05/26 - 05/29 - Princess Louisa - Memorial Day Weekend

By the way on Memorial Day weekend, I will be canoeing down the Smith River in Central Montana. At least its water I will be on, and the fishing should be good. John
 
LLOYDS
We are from Salem, going up as far as we can on Thursday. Launching from Twin Bridges as early as we can Friday. Check into Canada at Pender Harbor. If there is daylight left, we will continue north. You are welcome to tag along. Last summer we were in the Gulf Is. but we only got as far north as Ladysmith.
 
Hey Terry,

Sounds like we have a mini-pod. C-Dancer would like to tag along with Rock-C and Lloyds on Friday morning. And Lloyds, don't worry about going too slow, it just gives us a better chance to soak up the beautiful scenery :D
 
Terry, let's keep in touch. Maybe we can follow you up thursday. I have heard of Twin Bridges But have no idea where it is. Is the parking secure?
 
I have parked at Twin Br. a couple of times. Never had a problem, however my old beat-up truck is not a pretty target. :cry What we have done, if we are going to be there for more than a few days, is launch at Twin Br. I take the boat to Anacortes and Ann drives the truck around, ( 5-10 miles.). The parking at Cap Sante seems secure and the cost is less.
 
I think I remember Twin Bridges now. Is that the fairly new or remodeled marina along the road going to Anacortes? Right next to the casinos?
 
Yup, you got it. The turn-off is immediately before the "Twin Bridges" on the way to Anacortes. The marina is fairly new, about 5 years old. I don't know about the security at the ramp but I know quite a few boats launch and keep their tow vehicles there.
 
Suits me, get to see some new water.
 
Hey guys maybe I missed something, but this morning I called Twin Bridges Marina to ask about launching and the guy there said they only launch boats stored with them and they don't even have a ramp?
 
There is a ramp under the bridges, I think it's called the Swinomish ramp but don't quote me on the name. Twin Bridges Marina is a dry storage facility (where we keep our boat) and only launches via forklift. They are in the same general location, about 100 yards away separated by a road but are separate facilities. Hope that makes sense.
 
Thanks C-Dancer. I had an open question on another thread about launching at Deception Pass State Park when I tow over for the Lopez Island CBGT. That is probably where I will launch.
 
cavu and others. the swimnomish ramp( under the bridge) is a good little ramp and we have never had a problem leaving our truck there for two to four days. they have added new lights in the parking near the ramp. its a good place to launch as its out of the wind and waves. just watch the cross curent when its running and plan on tying up on the up current side before you get there. same when you launch. launch on the up current side and it will hold your dory against the float. Back all the way out before you try and turn and always turn the back of the boat in to the current. this will swing the bow around faster and is safer. even if you have to go the wrong direction up the channel 50 yards and then turn around. Same with coming back, make sure you are headed in to the current as you come to the enterance of the ramp and then let th current hepl swing you in to the ramp. its worth waithing for the up current side of the ramp if another boat is there already. hope this helps.
 
Tom, you nailed it. Last month, we had a heck of a time trying to dock the boat against the cross current and wind. In retrospect, we should have done as you suggested and docked on the wind side of the dock. We couldn't turn that tight corner and it must have been quite a sight watching us trying to dock from the other side with the current and wind pushing us away. I can laugh about it now but it was no fun. :sad
Peter
 
I know because I have screwed up the same way. Hope I can save some one else the pain.
 
I put in at Cap Sante marina in Anacortes. There is a fee but they sling you
in and I think its worth it. There is a safe parking at a storage area just East
of Anacortes or you can stay at the public lot at Cap Sante. For out of area
guys like me its good. I plan on getting there a few days early and will stay
at Cap Sante. Right now I'm in Texas hauling horses, but can't wate to be back boating in the Northwest.

:smiled john schuler :smiled
 
$37 buck to launch on there sling is not worth it to me. stopped there to check it out a few weeks ago. Thats way to much just to drop in and out
 
Tom,

Thanks for the advise on the launch. I am going to keep my boat at Twin Bridges dry storage and plan to launch there.
 
Tom...do you have the coordinates for the Whiskey Gulf area. I would like to plug it into the gps for the trip up.
C-Dancer, Lloyd, and any others leaving Friday. How about a planned stop at Montigue Hbr. Friday night. We could take the little red hippy bus to the pub for dinner. The down side is, we would have a lone way to go on Sat.
What do ya think?
 
Terry, Caryn and I would love to take the hippy bus to the pub. Also, is there a way you can send me the waypoints you're plugging in so I can do the same. You can PM me if you'd like.
Peter
 
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