Moorage in Laconner

E

Ernie

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2017
Messages
306
Fluid Motion Model
C-242 C
Vessel Name
Daisy
Considering options in the north sound and wondered if anyone is moored in Laconner ?
If you do, is there anyone that lives in Seattle and keeps boat up there?
 
We live in Bothell and keep our boat in Anacortes.
 
Hi brad
I kept a boat in Anacortes a few times some years ago. I’m considering moving up there also,
Can you tell me how the traffic on the 20 is now?
Did the state widen it?
 
I live in seattle and keep my boat in shelter bay marina (la conner) in the winter. It’s a 3 hour cruise from Elliot bay

Clearly it isn’t as convenient as keeping it in seattle in terms of popping down to the boat but it opens up cruising access to the San Juan’s plus its a lot cheaper. I just move the boat to seattle for the summer

The drive is easy. The biggest issue is the traffic at Everett. Carpool helps. Typically it’s 1:30 to la conner from downtown seattle.

Access to la conner by water is no problem. Tides/currents are not a big deal.
 
I20 is 2 lane all the way. They just improved the roundabout near deception pass to improve the traffic flow into anacortes.
 
We live in the greater Seattle area and keep our R31 in La Conner year round. There are lots of other Ranger Tugs in the La Conner marina-- including 4 on my dock alone.

Things we like about La Conner:
-Lower cost than marinas that are closer to Seattle or the San Juan Islands (e.g. Bellingham or Anacortes)
-Most of the slips are covered
-Easy access to a fuel dock and pump-outs
-Easy access to a marine services
-Marina staff is competent and helpful
-La Conner itself is a cute little town with decent food/provisioning
-Can be reached in 1.5 hours by car from Seattle area via I-5
-Takes only about an hour to cruise out to Hope Island

Things to consider about La Conner:
-Traffic on I-5 in Everett can be brutal (this would apply to all marinas north of La Conner of course)
-Transiting the Swinomish Channel adds an hour to most trips and can get boring (especially heading north)
-The slips that are closest to the Swinomish channel are affected by the current so it can be challenging to dock


The marina is currently undertaking a major dredging project, so as far as I know they aren't taking any new tenants right now. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend La Conner as a good jumping off point.
 
How much cost at LaConner for a covered slip for a R29 S (without dinghy on swim step) ?
I know there's a very large car parking lot at LaConner Marina - if car left for a week or two what is the cost ?
LaConner has a clean rest room and offers showers.
I also understand that fuel cost at the nearby fuel dock is quite reasonable, right ?
Does the Marina suffer from power outages at times ?
Does LaConner allow live-aboard ?
LaConner is fine if most of your cruising is to the North, but if you want to go to south Puget Sound I would not consider it.
Is boat security from theft etc kept in check ?
One can avoid I-5 and travel north to LaConner via Stanwood - a bit longer but a nice comfortable drive.
 
I’ve pretty much decided to move up to Cap Ssnte. The more I think about going up the channel every time I go north, I hesitate. I know Everett traffic is wretched, but the improvements on wa 20 are a plus. Traffic might be worth the $200 monthly savings, added to a $200 fuel saving for every cruise into the northern Salish sea. I’m still looking into shelter bay at Laconner, their pool sounds like a treat for the grands.
I have enjoyed Elliott Bay, but I’m not using Daisy for as many short day trips in central sound as I had thought I might.
 
Good choice Ernie. That would have been my first choice too. The deal breaker for me is the Swinonomish channel, it just takes too long to get through it at no wake speed. We signed up to keep our boat at Cap Sante with our C-Dory and if I recall, the moorage rates were very reasonable. Plus we love Anacortes. You're right about the central sound, not as much good cruising as the San Juan's and Gulf Islands offer. We could only day cruise to Poulsbo so many times. 😀 I hope it all comes together.
 
Ernie":1oa351nk said:
I’ve pretty much decided to move up to Cap Ssnte. The more I think about going up the channel every time I go north, I hesitate. I know Everett traffic is wretched, but the improvements on wa 20 are a plus. Traffic might be worth the $200 monthly savings, added to a $200 fuel saving for every cruise into the northern Salish sea. I’m still looking into shelter bay at Laconner, their pool sounds like a treat for the grands.
I have enjoyed Elliott Bay, but I’m not using Daisy for as many short day trips in central sound as I had thought I might.
Click to expand...

