Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

[JamesFrith]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Hey All, <br /><br />New to the forum. I enjoyed reading the posts from boaters in this area. Does anyone have any suggestions for the San Juans. I plan on putting in this summer at Anacortes and going across in a 19' Glastron.

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Which island are you planning on going to?<br /><br />Alfex - That boat sank in the Swinomish channel launch (under the bridge that goes to Anacortes) Near the top on the yellow line on the sattelite map above.

 

[JamesFrith]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Well, thats the question. I have never been to the San Juans period. I have heard there are small islands open to camping and I hear Friday Harbor is the place to go. I have thought about camping and spearfishing, but also am open to staying in a hotel. I plan on taking more than one trip and each one will be 3-4 days so I was just wondering if anyone had suggestions on where to begin.<br /><br />I think that boat trip around Vancouver Island is the coolest thing.

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor are the big marinas there on the main island. Roche harbor has an old famous hotel etc etc. I've been to both but only to Friday Harbor by small boat. They are good if you want to do some shopping/quaint small town type stuff. The other islands are uninhabited or semi inhabited. Cypress Island has some great hiking on it. Another secret spot is Goat Island. Its 15 mins out of Laconner and has WWII army bunkers and gun emplaments on it. There is no dock only a trail and beach. <br /><br />I've never done much planning on my san juan trips since they were short and with people that knew the area even better than me. But if you sit down with a map and decide where you want to launch from (the biggest deal in my opinion) and where you want to end up. You'll never be out of site of an island or two. Easy to get lost with out a map but also easy just to go ahore and explore. You could launch from Bellingham, Swinomish Channel Launch, Anacortes, Laconner, etc. Depends on where you want to go. I know the "big island" San Juan i think is a good hour by boat from B-ham.<br /><br />Hope this helps, I plan on doing a similar trip this year to camp and catch crab. I'm going to stay away from the popular areas though. IF you Find a good site with a map or somthing let me know. I'm always down for a new boat adventure. <br /><br />

<br />Self explanitory<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br />This was a standing wave creating by current whipping around an island.

 

[JamesFrith]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Hey, thanks for the info. I am looking forward to getting up there. I will probably launch out of Anacortes. All of my boating in the Sound has been down around Tacoma area and in Neah Bay mainly to dive. This year, I am hoping to take some trips just to explore for the sake of adventure. <br /><br />I enjoyed the pics. Looks like you have a good crew of people to boat with.

 

[Lowranger]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Tallman, I just saw from your album thay you're also a sledder. You should check out Mt Baker and St Helens. St Helens

 

[scottatwork]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Hey Tallman - are you in the navy and transferring to NAS Whidbey?<br />I maintain a lot of the squadron's training webservers, which are actually located here where I am (That's classified LOL).......if you are in the Navy, I run ASM.....(maybe I should duck)...<br /><br /><br />Who said there was v ery little interest from Puget Sound on i-boats? Lots of us here! <br /><br />You can also take a trip up to Canada, Friday Harbour, Nanaimo, Victoria, man the possibilities are ENDLESS!<br /><br />I'll be up there for the bathtub races this year, always fun and interesting.....but I also take my boat out around Bainbridge Island , Blake Island etc.<br /><br />Bainbridge I drive by, but Blake you can stop and camp or have picnics on......maybe not worth the trip down but if you are ever around the Seattle area it's a nice place..

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Scott - Bathtub racing looks like a blast! I'd like to come watch some time. <br /><br />If you put your Bathtub racing link in your signature you could get lots more exposure? Like you say maybe you can find some more Americans to compete with the Canadians <br /><br />Long live the PNW!

 

[glasply1]

Re: Oak Harbor / whidbey / Puget Sound Boating?

Today was a great day for boating on Puget Sound. Calm, blue sky, sunshine and mild tides and 2 Alaska Ambers. No salmon today!<br /><br />Someone made a comment about Swinomish Channel which goes by LaConner. Be sure you check the charts for that area. Buoys get reversed half way down the channel. Red, Right, Return only applies part way. Its not really a big deal. Just stay in between the buoys and don't be too surprised at how shallow it is. Try to go through during high tide, which will make a significant difference, giving you much more channel width at the south end.