anyone thinking about heading to San Juan this weekend?

searaypuget

Member
May 21, 2017
84
Seattle
Boat Info
2008 Sundancer 280
Engines
496 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drive
I do want to make a trip before the summer is over but am afraid of making the trip alone so I thought I would ask to see if there are any experienced boaters who might head to that direction. If not, I will just get to Langley instead to be safe :)
 
Sorry, we are heading south to Oro Bay, Anderson Island.... Weather forecast looks awesome!!! 85-90 all weekend.
 
It reads like member Tacoma290 is beginning his trip northward to Desolation this Saturday and I'm presuming there would be a stop in the San Juan Islands somewhere. Weather is forecasted to be outstanding here in the islands this weekend. I'm moored in Roche Harbor. That said, its still very typical this time of year for the strait to be sloppy with strong and steady winds out of the West. Conservative route is to head up on the inside and pop out at Deception Pass. Just don't plan to pass through Deception with an Ebbing tide while the wind has been blowing hard from the West; the result is some pretty impressive standing water.
 
We have gone to Olympia every fall for past 9 years in September. We go through La Connor. No wind and nice place to stop. If it is full continue on to Anacortes. It should have a few spots and if not you can anchor in the bay between the refineries and Cap Santani. The worst part we find is between Tacoma and Seattle.
 
Thanks. I've never thought about going south but perhaps I should look into that as well. Thanks for the information.
Sorry, we are heading south to Oro Bay, Anderson Island.... Weather forecast looks awesome!!! 85-90 all weekend.
 
It reads like member Tacoma290 is beginning his trip northward to Desolation this Saturday and I'm presuming there would be a stop in the San Juan Islands somewhere. Weather is forecasted to be outstanding here in the islands this weekend. I'm moored in Roche Harbor. That said, its still very typical this time of year for the strait to be sloppy with strong and steady winds out of the West. Conservative route is to head up on the inside and pop out at Deception Pass. Just don't plan to pass through Deception with an Ebbing tide while the wind has been blowing hard from the West; the result is some pretty impressive standing water.
Thanks. How difficult would it be for me to find a slip without reservation at Roche Harbor this weekend? Mine is only 30ft.
 
I would give them a call them today and see what they have available. Labor Day weekend is the last hoorah here and with the weather looking to be as nice as it is, the place will surely be a popular destination more than it normally is.
 
Thanks. How difficult would it be for me to find a slip without reservation at Roche Harbor this weekend? Mine is only 30ft.

If not Roche then try Friday Harbor or Deer is nice too... Tacoma Yacht Club has an outstation there and @ Deception Pass too...
 
Thanks. I've never thought about going south but perhaps I should look into that as well. Thanks for the information.

when I lived in Seattle years ago I always wanted to go to the South Sound but never made it. It's supposed to be very cool. I just did a search and found this website, Boating South Sound. https://boatsouthsound.com/

You can thank me later. Have fun.
 
We have spent 2 weeks at a time in South Sound several times over the course of the years... It's beautiful, it's close and there is less boat traffic than when we go north.
 
Searaypuget: If Roche doesn't work out, I'll be in Friday Harbor Saturday night (we make the 5 hour run from Tacoma to Friday in a day every year; should take you 4 from Seattle). All the Friday Harbor reservations are full, but they only allow reserving 30% of the available slips; the other 70% are first come/first serve. If you don't need power, they will find a spot for a 280 without a doubt.
We head out via Deception Pass. The slack times on Sat are not too great: 7:51a and 2:35p. Your boat has enough power to easily pass an hour on each side of slack. We will show up at about peak flow at 10:52, so we will hang out at the park just outside til about 1.
 
I have a couple of retired friends living in Whidbey and San Juan. One of them suggested I just head out and stay over night at Langley then continue all the way to San Juan on the next day early in the morning. I might do that if not I can still enjoy Saratoga and meet up with old friends :)
I don't know if you folks boat throughout the year but that's what I am hoping, at least once a month. If that's how I end up using my boat, I will certainly consider getting something bigger. How often do you folks get out after the summer?
 
Searaypuget: If Roche doesn't work out, I'll be in Friday Harbor Saturday night (we make the 5 hour run from Tacoma to Friday in a day every year; should take you 4 from Seattle). All the Friday Harbor reservations are full, but they only allow reserving 30% of the available slips; the other 70% are first come/first serve. If you don't need power, they will find a spot for a 280 without a doubt.
We head out via Deception Pass. The slack times on Sat are not too great: 7:51a and 2:35p. Your boat has enough power to easily pass an hour on each side of slack. We will show up at about peak flow at 10:52, so we will hang out at the park just outside til about 1.
Thank you. I called Friday harbor in fact, and was told they should be able to find a slot for me. They promised not to turn me around and I have her name :)
 
That is great! FH is normally our first stop for San Juan / Gulf Island trips. Our boat sizes are similar; Friday has told us they would fit us in and each year they find a way. One year we were directed to be stern to the dock tied to other boats in the same manner; they fit more folks in and there was a dock crew to give everyone a hand so it worked out fine.

Our boat name is Ay Lou! See you there.

Advice: When leaving from our home slip, we like leaving early in the day before the winds pick up, to try to take advantage of smoother water. We don't mind waiting for a bit outside Deception pass, to allow us to go through closer to slack current. Its actually a nice break, and we know we only have a little over an hour to Friday Harbor once we are through the Pass.
 
The first trip North can me intimidating but really it's no big deal. I suggest down loading the link to the New Dungeness Bouy. It sits in the middle of the striaghts below the islands. If gives you all the live data for a safe crossing or not. Wind speed, wave hieght and frequence and a host of other data inputs. We have a 410 dancer and my comfort level at cruising speed is 15mph winds or less and or wave height under 3 ft. Over those, I go the inside passage to Anacortes.

Refuel at Friday harbor or Anacortes depending on direction. Just watch your charts and you'll find the trip very enjoyable.
Tacoma to Friday at 20 mph is only 4.5 hours.

Cheers,

Mark
 
Marine forecast (as of today) for the strait for Saturday is NW wind to 10kts. If it stays that way, it will be a great crossing. In addition to the Buoy Mark(LG111) advised of above which is great advice, you can also check the weather data for Smith Island. It's a land based weather station so no wave data but it gives live wind data and its a good way to see how conditions are developing (or not) between Buoy 46088 and Smith Island...and if taking the strait, you will be just about 1/2 between each.
 
LG111 and Tman: You guys have provided some awesome, useful information. I've been cruising to the San Juans for about 20 years and am very conservative; we went via LaConner the first two years and Deception every year thereafter. This information is what I need to make an educated decision on going via the Strait. Thanks so much!
 
LG111 and Tman: You guys have provided some awesome, useful information. I've been cruising to the San Juans for about 20 years and am very conservative; we went via LaConner the first two years and Deception every year thereafter. This information is what I need to make an educated decision on going via the Strait. Thanks so much!

20 years? wow! That's awesome. This is going to be my first trip and I am totally excited. Hopefully I will see you there. I just decided to take tomorrow off so I can start early since I will be leaving from Lake Washington thru the locks and etc.. It is going to be a great adventure for my family :) My boat name is "No Pressure".
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,863
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top