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San Juans Cruising Guides??

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millermg
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159 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/08/2007 : 15:04:05

Now that we've got a San Juan Islands compatable boat, I can't stop myself from planning the summer cruise, even though summer is months away! Any NW'erners out there have a recommendation on a San Juans cruising guide?

1983 C25 FK/SR Finistere
Garner
Olympia WA
~/)~
~~~

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 01/08/2007 : 15:13:39

Garner,
Rita & I are planning a trip up to the San Juans as well. We're about 90 minutes or so from the Cap Sante marina so it won't be too difficult to make several three day trips during the season. I've been reading "[url="http://www.amazon.com/Gunkholing-San-Juan-Islands-Bailey/dp/0944257046"]Gunkholing in the San Juans[/url]", as well as looking through a book of charts whose name I don't recall, I found both at Half Price books. I really want to do a trip to Sucia Island at some point, as well as the more usual spots in the San Juans. I also just recently bought a chart of the islands to start planning routes.

Edited by - on

mashedcat
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194 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2007 : 15:52:45

Waggoner Cruising Guide.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2007 : 18:56:26

How about we try to organize a group cruise including San Juan newbies (like me and the Admiral) and more experienced people? We live in Oregon and would love a spring (June) trip.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2007 : 19:41:42

I am now living in the SJ's
I have not traveled farther than 10 miles since I got here. I am all about a cruise/bbq/whatever. I am likely going to be unavailable for Jun/jul. The fleet cruises I have been on in Florida have been a hoot.

May will be busy but workable.

Tom.

Tom.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 00:37:09

Count me in as very interested. Have made many trips to the SJ's and each time it gets better. Upgrading the EZ Loader trailer for the next trip which is tentitively planned for the last week of June. I use Waggoner and the current tables which I will look up later and add. There are several others which I also will look up. The web sites of Annacortes and the SJ will give the activities planned by the local towns to visit or avoid. I have a list that I use made for the trips to the SJ's of all the things we have forgotten on earlier trips, some very interesting items too. Good idea to get this started.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 14:02:58

Rita & I are in, we're new to the San Juans as well as our boat. We've only been out on our new boat once so far and are looking forward to nicer weather to get to know her. Our last trip got canceled due to small craft advisories. Didn't really want to learn how to reef my main in 30+ knot winds with two non-sailors and a dog on board.

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welshoff
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Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 15:36:19

I am taking the family up to the San Juans first couple/three weeks of July. We are leaving from Olympia around 6/29 or 6/30 and heading North. I will be in Seattle for 4th of July then heading up North to the Islands from there. We are going to try to do three week cruise. We will probably be in the islands around 7/7 or 7/8 to 7/16 or 7/18? - I am just playing it by ear no tight schedules or agendas. I am interested in meeting up at some point/some place along the way. Hope your schedules work out and some or you can make it up there while we are there. I would like to meet up with other sailors.

PS. I would recommend "Gunkholing in the San Juan Islands" by Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg . I had it and "Waggoner Cruising Guide" by Robert Hale last year on my San Juan trip and thoutht the Gunkholing had more information. But since I had both I cross check between the two guides as well. I had a third guide but the name escapes me today?

Edited by - welshoff on 01/09/2007 15:47:16

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 20:30:25

I just looked up the school schedule for Seattle. They end on June 25th. I'm thinking it would be better to go before school is out because it would be less crowded. That would mean early or mid-June. Thoughts?

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ClamBeach
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Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 21:59:20

"That would mean early or mid-June" Thoughts?

(IMHO stuff)

Weather may still be dicey then. Early through middling-to-late June you stand a pretty good chance of getting a cold blustery system with rain passing through. If you're worried about getting away from the crowds you might find better cruising weather on the 'back end' of the season... early to mid September.

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millermg
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159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 23:14:14

Correct, having grown up around here, June has a reputation of being a sour month. In fact, in May is often nicer. Best weather is late July, August is great except for chilly mornings- it's not uncommon to have morning fog/low clouds that burn off around noon. September is very often wonderful, and during El Nino years good weather can last well into October. If I were you all, and didn't have to work around the school calendar, I'd wait till after labor day.

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millermg
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159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2007 : 23:18:26

Hey Wil,
Do you know your boat is two slips down from mine?

We're somewhat flexible, but are thinking the last two weeks of July-it would be great to meet up w/ you at some point??

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2007 : 08:47:58

Looking at July and was thinking that a possible schedule for meeting could be Fridays at Blind Bay and Mondays at Sucia (Fossil Bay). This would give some flexibility and VHF schedules for planning get togethers, calling "Catalina Forum" on 16 and boats in the area can respond. Comments?

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welshoff
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253 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2007 : 10:59:50

Garner,
I thought that was a "new" C25 slipped a couple births away last time I was out at the marina. I gave her a look over and it is a very clean boat - you found a good one. I hope to run into you sometime at Boston Harbor. It's a little cold and rainy these days. As you know we even have a couple inches of snow today. I think I'll keep the boat cover on for a at least another month to keep the rain and snow at bay. It is a nice marina just to hang around at - we do more during the summer months. Don't miss their Sunday Brunch's, they do a pretty good job (they do them during the summer months).

