float plane dock. (Kind of a wedged in space that we fit perfectly in.) Customs guy said it would be a busy day. They did have a few boats they were working, but after walking around for a few hours we came back to an almost empty dock.... Anyway, enjoyed the sites of Roche Harbor, then used Mosquito Pass south (following another boat out), as thought we'd go down to just off Lime Kiln Point Light House to look for whales. No luck, so headed back north to Reid Harbor in Stuart Island. Very serene. Just checked it out, as wanted to get back to Friday Harbor for supper and the evening. Ok, am I the only one that leaves float plans with marina personnel? Probably more cautious than I need to be, but I've noticed out here that many of what appear to be new kids working the desk, they seem to be lost as to what a float plan is.... Think I'll just stick to checking in with my brother or sons, as I doubt any overdue calls would be initiated by marina staff....Hi Colby,
I know you have a plan to stay in Friday Harbor and explore from there. Do yourself a favor and get up tomorrow morning and head back to Reid Harbor, pick up a mooring bouy, go to the park dock, pay your $12.00 for the night, go to the head of the Bay, hike up the trail to the Turn Point Lighthouse. Then come back and spend the night on the mooring bouy. You won't regret it. It is one of the most unique places in the San Juans.
Both my wife and daughters favorite place. We go back there on almost all of our trips to the Islands.
Lyle
I know you have a plan to stay in Friday Harbor and explore from there. Do yourself a favor and get up tomorrow morning and head back to Reid Harbor, pick up a mooring bouy, go to the park dock, pay your $12.00 for the night, go to the head of the Bay, hike up the trail to the Turn Point Lighthouse. Then come back and spend the night on the mooring bouy. You won't regret it. It is one of the most unique places in the San Juans.
Both my wife and daughters favorite place. We go back there on almost all of our trips to the Islands.
Lyle
colbysmith
Active member
Thanks Lyle. Actually, already paid for FH marina stay. :-( However, my plans tomorrow take me to the other side (Prevost Harbor) to hopefully park on the dock (no dinghy) and do the hike! (Hope to find a geocache up at the lighthouse also. One other geocache in Reid Harbor at Cemetery island, and if I can find someone willing to dinghy me out there, try to get that one too. Colby
Colby
colbysmith
Active member
Thanks Lyle. Actually, already paid for FH marina stay. :-( However, my plans tomorrow take me to the other side (Prevost Harbor) to hopefully park on the dock (no dinghy) and do the hike! (Hope to find a geocache up at the lighthouse also. One other geocache in Reid Harbor at Cemetery island, and if I can find someone willing to dinghy me out there, try to get that one too. Colby
ColbyHi Colby - nice to meet you yesterday. Lyle kinda mirrored what I mentioned to you - part of experiencing the San Juans is in getting off the boat and seeing the character of the different islands. The hike on Stuart Island is one of our favorites... coming across the "treasure chest" is memorable. It is accessible from Reid or Prevost, if you can get on the dock at either.
Enjoy your time here. Knowing you can't see it all in a week, savor the time you spend in each place. You'll be back.
Best wishes,
Jim
Enjoy your time here. Knowing you can't see it all in a week, savor the time you spend in each place. You'll be back.
Best wishes,
Jim
starcrafttom
Active member
Float plan with the marina? I love it. They could care less. Hell half the time if we have a spot for the night and go fishing, we come back to some on in our spot. Most of the staff is just young kids that are just waiting to get off work and go party.
I truly doubt that the marina and her lawyers want to take your float plan. If you gave it to them and you did not return at X time and they did not call the CC they could be liable. It they did not see you, but you where there, and called the CC they would be liable for the search. Loss loss for the marina so I don't see why they would do it. leave word with some one that care about you. My mother gets a call when we are off the water most days and always at the end of a trip. Susan always gets a call twice a day and at the end of the day when i am out fishing with out her. I has to be some one that will miss you.
I truly doubt that the marina and her lawyers want to take your float plan. If you gave it to them and you did not return at X time and they did not call the CC they could be liable. It they did not see you, but you where there, and called the CC they would be liable for the search. Loss loss for the marina so I don't see why they would do it. leave word with some one that care about you. My mother gets a call when we are off the water most days and always at the end of a trip. Susan always gets a call twice a day and at the end of the day when i am out fishing with out her. I has to be some one that will miss you.
