Swinomish channel navigation tips

[AZ-Oldguy]

Hello sellers I am planning a trip South through the Swinomish Channel between the mainland and Fidalgo island in the Pacific Northwest and I wonder if any of you have any suggestions or concerns that I should be aware of. I'll be using Navionics but I have paper charts as well. I have gone through this channel North about a year-and-a-half ago but I was not skippering the boat at the time . Any shared experiences would be appreciated. The boat is an Endurance 35 pilothouse the Mast is about 53 feet above the water and I draw 5 and 1/2 ft. what are the tides like and the current.
Glenn

[wristwister]

Definitely have to catch the tide right, check your tide/current charts and make sure the water's going with you ... but not too fast.

I think you're OK at 51' for the Rainbow Bridge, but see what the charts say.

As you exit the channel south, pay REAL close attention to the fore-and-aft markers and keep them lined up as precisely as possible. It's a real narrow dredge through there and if you get to the side you might sink your keel.

If there's any confusion about any of this give the LaConner marina a call, they're pretty friendly about offering advice and they know the channel well.