Question for all those Tugs in Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle

[Hydraulicjump]

We have cast off our lines from San Francisco and decided to move our R29CB to the PNW, rightfully described as the best cruising grounds in the world (we will say this until we move it somewhere else, I bet). We did this to set up our personal boat BnB as a landing spot when visiting our new, first and, of course, adorable grandbaby.

For multiple reasons--including slip availability--we have settled on Elliott Bay Marina and will put the boat in there starting in mid-September after we get done with our 7 weeks of social isolation and seeing every nook and cranny of the US side.

When we walked the docks yesterday to check out our new slip (M dock, bow in, starboard tie facing west, great view of downtown Seattle) we came to the conclusion that this is the place where Ranger Tugs spawn. Yikes. There are a LOT of tugs in this marina, which is a good sign.

So to those who reside in Elliott Bay, we have a couple of quick questions:

Whom do you recommend for hull service and how often are you cleaning the hull and replacing your zincs? Recommendations for topside cleaning? Any of the multiple mechanics onsite worth contacting? And finally, anything we should watch out for or seek out (like those restaurants)?

Compared to the marina we were in in San Francisco, all but a handful of boats are in fantastic condition (another good sign) and the staff struck us as on top of things.

But all marinas have their quirks. Our biggest concern is winter and the blows out of the southwest that will beat the boat against the dock.

Thanks. I realize this is of little interest to most of the TugNuts crowd, but wanted to plumb local knowledge.

From our RT Isolation Pod. Stay safe everyone.

Jeff

ps: feel free to pm me if you like

 

[Kaptajnen]

Welcome to the PNW!

Quick answers:

J & J for Zinc and bottom cleaning.
Splash & Detail for topside wax/polish etc.
Monkeyfist for all mechanical/electrical work

All 3 located at EBM

Blue Horizon Marine for engine work oil/filter/repairs. Jacques commutes from West Seattle.

All do excellent work... nor inexpensive, but well worth it in my humble opinion.

 

[FlagShip]

We have our R29CB in Elliott Bay Marina also, E-Dock. It's a fantastic marina, great staff, well-maintained. We were there for a year on J dock then moved to Everett to be closer to home and the San Juans. We just moved back in May, we really missed the marina and the people, much more social than Everett.

Zincs: Double J Diving is who we use.
Topside: Deckhand Detailing or Splash 'n Detail

We found that we like the west end of the marina better, less affected by the north winds (I think they funnel through Magnolia and Queen Anne Hill. See how you like M-Dock, dinghy over to the west side when you have time. We love E-Dock.

Winter typically brings south winds so the whole marina is exposed, but the breakwater provides a lot of protection. I never felt the boat was moving too much even with a really strong south wind. Don't worry about it.

Check out Maggie Bluffs for food, call ahead and grab take out to take back to the boat, they'll even deliver to your boat! Palisade used to be really good, but they got bought be Landry's and the pandemic has hit them pretty hard. Hope they survive.

Welcome to the best boating location in the US!

 

[Bruce Moore]

Welcome to EBM. Twelve years ago our R-25 Classic was the only Ranger Tug in the marina. We had three boats (R-29 Classic, R-31) on the M dock - M20 to be exact. We've moved to C dock with our 4th Ranger Tug. The marina has always been outstanding - well maintained and staffed. We've watch many outstanding young people work their way up the ranks. I think there are now over 60 Fluid Motion boats in the marina.

We were bow-in STBD tie facing W and didn't experience any scuffing problems. The new linear outer floats of N dock, installed last winter/spring, will do a lot to mitigate the swells coming in from the SE end of the breakwater. You should be fine with just normal fender deployment.

We've been very happy with Emerald City Diving for bottom and running gear cleaning/inspection and zinc replacement. emeraldcitydiving@gmail.com

Monkey Fist Marine is first rate. Jim and his crew are outstanding. They've done all maintenance on our boats outside of that done by the factory.

We've also worked with Emerald Harbor Marine (water maker install) and can recommend them.

Maggie Bluffs is great casual dining. They're doing pick up and dockside delivery.

Palisade is great for fine dining and a killer happy hour.

Restrooms and showers (free) and the laundries are always clean and well maintained.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Looking forward to moving in to the Ranger Tug Spawning Grounds in mid-September. And to that point, RT29CB hull #1 (La Barka, ours) and #2 (FlagShip, Brett and Jasa) are there. This means the marina houses the primordial origins of the RT29CB line! Some day we will appear in a 23andMe RT DNA analysis.

Stay safe. Please.

Jeff and Barbara

 

[FlagShip]

Long lost sisters reunited (although FlagShip is hull #2 of the 2019 production). FlagShip is hanging out in E-24. We'll keep an eye out for La Barka.

 

[SJI Sailor]

We have a C30 there, for the past 1.5 years, and also love the staff and location.

Strongly agreed about Double J Diving for bottom cleaning. They have been great -- excellent communication, updates, and photos.

As for Monkey Fist, they seem great although TBH I tried to get work from them twice. They came out, promised to get back to me and never did, not returning my reminder calls. I suspect they were overwhelmed with work. Eventually I gave up both times. I would like to work with them but wonder if they have the capacity.

For engine work, we have had good experience with Pacific Power from Ballard. And for haulout work, with CSR in Des Moines.

Welcome to EBM and Seattle!