colbysmith
Active member
Did Stuart Island today. Once again, the water was pretty much calm flat. Nothing like Lake Michigan. On a perfectly calm day, Lake Michigan isn't this flat! Got up to Prevost Bay around 10am and had plenty of room on the dock. Did the hike up to the School house, then on to the Light Station at Turn Point. Met the lady that has the Treasure stuff for sale. Nice gal and learned a little more about the island from her, then the museum. And talked her into giving us a ride part way on up to the light house. While we had come up the road to the School house, ran into another family that took the trail and decided to go back that way later. Definitely a better way to go! Found the geocache near the Light Station and enjoyed the view from there. But it was a helluva walk up (and down) some steep hills. Oh yeah, wife loved the nice privvy out by the light station! Met some nice folk at the dock. A few "tourists" like us, and the park caretaker...and later the ranger. After leaving Prevost, we headed thru the north pass to Deer Harbor. Stopped at the marina for some ice cream and to see if an old friend was around. Left via the Wasp and Yellow Islands passage. Today had lots of sunshine, so the cooler weather didn't feel so bad. But would be nice if it were a bit warmer at night. Midnight Flyer gets a wee bit chilly with out a heater! Feeling pretty comfortable & confident with the water here now...so as some of you said, don't worry, just enjoy. Finding the Garmin GPSMAP 541S does a good job at "guiding" to waypoints, and of course watching the charts too. So far tide and current has not been an issue. Just weird going thru the "tide rips", but still smooth sailing!
Got up to Prevost Bay around 10am and had plenty of room on the dock. Did the hike up to the School house, then on to the Light Station at Turn Point. Met the lady that has the Treasure stuff for sale. Nice gal and learned a little more about the island from her, then the museum. And talked her into giving us a ride part way on up to the light house. While we had come up the road to the School house, ran into another family that took the trail and decided to go back that way later. Definitely a better way to go! Found the geocache near the Light Station and enjoyed the view from there. But it was a helluva walk up (and down) some steep hills. Oh yeah, wife loved the nice privvy out by the light station! Met some nice folk at the dock. A few "tourists" like us, and the park caretaker...and later the ranger. After leaving Prevost, we headed thru the north pass to Deer Harbor. Stopped at the marina for some ice cream and to see if an old friend was around. Left via the Wasp and Yellow Islands passage. Today had lots of sunshine, so the cooler weather didn't feel so bad. But would be nice if it were a bit warmer at night. Midnight Flyer gets a wee bit chilly with out a heater! Feeling pretty comfortable & confident with the water here now...so as some of you said, don't worry, just enjoy. Finding the Garmin GPSMAP 541S does a good job at "guiding" to waypoints, and of course watching the charts too. So far tide and current has not been an issue. Just weird going thru the "tide rips", but still smooth sailing!Nice to meet the Mrs. yesterday, and to hear about your time on Stuart Island. (I did tell you it was a "hike" :wink: ) Hope you enjoy exploring Friday Harbor today - the Farmers Market starts at 10:00 (look for the walkway next to the theater).
While I agree with Tom about the float plan regarding the marina staff, I find the young people who work at the Friday Harbor marina are well-trained and helpful (based on seeing them on a daily basis). Their radio procedures are good, they do a fine job of assigning slips, and they'll send someone to your slip to grab lines if you need a hand. Beyond that, I'm not sure what else they should be doing for transient boaters. If someone is in your slip when you come back, it is probably because you didn't put a flag on it, or the person in there is trying to "poach" a slip. Listen on Ch. 66 to the boaters coming into the marina - these young people deal with all kinds of boaters: people without a clue, people who don't follow directions, big boats, little boats, people who don't have a reservation on a holiday weekend... and they do it all with patience and a decent attitude.
If you need some entertainment and want to learn how not to use your radio, listen to Ch. 66 on a busy weekend between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm in Friday Harbor. That will give you a new appreciation for what the marina staff deals with and how well they do it. :wink:
Sorry for "drift" on Colby's thread here.
Enjoy your time in Friday Harbor!
Best wishes,
Jim
While I agree with Tom about the float plan regarding the marina staff, I find the young people who work at the Friday Harbor marina are well-trained and helpful (based on seeing them on a daily basis). Their radio procedures are good, they do a fine job of assigning slips, and they'll send someone to your slip to grab lines if you need a hand. Beyond that, I'm not sure what else they should be doing for transient boaters. If someone is in your slip when you come back, it is probably because you didn't put a flag on it, or the person in there is trying to "poach" a slip. Listen on Ch. 66 to the boaters coming into the marina - these young people deal with all kinds of boaters: people without a clue, people who don't follow directions, big boats, little boats, people who don't have a reservation on a holiday weekend... and they do it all with patience and a decent attitude.
If you need some entertainment and want to learn how not to use your radio, listen to Ch. 66 on a busy weekend between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm in Friday Harbor. That will give you a new appreciation for what the marina staff deals with and how well they do it. :wink:
Sorry for "drift" on Colby's thread here.
Enjoy your time in Friday Harbor!
Best wishes,
Jim
Pat Anderson
New member
Colby, glad you folks are enjoying your time in the SJs!
I have one suggestion. The next time you are here (and you will return, look at the dang Texans who are now seasonal residents!), get some kind of a dinghy, even a relatively inexpensive inflatable that you can strap to the roof.
