Port Angeles or Sequim

C

C-Dawg

New member
For a multi-day trip to Victoria/Sidney, where would be the better place to launch and park the tow vehicle in early July; Boat Haven or John Wayne? Do they have fees to park? Any time restrictions for parking? Is security an issue at either one?

I see there is a $10 launch fee at both marinas, but didn't see anything about parking.

Thanks.
 
PA would be a bit shorter crossing to Victoria than John Wayne. Both ramps are operated by the Port of Port Angeles. If you get a slip the parking is included but I don't know about a time limit if you just use the ramp. There is also parking on the street in PA. Give the Harbormaster's Office a call 360-457-4505. http://www.portofpa.com/

Both places have after hours security and the docks are card holder access only at night. I think either place would be about the same as far as leaving a tow vehicle.

Rick
 
We have had a boat at Sequim in the marina for 4 years in the mid 1990s, with no security issues. But had an RV broken into just down the way on Sequim Bay Road when we were gone for the summer, in a storage lot. Lots of damage. We also had the boat at PA for haul out and a stay of several weeks. I thought things were a bit more secure at Sequim.

Check with the Harbor master about the parking at Sequim. The last time, we were gone for a month, and last summer they wanted a parking fee for each day, and I was not real happy with security--so we parked at a friend's house. If you can do that, it would be better security wise and cheaper. Not sure if any of the C Brats have an area. Our friend has a 10 acre ranch, so plenty of room.
 
And...if I'm not mistaken, only PA has Customs. That would save you a stop in Friday Harbor if returning direct from Canada was preferable.

There's also a nerd that has free/secure parking 15 minutes west of town...and bribed appropriately, he might be willing to provide shuttle service.
 
I sure would pick up that last offer! Good point about customs! We always enjoy driving thru Port Angeles--and browsing the stores there (plus having service on our vehicles there....the list goes on).
 
Cool, that was easy. :D We plan on doing this over the 4th of July weekend. We'd like to launch Wednesday evening (3 July) and we'll come back on Sunday, 7 July. If this works for you, I'll drop you a note in June for final coordination.

If you end up making plans to travel for the holiday, I'll just park at the marina.
 
We 'll probably be around during that week, too, we don't usually go anywhere for the 4th. If Bill isn't available, there's plenty of parking at our house, too. We're halfway between PA and Sequim.

Rick
 
Parking at John Wayne, if you have the annual permit, is OK for 72 hours in the south lot. If you are going to be gone more than that, need to contact Ron, the harbormaster. The $10 fee for launch includes the parking and retrieval. I'm pretty sure that covers the up to 72 hour stay.

In going to Victoria, there are two basic routes. Straight north from PA across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (I have not done that yet) but it is the shortest. From Sequim, It would be farther to Victoria and on the return, a Customs stop would be required in either, Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor or Port Angeles.

Personally my plan to go to Victoria is to go to Sidney and then take the bus from the marina there to Victoria. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the Victoria Clipper. Fast (30 knots or so), not in the shipping lane, and don't show up real well on radar. They do have AIS though.

I, too, have some parking available and can do shuttle, depending on the times. (I don't need that same bribe as Bill :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Hey Harvey

More info on that shuttle from Sidney to Victoria would be appreciated. Is that the city bus or an actual shuttle from the marina? Where exactly do you get the shuttle at?

Thanks

Don
 
It is the number 75 bus. Catch it at any of several bus stops in Sidney. Patti and I have ridden it to and from Victoria twice. We got off just behind the Empress hotel. The return trip is just as easy. I think there are two versions of the 75, one requiring a transfer and one direct.
 
Hi Don,

Barry has it right (I think). I didn't know the bus number, but there are several stops in Sidney, one just across Beacon avenue on 5th, about a 100 yards from FISH on FIFTH, is one of several stops in town. There are 2 bus routes; one goes pretty much straight down the hiway to downtown Victoria, and one takes a longer, "scenic" route, over to the central and west side of Sannich Peninsula. It is pretty inexpensive, and fun to sit up on the top level and enjoy the scenery.

Another, more expensive, side trip is the water taxis around in the inner harbor downtown that make some interesting stops. A pretty good Fish and chips place, a very nice restaurant on the waterfront, and a ride up the channel under the big cantilevered bridge. (Of course, if you have your own boat there, you can do much of that on your own.)

Hope that is some help Don,

Enjoy,

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
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