Pacific Northwest Dudes

Chris989

Chris989

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
49
Seattle, WA
Okay the rest of you web-feets. James and the team as been really accomodating to us former SRO-ers. Let's show our appreciation by utilizing the sections they have so graciously provided!
 
I agree, it is great to have this space.

I do have to comment that it seems there are very few of us left-coasters. Are there really that few Sea Rays in the west, compared to the east? Or is everyone on the west coast boating right now?
 
I think a lot of the Puget Sounders are a'skeerd of the Sport Cuiser type boat because of the Weather. But it looks like you have a similar canvas setup to mine, and it works fine for the colder / wetter days. While we may not have the jaunty natical-ness of a Nordic Tug, we can keep our boats close to home and still do a San Juan cruise in a weekend!
 
We're out boating!! OK, I'm home tonight, but we're headed out tomorrow afternoon as soon as my son gets out of school! We're headed to Lake Pend Oreille for the weekend. The best part about this time of year is we'll have the lake to ourselves!! It'll drop down below freezing at night, but we'll be ready for it! We'll take an extra sleeping bag and the dogs to keep us warm! No heaters to worry about and we're not wimpy southern folks! We're used to it! We might even swim! :smt119
 
We don't mind the winterish cruising either. No crowds. Even thought we've got a little rain this morning, heading over to Poulsbo this afternoon. Even though it's only a short run, we didn't make it over there this year. The one time we tried, discovered it was "TRAWLER-FEST". Many disdainful looks cast upon little old "Reflection" as we approached to try to find an open slip.
 
Chris989: I know what you mean by disdainful looks from the Trawler set, but I still need to work, and I don't have the time to go 8 knots! In one day two years ago, we took guests to the Tides at Gig Harbor, to anchor in Wollochet bay to play cards and listen to a Mariners game, then to Longbranch for a meal, and finally back home to Tacoma. Can't be done in a slow boat.

Hope your cruise goes well. We also missed out on Poulsbo this year; you'll have to let us know how it goes.

Related to your setup comment: We have had great times, hanging out in the rain. With the canvas, hanging out on deck in an express boat lets you feel you are outdoors, but still keep warm and dry. Also, there is something so soothing hearing raindrops on the top at night as you go to sleep, then just reading or playing cards in the morning hours watching the rain showers march across the harbor. I feel like fairweather boaters miss so much.
 
Rain at night or during the day on the canvas is a soothing feeling. I prefer snow however! Much quieter and even more soothing!! It's cool to look out and see the snow melting on the bow or piling up on the railings!! It would have been better that day if we were fresh water cooled and had a heater, but we didn't mind and thought it was pretty cool!
 
We boat in Southwest Washington on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. This year we're planning to continue boating into November, as the Columbia is beautiful during the fall. As many boaters pack it up on Labor Day, we have entire destinations to ourselves. Last week we stayed overnight at Sand Island near St. Helens, OR. My kids had miles of beach all to themselves and the weather was near 70 during the afternoon. Moveover, the public bathrooms are clean and the garbage cans are empty in the parks.
 
Based on how empty it is in SW WA, I've often wondered how empty the San Juan Islands are now. Any experience?
 
Another reason I like "winter" cruising. Anytime after the last week of November, you can pretty much count on having plenty of room wherever you go. The only downside is that marinas cut back on hours and sometimes services.
 
Sundancer said:
We're out boating!! We're headed to Lake Pend Oreille for the weekend. The best part about this time of year is we'll have the lake to ourselves!! It'll drop down below freezing at night, but we'll be ready for it! :smt119
Click to expand...

I'm still curious if you have trouble pullling the boat out of the water when there is snow on the ground. Do they plow your ramp and parking area?
 
Dave:

The one time it snowed on us, it stuck around for a couple of hours. It thawed by the time we got to the ramp. It was kind of a fluke, but I would guess they don't plow the ramps at all. I'm curious and might have to drive by a few this year to see! If there was snow or ice on the ramp, I'd probably need a winch and a tree! I'd like to try it though!!
 
Hey hey Checking in for the NW dudes. :thumbsup:
Somehow I guess I loiter in the General Section too much and haven't looked down the list far enough. Good to See you guys :cool: !
 
A break in the rain yesterday provided an opportunity to get the boat out. A tad cool here, but the genset kept us toasty while docked at Government Island. Had the entire west end of the island to ourselves -- one of the benefits of fall boating.

After returning to the marina, we dragged our kids to a local Sea Ray dealer party. Some free food, soda and wine, but only one 2007 to explore -- a beautiful blue 215 with docking lights. I was also reminded what a nice boat the 320 is ... if only I had a few extra dollars I would ... <entering dream state now>.
 
thunderbird1 said:
A break in the rain yesterday provided an opportunity to get the boat out. A tad cool here, but the genset kept us toasty while docked at Government Island. Had the entire west end of the island to ourselves -- one of the benefits of fall boating.
Click to expand...

I spent a while this evening putting up the camper canvas on my boat. May take it out tomorrow, raining or not. November is the 2nd most rainy month here, with an average monthly rainfall of 1.5 inches. I have never had the boat out in the rain with the camper top up, so don't know if it is water proof or not. Actually, I can't say that I have ever had it out in real rain.

Govt Island is on my list. There are a ton of beautiful places I would like to take the boat in the gorge and below. :thumbsup:

A 320 is not on my list. :smt009 My 270 isn't even paid for yet, that's gotta happen before thinking about bigger.
 
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