Chartering in Bellingham, WA

[Reed]

Does anyone have any insights to any of these Charter Companies?
The Good, Bad & Uglies?

• Bellhaven Charters
• Bellingham Yachts
• NW Explorations
• Par Yacht Charters
• San Juan Sailing
• San Juan Yachting

Thanks, Gary

[Intentional Drifter]

San Juan Sailing is a good company, both from the charterer's point of view and the owners (I know the owners of two boats placed with them). Professional, responsive. I can't say anything about the others, I know nothing about them.

ID

Second thumbs up to San Juan Sailing. I sailed through with them years ago. Porfessional and knowlegeable.

-robert

[Reed]

Thanks guys!

[BobB]

Reed,

I am a new member to the forum and a member of the Phildelphia Sailing Club. Our club is chartering 5 boats from San Juan Island Sailing. We will be going in mid-August for 2 weeks up to the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound.

Cannot really report on them until after, but the Club has been setting up charter trips (5-6 local on the Chesapeake, 1-2 "exotic" each year) for its members since the late 70's and I do know they do a lot of research and preparation for each trip.

BobB

[Reed]

Thanks Bob!

[macdiv1]

Originally Posted by BobB

Reed,

I am a new member to the forum and a member of the Phildelphia Sailing Club. Our club is chartering 5 boats from San Juan Island Sailing. We will be going in mid-August for 2 weeks up to the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound.

Cannot really report on them until after, but the Club has been setting up charter trips (5-6 local on the Chesapeake, 1-2 "exotic" each year) for its members since the late 70's and I do know they do a lot of research and preparation for each trip.

BobB

Hi Bob----------I saw your posting on taking 2 weeks and sailing the San Juans, the Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound; I'm sure if a Charter Co. worked out the iterary, it must be realistic-----------but I'm curious---I've done a lot of boating in these areas---and it seems that to cover all that ground in just 2 weeks is maybe a bit too much ??????-----If a good NW comes up in Geo. Straits, not an unusal occurance,I've found it a good thing to have some backup plans to spend some more time in the Canadian Gulf Islands(assuming you were on the way to Desolation Sound)------they're all incredibly beautiful places----hard not to have a good trip-----NW wind or no -------------Macdiv

[acesatsea]

What Macdiv said about trying to do all that and Desolation, too. I've chartered four times in the area, 1992 to 2004. The last time was San Juan, and the best experience I've ever had. We like the Gulf Islands a bit more than San Juans, but both are great!
I expect you will have a wonderful time. When looking for Orcas, don't look for Orcas. Look for whale-watching boats watching Orcas. We parked in the path of a group of both, and had a ringside seat, with a big bull coming straight at our 28' boat, diving about 50' away. It still takes my breath away.

Regards, Bligh

[macdiv1]

On the suject of Orca-watching in Geo. Str./ San Juans-----------Naturally, the Orca-watching boats are dialed in the best------but, in my time on the water here,I have found that the spit at Point Roberts in August seems to draw the Big Boys (and Girls)--------probably because that's when the Sockeye (and Pinks, if a Pink year) are getting ready to shoot up the River. Not a bad place and time to try to catch a Sockeye or 2, as well----------------Macdiv 1

[rsn48]

I agree with others of your itinary to "do it all" in BC waters, two weeks isn't realistic unless you are sailing overnight, then it is quite doable; however most boaters don't do overnighters. Just doing the San Quans and Gulf Islands is very realistic however and you will have a great time.

[Intentional Drifter]

There can be many dead heads, logs and various other things in the water, even in the middle of the Georgia Straits. I would be quite cautious about sailing there at night.

ID