Factory Delivery Experience & Shakedown Cruise

[CapnMyWay]

Hi All,

We are taking delivery of out 2021 R27 OB at the end of October. SO! STINKING! EXCITED!

We're coming in from Austin, Texas.

Couple things:

We'll be doing a shakedown from 10/31 through 11/6 or so, up to the San Juan Islands (weather permitting). Any recommendations while we're there? We aren't getting a dinghy (have a Porta-bote at home), so places with docks are preferable for shore excursions. We are not opposed to just hanging out on the hook if the anchorage is worth it! We've got the Waggoner guides and are going over them.

Also, since we are coming in from out of town and are trying to limit the amount of stuff we have to schlep up from Texas, is there a minimum toolset you recommend (screwdrivers, vise-grips, zip ties, socket wrench already in the box)?

I'm sure we'll be asking more NEWB questions, but thats it for now.

Thanks in advance,
-Paul & Sally Bradley
Austin, TX

 

[Dubs]

Congrats!
Might be challenging weather that time of year. While it’s possible to have a calm, clear, cool week, it could go wet and windy. Anacortes is the launch point and Cap Sante marina is awesome. There is a Safeway across the street to provision and many places to dine in town. Deer Harbor on Orcas Island is a nice facility but quiet. The lee shore of Jones might be good for a day stop. Good protected anchorages include Reid Harbor on Stuart Island or Garrison Bay on San Juan. Roche Harbor is a fantastic marina and normal home of the RT Rendezvous. Friday Harbor is the biggest town in the islands and well worth a stop. The new San Juan Islands Brewery is the best.
Safe travels!

 

[SJI Sailor]

Congratulations! I will add a couple of notes. The weather is extremely iffy at that time in the San Juans. It might be perfect like Octopber, or stormy like November, or a mix of both. But there are many marinas with good availability for guest moorage at that time. November sometimes has the worst storms of the year.

I would suggest to check out South and Central Puget Sound as a more protected backup, in case the forecast looks challenging all week. That would be Gig Harbor, Poulsbo, Blake Island, Tacoma, etc.

The book San Juan Islands by Breeding and Bansmer is an excellent companion to the Waggoner guide. It is much more of a 'guide' and narrative. It is slightly out of date on listings of shops, etc, but overall an excellent reference to find places you will love.

 

[Whidbey Cruiser]

Congrats on your purchase. Like the other comments, I strongly suggest checking out this website https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecast ... .KSEW.html prior to leaving Des Moines. You will want to pay attention to the following forecasts: East Entrance to Strait of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, Northern Inland & San Juans and Puget Sound/Hood Canal. Just yesterday, there were 4'-6' seas in 3 of the 4 areas listed above. October and November brings wind storms and if seas are 3' or bigger, you will not have a pleasant experience. If Admiralty Inlet is bad, go inside through Saratoga Passage and Deception Pass near slack tide if possible.

We love Roche Harbor. It is charming and is a full service marina. Friday Harbor, Rosario, Deer Harbor and the Islander at Lopez are also great spots. If you go to Lopez, make sure to watch the tides and follow the buoy markers as instructed as it is very shallow. Going north, you might consider a night at either Port Ludlow or Port Townsend (Pt Hudson) if you go outside on Admiralty Inlet. If you go inside, a night at Langley is fun. We prefer marinas over being on the hook. Anchoring during the off season could also be more challenging with wind.

Wishing you all the best on your delivery and for calm and sunny weather.

 

[Toki]

My advice is to leave your itinerary very loose. That time of year there's no problem getting a slip last minute at any marina. After boat checkout in Des Moines, head north, and continue north as the weather cooperates. If conditions are poor, just duck in to the nearest marina. LOTS of good options on the way up on both sides of the Sound. If the forecast looks great, then head up Admiralty Inlet, stay the night at Port Townsend, and head across the strait to the islands the next day. If the weather looks iffy, head up the east side of Whidbey, take the Swinomish Channel, visit LaConner along the way, and stay at Cap Sante in Anacortes before island bouncing. Or ... if the weather's just not cooperating at all, just bounce around the sound. The islands will still be there for your next trip.

 

[Brian98133]

Agree with everyone... leave your itinerary very fluid (pun intended), and be prepared with optional marina info. As said, you'll probably have no issue finding dock space.

My personal preference is the Swinomish channel. Mainly because we love the La Conner marina and the little town of La Conner so much. The trip up the channel is beautiful.

It is, however, deceptively narrow! So pay close attention to your channel markers and don't wander! Also, look for the best time to pass, as the channel has quite the current during tide swings. Also, it's imperative to note that the channel markers switch at roughly Twin Bridges.

No matter which way you go, it's going to be an awesome trip! Congrats on your new 27!!! 😀

 

[chicagosam]

Just did the Factory Delivery in August.
I drove from Chicago and took everything I could think of. Needed only 10% of the things I brought.
Take a morning to go to Fisheries Supply and the afternoon at a Wal-Mart to stock the boat for your trip.

Here's what you get:
Every USCG piece of safety equipment
They will give you 4 fenders
4 Dock lines (2x 15'', 2x 25')
Loaner Charts and Books
First Aid Kit

Misc things and tool box items that I actually needed and had brought:
Standard tools
Microfiber Towels
Scissors and a good pocket knife
Binoculars
Bedding & towels
Tide Pods & Fabric Softener sheets- Every place I stayed at had laundry facilities
Comfortable Life vests
Square Point bits and a small cordless Drill/Driver
Cooler
Boat Sized garbage can and bags
Black Tank Deodorizer
Marine Toilet paper
Water hose
Flashlight

Try to come back to Des Moines with an empty fuel tank, or you'll be trailering home an extra 1000 lbs!!

 

[CapnMyWay]

Thanks all, this is great info!

-Paul & Sally