Suggestions for a four day mini break

B

bshillam

Member
So as of May the wife and I are going to have a short four day stint for boating. We live in the Portland area and thought it might be nice to do the San Juans, however the drive alone is about five hours to get the boat into the water. Any suggestions on ports or areas that might be closer? Someone already suggested Hood Canal. I'd like to put the boat into the water around Olympia or possibly Tacoma. A suggestion of area and a good place to park the truck would be great! Thanks Brats.

ps, We had a great time at Whillamette. Good meeting everyone in the PNW.
 
To me, the absolute easiest is to run up to olympia and launch at the public facility and take in some of the south sound, tacoma, harstene island, eagle island, then run north to gig harbor, blake island, bell harbor, then spend a day cruising back. You get to see a lot of water in a limited amount of time. For an extra couple hours driving you could launch on whidbey island an run out to friday harbor, or even over to victoria. I prefer to have a week if I drive that far and then have to motor for a couple hours to reach the first destination. There is a whole lot to see in the south and middle sound and you can see a little of it in four days.
 
Another option you might consider is towing down to Newport. I know this would not really be a "cruising" vacation so much but they do have a nice marina. You can use the showers that the RV sites get to use. Lots to see in Newport, crab or just hang out at the marina enjoying your time on the boat. Or get a slip at the Embarcadero resort on the other side of the bay. You get to use the resorts facilities (pool ect.) just like those renting a room. Just a thought.
 
If you're driving as far as Olympia it's only another two hours to launch in Port Townsend, any of the launch sites near Port Ludlow and Marrowstone Island, or John Wayne marina in Sequim. All have great facilities and the greatest boating/cruising areas around, ranging from the San Juans, Victoria or more protected water close by. For my taste more pristine - and besides great fishing!!
 
Here are a few trips that might work for you. One is 250 miles, starting at Hood Canal and ending at a Sound Inlet, 15 miles away from Hood Canal. (name escapes me). We're doing that trip in June but taking 6 or 7 days to do it. A shorter version would be to start out at Hood Canal and end up in Brownsville or Poulsbo. That eliminates the South Sound.

Another Puget Sound trip is launching at Brownsville and take in Poulsbo, Bremerton, Blake Island, and all that Seattle offers (Lake Union and Lake Washington).

Finally, you could go downriver on the Columbia, visiting St. Helens, Kalama, Cathlamet and the various inlets around Astoria.

-Greg
 
Hummmm, May huh? Sounds like a good place to start would be Jarrell Cove State Park May 2,3,4, and then spin around the south sound area. Sure it's a couple of hours North, but if you launch out of Olympia, it's not a far run, and you get to meet all those wonderful people (C-Brats). Just my thoughts, anyway.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
So far we have nailed out when we are going to be in the water. Any brat is more than welcome to join. We are going to leave our four days up to our whims and weather. First day in the water is going to be May 8th through that Sunday. We will be launching in Olympia to take in the South Puget Sound. I heard about a bakery in Poulsbo or Port Townsend, I think that's going to be on the agenda. Other than that we still have a few other places we need to plan out. Four days doesn't seem like enough, but it's a start. Keep the suggestions coming Brats. See you on the water soon.
 
MMMmmmmm, Bummer, We will miss you 'cause it looks like you are going to miss the Jarrell Cove CBGT. Sorry it couldn't happen. As long as you are headed up north in the sound, if you are up as far as Marrowstone Island, a stop at Mystery Bay State Park and a walk to the Nordland General Store (and mall) would be worth the trip. Have a great time where ever,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Hi bshillam,
Swantown Marina in Olympia is a nice facility. (No place to wash your trailer, though; we had to haul to a car wash to rinse.) This is just an observation on my part... that is a long run from Olympia to Poulsbo for only 4 days. Certainly can be done with your boat, but it doesn't give you a lot of time to stop and smell the roses (or the bakery goods). There are so many cool places along the way that you will have to just breeze on by to keep your schedule.

What is your cruising style? Some folks like to get on the boat, push the throttle and go... all day long. Some like to amble along, sight-seeing along the way. Some like to stay in marinas every night, others want to swing on the hook. Do you want restaurants within an easy walk or cooking on the boat? The Puget Sound has some spectacular scenery, and the view from the water is the best. But for our style, part of the fun of cruising is getting OFF the boat, as well. Whether it's hiking in the wilderness or exploring the big city. Spend a relaxing afternoon and night in a marina, and you will meet some interesting people. Swantown in Olympia was especially entertaining, because the transient docks are near the ramp. Good showers, park-like atmosphere, and while we were there, there was a farmers' market that was an easy walk. It was easy to spend the better part of a week just day-tripping out of Olympia.