Hope to see you around one day.

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johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2007 : 21:24:37

Good Day...

Well I have been to three of these places listed on this article.
That was before I read this article.

http://www.usps.org/localusps/seattle/images/links/10PlacesYouDont%20Want%20To%20Visit.pdf

paulj C250wk #719

Edited by - johnsonp on 01/13/2007 22:20:05

sweetcraft
Admiral

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Response Posted - 01/12/2007 : 23:15:24

Paul, tell me more. Can't get the usps.org to open. Want to know the 10.

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2007 : 07:00:08

FYI http://www.guidetosanjuans.com/

Paul.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2007 : 10:32:09

Here's the link: [url="http://www.usps.org/localusps/seattle/images/links/10PlacesYouDont%20Want%20To%20Visit.pdf"]Top Ten Places You Don't Want to Visit in the San Juans[/url]

I'll be making notes on my charts...

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sweetcraft
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Response Posted - 01/13/2007 : 15:39:07

Thanks and I am making notes on the charts too. Each morning of my cruise that a new destination is selected I reread my notes and plot on the charts so that I am not trying to figure where I am when the wind and waves pickup. All these notes and guides make for a less complication leg of the cruise. I also note an alternate destination if just maybe the weather forcast might be off. It's also better to get and go over the charts before the cruise and not open them up as you cast off. (David is your signature picture North Cove?)

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delliottg
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Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 01:00:56

Jim,
The photo is taken from a mooring ball off of Blake Island (just SSW of Seattle) at sunset on our last trip there this summer.

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 10:52:37

So, for you SJ veterans. Is it OK to cruise in the summer crowd-wise? Is it difficult to get slips or mooring? Thanks.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/14/2007 10:53:30

sweetcraft
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Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 14:03:54

Yes there is some difficulty with a large fleet. Call ahead, first one in checks and makes arrangements, get settled in Friday and Saturdays and not look for a slip or mooring, partner up a first timer with a crew that has experience and schedule get together at location that can hold everyone and then share what you learned so that others can then go and enjoy the high points. Just ideas that a group can use to make it pleasure cruise with big windows of time and those with time constrants can chose their destinations. Getting together to hear how many Orca's did you see and how quiet it was at Blind Bay except for the cows and sheep is a way to enjoy a cruise with others. A radio schedule is good so that plans can be changed and a boat that has found a spot can spend more time. Say I've still got to share the list of forgotten things you need to bring.

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mashedcat
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Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 20:00:56

The top ten to avoid depends on what you want to avoid. All of the places in the article are clearly marked on the charts for the hazards they present. There were some places omitted there that I always avoid, but not for the reasons listed in the article. I've been to some of the ones in the article and having followed the advice in the cruising guide (Waggoners) and the cautions on the chart had no problem. Every year I add to my list of places that i want to see, and ones that I wont go back to. My list will be different from yours. Read your chart. Use your head. Use good sense. Use caution. Have a good time.

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delliottg
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Response Posted - 01/14/2007 : 23:16:49

Dave,
Can you share your list of places you wouldn't go back to in the San Juans, and why? We've never been, and would rather learn about bad places the easy way, if you're willing to tell us. Although I have to admit, some of my best stories have come from bad experiences.

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mashedcat
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Response Posted - 01/15/2007 : 20:27:07

David, I'm reluctant to put the places I wouldn't return to, because they might be right up your alley. I like anchoring out. I like small unpretentious marinas and out of the way places. You might like to stay in a large marina, and have access to gourmet dining. I think the places to avoid in the article were ones that represent a hazard. All of those places are clearly addressed in the guides I use and on the charts. But for instance, Fisherman's Bay is one of my go back to places. Study the chart. Heed the cautions. If you are uncertain, enter and leave at high tide. Stay in the channel. I like Friday Harbor. I'm not fond of Roche Harbor. But, I'll use it for customs if necessary. Anchorages I like are Griffin Bay on San Juan Island, (if you go ashore and hike to the top of the hill south you get a spectacular view). Both sides of Stuart Island. Jones Island. Spencer Spit. Indian Cove. But the idea is to go and look for yourself. You might love what I don't.
Gary Bruner who sails on the Columbia and who has been to the area 20 years plus, and Paul Johnson who lives in Anacortes and sails the area extensively are probably better equipped to guide you. Both of those guys are members on the forum.
By the way, there is a little chart book (not suitable for navigation) called Evergreens. That book has aerial photos of almost all of the hazards mentioned in the 10 places not to go site.
The other reference you should take is Washburnes Tables for the San Juan and Gulf Islands. It is the current and tide atlas day to day. Sometimes that will be pretty important. As already mentioned, Waggoners Guide for the current year.

Edited by - mashedcat on 01/15/2007 20:36:01

David Scott
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 01/15/2007 : 23:29:07

Count us in too!July&August seem to be some of the best weather. A "cleansing shower" comes once in awhile and sometimes even a little rain but thats when you get a good book out. Our new 2007 Waggoners just arrived and its been updated and has had a facelift with better quality pages and new multi-colored pics etc,and still one of the best guides available. We also like Douglas&Douglas,"Exploring the San Juan and Gulf Islands"if not still in print you can usually find it used at 1/2 price in one of the many book store in Anacortes. It features expert personal knowledge and detailed anchor diagrams and cautions the sailor about what to look out for while under way or anchoring. Lets keep this thread going thru the winter and spring and hope to see some of you in the Northwest this summer.

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