Pacific NW: Returning this summer

Just got the details worked out on a bare boat charter in the NW.

Spent a week there last summer which we absolutely enjoyed. This trip will be July 8 - 14th.

Float plan is undetermined at this point. Couple of places we visited last year will probably be on the repeat list - and want to try some new places.

Anyone from CSR going to be out cruising during that time period?

Mark

Mark, we're going to be in Seattle that weekend, but I'm taking my Galley Wench and her daughter and SIL to Emerald Downs to watch the ponies run. Unfortunately we (a) won't have time to get together and (b) won't be on the boat. Otherwise I'd love to get together with you.

You'll have a blast. What did you charter?

Not sure where we will be at but we should be out on the water....

After our wonderful experience last summer we are excited about returning this year.

We will be picking up a boat in Bellingham on Friday July 7th. Returning to Bellingham the following Friday July 14th.

Still thinking about float plan. Last year we wound through the islands, went over to Victoria, then back hitting some more spots.

On our shortlist is going to Vancouver for a night. Not to explore the town - we have been there before. More to see what it looks like from the water.

Question for the boaters from the area - that is the week after 4th of July - how booked up will Marina's be? How far out should we have reservations?

Last year we had our first night locked down in advance as well as the Victoria reservation since we wanted to be directly in front of the Empress hotel.

Did not have any difficulty picking up other nights wherever we wanted.

The boat we will be on is a late model Sabre which has a fairly high cruising speed if we need it. Going to Vancouver does not limit us to just staying in that area.

Will post more about float plans as they unfold. Would alter our float plans if it meant meeting up with other CSR members that might be out cruising during the time period.

Mark

We prefer Quayside Marina there in Vancouver. Been there around the same time you are targeting and its pretty stacked up and busy so I would recommend that you lock in your slip reservations now if you can. We also own a Sabre (48 Salon Express). I assume you are chartering with James Kuran up at Bellingham Yachts? We're based out of Roche Harbor ourselves.

Tom

Mark, There are sooooo many places to see up there that I wouldn't even try to start a list. You've been there before so you have an idea of what the distances between spots are. Many are within a few miles of each other so it's usually just a short hop from one island marina to another. If you're a member of a boat club or yacht club in FL, take your membership cards along. Many yacht clubs have reciprocal moorage that's free to traveling club members. Friday Harbor is one of our favorites.

Tman said:

We prefer Quayside Marina there in Vancouver. Been there around the same time you are targeting and its pretty stacked up and busy so I would recommend that you lock in your slip reservations now if you can. We also own a Sabre (48 Salon Express). I assume you are chartering with James Kuran up at Bellingham Yachts? We're based out of Roche Harbor ourselves.

Tom

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Thank you for the tip on Quayside Marina, will check it out. We were in Roche Harbor last summer, nice place.

We are chartering with NW Explorations in Bellingham. That's who we used last summer, had a GB Europa. They were fantastic, probably the best charter company we have ever used (10+ bareboat charters over the years).

The Sabre is such a nice boat. We went to the Rockland, Maine boat show for a couple of years, that's where we first ran into them. We saw a late model available and grabbed it. The boat we have chartered is the 38 - so will be tight quarters for the two of us - but its just a week. Will be my first hands on experience with Pod drives.

Mark

you will love the 38......its an awesome layout - it is very open with light from above and a "pass through" between the galley area and the stateroom - can't wait for your impressions.....have a great trip!

Question for PNW boaters...

We know we will go north up to Vancouver, maybe stop around some of the islands on the Canadian side.

Was discussing float plan last night, we were wondering about going south down towards Seattle? What would the highlights be? We are most interested in the cruising - not things to do at the destination. Have been to Seattle a lot over the years so its not about spending time in the city. Interest is in seeing the city from the water perspective.

Any thoughts/recommendations?

We probably will not be in the PNW for a few years after this trip. Very focused on finding our next boat which will be on the Atlantic coast so expect that we will stay on the east side for a few years.

thanks,

Mark

I would continue North after Vancouver. Princess Louisa Inlet, Pendor Harbor and Desolation Sound would rank higher on my todo list vs going South. Unless it was for a trip to the City or an event.


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If you just have one week, I'm not sure that I would spend so much time going all the way up to Desolation sound. It's beautiful for sure but it's a lot of miles to cruise with limited time to enjoy more than 2 or 3 stops.

I'm the wrong person to ask about going to Vancouver. We had our very worst cruise ever (on our previous boat) going from Seattle to Vancouver. We mistakenly went directly North to Point Roberts, refueled and then hugged the coastline up to Vancouver. We got the snot kicked out of us on the way up and the way back. As it turns out, where the Fraser river dumps out there is a huge area where you can get standing waves, huge swells and high winds. Unless you're really excited about visiting Vancouver I would not waste any of your precious 7 days getting the snot beat out of you.

From Bellingham you can easily head over to the Canadian Gulf islands. Some of our favorite spots are Poet's cove (necessary for clearing customs), Montague Harbour, Sydney BC, Brentwood Bay (this is a new destination for us this summer), Telegraph Harbour, Ganges, Ladysmith.

There are many places to visit in the South Sound that are not crowded in the summer months - Starting from the North, Port Ludlow, Pleasant Harbor (in Hood Canal), Langley (on Whidbey Island), Poulsbo, Kingston, Bell Harbor (downtown Seattle), Gig Harbor, Des Moines, Olympia.

Hang onto this link for staying on top of the best fuel prices: http://www.portofeverett.com/home/showdocument?id=2300

There are so many places to explore so enjoy each port and feel free to PM me if you want more detail on any of the destinations I've mentioned. I love the PNW and I'm happy to share what I've learned!!

Sandy

Tomorrow we are on the boat.

A trip without a float plan. Only thing for sure is Friday Harbor on Saturday night, didn't know if it would be crowded or not since it was Sat night so made a reservation.

Our plan is to just go wherever we feel like going when we wake up in the mornings... Admiral really wants to go down to Seattle for a night, see the city from the water perspective. Last summer we got a pretty good feel for the San Juan area. Friday harbor is an overlap, we were there last summer. Will mainly focus on where we have not been.

If you are out and about - give us a shout...

Mark

If you're going to be in the Seattle area - consider going to Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge island. Beautiful views of the city and a quick dinghy ride across the bay to get to Winslow, a very cute small town.

We'll be with our club in Port Ludlow this weekend so if your plans change, stop by and introduce yourself. Have a wonderful trip!

Sandy

Gig Harbor & Foss Waterway = Glass Museum, Lemay Car Collection, etc., lots to see and do in mid - Puget Sound.