With 4 days, it might be fun to get a feel for a nice marina, a quiet cove, a state park, and whatever else tickles your fancy. All of that is available from any part of Puget Sound without having to run the whole length of it... giving you more time for sight-seeing and spending less on fuel. Please understand that I am not suggesting you should change your plans in any way, just presenting another perspective.

One way to do it is to decide what is THE most important area you want to see. Then where is the most convenient place to launch nearby? Then, decide how far you want to travel in your allotted time. You can spend two days heading out, then two days heading back. Or, you can go as far as you want on the first day out and spend the next three sight-seeing your way back. Or, you can go a ways each day and spend the last day running back (this way could be chancier if there is weather to be dealt with). Or, you could spend one day running, two days in one area, and one day running back. Or... Yeah, the possibilities are unlimited.

Any part of the Sound could easily provide 4 days of interesting exploring, without having to go far. Running from one end to the other in 4 days may give you the opportunity to run the boat a lot, but not see much along the way. Not that that's a bad thing, just good to know before you find yourself into one of those "I don't know, what do you want to do?" scenerios.

Good luck with your planning.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim B. Good point. I think our running style is more laid back. I prefer to putt along. I think a combo of staying in a well protected area a night or two and one of those nights with showers would be great. We're not all that particular, it's just about spending time together before a busy time frame in our lives. I'm going to be starting a new job just after and thought it would be a good time for us to recharge. I was thinking about maybe some light fishing or crabing. Now the crabbing part requires either a trap or ring. I think I'll opt for the ring to save on space as opposed to the trap. In thinking about our trip we could run up to the bakery enjoy the night there and putt back. I'm all about taking time to smell the roses! :thup
 
Ok Brats - so we have no dingy (still waiting on the Alaska) so having a marina facility/dock is important. Dog needs a walk once or twice a day. This is what I'm thinking,
I'd like to have three stops and then the forth day head back to where we started. I am considering Blake as being one of those stops and the Port where the ever most popular bakery is - I think it's Port Townsend or Ludlow. Anyhow, any suggestions for marina's with showers somewhere between there and Blake would be great. Also, Would you feel that is too far to travel given I've got three whole days to enjoy cruising? Thoughts and comments always appreciated! :smile
 
bshillam":bfx8r75e said:
Ok Brats - so we have no dingy (still waiting on the Alaska) so having a marina facility/dock is important. Dog needs a walk once or twice a day. This is what I'm thinking,
I'd like to have three stops and then the forth day head back to where we started. I am considering Blake as being one of those stops and the Port where the ever most popular bakery is - I think it's Port Townsend or Ludlow. Anyhow, any suggestions for marina's with showers somewhere between there and Blake would be great. Also, Would you feel that is too far to travel given I've got three whole days to enjoy cruising? Thoughts and comments always appreciated! :smile
Click to expand...

That being the case, I would put in at Brownsville. It has an excellent marina, deli/store, showers, and ramp. They will not charge you for parking either. The location is central. You're 5 miles from Poulsbo, 15 from Blake, 10 from Bremerton (which is opening their new marina this weekend), 15 from Bainbridge, 30 from Seattle, and 50 from Ludlow.

Just google up Port of Brownsville. Have fun. We're heading up there tonight.

-Greg
 
I'm jumping in with a plug for Arabella's Landing, my friends' marina in Gig Harbor. It's a very nice, dog-friendly facility with Suzanne's bakery a block away. I'm not sure the bakery is as famous as your ultimate destination, but they've got pretty dangerous stuff all the same! Also restaurants, grocery store, hardware store, and even a small West Marine within easy walking distance.
We generally cruise at ~20, and the run from Olympia, dock to dock, takes just about 2 hours. So you might not be ready to stop by the time you cruise by Gig Harbor, but's it's a place to consider. They do get pretty busy this time of year, so you should probably call ahead if you get as far as Fox Island and are starting to think you might like to stop. If the marina is full, there is a free municipal dock which would at least give you a place to walk your dog. If it's a nice weekend, you should probably be mentally prepared for rafting on to someone.
 
Greg,
We enjoy Poulsbo! A favorite of ours! (The marina puts you and your vessel right in the downtown area with a great bakery, eating establishments etc.) Nice shower facilities, good "dog walking" area, well protected etc.
Totally agree with Arabellas as well! Also puts you in the downtown area. (Several years ago we had a C-Brat gathering there).
 
Well after much disscussion the wife and I have decided to go to the embarcadero resort. :thup I have looked over the weather for next weekend and felt this might be more suiting. Not having any experience in the South Puget Sound I'd like to wait for warmer weather to enjoy all the wonderful spots. :rainbow Anyhow, if any Brats are down in Newport this coming weekend, please feel free to stop by. We're also going to be doing some crabbing and checking out Teledo. We're hoping to enjoy the company of another C-brat gathering come memorial day weekend. Not sure about traveling though that far as it would be about a six hour drive.
 
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