Ladye's Comments

Haven't seen you since the party at pier 14. Thank you for the pictures if you could I would like to get the full format pictures from you.

we chartered in the san juans and the s canadian gulf islands...used anacortes yacht club last july for 7 days..this is a Moorings affiliate. they did a great job setting us up with a Benateau 32. fortunately the weather was cooperating. Remember tho..very little wind up there in the summer...fun places include many fun places such as friday harbor...bring your crab rings too!!

heya.. feel free to look me up if you're in my part of the Caribe...

I;m an ex varnish lady so if you need any help just come bang on the boat. Well, I wont be back for another week. but I'll be sure to stop if I see ya,
Erika

Hey Ladye,
I am at Watergate too, I think we are on the same pier! I'm on 5 across from Mike (contessa) and John (Coranado). If you are who I think you are you are working on your wood right now(?).. Thanks for inviting me to be your friend.
I'm not on the boat right now, I am recovering from major surgery so I am at a girlfriends house, but I should be back within a week (yahoo!)
Great to hear from you.
Erika

It would behove you to go to http://www.waggonerguide.com/
That has a plethera of information about the San Juan Islands, WA.
I love the place and take my boat there to cruise as much as I can during the summer months.

Above all have fun and don't forget to go to Rossario on Orchas Island.

Harry

My boat - as were almost all of the boats at our marina - was safe and sound. I could hardly believe how well she weathered that horrible storm. It tore the marina up and we are still getting back in shape. I was gone for two months - vacationing with friends and relatives in the south; FL, AL, TN, IN and having a great time while they were restoring the electricity and water at each slip. So it wasn't all bad. It was SO GOOD to come home though. When I first came to the Kemah/Seabrook to look for my next 'home' and found the Irwin I looked at a bunch of Marina's around here and chose the Boardwalk. Deeper water, floating docks, great area here on this east side of SR 146. I just felt at home.

I find the best weather is found July 5 - the end of September. As far as charter companies I have no idea. Me and my father sailed the San Juans since 1986 or so, and we like Friday Harbor, Port Townsend, Montague, Deep Bay on Lesqueti (sp? near Texada in British Columbia), Pendor Harbor (B.C.), Princess Louisa Inlet (B.C.), Suscia Island, and Hunter Bay... But if you sail around you very well might find a nice spot and stay for a few days, we usually do. The Gulf Islands in B.C. are beautiful, as well as the San Juans. Also try to check when and where the Orca whales will be as the pods are tracked, you might be able to hook up with a kayak group and see them in the wild. We have had the Orcas swim with our boat much like the dolphins, but only once... And now you arent allowed to get close, so try a kayak excursion. If you dont want to do the customs stuff, then I'd say stick in the San Juan's, and if time is limited then dont worry about port townsend as it is an overnight trip (although they are the wooden boat headquarters in the area, and it is a neat place to day visit, especially Fort Warden). Careful what channels you go through and when, investing in a tide table and current chart as well as nautical charts will make your outings smooth. your clock will revolve around the tides, when to come and go, etc. ummmm... You can try Anacortes, Bellingham, and maybe even Blaine for charter companies as well as anywhere in the San Juans (or, maybe chartering a boat from Canada would be cheaper? Sidney, Victoria, and maybe Vancouver...) Any other questions?

Hello Ladye. Nice to meet you. You are at the Boardwalk Marina then? Very nice boat you have, I enjoyed your pictures. I am at the Boardwalk, E Dock aboard a 37ft Irwin. Are you part of Singles Sailing - a Yahoo Group. I think some of them are thinking about getting a group together to charter. You can find them at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singlessailing/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=2 if you are interested. Do you live aboard? I like the marina here and living aboard. One of my son's and I are refitting the boat - for two years now - LOL. But she is coming along. Take care and enjoy, Jan

The San Juan's are really a great destination. I spent two summers sailing there, but that was back in the late 1980's, so my knowlege is a bit dated. I crewed on a private sailing yacht, so I can't recommend a particular charter company. Highlights of that broader cruising area included: Roche Harbor, The Canadian Gulf Islands such as Galleano Is., Victoria, Campbell River, and Desolation Sound. Your itinerary might keep you closer to Bellingham or Anacortes, but no worries, the whole region is nice. The weather was almost perfect all the time and we did have some luck with the Dungeness crab pots. I recall the winds were light and the tidal current a major factor. Keep a watchful eye out for tugs towing barges, fishing fleets, logs, and if you are lucky, Orcas.

