Slip Tips

[capnlmk]

We are thinking about taking our R25SC over to the San Juans next spring to do some cruising.
Just wondering if any of you Ranger skippers have suggestions about your favorite marinas in the islands that might have slips available for the season. (Or is everything totally booked forever, waiting lists are years long and someone has to die for a slip to come open...)
Any of the major islands would be fine with us, or in Anacortes.
We'll snoop around ourselves, of course, but nothing beats that local knowledge.
Thanks.

 

[JamesTXSD]

The Port of Friday Harbor generally has some seasonal slips available - you may have to rent it prior to June to make sure you get it for the summer, though. That is what we did the three previous years, when we stayed on our boat all summer while working boat jobs in Friday Harbor. They do charge a "liveaboard fee," but it is reasonable.

Nice thing about having the boat in Friday Harbor: you can take the ferry from Anacortes as a walk-on, and not have the expense of bringing a vehicle; it is a short walk from the ferry landing to the pleasure boat docks. All kinds of supplies are available in Friday Harbor, also within a few blocks of the marina. Good restaurants.

The liveaboard community there is friendly and welcoming. You will have a "ring-side seat" for the 4th of July fireworks (right from your cockpit), and not have to hunt for a place to anchor.

Of course, Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes is just as convenient, and no ferry ride to get to your boat. You can park your car nearby. Again, groceries, restaurants, and boat stuff (West Marine) are an easy walk. They do have some regulations about liveaboards regarding the size of your boat and the number of nights you can stay on the boat - best to talk to someone at the office.

We spent two summers cruising the San Juans, Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, and Puget Sound before going back there to work seasonal boat jobs. SO many great places to cruise, and it doesn't have to be a major undertaking to get to them.

Good luck with your plans - I'd start calling marinas right now to see what their availability might be.

Jim B.

 

[capnlmk]

Thanks much for the tips, Jim.
We love Friday Harbor, so that would be our first choice. But we will look elsewhere, too.
I'll take your advice and start some serious inquiries.
Also thinking about chartering a Ranger to "get our feet wet," so to speak...
Happy cruising.
--Lawrence Killingsworth
Skipper
Tugboat Scuttlebutt

 

[JamesTXSD]

Chartering? When you have a perfectly capable trailerable boat of your own? (Assuming you have a capable tow vehicle?) Of course, you have to do what works for you, but your R-25SC is a great boat for the San Juans and beyond.

When we spent summers on our boat at Friday Harbor, we met several people who kept their boat in a slip there, and would come across on the ferry for weekends and holidays. Open the boat up, walk to the nearby grocery store for supplies, and they were at their "floating cabin"... yes, some of them did get their boats out. 😉

Living on the boat in the marina May through September, you see the quiet weekdays and busy weekends. The crowds are pretty small early and late in the season. Life takes on a different vibe when you are aboard. It works for some, but not everyone.

That is a bit of a haul from Spokane. When we lived in the frozen northland and kept a sailboat in a slip two hours from our home, it was a commitment to go there almost every weekend. Another factor you have to consider.

Good luck with the search.

Jim

 

[daveo]

We live on San Juan, get a slip in April. Put the boat in the water end of April. If you want power, I would suggest you get a slip in early / mid April. Nice thing with the Port, they have rest rooms on the dock and customs. You can maybe find a slip at Snug Harbor, but they have more fog on the West side and low tides can be dicey getting in / out. Jensens might have space, early, but if you do the walk on, it is a long walk down there. Roche, they seem to be full unless you know the right people. We have some friends who do the walk on and spend many weekends in the Port. Seldom take their boat out. If you plan to bring a vehicle, parking pass is about $55.00 / month. Our slip fee is about $255.00 / month with electric just keeping batteries topped off.

 

[capnlmk]

JIm, we don't have a trailer or a vehicle that will pull one or, frankly, the desire to learn how to tow a trailer carrying a 25-foot boat. If the San Juans idea comes together, we'll have Scuttlebutt shipped over for the summer. (Cheaper than buying a trailer, a mondo Dodge truck, backing over a Lamborghini Aventador, having a wreck on Snoqualmie Pass, etc.)

Anyway, our tentative plan would be to drive over for a couple of weeks at a time and use a Friday Harbor base to explore the islands. Too far to drive for a weekend. It took us 8 hours to get from Friday Harbor to Spokane after the Ranger Rendezvous -- counting the ferry wait and ride.

Dave, thanks for the solid info. Good to get a cost estimate.

I'm sending this from Scuttlebutt right now. Sitting in the marina on Lake Pend Oreille, with blue skies and an expected high in the 70s today. On the 9th of October forgoodnesssakes! Going fishing for Kokanee tomorrow.

--lmk

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi lmk,

Got it. Trailering isn't for everyone. Now I understand why you mentioned chartering. I do believe there was some discussion on this forum recently about one of the boat charter places in Anacortes that has a Ranger (29, I think) in their charter fleet.

Good luck with the plans!

 

[capnlmk]

Yep, we visited the charter companies in Anacortes on the way to the Ranger Rendezvous, so we are up to speed on boats that will be available next spring.