Safe Launch and store Facilities in WA

[stwendl]

I like to start a new thread in regard to safe launch locations in various places, starting with Puget sound first.

When you have a trailerable boat and like to go to places you may need a place to leave your vehicle and trailer in a location that is safe. Public launch facilities are usually not such location as they may not permit you to leave your vehicle for a period of time.

I am inviting all tugnut readers to append locations they have personal experience with. Please provide location, phone numbers and fees if available and append to this thread. Any exclusions or restrictions are helpful too.

We may want to start a new thread for different states and for more convenient search. Down the road, it would be nice if the tugnuts maintainers could put up a wiki for such information.

 

[Bruce Moore]

We don't trailer our boat, but here's a start:

Boat launches from South Sound to San Juan Islands
State of WA Water Cruiser (interactive map)

I haven't checked, but Active Captain may have crowd sourced reviews for launch and storage facilities.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[scross]

Such a list would be very helpful!
I know resources to find launch ramps in Washington state. Where I haven't had much luck is finding safe storage lots for the boat on trailer near Bellingham or Anacortes for just a couple of months during the summer that were reasonably priced.

 

[stwendl]

I really hope we get some real references from people who have USED them, rather than references where one might find some references. In the interest of brevity and lack of a wiki to store that info please only submit replies of launch facilities with secure parking lots for both trailer and truck while boating. This is not meant to be a reference for storing a boat. We can do this in as separate thread

Thanks

 

[Rockyman]

If you are planning to launch in the South Puget Sound area, there are excellent launch ramps with plenty of parking at Point Defiance, Tacoma.

Most of the other ramps in the Tacoma area are not very practical for an R-27.

This link gives the details for the Point Defiance ramps with photos, fees and parking information:
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/public-boat-launch

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

In Anacortes, Washington you can have your boat sling lifted off of your trailer at Cap Sante Marina or you can launch your boat at one of two ramps. North Harbour Diesel has a boat ramp that I've used before, south of Cap Sante Marina, when we've stored our trailer with them. In addition there is a boat ramp on the west side of Anacortes at Washington Park that has a boat launch ramp that we've used. If you're storing your trailer and or truck in Anacortes this option requires a little more leg work to move things around. However Skyline Marine Center is conveniently located by this ramp for storage of your truck and or trailer, they also have a sling lift. Back in downtown Anacortes you can store your trailer and truck with North Harbour Diesel or just your trailer and then park your truck in the city gravel parking lot behind Cap Sante Marina. We've parked our truck here for two months before, have used North Harbour Diesel for storage of our trailer and used there boat ramp as well as the Washington Park boat ramp.

Jim F

 

[Red Raven]

Here are my personal experiences. Perhaps the notes about which not to use is just as important.

Bellingham (Squalicum) - This facility met our needs best. 4 excellent lanes. Close to San Juan's. Parking for truck and trailer for up to 5 days at a very reasonable rate (check website for current rates). I don't have experience here for longer stays but the website says to call them for arrangements in advance.

Everett (10th street) - 13 lanes! No lines. This is the launch Ranger Tugs used for making their video. There is ample parking space though I'm not sure about overnight parking.

Anacortes (Washington Park) - this is a small two lane ramp that is unusable at low tide. Overnight parking is allowed via a self serve pay box. Fairly expensive daily rate as I recall.

Oak Harbor marina - two lanes. Free! Not busy. Unfortunately an extremely gentle slope on the ramp. Really hard to get enough water under the boat to get it on and off. I use it because we keep the boat there and it is close to our home but I don't recommend it because of the slope. There is a fair amount of long term parking for trailers. I have parked my trailer there for several days a no cost. I don't know the rules for overnight parking for vehicles.

Coupeville - Single lane very rough launch unusable at tides below 4 feet. I have launch a 19 ft boat here with no problem but am very hesitant to try the tug. Limited parking. Don't know if overnight is allowed. No security.

 

[bakerboat]

I'd like to suggest using ActiveCaptain.com to capture the local knowledge offered here. I have used it several times to comment on locations on the NE. You can add comments to existing marks or add new marks if they have not been marked before. Ramps or parking lots, it does not matter as you can say what you want to say.

 

[Lenny and Louise]

We, too, have found active captain a tremendous resource. It is free to join, and has a wealth of information about locations in Puget Sound, and all over the place. We have posted our comments there, from time to time.