I'm taking a SAFE BOATING COURSE also I signed up for a third class on Navigation & chart reading...I have those antique tools, I want them to teach me how to use.. Out of about 30 people I was the only Sailboat person, and only 2 women there me and an owner of a Houseboat...I look forward to seeing her Houseboat...live a board..we traded phone numbers, and shes near by.

Hope you are well...don't be a stranger...

You might check with San Juan Sailing out of Bellingham, they are pretty good. Mention Glen Gelhar's name he used to skipper for the charters there and is now buddy boating with us in the Sea of Cortez. The islands are beautiful, pay real close attention to the currents/tides and the weather, it's not east coast. Sail to Vancouver if at all possible you will not regret it. We'll be back someday, on our way to Panama and points beyond. Fair winds!
Cam

can you get out of there when the tide is so low? I couldnt get out at all this weekend.

We are over in Bal Harbour, our boat is a BayField 32C 1984 called Merlot. We got her in March last year. Do you know of TMCA texas mariners Cruising assosiation? We have joind them and they have cruises every weekend you can join as well as dock parties and various social events. They also have exelent local knowledge posted on their web site www.tmca.nu. I hope to see you out there soon or as soon as we get enough tide to get out.

We used San Juan Sailing (http://www.sanjuansailing.com/charters.htm) from Bellingham, they have exelent local knowledge and their boats were in exelent shape. We has a Beneteau 35. They have some sample cruises available. (http://www.sanjuansailing.com/sanjuan.htm) We typically go there in July and that is a great break from the Texas heat.

I have sailed out of Anacortes. Its a small town with good provisioning. I like the location relative to the Islands. In just an hour you are among the Islands and into the cruise. I have only used Anacortes Yacht Charter. They have service my needs very well. The briefings are good, and the equipment has always been, clean, well maintained, and ready to go. I have used them three or four times. You can usually get a good discount if you follow their website.
They have some nice itenaries for various anchorages. I particularly like the Inner Harbor at Victoria, for a night stayover. You are right in the heart of a very British city with lots to do. I also like the cove behind the Buchart Gardens. It does not show up real well in charts or cruising guides, but is easy to find and access. An there are a few nice mooring balls. Roach Harbor is quaint, and Sidney has a very nice marina. There are a ton of places to anchor. During summer the crowd will somewhat determine where you set the hook, ie, if it is not too crowded. I have usually gone out in Sept after schools has started and never had a problem with anchorages. Pay attention to the tides and currents, there is usually a good Canadian publication on the boats.
Under sailI have been doing 7.5 knots over water, and not gained any ground. In the summer be prepared for a fair amount of motorsailing. Crossing the two straits Haro and San Juan are the most fun in terms of a good beam reach.
Hope this helps...Rod

I am not familar with Texas crusing, but the San Juans are wonderful....many islands and anchorages and interesting scenery. As mentioned below, San Juan Sailing has many excellent boats as does Anacortes Yacht Charters. San Juan Sailing has a nice description of a seven day and 14 day cruise thru the islands and into Canada:

http://www.sanjuansailing.com/cruising.htm

also see:
http://www.ayc.com/

please keep in mind we have 10+ foot tides, reefs and many dangerous passage areas where you really need to watch...especially with a sailboat and a 5+ draft!

we could send some links to cruising guides, but start with San Juan Sailing's trip overview and let Roger Van Dyken know who sent you...

have a safe cruise
kirk

Hello, many good questions. First the San Jaun's are a wonderful choice to sail, simply enchanting. Always sail with the tide, currents can be stong in many places. With countless anchorages you can't go wrong. Most eventually gravitate to Sucia Island at one point or another. I usually stay in Echo Bay, it's the largest place to drop anchor and a good central place to venture out in your the dingy. Roche and Friday Harbor's are both excellent if you want a well cooked meal or some civilization. They can both be very busy places nearly anytime of the year. Victoria B.C. is also a nice place to visit. It has a wonderful British look and feel. You can moore overnight right in front of the Emperess Hotel, which is very impresssive (day or night). Late summer has the best weather, usually warm and fairly dry. Many good charter companies, San Juan Sailing, out of Bellingham, WA is best in my opinion: http://www.sanjuansailing.com/, give them a look. Large fleet to choose from and first class in every regard.

Hope this is useful for you, more info if you need any. Enjoy and cheers. George