Olympia launch ramps

[nzfisher]

I was planning a long awaited get together with brothers to fish out of Newport for three days next weekend. Naturally the weather is not going to cooperate, small craft warnings most of the time. I was wondering if there is an easy access launch ramp in Olympia as an option to head north towards Seattle and what kind of experience to expect, (places of interest, moorage, great restaurants along the way). Really vague I know but trying to get and idea of what kind of trip we could make out of a otherwise dead weekend. I am assuming that the wind protection has to be better than gusts to 35 knots.

Thanks in advance for any advice, references or general information.

 

[Bruce Moore]

South Sound is relatively protected. Short reaches, etc. Once you get north of the Narrows, you've got Tacoma (Dock Street Marina) and Gig Harbor. Then, you're a short cruise to Blake Island, Poulsbo, and Elliott Bay. East Passage is nice, but based on your timing, remember the current always runs north in Colvos Passage (west side of Vashon Island). If you make it to Bell Harbor Marina, in downtown Seattle, let us know.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Gin]

Swantown Marina in Olympia is reasonably easy to get to. A short and mostly straight shot when you get off I-5. It's been several years since we kept our boat there, and we launched from and put it on our trailer there frequently. There were two ramps back then, both in good shape. But easiest to go in at high tide (as is true of most ramps where you have large tidal exchanges). Olympia will have some good restaurants - I leave it to those who have been there more recently to call them out, since restaurants come and go. Failing that, go with what you can learn from Yelp. Cruising the south sound is delightful. If you have time to detour rather than go directly up to Seattle, be sure to go to Jarrell's Cove on Harstene Island via Pickering Passage.

Should be a great alternative trip for you!

Gini

 

[Lenny and Louise]

We launched and hauled out at Swantown (Olympia) last year and intend to launch there this year on Tuesday September 15. We plan a leisurely trip to Roche, our third trip to Rendezvous.

Our plans are a little fluid, but we will definitely be in Cap Santee for the Tuesday Dinner, then to Roche the next day. Stops will likely include Tacoma (Dock Street), perhaps Des Moines, Bremerton, and Langley.

Swantown has two ramps in really good shape and modern well maintained guest berths with water and electric. Be sure to ask for restroom key – if you forget, you can call security to let you in, with sufficient advanced planning. Parking for truck and trailer is $3.00 per night. Security is excellent, as the marina is part of the Port District. Staff goes out of their way to help, even providing assistance getting boats onto trailers.

You are welcome to send PM for more details.

 

[baz]

Lenny & Louise: If you do stop over at Langley be sure to call in advance for a slip reservation as the marina is quite small. Also, if Louise is not out of her wheelchair yet, note that the hill from the marina up to Langley village is very steep and care should be taken to avoid a down-hill spill. :roll: When we last visited Langley they had a free golf cart-like ride that ran around picking up people from the marina ramp area which helped us tremendously. It even had room on the back to mount Gill's wheelchair and saved me having to wheel it up the hill. 😀

 

[Lenny and Louise]

Thanks for the sentiment, Barry. Louise hasn't been in a wheelchair since her foot problem about 5 years ago. We have been in contact with the good folks at Langley.

 

[baz]

My my.... how time flies by. Glad to hear Louise's foot is all better. When Louise and Gill were at Cape Sante in their chairs I wasn't sure about the type of gathering we were attending. :lol:

Since end of 2011 when I began recording Gill's falls she's fallen down 21 times, and had to call 911 twice for surgery for the nasty cuts on her head. I have two fairly large dents/holes in walls that I need to repair due to Gill falling down. :roll: It's her sudden unconscious turning about that causes her to lose her balance.

 

[nzfisher]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the information and help. I will put it forward to the brothers and see what they think.

Thanks again-