Marinas Shipshape for Summer
Boat Basins, Launches and Maritime Fests to Welcome Waterborne Guests

by Michael Barrett

Boating is big business in Skagit County, and nowhere is this more apparent than on Fidalgo Island. Indeed, when it comes to accommodating visitors, the Port of Anacortes’s Cap Sante Boat Basin is second in the state only to Friday Harbor’s marina in number of overnight moorages.

“There is a major shortage of moorage in the Anacortes-La Conner area. The demand is there,” says Dale Fowler, Cap Sante harbormaster since 1987.

“About one third of the moorage owners are from this area, the others from outside,” he continues. “It can take six months to six years on the waiting list to get a slip, depending on the size of the boat. It’s very frustrating.

“We also put a huge emphasis on serving guest boaters. We do 13,000 overnight stays a year and that equates to millions of dollars (to the local economy). In the summer, we can have 100 to 200 boats a night and do about 80 percent of the guest moorage from June through September,” says Fowler, who started when the marina was Bryant’s in May 1964.

Fowler hires a number of high school and other young people to help during the high months. A 15-page spreadsheet printout every day confirms what slips are available, not only the 75 or so reserved for guests but also those belonging to renters who are out sailing.

“The permanent tenants are credited on their rental for each day they are gone and we use their slip for a guest. I can’t remember ever turning people away. It’s very intensive. It takes a lot of manpower and labor. Anacortes is a great turnaround spot,” he states.

 

Slim pickings at marinas

While there are other marinas in the area — Skyline, Fidalgo Bay, Cook’s Cove, Lovric’s, Shelter Bay and Youngsman’s — the other major boat moorage for guests is at La Conner Marina.

“We’ve got room for 40-50 guests plus what tenant slips we can use,” says marina manager Russ Johnson. “We have a total of 500 in-water slips and roughly 300 dry-boat moorage. On a good day in the summer, we might see 60 guests.”

Like Cap Sante, La Conner’s north and south basins, owned and operated by the Port of Skagit County, are fully booked.

“Right now, anyone with a boat over 32 feet has a four- to six-year wait for a slip,” Johnson declares.

Both Cap Sante and La Conner pride themselves on their guest facilities.

“We offer the best facilities including a meticulously clean, warm and well-lit shower area,” Fowler states. “Guest boaters are six blocks from anything they need — groceries, accommodations, restaurants — you name it.”

“We’re proud of our little marina,” Johnson puts in. “We have a nice, clean facility and the fact the community attracts people here.”

Cap Sante Boat Basin is preparing to undergo major changes.

“The Port of Anacortes is firming up our next renewal project for the oldest portion of the marina, including docks C through F and adjacent uplands — the property the port owns up to the road (Q Avenue),” explains Fowler. “We will be replacing the old wood docks that have been in the marina for about 40 years.

“Forty years ago, boats averaged 20-22 feet long. Now they are almost double that, up to 40 feet. In those days, a 50-footer was a big-time yacht. Now it’s a common thing,” he says. The new slips will accommodate the larger boats, including two docks at 46 feet, one at 52 feet and a fourth at 66 feet. One regular tenant just purchased a 65-foot boat for his whale-watching businesses, Fowler says.

In La Conner, a major upgrade four years ago put the marina in good shape and all of the work now is simply maintenance, Johnson says.

“We have recreational moorage up to a maximum 52 feet and commercial moorage for seiners and other fishing boats up to 62 feet, and their about 10 of those,” he says. “We have been a well-kept secret. We hope to encourage more midweek stopovers.”

 

Garner Road river marina

Another boating story of late has been the opening of the new Burlington boat launch on the Skagit River at the end of Gardner Road.

Loren Cavanaugh, director of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, points out that the $120,000 “mini marina” cost the city nothing because of contributions, including a $65,000 state grant and $25,000 return on excise tax.

Recently, two parking “wings” were asphalted and can now accommodate 26 trucks and boat trailers.

“This is a triple-A boat ramp,” Cavanaugh says. “Vehicles of all kinds can access it, unlike before when it was 4-wheel-drive only.”

The Burlington City Council recently passed a resolution to name it “Roger ‘Gus’ Tjeerdsma Boat Launch” for the Burlington mayor “who has spent the most time of anybody down there (as) project coordinator,” Cavanaugh explains. Unveiling of a plaque was expected soon.

Another purpose of the launch, reached by heading south of Gardner road to the river or by turning right at the east end of Rio Vista Avenue, is to give access to the river to sheriff search-and-rescue boats.

“You can launch a boat no matter how high the water,” Cavanaugh points out. “This will be good for search-and-rescue craft.”

Anacortes, considered by many the leader in the Skagit boating world, holds its maritime shindig this month. The 2001 Waterfront Festival May 19-20, features dozens of boats on display, live music and entertainment, a classic car show, a kayak race, fun walks, food, radio-controlled boats and children’s activities.

A visitor will be the 112-foot Lady Washington tall ship.

Major sponsors for the event include Puget Sound Refining Co., Port of Anacortes, Century 21 Bryant’s Realty, March Point Cogeneration and Tesoro, among many others. Call the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce at 293-7911 or visit www.anacortes-chamber.com.

 

Big boat show scheduled

To celebrate La Conner’s maritime history, that town is holding a Vintage and Classic Boat Show this August.

This first-ever, two-day event features displays of vintage and classic yachts dating from 1919 to 1968, marine displays and art exhibits, boat-manufacturers’ tours and food and fun for the whole family.

The boats will be displayed from the boat basins on the north all the way through town to Rainbow Bridge. A trolley will shuttle visitors back and forth.

The event, Aug. 11-12, is sponsored by Dunlap Towing Co., La Conner Yacht Sales and La Conner Maritime Service. Information can be obtained from the chamber of commerce, 466-4778 or www.laconnerchamber.com.