Does Cap Sante offers covered moorage ? From my recollection I did not see any covered slips. Also, all the slips are wide open to anybody wanting to troll the docks and this could be a security issue!

Have you considered running through Deception Pass. Your R23 would have no issues passing through no matter what the tides/currents are doing. I've been through in R-25 and R27/OB and had no issues.... just be aware of all the small craft fishing in the open side as you will need to swerve around them when going through the pass at speed.
 
Good points, I like D Pass and it’s an easy pass.
No covered slips at Cap Sante
Great community there though.
 
You may want to check Anacortes Marina just south of Cap Sante. They have covered slips and security gates. That's where I keep my R29.
 
Hello and happy Holidays. We keep our boat in La Conner and from logistics perspective it works for us. We live on Camano Island so when not using our mooring buoy we keep the boat in La Conner a 40 minute drive. Great people, easy fuel dock.
 
Good responses here
I took some advice to look at Shelter Bay. What a neat place. I like it. Nice scenery, clean well tended docks and grounds. Quietly out of the main stream and just a hop from deception pass. Now considering it for new home for Daisy
 
Ernie":2q9v8emo said:
Good responses here
I took some advice to look at Shelter Bay. What a neat place. I like it. Nice scenery, clean well tended docks and grounds. Quietly out of the main stream and just a hop from deception pass. Now considering it for new home for Daisy
Click to expand...

Yes... from Shelter Bay to Lopez Pass is around 20 miles.... so on a good calm day you should be able to get to Lopez Pass easily within an hour in your R23. 🙂 Mind you, leaving the Swinomish Channel will take maybe 20 mins at a slow speed.
 
baz":2pgjrlk1 said:
How much cost at LaConner for a covered slip for a R29 S (without dinghy on swim step) ?
I know there's a very large car parking lot at LaConner Marina - if car left for a week or two what is the cost ?
LaConner has a clean rest room and offers showers.
I also understand that fuel cost at the nearby fuel dock is quite reasonable, right ?
Does the Marina suffer from power outages at times ?
Does LaConner allow live-aboard ?
LaConner is fine if most of your cruising is to the North, but if you want to go to south Puget Sound I would not consider it.
Is boat security from theft etc kept in check ?
One can avoid I-5 and travel north to LaConner via Stanwood - a bit longer but a nice comfortable drive.
Click to expand...


Baz-- To answer a few of the questions you posed about La Conner:
-Monthly cost for a 30' covered slip in La Conner is $300 (which includes a lease tax)
-There are no extra charges for leaving your car in the parking lot for extended periods
-Yes, fuel prices at the Swinomish fuel dock seem quite reasonable compared to most fuel docks
-There are a handful of live-aboards in the La Conner marina, but I don't think that they allow new live-aboards.
-The docks are locked and have security cameras. I haven't heard of a theft problem.
 
Cheapest fuel in the sound is oak harbor just around the corner from la Conner.

Shelter bay Security seems pretty good for a low key marina. Also they have a good community with dinners and cruises throughout the year. And good reciprocal rights with cheap membership.
Much more so than many places. Most people who live in shelter bay are boaters and retired. So plenty of time to mess about in their boats!
 
Hi Ernie,
Wish Blaine Harbor Marina was closer for you. Good prices, and easy access to San Juans, & Gulf Islands. Run by good people, and secure. New covered stackable out of the water stoorage coming within 2 years. Nice town, and a good place to visit this summer. Super oysters and a new Starbucks.
Ron & Cathy
 
Have you considered Oak Harbor Marina? I have kept my 2017 R-29S in a covered slip there since I purchased it in Jan 2017..the rates are reasonable ($350) and I have kept a vehicle there for months and there is no charge. The staff are mature friendly folks that watch out for your property. The marina is secure and they have nice showers and a laundrymat available. The fuel is certainly less expensive and usually close to the Des Moines or Port Orchard prices.
I hope this helps.
Charlie
 
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