rick&sue
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2014
- Messages
- 135
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-248 C
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2506J607
- Vessel Name
- POPEYE
Thought I would do a trip report of our 6 week trip to Washington, cruising the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound and Hood Canal. We decided to focus on the U.S. portion this trip and come back to cruise the Canadian waters next year. We left home (temperatures in the 80’s already) on the 13th of May, drove through snow and 21 degrees in the mountains, and arrived at Anacortes on the 15th on a cold dark rainy day. I was cold and soaked by time I got the boat set up and into the water. Thankfully Bob and Nita Ostlund took us under their wing and lent us a 120 volt heater and a marina guide book –“The Burgee” by David Kutz. We used the heat to warm us up and dry us out and the book was indispensable for gaining an excellent sight picture of each new marina we entered. Their help and advice made our trip go very smoothly. The weather improved and we had great weather for almost the entire cruise. We used “Ports and Passes” for tide and current predictions and “Waggoneer Cruising Guide” for local information. We stayed at marinas and explored the towns on our bicycles, moored at various Marine State Parks and hiked miles of trails visiting many historical sites. The views were breathtaking, the people we met were great, the local food was exceptional, and the weather, for the most part, was perfect. I would strongly encourage everyone who has a trailerable Ranger to make this trip at least once.
Things I’ve learned:
Your summer weather is a best kept secret!
The water, islands, and mountains are beautiful!
Seattle traffic is as bad as Atlanta, GA traffic, maybe even worse!
Learned all about tides!
Learned all about real current! I thought I knew currents on the Mississippi, not so! I would set rpm to cruise at 6 or 7 knots, we would be doing anywhere from 2.7 knots to 14 knots (GPS) in various parts of the sound! Deception Pass and Tacoma Narrows were interesting!
We stayed in a motel one night on the way to Washington – decided it’s more comfortable to sleep in the boat when we are on the road – so we spent two nights sleeping in the boat on the way home.
The water, islands, and mountains are beautiful!
We modified the v-berth so we can sleep with our heads at the bow and tried it for the first time on this trip – worked great! Easy in and out.
Learned how to take a 5 minute shower. Bring lots of quarters next time.
One must stay at least 300 yards from the Submarine Bases or you will have a nice discussion (one way) with the gun boat guys!
Water current in marinas can ruin all good plans – I have an 8 inch scrape on the port side to prove it.
The free trailer and truck storage in Bellingham is no longer available. I used Cap Sante’s long term parking at $5 per day.
The boat trailer is undersized. There is virtually no suspension left when it is loaded. Andy Anderson at King Trailers worked with me to purchase a third axle to put under it. I smoked the surge brakes in the mountains on the way home. I will also add a electric / hydraulic actuator.
The GMC 3500 Diesel (not a dually) works great!! I can’t say enough about how well that truck pulls the boat fully loaded 70 – 75 MPH all day long.
Did I mention that the water, islands, and mountains are beautiful?
Thanks again to Bob and Nita – great people!!
Rick and Sue George
Things I’ve learned:
Your summer weather is a best kept secret!
The water, islands, and mountains are beautiful!
Seattle traffic is as bad as Atlanta, GA traffic, maybe even worse!
Learned all about tides!
Learned all about real current! I thought I knew currents on the Mississippi, not so! I would set rpm to cruise at 6 or 7 knots, we would be doing anywhere from 2.7 knots to 14 knots (GPS) in various parts of the sound! Deception Pass and Tacoma Narrows were interesting!
We stayed in a motel one night on the way to Washington – decided it’s more comfortable to sleep in the boat when we are on the road – so we spent two nights sleeping in the boat on the way home.
The water, islands, and mountains are beautiful!
We modified the v-berth so we can sleep with our heads at the bow and tried it for the first time on this trip – worked great! Easy in and out.
Learned how to take a 5 minute shower. Bring lots of quarters next time.
One must stay at least 300 yards from the Submarine Bases or you will have a nice discussion (one way) with the gun boat guys!
Water current in marinas can ruin all good plans – I have an 8 inch scrape on the port side to prove it.
The free trailer and truck storage in Bellingham is no longer available. I used Cap Sante’s long term parking at $5 per day.
The boat trailer is undersized. There is virtually no suspension left when it is loaded. Andy Anderson at King Trailers worked with me to purchase a third axle to put under it. I smoked the surge brakes in the mountains on the way home. I will also add a electric / hydraulic actuator.
The GMC 3500 Diesel (not a dually) works great!! I can’t say enough about how well that truck pulls the boat fully loaded 70 – 75 MPH all day long.
Did I mention that the water, islands, and mountains are beautiful?
Thanks again to Bob and Nita – great people!!
Rick and Sue George