Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival by Boat?

[noexit]

I was wondering if anyone had some tips about visiting the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival by boat? A few friends on two boats are planning on going this September, but neither of will be in the festival. I know that they empty out the Pt. Hudson marina and move all the non-festival boats to Boat Haven, so Boat Haven is probably full. What are the anchorages like?

I'm on a 26' T-Bird, and my friend is on a 36' Tashiba.

[Bobcat]

I have been by boat to the festival three times now. The first was in 1979 and I anchored out. No problems that I remember but the weather was good. The last two times I got a slip at Boat Haven. Once, 2013 I think, we came up on the Thursday before the show started and there was room. The last time (2018) I got there on the Friday of the show and there was a slip.

My impression is that the holding ground off Port Townsend is not great and there can be issues if the wind comes up.

[wizbang 13]

Yes , not great , possibly terribly dangerous.
Deepish with kelpish bottom and strong currents.
If the weather stays settled and you sleep aboard your prolly fine.
If a blow comes from the south, one can motor over to the shore of the island to the south, which is easy enough with a modern plotter. Not so easy with no plotter, no crew, a rope start diesel, a hand windlass , three foot waves and dragging towards the rocks 100 feet away .
But don’t assume the big marina cannot squeeze you in .
Bruce

[J.Madison]

I've anchored out several times for the show, lots of boats do, sometimes with some drama. Plan to anchor in 60 ft plus, set the hook well. A properly big anchor and chain is a nice thing there. If you are okay walking farther, the anchoring down near the other marina entrance is better and shallower and less crowded than right in front of the show.

[AJZimm]

What others said about anchoring out near Pt Hudson.

Many years ago I was there with a chartered boat. Weather was OK when we got there the afternoon before the festival but it rapidly blew up from the west. We dragged and re-set twice but it was getting dark, the wind was getting stronger and we had no confidence in the ground tackle, which was just adequate for protected bays. We didn't fancy a night of standing watch and having to re-set the anchor every hour, so we motored down to the Boat Haven and got a space. By the time we got there, the wind had risen again and we had more fun than we wanted maneuvering under power in the strong cross wind.

Several other boats dragged from in front of Pt Hudson in the night and drifted all the way across to Whidbey Island, I seem to remember. No boats or lives lost as I recall.

[David G]

Yes, boats anchored off the beach can drag. I've helped a couple of boats who did, and seen several more. But truly, that's rare. And the good thing is... there's typically plenty of help around. Plus you have ANOTHER salty story to tell your kids/grands.

[cstevens]

People do anchor there but I wouldn't, for all the reasons mentioned. I went by boat last year and Boat Haven had plenty of space even the day before the show opened. They don't take reservations but I hailed them on VHF when I was a few minutes out and they got me in right away.

If you do anchor it might be something like this in the morning...



But by mid-day or early afternoon it might be gusting to 20 kts and even with a good set to the anchor I wouldn't be able to enjoy the show as much as I would like just thinking about being on the beach while the boat is dragging.

[Bobcat]

Coming back to Everett in 2018, it blew hard from the south on Sunday.

It was a slow trip home and really lumpy off the south end of Whidbey

[Yeadon]

I've been told by people who I believed that holding is better if you anchor near shore between the ferry terminal and Boat Haven.

[kbowen]

I've been told by people who I believed that holding is better if you anchor near shore between the ferry terminal and Boat Haven.

I haven't anchored there yet, but have been told that by the time you get out enough to avoid the protected eel grass areas you are in deep water (50'+) with the bottom sloping deeper. Last fall I was in the show, so I couldn't get out of the crammed (Point Hudson) marina to day sail, but the experience in the show was fabulous, and the "sail by" at the end was memorable. If you do the Boat Haven Marina it's a bit of a hike to get to the festival. There are shuttles during the day, but if you tend to party late, You might bring a bike, scooter, etc...
Ken

[Yeadon]

What the mooring field looks like at 30 knots.

[rbgarr]

If I ever go again (last time was 1979!) I'm staying here : https://curiocity.com/airbnb-ship-mi...wnsend-forest/

[Hugh MacD]

That's too cool!