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San Juans Bound - The Nauti Duck

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/20/2007 : 22:55:17

Here are pictures from our cruise in the San Juans. The trip, our first, was fantastic! We visited Blind Bay, Deer Harbor, Friday Harbor, Snug Harbor, Fisherman’s Bay, Stuart Island, and our departure point of Cap Sante in Anacortes. We can’t wait to go back. Accommodations ranged from Marine State Park mooring ($10) to resort marinas ($35) with pools and Jacuzzis. Gotta keep the Admiral happy.

What a treasure to have this cruising ground within a days drive. Enjoy!

Lifting in – be careful there fella!

The Captain at the helm:

Mount Baker was always in view.

The Duckling faithfully followed us everywhere.

Deer Harbor is not roughing it.

Uh, did we get a slip on the runway?

We stopped at Roche Harbor for lunch.

OK, where are the Orcas?

Smores for the crew.

Let’s wait till the fog lifts.

Yes, the water is over our heads.

Burgers at Stuart Island.

OK, next year I bring long underwear.

Wow, that two weeks went fast!

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

Edited by - Nautiduck on 09/21/2007 14:34:45

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2007 : 08:29:05

Nice pictures. Looks like a good time.

I like where our boat is (Oriental, NC; quite sailing and shrimp town for now, the 4-lane is on the way). There is more water than I can sail (it would take me more than two days to get to the north end of the Pamlico Sound). BUT, I do get envious of the scenery you get in the PNW.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2007 : 08:39:05

Great stuff Randy, Thanks. I'm totally envious! 2 Weeks huh? ............ I'm getting 2 days (but still very happy about it)

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2007 : 08:54:55

Great pictures Randy. Thanks for sharing with us. Now if I could only think of a way to get my fin keel to Washington from San Diego? Three month cruise or trailering? Nah, I don't think so.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2007 : 09:39:16

Randy,
Looks like a fun trip. Did you end up ever seeing any Orcas? We never have so far, but would (obviously) love to. We had plans to do a smaller version of your trip earlier this summer but both of us were sick for nearly a month right in the middle of the best weather. Next year I think. For now it's day sailing & the occasional trip to Blake Island. Are you going to post more pictures from the trip? I'd love to see your more remote anchorages.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2007 : 14:22:21

David, here are some photos from the two more remote places we stayed. Both are marine state parks and we moored at each.

Here we are at Blind Bay at Shaw Island. Thanks to Jim Sweet for recommending this spot to us. There are four mooring spots. On Blind Island there are picnic tables and bathroom facilities (not flush).

Across the Harney Channel from Blind Bay is the ferry landing on Orcas Island. The ferries never gave us a problem but we tried to stay well out of their way.

Walking on Shaw was fun. Very little traffic and plenty of beautiful views. This is Indian Cove on the other side of Shaw.

The little school house on Shaw. There is also a neat General Store just a dinghy ride from your mooring.

Another marine state park, this one at Reid Harbor on Stuart Island. Though popular in summer, in the fall it was very quiet. We modified our trip to make sure we got to Stuart since Douglas chastised my first itinerary! It was a smart move.

A short walk leads to Provost Harbor on Stuart.

The Nauti Duck in Reid Harbor.

Almost no vehicles on Stuart Island so it is great for walking and biking. Up the road a mile is an old schoolhouse and nearby this “store” where you pick out the merchandise and then mail payment in when you get home! We bought several “Pirates of the San Juans” shirts.

We saw quite a few kayakers who would set up camp at the marine parks and islands. Too cold for us!

The mooring at the state parks are well done and cost only $10 per day. If you like remote then I hear that the Canadian Gulf Islands, just north of the San Juans, are beautiful and less built up. We intend to see them in the spring. We used the Waggoner's Guide and it was very helpful. Also the Canadian government tides book (Current Atlas Juan de Fuca Strait) and the companion Washburne's Tables for each year. These are must-haves for the San Juans. Also, in my opinion, is a GPS chartplotter.

As for Orcas, no we did not see any despite an entire day in "Orca Alley" between Snug Harbor and Cattle Pass. The pros were stumped too. There had been Orcas sightings frequently the entire time. Oh well. We did see Harbor Seals and Dals Dolphins as well as many birds.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 09/21/2007 14:38:44

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2007 : 01:06:16

Great pictures and account of the trip. Yes, the Gulf Islands are very nice. Orca sightings can be a little luck or if you listen to the VHF there is a channel used by the Whale sighting boats and a plane. The Orca's don't have a chance for being alone. You do know where we are in the food chain so we keep our distance when there is a chance meeting.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2007 : 06:47:24

Randy, sounds like a great trip, envious... of course... you did get in some sailing? right ????

Paul

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2007 : 11:32:54

Paul, yes we did sail a few times but even sailboats do quite a bit of motoring in the San Juans. There are strong tidal currents to contend with. Now that we are more familiar with the tides we have learned to schedule our movements to go WITH the tide!

Bucking a strong tidal current makes for real slow going. We had one day in particular (Stuart Island to Lopez Island) with great sailing for about 5 hours straight. We were "racing" with a three masted schooner and had loads of fun.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 09/24/2007 11:33:21

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2007 : 19:02:49

wow nice trip !!!

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1318 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2007 : 21:09:56

Too bad we were not home in time to meet-up and join you for a portion of your wonderful cruise... Glad that you had a good time and was able to include a visit to our favorite island Sucia in the San Juan's... Perhaps next season?

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