Roche Harbor by boat

[Lenny and Louise]

We are enthusiastically planning our trip to Rendezvous by boat. Current thought is to launch at south end of Hood Canal and transit to Port Townsend (probably stopping at Pleasant Harbor) thence to Roche (possibly by way of Friday Harbor). We are thinking of a side trip to Butchart Gardens, entering Canada at Sidney, re-entering US at Roche. Comments, suggestions are welcome.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Another option to consider would be launching at Bellingham (nice ramp and free parking at Squalicum Harbor Marina) or Anacortes (sling launch). Either of those put you right at the east side of the San Juan Islands. The cruise from the Hood Canal to the San Juans is nice, depending on conditions in Juan de Fuca.

If you are planning to go to Buchart Gardens by boat, you can clear Canadian Customs at Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island. Decent marina there, at Poet's Cove. Easy trip there from Roche Harbor. You can clear by phone at Sidney, if you decide to go that way.

Since you are right there, a night or three at the Inner Harbour in Victoria is a delight (our favorite stop when coming or going to Canada). Then back to Roche or Friday Harbor to check back in at US Customs.

Lots of fun options!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[Longbranch Louie]

If planning on going from Port Townsend crossing the straits, do your homework. Check both Canadian and US weather and the buoy reports. Conditions can change rapidly from calm to bad. fog can drop in on you. Google Point Wilson rips which are just outside Port Townsend. We hit 6 ft waves like a washing machine. Your Garmin may not have a heading sensor on the 25 so its hard to tell direction in fog when bounced around. Have a compass bearing. Boaters we have since talked to say leave against a flood tide as an outbound ebb tide can stack waves up against water being pushed south by wind off the straits. Be prepared for conditions to change and get the cabin secure. We stayed at Pt Hudson Marina in Port Townsend which is close to town which is nice to explore. Not trying to scare you but just do your homework. Most boaters with multiple crossings can tell of at least one bad crossing. Oh and put extra ties on your dingy. Have a knife on you to cut it free if you need to use it. The tug handled the conditions far better than we did. I think Slo Ranger may have a picture or two of our crossing in 25s on this site.

 

[Lenny and Louise]

Thank you for your thoughts. We are still in the planning and "what if we go here first" stage. That is part of the fun -- and we have made the trip (on paper) a half dozen times in the last month.

 

[Spinner]

I second all of these recommendations!

 

[jcarrdive]

We (the Bobolink) are considering going up early and spending some time in Victoria, Sydney and the Gulf Islands prior to the Rendevous. We are departing from Tacoma, on or around Aug 30 and traveling to Port Hadlock (55 miles). Then we will make our decision on the weather for the straights. If it is good, we will likely go to Port Angeles (36 miles) for the night and cross to Victoria (21 miles) at first light on Sept 1st. If the weather is poor, we will retreat to the East side of Widbey Island to Oak Harbor (47 Miles). Then make our way into the San Juans where we will island hop avoiding any inclement weather. Either by Deception Pass or by way of La Connor/Anacortes.
If you are coming out of Hood Canal, we may see you in Port Hadlock (nice harbor, but not much for facilities, but we look for places where we can get the dogs out for a long walk. Port Townsend is just across the water and a great place also). If you are planning on a crossing and we are in the area on the same day, we would be happy to cross with you. I have made the trip straight across(not in a ranger tug) from Oregon to Dutch Harbor many times and I certainly prefered to have another boat nearby.

Jeff and Ela
Bobolink R27