Avoiding running aground in the San Juans & Gulf Islands

[Bruce Moore]

After being called out of bed at 00:45 this morning to unground a sailboat in Fossil Bay, Vessel Assist Captain Richard Rodriquez ( The BitterEnd blog ) recalled this article by Mark Bunzel in NW Yachting, which provides local knowledge (I have none) about 10 places in the San Juan & Gulf Islands "where vigilance, prudence, and extra caution are advised."

The article was published some time ago, and doesn't look like it's been updated. But it looks like it's worth a read for those of us who aren't familiar with the waters.

The article is here.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Trinity]

Bruce
Thanks for the info!
We are headed up to the San Juans in a few days.

Nancy

 

[baz]

Thanks Bruce. 🙂 Will archive this info onto my iPhone 😉 for later reference as I'm sure Gill and I will be venturing to those islands sometime in the not too distance future.

 

[j&lgray]

Interesting article and good advice. But the lesson here is to NOT use the list as places to avoid. The lesson here is to use your instruments, have a good chart, know your depth, keep a forward lookout and simply pay attention.

We have just finished another 14 day and 400 mile trip into those waters and frequently go to the places on the list. If you use any list as comfort that nothing will happen to you then you will be surprised. OK, use the list as places to avoid, that leaves these places for the rest of us.

On my list of places that I avoid is Roche Harbor and most of San Juan Channel. There are more arrogant idiots, operating way too big of boats on autopilot, who are totally clueless than nearly any place we have been in 25 years of boating.

 

[baz]

...snip...

On my list of places that I avoid is Roche Harbor and most of San Juan Channel. There are more arrogant idiots, operating way too big of boats on autopilot, who are totally clueless than nearly any place we have been in 25 years of boating.

This has been noted down. Thanks...

 

[notaclue]

GILL AND BARRY; IN THE 15 DAYS OR SO THAT TINA AND I CRUISED THE SAN JUANS, WHILE PURCHASING [CHRISTINA BEE] ROACHE HARBOR IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT WE DID NOT GET TO. I HAVE NO PROBLEM DODGING A -HOLES IN BOATS ON AUTO,, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ROACHE WHEN WE COME UP FOR THE RONDIVUE,, WE WILL BE STAYING AN ADDITIONAL 3 WEEKS TO EXPLORE THE GULF ISLANDS ETC... MY WIFE IS AN AVID HIKER... ANY SUGGESTIONS??? thanks so much FOR ALL THE INFO IN YOUR POSTS... REALLY 😀 LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING EVERYONE IS SEPT.. STEVE AND TINA,,, CHRISTINA BEE

 

[Auklet]

Our experience in the San Juans is that the idiots have all gone home by mid September. Only the serious boaters are cruising by then. Even Roche is a pleasent place in early fall. Pat and I work a regatta in Sidney in late September and generally stop at Roche for customs and lunch. As to hiking, my favorite is the walk out to the lighthouse from Reid Harbor. I will always have fond memories of flying out to the lighthouse with Santa Claus and a giant green elf to deliver Christmas presents to the keepers children. Stuart Island has the most interesting and also the saddest history of all the islands. September really is the best time to cruise the islands but be prepared for just about any type of weather.