Moorage in PNW

[walldog]

I have decided that we need a home base in the Pacific North West for the summer. We will pick up our 27 Tug from the factory around the 18 or 19th of May. We plan to be in the area through mid September leaving after the Bremerton Rendezvous. We will probably be in the slip only about half of the time. We are considering Port Orchard, Everett and Cap Sante at this time. If anyone knows of a seasonal rental that may be available anywhere in the Pugent Sound-San Juan area, please let me know. Any pros or cons of local marinas will also be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Herb: A few years ago we did the same thing you're getting ready to do and at that time found the best rates were for a months stay or more, but you probably already knew that. We stayed at both Cap Sante and in Seattle at Elliot Bay Marina. The advantage of Cap Sante is it's obvious location to the San Juan Islands. Elloit is gated, safe and close to everything in downtown Seattle. At the time we stayed in Seatlle (one month) we had to put our name on a list and wait for something to open up. Maybe there's more availablity now for longer term. Another option would be Shilshole Marina. They were completely rebuilt with new docks, bath house etc three years ago and are also very convenient to Seattle and close to the San Juan Islands.

 

[Wolf Pack]

Hi Herb,

Karma and Wolf Pack were both moored at Port Orchard in 2010. 32 foot covered slip was only $255 per month plus electricity (which wasn't much--$3 or $4). We were both on C dock. I don't know what the availability is in Port Orchard since we both left, but they have a nice facility, free parking, a public boat launch really, really close by, fuel, dump station (and even the boat that will come to your slip and empty your holding tank--and it is cheap). Port Orchard is affiliated with Port of Bremerton, so your moorage in September at the PNW Rendezvous would get 50% off the daily guest moorage rate as well. Pam and I were very impressed with Port Orchard. We left because it is more convenient for us (and almost double the rates) to have Wolf Pack at Des Moines, which is only a 5 minute drive to the boat instead of an hour+.

Also, if you don't care about being close to anything, Pleasant Harbor Marina over on Hood's Canal might be another option. Low rates and a close by boat launch there too.

And thatnks for those pix you took from the Bremerton Ferry last summer. Pam and I still laugh about that one.

Have fun in your 27. If you are at Bremerton this year, look up the Wolf Pack.

Gene Redmon
Wolf Pack

 

[Tym]

We just went through the same process as we're planning on having our 29, Circle T, in the PNW from June through mid-October. We live and keep our boat in Los Angeles, but want to experience the PNW this cruising season. We made a trip to Seattle to check everything out, and chose Cap Sante in the end. Here's why:

1. There is scheduled bus service from SeaTac airport to Anacortes 11 times per day. Drop off point is the Shell station at 14th and Commercial, which is just a short walk to the marina. We don't want to deal with a car. For information see http://www.airporter.com (By the way, the bus also goes on from Cap Sante to Skyline Marina farther west, and closer to the San Juans. But the next 2 items sold us on Cap Sante.)

2. The marina office is within several hundred yards of a Safeway food store, a hardware store, and a West Marine store. Again, we don't want a car there.

3. The town of Anacortes is terrific!! (The Majestic Hotel has a Happy Hour everyday from 4-6pm where the gourmet food is unbelievable - and every item is $5.)

4. The location of the marina is close to the San Juans and does not require timing your trip thru Deception Pass with the tides. But it is also quite doable to tour the southern Puget Sound area from Anacortes.

5. The marina is planning to undergo construction, which means that they'll be moving the permanent boats off of E and F docks to a new location starting in early June and would love to be able to rent those slips out to people like us until the last day of September, when we'll be kicked out. So we're planning on starting our last boat cruise out of Cap Sante at the end of September, and when that trip's over in early/mid October, we'll put the boat back on the trailer probably in Seattle for return to LA. (We don't have - or want - a truck or a trailer, but are hiring Cory Gracey to do our hauling for us.)

6. The rate for E and F dock, which are 40' slips, is $370.43 This is cheaper than we pay for a 30' slip in LA... I can't tell you if other docks would be available for your 27, and I don't know the over hang allowed. I believe you can find the rate sheet online at their website.

7. The phone number of Cap Sante Boat Haven is 360-293-0694. They won't reserve a slip ahead of time for more than 2 weeks. Hopefully there'll be plenty of room for us both -- with the construction it sounded like there would be.

8. By the way, the marina itself was clean and appeared to be well maintained. The town also has every type of boat service we may need available.

We'll look forward to seeing you there!
Good luck with your decision. Hope this helps.

 

[walldog]

Looks as if we are going to Anacortes (Cap Sante). It is the most expensive. We have to get a 40' slip because the dinghy puts us out past the 30' and they do not allow any overhang. We really enjoyed our time there last year in our motor home. Jake enjoys the walking path. The town is our kind of place. All things being equal, I guess we will rent a slip at Cap Sante from May 1st thru the end of September. More time on each end, but if we do not move now, we may miss out.

 

[yuukis]

We keep our 27 in Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham. About $234 per month plus electric, which is minimal. They almost always have temporary slips available for monthly rental. All amenities, except wireless, which has been marginal, but you can pay for it and get coverage throughout the Sna Juans and further north if you think that is important. Great community with lots to do when your not cruising. Certainly close to the San Juans and gulf Islands.
Hope to see you this summer.
Charlie and Nancy
"RESTLESS"

 

[Auklet]

Willie and Herb --- The real problem in any marina is short term leases. I'm glad you were able to get into Cap Sante, even at 40 feet. The important thing is that you are in a "known" area and it suits your needs.
I know of at least three other R-Tugs moving to the Anacortes area this summer. That added to the boats in Bellingham, Victoria, and Gulfs makes for a mandatory Sucia picnic for the northern tribes. We'll have to work on that.