Puget Sound Marinas

[Nonja]

Greetings - I was reading postings from back in 2010 regarding Puget Sound Marinas. I am moving my 37' Aluminum from Lake Powell back to the North West where she was born. I am experienced at inland but have no experience with Cruising Life, Salt Water & North West Maintenance Issues, etc. Marinas - I am liking Port Townsend because of the rain shadow effect that looks to equal lower rainfall? (My boat will be vacant 8-weeks at a time) I am looking for any comments, but I am hoping that Micro Ship is still living aboard in the Sound to offer his experiences since 2010?

Thanks in advance!

[xymotic]

Really, there's not a bad spot in the entire region. There are a few dumpy marina, particularly in the south end. But hey they are cheap! And 'dumpy' is all relative anyhow.

[Marksman]

Depends on where you want to cruise (north, south, west), but the west side of the sound is far more affordable than the busy side.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Nonja.

➥ http://www.olympicrainshadow.com/oly...shadowmap.html

[smoothsailing]

Originally Posted by Nonja

Greetings - I was reading postings from back in 2010 regarding Puget Sound Marinas. I am moving my 37' Aluminum from Lake Powell back to the North West where she was born. I am experienced at inland but have no experience with Cruising Life, Salt Water & North West Maintenance Issues, etc. Marinas - I am liking Port Townsend because of the rain shadow effect that looks to equal lower rainfall? (My boat will be vacant 8-weeks at a time) I am looking for any comments, but I am hoping that Micro Ship is still living aboard in the Sound to offer his experiences since 2010?

Thanks in advance!

Go to and join for free ACTIVE CAPTAIN. It a great source for marina info and lots more.

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https://activecaptain.com/

Regards

Bill

[Nonja]

Thank you all for your great input! I am seeing that my question needs refining... My experience is limited to inland fresh water. Please comment on things like wintering, corrosion, mold, etc. Also, if I plan to LA for 2-weeks, then be absent 8-weeks should I store on the hard? Are there marinas that allow such a thing, etc. I heard that folks run heat lamps to keep the boat interior dry? (In the desert we store the boat with buckets of water inside to humidify) I am a real novice moving from the desert to the NW area... How about taxation issues on out of staters? THX

[Ironhorse74]

I don't think Port Townsend qualifies as being in the rain shadow. John Wayne Marina in Sequim does

YMMV

Brad

[bobofthenorth]

Lots of US flagged vessels on the Canadian side too so don't rule that out. I'm not sure what the tax advantages/disadvantages might be. Sometimes our lame Canuck-buck works in your favour - not so much so right now.

[Nonja]

Great idea about the Canadian side! I am pretty interested in avoiding as much rain as possible, not sure if that realistic? Being a desert rat I'm not sure how much precip I can tolerate? The Sequim comment looks promising too... Thaks all for your comments!

[J_m]

This does really depend on where you want to cruise .. and convenience factor (proximity) to services and for your case - a major airport(??) for your commute. Seems most folks leave their boats in year round up where we are (Semiahmoo .. Blaine) .. and very few Live aboard in the winter. We use lot's of solar vents and a dehumidifier and the boat stays very dry (aside for the occasional leaks we keep chasing :-). You will get used to the rain.

[CharlieCobra]

If you want access to the islands and cheap storage on the hard, Colony Wharf in Bellingham for the storage at $6 per foot per month is your best bet. $240 per month for a 40' boat ain't too shabby. I have all four of my boats there as well as my shop. Blaine, just three hours lazy cruising North is a good little inexpensive marina.

Edit: The wind usually always blows in Bellingham, even during our notoriously windless Summer.

[Nonja]

Travel - We normally drive... 1,000 miles take about 16-hours in our Sprinter MH. (I drive while she sleeps, then trade, etc.) Bellingham & Semiahmoo .. Blaine sound like good ideas. The comment about powered vents gives me some homework ideas. I'd appreciate any & all comments about mold/mildew control, especially while boat is vacant. Thank you all for your interest!