Bellingham

[Lenny and Louise]

We are considering launching at Bellingham Marina the day after Labor Day to attend the Rendezvous. We will be taking a side trip after Rendezvous. We would appreciate comments and advice on this. Particularly the prospects of leaving truck and trailer for about 10 days. Thanks.

 

[scross]

Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is a great place to launch. The boat ramp there is four lane, paved and reasonably steep. I would prefer it just a tad steeper but it works. Mid-week we have found it to not be very crowded. The launch fee is $7 in and $7 out. There is a machine right next to the launch ramp to pay the fee. They have trailer/boat wash hoses at the far side of the parking lot to clean up after launch or retrieval.
Up to 5 days parking is included in the launch fee. This is for parking in the main lot. They have a dirt lot across the street for longer parking. You need a permit to use this lot but the Marina office will give you one for free. Call the harbor office at 360-676-2542 for more details.
They have visitor moorage on the ends of several docks if you need to spend a night there. The overnight fee is reasonable ($0.75/ft). We have always found a spot but by evening it can be full.
We launch from Squalicum tomorrow evening for a 11 night trip. First night in Roche Harbor which is 33.7 nautical miles (south route) from Squalicum.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Let me add to this very thorough description. We always launched at Bellingham because it is a good ramp and a safe place to leave your truck and trailer (we have parked it there for a month at no additional cost). Just go into the office (a long walk to the north of the ramp) and pay there. They will give you a pink slip of paper to post in your truck, which keeps them from towing you away. Do this before you launch, since it is much easier this way.

Seriously, I have not found a better place to launch. It is worth the extra drive north of Seattle, and you are into the cruising grounds immediately.

One warning, it can get real busy on Labor Day weekend, but if you are going to the Rendezvous (see you there), it should not be too crazy since it is a week later.

Enjoy!

 

[Hydraulicjump]

One more thing. Don't follow the GPS to the marina or you will navigate a very crowded downtown. Take the truck route to the marina. Go north of downtown on I-5 and take Meridian Avenue south, then right on Squalicum Way. That will get you there.

 

[Dorman]

We also live in Vancouver and I don't like the drive through Seattle to Bellingham but I do agree it is a nice launch. We prefer to go to Port Townsend. Port Townsend has a nice ramp, a lot closer, a much nicer drive and you can buy a yearly pass for minimal money, I believe it is $35, which allows launching and parking all year. We have driven both sides of Hood Canal and prefer to take 101 west from Olympia and turn off at Shelton and go through Bremerton and across the Hood Canal Bridge to Port Townsend. You do have to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca but with a little knowledge and a listen to the weather it is no big deal.
If you would like give us a call, we love to meet other boaters.
Dorman 360-601-7538