access to water (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma: condos, houses, neighborhood)

[mtncoast]

What areas should I look into in central, southern WA or northern OR where I could have a house on/near a bay with a mooring for a 40 ft. trawler. I want to improve my seamanship and access the islands. Prefer smaller communities with as much sun as possible.

[earls]

Islands ? - I don't know of any islands in S. WA or N. OR.

SUN?? your kidding right?

Moving a 40' er is not going to be cheap

[mtncoast]

I was asking about areas where I could reach the islands via the Puget or farther south. Since I would be driving from CO or KS on occasion I was thinking that the southern part of Puget Sound or even farther south might be closer and I wouldn't have to fight the traffic from Tacoma north. I know the sun is not frequent but thought there might be subtle differences from one part of the coast/sound to another.

[Skytripper]

There ARE a FEW areas you may wish to look into if you would like to access the Puget Sound or......the Pacific Ocean with a 40 ft. trawler.....but they are fairly limited and as much sun as possible? NOT very likely, except for the summer months mostly.

Your choices are limited......BUT, depending on your financial status......you can reach the Puget Sound from Lake Washington in the Seattle-metro area (Mercer Island, East Seattle, Bellevue).......OR, perhaps consider a place ON the Sound up around Port Townsend/Sequim.......which is VERY close to the San Juan Islands and has the most sunshine in Western WA, since this area is in the "rain shadow" of the Olympic Mtns. (but, it does rain a LOT all around the area for a good part of the year no matter what.

Otherwise.....consider places along the Columbia River which has sufficient depth for large boats....well inland from the Ocean and you should be alright to look into The Dalles, Oregon, Hood River, OR, Astoria, OR, etc. but Astoria has a LOT of rain and windstorms throughout the Fall-Winter and Spring months and a VERY treacherous entrance from the Columbia River into the wide open Pacific that has resulted in numerous losses of boats/ships.....throughout the years. I am not completely aware of just how FAR inland into Washington....you would have no problems with the Columbia River and its depth but....I AM certain you would be OK as far east as The Dalles, OR anyway.....and you would likely have MORE sunshine in THIS area......any area farther east from the Cascades.
Hood River, OR is also a GREAT place to consider as well......the Columbia River is very wide through here, often quite windy and since it is........it's a HUGE windsurfing mecca at Hood River!

IF rain is not too big a factor....there are MANY other places throughout the Puget Sound region where you would be just fine.....including Anacortes, Oak Harbor and Bellingham.

Hope this helps ya.

[mtncoast]

Thanks, that's very helpful. Between Portland and the Dalles would certainly be closer for my occasional trips back to the Midwest (by car) but having been to the San Juan Islands only once that is a beautiful area and sheltered water with homes and marinas in abundance. The only problem with the San Juans is the long drive and traffic once you get to the Seattle area.

What would the Olympia and Tacoma area be like given that my wife and I are looking for a single family in "upper nice", not exclusive area, with a marina on site or nearby where we can do trips on a 30 to 40 trawler type boat we can live on for a week or so at a time. I'm sure there are people/resources similar to what we're looking for if only I knew where to find them. So far Google has not lead to any great leads yet on marina oriented communities.

[Skytripper]

IMO......Olympia is the nicer of the two cities (Tacoma, well.....NOT)......and with probably a bit less crime.
If you seriously like the San Juan Islands but do NOT wish to feel too isolated from the mainland of WA state..........there is a VERY NICE marina & neighborhood that I don't think is too terribly steep pricewise AND.....NOT a ferryride/boatride necessary......and it is on the WEST side of the town of ANACORTES, WA.

Anacortes is on Fidalgo Island but is connected to the mainland by bridge on Hwy 20....east to Burlington/Mt. Vernon. I know the traffic in the Seattle-metro area is a pain.....especially along I-5 or I-405.......but it is a thing you just need to plan for. The BEST commute in the Seattle area is the I-90 commute between Seattle and say.....North Bend, but this area takes you away from the Sound, obviously. Other than this.....Whidbey Island is your next best bet. Oak Harbor is good, has a nice marina, etc. but is heavily influenced by jet noise and the military Naval Base there.

Hood River, Oregon is also a great area if you like trawlin' the big river.
It's nicer than The Dalles, IMO.

No matter where you decide though......you are still gonna be a LONG drive from the midwest and its likely that I-84 or I-90 are the way out from either Portland or the Seattle region.

Otherwise.......if you don't mind a bit more of a laid-back trawl on a BIG LAKE.....instead of saltwater or rivers.......consider Sandpoint, Idaho or Coeur d'Alene, ID ( CDA is 35 miles east of Spokane, WA in northern Idaho)...both are on some large and magnificent lakes......one of which (Pend O'reille) at Sandpoint is like 45 miles long and over 1,500 feet deep...I think.......(5th deepest in the US).
OUTSTANDING SCENERY and good fishin.

[mtncoast]

These are great insights which I need as I haven't known where to focus my search very well. This helps me look at the map more intelligently and consider some informed information. The other idea for keeping a boat is southern CA, Ssn Diego maybe, it is closer) but can't bring myself to think about that too much. I know Sandpoint is milder than some people think but can't bring myself to go farther north of CO, other than maybe the NW.

[FoxyKnox]

Wow, I really feel like I need to interject here. Seattle is not your only option...

I grew up in Puyallup...family has a 37' cabin cruiser. I feel like I know Puget Sound pretty well. If sunshine is what you're after, the south sound is your place to be. While the San Juans are amazing, you can easily trawl up to them in 2-3 days. The south sound tends to have currents that aren't as strong (except under the Narrows Bridge), fewer boaters, and more better weather days. I can't tell you how many afternoons that I have spent swimming off of Eagle Island or wanting to dive into the waters at Swantown Marina (downtown Olympia). There really aren't many affordable places in which you can live and moor. Your best bet may be to drive a few minutes to your moorage. Moorage isn't all that expensive if you're astute in your search.

Steilacoom is also an area that's fairly nice and close to marinas. In actual Tacoma, on the Thea Foss waterway and the Hylebos waterways are some very nice marinas--really it's where most people keep their boats. The Des Moines area would also be a fabulous place...easy water access, houses aren't astronomical...yet, and it's a great jump-off place to north or south sound.

Tacoma is in early phases of building a new set of Condos that will have a marina built out front. I don't know the name/company/anything about it, but it's near the Tacoma Yacht Club / Pt. Defiance off of Ruston Way in old town Tacoma...an area which is VERY nice (not all of Tacoma is run-down or seedy).
Portland and Vancouver also have condo complexes like this, and they are very nice, if you like being on the rivers (Columbia and Willamette), this will give you ocean access, though I don't know much about it. I do know people will pay to trailer their large boats to the Seattle area in the summers and keep them in the Portland rivers in the winter.

Do you have access to a Waggoner's Cruising Guide? If not get on amazon and get one. This couple lives on the sound and visits lots of marinas, they'll have great insight on what marinas and the local surroundings are like.

BTW, I wouldn't recommend living in the San Juans, they really are very expensive, rocky (no home front moorage), and depending on the ferry for anything is really no fun...it's better to boat up to them for a vacation.

Personally, I think that Olympia/Tacoma/Des Moines would be the best for you...lots of options and easy freeway access for your trips.

I hope this helps you out on your quest for boater's mecca! Happy Trawls!

[mtncoast]

Great and usable suggestions! Now I remember Waggoners Guide - went through some of it years ago the only time we visited the islands and went to a boat show in Seattle. Maybe it's time for a new copy. Like your suggestions on the other options to consider - very specific leads. Back later with questions I'm sure. thanks!