Desolation Sound Cruise - Buddy Boat?

C

CapBonnieB

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2025
Messages
21
Location
South Puget So7nd
Fluid Motion Model
R-27 (Outboard)
Vessel Name
Bonnie Blink
My Wife and I will be attending the Desolation Sound Cruise for the first time on our new R27 OB and will be heading up from the South Sound (Harstine Island). I am wondering if anyone else is interested in coming up together from the south or even leaving from the North Puget Sound? For example we could meet in Everett. We have reservations for July 23 and July 24 in Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes but we are considering spending a night somewhere between Harstine Island and Anacortes. Let me know if you would like to team up or if you have suggestions on a nice marina or anchorage along the way.

Thanks.
 
Kingston!
 
It’s been a couple of years since we were in Kingston. The marina is protected from the ferry traffic behind the a rock breakwater. We were in guest moorage. It’s a bit of a walk into the center of town past the ferry terminal area but worth it. Some cute shops at the start of the town.
The other really fun place down that way was Langley. Really, really small Marina. Giant wood breakwater. Amazing little town with lots of little shops, a nice grocery store and good restaurants. A 5 minute walk from the marina.
We liked both places. Probably depends on how these places fit into your trip to Anacortes.
 
CapBonnieB said:
My Wife and I will be attending the Desolation Sound Cruise for the first time on our new R27 OB and will be heading up from the South Sound (Harstine Island). I am wondering if anyone else is interested in coming up together from the south or even leaving from the North Puget Sound? For example we could meet in Everett. We have reservations for July 23 and July 24 in Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes but we are considering spending a night somewhere between Harstine Island and Anacortes. Let me know if you would like to team up or if you have suggestions on a nice marina or anchorage along the way.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi, My wife and I will be on the trip as well with our R27 OB. We are coming from Portland OR and would like to Buddy up if we can make it work. Perhaps we should have a conversation.
Thanks, Bob 828-748-9988
 
Nancy and I are also headed up from Woodland, WA. We have not yet decided which launch to go out of. Does anybody have recommendations of where you would feel comfortable leaving your trailer and truck for 10 days? We have left our truck and trailer at Kingston and Port Townsend and they have been ok.

Point Defiance has gates I believe they lock at night, Everett looks like an option also. I hate the slog from north of Seattle on a Sunday coming back south. It can wear you out towing in miles of stop and go.
 
Hi JZimmer. I not knowledgeable about where to leave your truck and trailer but maybe you’ll want to use Kingston again. My wife and I will be leaving Harstine Island on 7/22 (Tuesday) and spending the night in Kingston. Then on Thursday we will go to Cap Sante in Anacortes for two nights. On Friday we will meet up with the FM Desolation Sound Cruise group in Telegraph Harbor. If you want to meet up with my wife and I in Kingstons that would be great. We may also be meeting up with Bob&Jilly in Kingston.

Bill
 
What do you have planned for after the group disperses from Gorge Harbor?
 
After Gorge we will head to Telegraph Harbor for 7/30 (1 night) and leave on 7/31 for Friday Harbor (1 night). Then on Friday 8/1 we will head back to Kingston for 1 night. Would you like to discuss more by phone?

Bill
 
Anyone looking for a buddy up in Desolation Sound? It’s our first time cruising that area and we understand rafting is preferred in many anchorages due to summer crowds.

Also, if anyone is interested in a leisurely cruise up to Telegraph Harbour, we’d enjoy some company.

We plan to leave Twin Bridges Marina (Mt Vernon/N Swinomish Slough) on our R27-OB on July 21 and stay 2 nights in Sydney to provision. From there we’re planning a short hop & 1 night in Ganges, then plan to arrive in Telegraph Harbour a day before the factory meet up.
 
Is anyone interested in Desolation with a buddy? I did not buy my boat new, so the factory group was filled with boats purchased from factory. I prefer to cruise 8-10 knots. You outboards probably want to cruise faster. I am not sure what the factory convoy speed is. My dates are flexible if it is not with factory group. I have an 2027 R29 diesel. Hey, it's faster than most sailboats, yet slower than an outboard.
 
JZimmer said:
Nancy and I are also headed up from Woodland, WA. We have not yet decided which launch to go out of. Does anybody have recommendations of where you would feel comfortable leaving your trailer and truck for 10 days? We have left our truck and trailer at Kingston and Port Townsend and they have been ok.

Point Defiance has gates I believe they lock at night, Everett looks like an option also. I hate the slog from north of Seattle on a Sunday coming back south. It can wear you out towing in miles of stop and go.
Click to expand...
We live in Fargher Lake and have been talking to Bill and Laurie. Would like o make some reservations pretty soon if need . We live about 20 minutes from Woodland so maybe we could meet you as well.
Bob
 
JZimmer said:
Nancy and I are also headed up from Woodland, WA. We have not yet decided which launch to go out of. Does anybody have recommendations of where you would feel comfortable leaving your trailer and truck for 10 days? We have left our truck and trailer at Kingston and Port Townsend and they have been ok.

Point Defiance has gates I believe they lock at night, Everett looks like an option also. I hate the slog from north of Seattle on a Sunday coming back south. It can wear you out towing in miles of stop and go.
Click to expand...
We live pretty close to you, Please let us know what you decide and perhaps we can meet up with you.
Thanks
 
Here is our tentative itinerary. Our departure port will most likely be Port Townsend on 7/23(wednesday). I looked at the tides for launching at Everett and Tacoma and they are 0 to -3’ anytime before noon-3 pm. The tides look equally bad for when we want to return on Sunday so Boat Haven in PT looks the best for us. We would drive up there that morning and plan on launching approximately 1pm

We have launched and parked at Pt Townsend before and left our Truck and trailer with no issues. I also hate hate hate the Sunday slog down 5 through Seattle. With a trailer it just flogs me and I will gladly drive the twisty 2 lane to PT Townsend.

If the weather, wind and waves are good we will probably take a direct route to the San Juan’s, I have a slip booked in Roche Harbor on 7/23. If they are not we will circle around south and come through Deception Pass. I’m thinking we will hit Sidney for Canadian Customs and are staying at Ganges Thursday night before heading for heading to Telegraph on Friday

After the group portion ends on 7/30 we are going to knock around Desolation Sound and make a loop around the Redonda Islands and anchor out or dock depending on what’s available. Only place for reservations is Toba Wilderness and they are booked up. I have a request into the marina at Pender Island for 8/2(Saturday) moorage. We will plan on heading to Friday Harbor Sunday morning for customs and on back to Port Townsend. No weekend Customs available in Port Townsend
 
Last edited:
For your consideration - our DS favorites:
o. Walsh Cove - anchor w/ stern tie (no hiking but great place to dinghy or paddleboard about)
o. Laura or Melanie Cove - anchor w/ stern tie
o. Van Donop Inlet - anchor
o. Refuge Cove - refuel, get water, shower, some groceries and even spend the night on the dock if you like
o. Roscoe Bay - anchor w/ optional stern tie depending on crowds high tide entry
o. Grace Harbour - anchor
o. Okeover Govt Dock - ONLY stay if you have dinner at Laughing Oyster aggressive rats on dock at night
o. Sightsee side trip since very little anchorage - the waterfall at Teakerne Arm Park
o. Squirrel Cove - polluted waters and usually crowded but still a good escape from bad weather
o. Tenedos Bay - anchor w/ stern tie. Big rocks below - chance to lose your anchor

I’m sure others have their own favorites and opinions. Enjoy!IMG_4715.jpeg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top