This will open up a whole new side of the SJs that you have yet to experience. Marinas are fine when you need a meal in town or a shower, but the REAL SJ experience is going where only boaters can go. Sometimes that is a state marine park dock, but more often than not, it will be either a DNR mooring buoy (Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island) or just swinging on the hook (dozens and dozens of little coves). Naturally, I am assuming you have an anchor, if not, run don't walk to your chandlery to get rode, chain and anchor!
Our favorites are Matia Cove on the SE corner of Matia and Tombolo Cove at the south end of Decatur. Don't look for those names on charts, because they are both actually unnamed. They are fairly small and shallow at low tide, so big cruising boats don't favor them, but they are perfect for our shallow draft C-Dorys.
Having a dinghy and being able to anchore wherever you want will enhance your SJ experience a hundredfold!
I have one suggestion. The next time you are here (and you will return, look at the dang Texans who are now seasonal residents!), get some kind of a dinghy, even a relatively inexpensive inflatable that you can strap to the roof.
This will open up a whole new side of the SJs that you have yet to experience. Marinas are fine when you need a meal in town or a shower, but the REAL SJ experience is going where only boaters can go. Sometimes that is a state marine park dock, but more often than not, it will be either a DNR mooring buoy (Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island) or just swinging on the hook (dozens and dozens of little coves). Naturally, I am assuming you have an anchor, if not, run don't walk to your chandlery to get rode, chain and anchor!
Our favorites are Matia Cove on the SE corner of Matia and Tombolo Cove at the south end of Decatur. Don't look for those names on charts, because they are both actually unnamed. They are fairly small and shallow at low tide, so big cruising boats don't favor them, but they are perfect for our shallow draft C-Dorys.
Having a dinghy and being able to anchore wherever you want will enhance your SJ experience a hundredfold!
colbysmith
Active member
I got the flag on the first day, and have just left it up, along with leaving my power cord and a line on the dock... just watched a 41 footer park behind me last evening. Not sure why the hell he brought that in here, when there is so much more room on the outer dock. He tried pulling in first, and when his crew couldn't step off the back onto the dock, turned around and backed into the next slip... I have been given some serious thought to a decent inflatable dinghy. I'll be looking into that later. What I need right now is a decent heater and way to keep the condensation down. Last night was the coldest night yet at 41! Off to the Farmers Market ...
colbysmith
Active member
Lazy day today. Started out with checking out the Farmer's Market, bought some souvineers and supplies, checked out a bit of the town. Then headed up to Rosario, came back by way of Olga and Blakely Island Marina. Nothing to special about these places, other than just more nice scenery. However, the ice cream was good at Blakely! ;-) Got back here, and found our new slip mates are from our neck of the woods. (They were from Lodi, but live out here now and had our same last name.
Going back to my earlier comments about marina staff and float plans. Just so there is no misunderstanding, the marina staff has been excellent. But I find that true of most marina's. The folks at Roche, Blakely and Deer Harbor were also very nice. I also understand why marina staff might not want to be responsible to hold a float plan...however I've found most places back around home are willing to (or at least appear to be....) hold them when given, or at least know what they are. None the less, makes sense to let family members know where we are going and when we'll return. At least when cell or internet coverage exists. I was just a little surprised that the dock attendant here didn't know what the float plan was. Hopefully it just added knowledge to his experience working here. There are lots of boats around however if help was needed. Heard someone talking with the USCG today on 16, as they had taken a 25' cuddy aground with 7 people between Stuart and Jones Islands. Oops.... :-(
The scenery here is beautiful, but then so is it at Door County and the Apostle Islands. But I have to admit, it's hard to find this much nice (calm) water in those other locations. I could learn to live with Tides and Currents over rough and choppy! I understand I've been fortunate with my observations here thus far. Hoping it stays this way for a few more days!
Started out with checking out the Farmer's Market, bought some souvineers and supplies, checked out a bit of the town. Then headed up to Rosario, came back by way of Olga and Blakely Island Marina. Nothing to special about these places, other than just more nice scenery. However, the ice cream was good at Blakely! ;-) Got back here, and found our new slip mates are from our neck of the woods. (They were from Lodi, but live out here now and had our same last name. Going back to my earlier comments about marina staff and float plans. Just so there is no misunderstanding, the marina staff has been excellent. But I find that true of most marina's. The folks at Roche, Blakely and Deer Harbor were also very nice. I also understand why marina staff might not want to be responsible to hold a float plan...however I've found most places back around home are willing to (or at least appear to be....) hold them when given, or at least know what they are.
None the less, makes sense to let family members know where we are going and when we'll return. At least when cell or internet coverage exists. I was just a little surprised that the dock attendant here didn't know what the float plan was. Hopefully it just added knowledge to his experience working here. There are lots of boats around however if help was needed. Heard someone talking with the USCG today on 16, as they had taken a 25' cuddy aground with 7 people between Stuart and Jones Islands. Oops.... :-(The scenery here is beautiful, but then so is it at Door County and the Apostle Islands.
