After a rube-goldberg-type poll this past week, the votes are in and
tallied, and Gig Harbor is the favorite amoung all the voters (there were
4). I took Eric Swenson's advice (thanks for the phone numbers Eric! Note
the area codes are now 253 around Tacoma), and called Arabella's Marina
253-851-1793. Matt at Arabella's says they currently show lots of moorage
available for those dates, but warned that there is some sort of yacht club
supposed to be in on that weekend. He suggests that if you want to be sure
and have moorage, give him a call as soon as you can. The cost per night is
$15. Arabella's Marina is the second marina to port (left) as you enter Gig
Harbor from 'outside'. It has white cones on top of the pilings. This
location is said to be convenient walking distance from everything you may
want to expore shoreside (shops, The Tides Tavern (great fish and chips!,
etc.). I am taking his word for it - Valerie and I haven't been in Gig
Harbor for many moons. I seem to remember that you can sail/motor the boat
to any of several docks around the harbor such ad the Tides Tavern, and
others as long as you give the dock owners a little business - perhaps this
is still true?
We plan to trailer Windsong to the Point Defiance ramp (pay them the six
bucks) and leave the truck/trailer there. Since I work on Sundays (no, I am
not a priest), we will be staying overnight only on Friday night. We will
spend most of Saturday either at the marina, or out in the harbor sailing
about. Of course everyone else is welcome to do as they wish - perhaps we
can arrange some activities? There are several other launching ramps about
- though we have mixed (poor) reviews about the one in Gig Harbor, and any
that decide to launch south of the Tacoma Narrows should be aware of
adverse currents on Friday and Saturday (early afternoons - see tide tables
below).
Seattle Tides:
Friday
High - 10am - 8.7'
Low - 3:45pm - 4.7'
High - 9:45pm - 9.9'
Saturday
Low - 4:30am - 2.1'
High - 11:25am - 8.6'
Low - 4:40pm - 5.6'
Sunday
Low - 5:30am - 1.5'
High - 12:45pm - 8.7
Low - 5:45pm - 6.4'
Really not alot of water moving about during the middle to late parts of
any of our days. I am no Narrows expert, however, so cannot make
recommendations about going through there against the tide. Dick Freshley
is your man for that (RFreshley@CompuServe.COM).
If possible, I would like to get responses back from any of you who plan to
attend, and what days. It should be a very good time for us all. I will
bring our photos from our Lake Chelan, and San Juans trips this summer. I
have lots of questions for you as well, being a relatively new Potterer.
Finally, if any of you 'South Sound' sailors can add to this information
for the benefit of the group, please respond.
Thanks, and we'll be in touch...
Tom & Valerie
P19 #352 Windsong
Whidbey Island, WA