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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/30/2009 : 12:50:05

The Admiral has raised the idea of having our summer cruise start in Tacoma and lead up to Port Townsend then to Seattle, the ship canal/locks, Lake Union and Lake Washington. More of an urban cruise than the San Juans.

Anyone familiar with a good marina in Tacoma that could lift us in and out? Other thoughts and experience with this potential itinerary?

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 08:14:16

Duck, there was an article recently (within the past two years, if that's still recent in our "experienced" minds) about sailing on Lake Washington. One of the glossy rags. Not a lot of anchorage opportunities there because of the houses on the water. The ship canal and the lock could be a hoot, as I've had some business experiences in Seattle many years ago, and watched the boats lock through, (also did our own lockings in Europe on many canal boat trips)and I also sailed Lake Union in a C22 for any number of afternoon sails (Lake Union still "owns" my last Zippo lighter!) and the views are spectacular. Need some care in checking your mast height to go under the floating bridge(s?) high sections at the south end of Lake Washington. Given your prior experiences in the SJ's this could be way too built up for you, but it would be a different kettle of fish as a cruise. Try the archives at Cruising World, since it's the only glossy I still get. Tacoma is a pretty busy waterfront, so I'm sure there'll be many choices; try a search on Foss Waterway, or am I confusing that with Olympia? The Hood Canal area is very pretty, too.

Edited by - on

millermg
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159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 08:36:57

Hylebos Marina is probably your best bet in Tacoma. Here's another thought- start down at Swantown Marina in Olympia. Great lift, reasonable rates. Some of the best cruising in the sound (south of the SJ's) is between Tacoma and Olympia. Much less crowded, and some beautiful inlets, especially Case Inlet. Fair Harbor Marina is one of our favorite marinas in all of Puget Sound. There's a number of great state park islands as well.

Don't miss Gig Harbor, great spot. The Tides Tavern is a bit of a puget sound landmark- get there in the early afternoon and you'll get a nice spot on thier dock. Otherwise you may end up rafted up 3 boats deep, which isn't all that bad. Then you can have dinner and drink as late as you want and spend the night, no moorage fee. (They get that out of the bar tabs!)

The public dock in the Foss Waterway in downtown Tacoma is a great spot too, walking distance to everything. It's right next to three really good museums, and some great restaurants.

If I were to stay in Seattle, I'd stay at Belltown Marina- it's walking and bus distance to all the cool stuff in the city. Going through the locks up into Lake Union is pretty fun, and pretty easy. Just have to remember to bring a pair of 50' long mooring lines. Surprisingly few options for places to go in Lake Washigton, but I'd definitely stay at the public dock in Kirkland, that's a great spot. I spent a lot of time in Kirkland as a kid.

Catch the Blake Island Tillicum Tribe salmon bake dinner, that's fun too. Learned the hard way you have to make reservations.

I sound like I'm writing a travel guide book...

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 10:06:56

Puget? I thought Pugs were already small, how small is a Puget?

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KD4AO
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202 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 10:09:37

A few years ago the City dock at Kirkland was a good place to go in Lake Washington. Going up the sound, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Blake Island, Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Port Townsend were all good distinations.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 10:10:28

Garner, I was reading about sailing the South Sound and also about Swantown. Round trip lift looks to be about $175 vs the $55 at Cap Sante in Anacortes. Ouch! I saw they have a pair of ramps too. Think they could handle a strap launch with 80' of line?? It does sound like cruising the South Sound is another good option.

I think you and Stu are right about moorage being tight on Lake Washington (I'll check out Kirkland), and Belletown would be fun. Our daughter went to school in Seattle and she did sports so we got up to Seattle about 20 times each year. Got to know the city quite well. It is a special place.

Still are considering the San Juans too. Tough to beat and still a LOT of spots we haven't been too. Admiral really wants to go to Port Townsend too. Choices, choices.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/01/2009 10:12:51

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 10:16:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 Puget? I thought Pugs were already small, how small is a Puget?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frank, I think you are confusing Puget with Puglet, a very small pug.

Edited by - on

millermg
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159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 16:16:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by KD4AO
 A few years ago the City dock at Kirkland was a good place to go in Lake Washington. Going up the sound, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Blake Island, Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Port Townsend were all good distinations.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, it's a good ramp at high tide for strap launching. I used to strap launch my Santana 20 w/ a 4' draft fixed keel no problem. I had no idea Anacortes launching was so cheap!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 17:23:28

Randy,
You could also launch at Alki, right across from Seattle, I've strap launched there a number of times, the tide isn't a big concern, or at Shilshole although you need to be careful of the drop off at that ramp at low tide.

You need to be careful on the bridges for clearance on Lake Washington, you should fit fine on the east end of 520, but you will probably have to round Mercer Island to the east if you want to go to Seward Park, I think the clearance on the west span of I-90 is 29' (my San Juan would fit, but SL's tall rig won't).

Blake Island is a nice little sail from Alki or Shilshole, if you go, there are balls at various places around the island that you can swing on, or there's good anchorages as well. The balls are $15/night I think, and if you put in at Alki, parking/launch is $5/day.

Going through the Ballard locks is a kick in the pants, as was mentioned, don't forget your two 50' lines. The more people that are there, the more likely you are to have entertainment during the lock process.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 18:12:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Yes, it's a good ramp at high tide for strap launching. I used to strap launch my Santana 20 w/ a 4' draft fixed keel no problem. I had no idea Anacortes launching was so cheap!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Garner, are you referring to the Swantown ramps? Do they allow trailer parking for a couple of weeks?

Yes the lift at Cap Sante is a great deal. That whole marina is sweet.

David, thanks for the info re Alki. It's good to know that is a possibility.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/01/2009 18:13:47

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 18:42:49

Actually Randy, if you give me a head's up, you can park your rig at our marina for the entire time & not incur any cost except the launch fees. It's about 2 miles from Alki and we can coordinate getting your rig there & back.

Edited by - on

millermg
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159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 21:41:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Yes, it's a good ramp at high tide for strap launching. I used to strap launch my Santana 20 w/ a 4' draft fixed keel no problem. I had no idea Anacortes launching was so cheap!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Garner, are you referring to the Swantown ramps? Do they allow trailer parking for a couple of weeks?

Yes the lift at Cap Sante is a great deal. That whole marina is sweet.

David, thanks for the info re Alki. It's good to know that is a possibility.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

yeah, swantown ramps. I'm sure they can work something out for a couple of weeks. They have a month-by-month lot that's $45 a month.

Edited by - on

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