But I have to admit, it's hard to find this much nice (calm) water in those other locations. I could learn to live with Tides and Currents over rough and choppy! I understand I've been fortunate with my observations here thus far. Hoping it stays this way for a few more days!
colbysmith
Active member
So far my favorite's have been (besides Friday Harbor) Roche Harbor, Stuart Island and Fishermans Bay in Lopez. Regarding Stuart, Reid would be very serene to hang on the hook at night, while Prevost provides a little more dock space.
colbysmith
Active member
Ok, finally decided I was freezing my ass off on the boat at night and couldn't take it any more. (41 degrees night before last was the final straw!) Found a decent electric heater at the hardware store here in Friday Harbor yesterday, and price was actually very good. Last night was a much warmer night on the boat! Went to the Catholic Church (St. Francis I believe) mass this morning before meeting Eric (Doubles) today as he came down trying out his new Etec 90. Enjoyed sharing adventures with him and learning a little more about Turn Again light station as his grandfather was a station keeper. After lunch took off for Fisherman's Bay where we parked on the Island Marine Center dock and rode our bikes into Lopez Village. Had a nice time talking with one of the curators at the Historical Museum. Got some ice cream at the Fudge store, but the ice cream at Blakely was much better in our mind! Getting back to the dock, ran into a sailor and with some small talk learned he met "Ell and Bill" a while back as they were passing thru. Seems they left their impression on him. Tomorrows plans are probably to go check out Blind Bay, and then on Tuesday my brother and his wife may ride the ferry out here to join us as we go to Sucia then head over to Anacortes to pull out. Yesterday heard the Coast Guard working 16 with a 25' Cuddy that had gone aground between Stuart and Jones Islands with 7 folks on board. Today as we were entering Fishermans Bay, once inside after passing several large outbound yachts, heard one of them hailing the other to stop where they were. Apparently they had made their turn between the two shoal markers. Lucky someone was watching them, and they were able to back out of their mistake! I'm glad I have and know how to use my charts and navigation gear. Knock on wood, we'll continue to keep Midnight Flyer off the rocks and the weather and seas will continue to stay as calm as it has!
Hope I'm not boring anyone with my use of this thread as a daily log. But maybe if it helps anyone else thinking about doing the San Juans for the first time, this fresh water guys ramblings will set them at ease on making the trip. All my worry about tides was pretty much for naught! And while a dinghy would have opened up a few more possibilities, I have still been able to see quite a bit without one. Colby
Went to the Catholic Church (St. Francis I believe) mass this morning before meeting Eric (Doubles) today as he came down trying out his new Etec 90. Enjoyed sharing adventures with him and learning a little more about Turn Again light station as his grandfather was a station keeper. After lunch took off for Fisherman's Bay where we parked on the Island Marine Center dock and rode our bikes into Lopez Village. Had a nice time talking with one of the curators at the Historical Museum. Got some ice cream at the Fudge store, but the ice cream at Blakely was much better in our mind! Getting back to the dock, ran into a sailor and with some small talk learned he met "Ell and Bill" a while back as they were passing thru. Seems they left their impression on him. Tomorrows plans are probably to go check out Blind Bay, and then on Tuesday my brother and his wife may ride the ferry out here to join us as we go to Sucia then head over to Anacortes to pull out. Yesterday heard the Coast Guard working 16 with a 25' Cuddy that had gone aground between Stuart and Jones Islands with 7 folks on board. Today as we were entering Fishermans Bay, once inside after passing several large outbound yachts, heard one of them hailing the other to stop where they were. Apparently they had made their turn between the two shoal markers. Lucky someone was watching them, and they were able to back out of their mistake! I'm glad I have and know how to use my charts and navigation gear. Knock on wood, we'll continue to keep Midnight Flyer off the rocks and the weather and seas will continue to stay as calm as it has! Hope I'm not boring anyone with my use of this thread as a daily log. But maybe if it helps anyone else thinking about doing the San Juans for the first time, this fresh water guys ramblings will set them at ease on making the trip. All my worry about tides was pretty much for naught! And while a dinghy would have opened up a few more possibilities, I have still been able to see quite a bit without one. Colby
I agree with Mike. To read your enthusiastic post about your trip out to the PNW & then your first time experiences on salt water, around the San Juan's has been a very fun read. We just made our 1st time trip to the San Juan's this year too.
I have stated many times that I wish more would share. For me it's a welcome break from all the new stuff & change/fix it threads though I've come to appreciate them a lot more too.
Jay
I have stated many times that I wish more would share. For me it's a welcome break from all the new stuff & change/fix it threads though I've come to appreciate them a lot more too.
Jay