Launching in the San Juans?

[Kamalani]

Tug Nutters certainly must be a treasure trove of info as far as cruising in the San Juan Islands. Therefore, I am asking for your advice on the best places to launch our R-21EC in the islands. Will the Ferry service acommodate trailering the boat to an island destination, and then finding a Marina?Resort that offers launching. dockage and lodging?

 

[Auklet]

Best advice is to launch from Anacortes and then drive your boat into the islands. For the cost of trailering on the ferry, you could buy a fairly good boat. There is a lift at Cap Sante and a ramp at Washington Park. Parking your rig is good at both places. I am sure other tuggers will have opinions on which is best, I don't have a trailer.

Good marinas in the islands would be Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor (San Juan), Fisherman Bay (Lopez), Rosario and Deer Harbor (Orcas). It is very busy here this time of year, so check their websites for phone numbers. My preference for experiencing the San Juans is to use the anchor and/or state park mooring bouys. Depends on how you like to travel.

Let us know when you will be here and what you expect of your trip. I'm sure we could give you more specific help.

 

[Kamalani]

I looked up the WSDOT ferry fares from Anacortes to the islands... YIKES! Truck plus trailer on a per-foot fare basis would cost more than my estimated fuel required to get there from central California! Thanks for the heads up on that one!

 

[Dorman]

We liked launching at Bellingham, they have a nice ramp with only a $7 launch fee and you can park for free. There are also nice places to eat. We had some of the best fish & chips I have ever had at the restaurant just one building north of the launch ramp. If you need information when you get there the Cutwater Dealer is located right next to the launch ramp and they were very helpful when we were there last month.
Dorman
Sawdust