Swinomish Channel boat launch

A

amy and karl

New member
Hi All, we are planning on a weekend trip to the San Juans whenever the weather cooperates. We will be trailering up from the greater Tacoma area and have not used the Swinomish Channel boat launch located under the Hwy 20 bridge. Any information would be appreciated. Also, info on other launch locations would be helpful as we have only launched from Bellingham before.

Thanks, Karl on C-Daisy.
 
The Swinomish launch ramp is remote from town. There is no supervision and when I used that ramp there was broken glass in the parking lot, indicating break ins.

starcrafttom uses this ramp and he may have more info.

I think the Bellingham ramp and parking is a better bet.

R-Matey is in Bellingham and they may have more info.
 
I have never launched from that ramp but have watched others and been told about its hazards. It is fairly straightforward except that the current in the channel can be quite strong and there is not a lot of room to maneuver. It is a single ramp and personally I'd be a little leery of leaving my tow rig under the bridge for too long. I think it is important to watch the current and be very sensitive to what it is doing. I know that Fred of Anita Marie has launched and recovered there and my recollection is that recovery is much more tricky. Depending on where you are planning to cruise, you might want to consider driving another 20 minutes and launching at Cornet Bay just across the Deception Pass bridge. There are multiple ramps, plenty of room and safe parking. The only issues there are (1) at very low tides (0 to - tides), there is not a whole lot of water but I have launched and recovered there in those conditions and while I'd not recommend it, it can be done. (2) going out through Deception Pass itself. Currents can be very strong (8-9kts) and if there is a wind from the west/northwest combined with a strong ebb ugly standing waves can exist. Having said that I've gone in and out in most conditions with no trouble at all.
 
Karl,
Been there, done that.......numerous times. I don't expect to do that again any time soon. Since I discovered the Bellingham launch, I always go there when I'm heading out to the San Juans. The current can be tricky and the only safe way is to come in on whichever side of the dock the current will push against. Vehicle security is not the best. WSP and occasionally a Sheriff will drive through, but your vehicles are fairly "remote" in the big scheme of things. There is a launch ramp at Washington Park, beyond the Anacortes Ferry terminal but i've "heard" security in the past has not been adequate....perhaps that has changed.
 
Susan and I have been using that launch for three years. I had heard about broken glass in the pass but about the time we started using it they installed lights and began patrolling the lot at night. The county and the tribe both patrol because the tribe was getting blamed for a lot of it, and the only deserved 3/4 of it.
We have parked there all times of the year for over nights and up to 5 days without ever having a problem. Now that I have said that I will get hit the next time I go there. Kidding aside I would park there again and will do so this summer.

Now for the real hazards. The bottom of the ramp is exposed at low tide on a minus tide. The current runs all the time on way or the other which makes docking easy as long as you come in on the up current side of the dock. Don’t try to putt-putt away from the dock. get on the gas and back IN TO THE current then 1/4 throttle away from the ramp in whatever direction that is whether it’s the direction you need to go or not. Backing into the current get's the bow turned in the right direction, pulling out into the current at low speed will have you fighting the bow against the current at low speed and it’s not fun in close quarters. Now after you get away from the dock, bridge, and other boats, you can get turned around, don’t try to it get turned around in between the dock and the bridge. Too much of chance to get screwed up. Now if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction against the current then it’s a lot more fun. Other than that it’s a great ramp. Hey Larry what year was it you last used this ramp??

On edit: what are the advantages of using this ramp? Well its closer and better than the others in the area. Only other ramps in the area are the county ramp pass the ferry called Washington Park, not Washington state park as some folks think so your park pass that comes with your fishing license is no good there. That ramp is out of the water at low tide and if the wind is out of the north or North West forget about it. 3 foot roller across the ramp and I have been told that you are not suppose to long term park there. The ramp near les's is great but you have to cross a lot of water to get to the pass. If you are using the pass on an outgoing tide and there is a strong west wind you can get a very rough ride crossing from the islands back to the pass. As for Bellingham, which has a nice ramp, lots of parking and good security, it can be a long way from some of the spots in the islands that we like to go. If you are heading to Friday harbor it adds miles to your trip. You also have to cross Bellingham bay which can be a really bumpy ride when the wind is blow, which is every time I go there. Now if you are going north of orcas then it’s a better place to launch and a shorter trip. All other places to launch in the area are sling launch and cost a lot more. I like Bellingham but the water there does not like me.

Most of all launch where you feel comfortable and don’t exceed your confront level. Susan does not feel comfortable launching without me so uses the sling launch when she goes by herself.
 
Tom,

I used the ramp in 06 and 07. Now I recall that low tide is a bitch there, it was difficult to get the boat on or off the trailer. Even though there is a patrol, the absence of anyone nearby observing the parking lot bothered me. Perhaps an empty pickup would be ok, but I would not leave my van there overnight. If someone does steal something, they can quickly drive away on Hwy 20.
 
just checking larry. I have heard of break ins but never from someone who it happen to, always some freind of a freind. but it will be me next time I just know it. :shock:
 
Karl - we used the Swinomish ramp (under theTwin Bridges) several times with our CD22 and once with our CD25. We will not use it again. The ramp is wide enough for a CD22, it is a real squeeze with a CD25. But the main thing is the current - it is always running there, and if there are several boats jockeying to get in, it is a nightmare. Bellingham or Everett are the two perferred launches, you could try Cornet Bay State Park and run out Deception Pass (always a thrill!). Bellingham is great, and it is really a quick run to the San Juans, especially if you take Hale Passage and head out to Sucia and Matia first.
 
We have used the Twin Bridges ramp several times. We heven't had any trouble there, but the ramp is not the best. When the current is ripping thru the channel, it is difficult if not dangerous. Since we discovered Bellingham, we have not been back. Bellingham is about ten miles farther, but the facilities are much nicer and the parking is free.
 
The couple of times we've been to the San Juans we used the sling launch in Anacortes. I think it's about $1.5/ft round trip and monitored parking is available nearby. The cost does bother me, I go for what's convenient. It's a very short run from there to Thatcher Pass.
 
I like the Swinomish Channel. Going through Deception Pass is a kick in the pants and worth doing if you're adventurous, like surging water and like the geology and history of the area. Bring a camera. It is very scenic and folks do it all of the time in sailboats limited to 7 knots. Don't swing wide (south) when coming in from the south end of the channel, the sand is infamous for snagging boats (esp. sailboats with their deep keels). It is pretty and easy to do, just pay attention, but it IS WORTH DOING! The other launch by the bridge is steepish and parking is limited. We used the sling launch at the marina just north and liked it, very professional, parking was ample and secure, cost not too much. They took great care not to damage the boat or trailer. C.W.
 
Washington park has a newer dock and secure parking. If it is so rough that it's a risk to launch then it could be worth putting off your departure. On days like that you are going to get your butt kicked getting across bellingham bay anyway. The marina on the other side of the point from the ferry terminal is called Skyline I think. Anyway they have a sling and they drop you into a protected marina which is still much closer than Bellingham to the hart of the islands.
In the end though, it's all about Time fuel and what feels safe. For me, safe parking a boat fuel trump the sling cost 50 to 1.
 
What I meant to say was the cost does NOT bother me. I'm with you on trading the convenience for a price. Also, when you factor in the fuel cost differences, the closer launch (both from Seattle to the launch and the launch to many of the best spots in the San Jauns) pays for itself.
 
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