WA State Park buoy(39)s and 4788-gctid368797

[stargazerwa]

We are considering chartering a 4788 this summer. Would it be too big to hang out on the WA park buoys? It seems somewhere I had heard the limit was 45', but I can't seem to find anything on parks website.

[Guest]

You should be fine- we were on a friends 51' Beneteau several years ago, and hooked up to buoys without incident. There are areas (like the south end of Blake Island) that are size restricted.

[Go Aweigh2452]

It depends on the state park so check them. On Blake Island between Seattle and Bremerton, the limit is 37 feet due to the anchoring system of the buoys and currents.

[kwb]

Why not just set the anchor? - you have a windlass on board, and overall time to set anchor v. tie to a bouy is only a few extra minutes.

That said the bouy anchor isn't very likely to be uprooted either but a park ranger may decide to become a PITA at a less than opportune time and make you move.

[SomeSailor]

I'd sleep a lot better on a buoy than anchor if it was available.

I've read somewhere that they're all limited at 45' except the few south of Blake which are 36'

[stargazerwa]

Anchoring works in some places, Ewing Cove is one of my favorites but I don't think anchoring would be advisable, not enough room to swing. The Parks webpage is not very useful, I know there must be a maximum length, I can't understand why they don't share it! Let me ask the question another way, do those of you with 47's use the buoys? We can also charter a 4087 and not have this concern.

[Guest]

If I remember from two years ago in the San Juan's there were notices on each State Park buoy that limited the boat length to 45 feet.

[Pacrimrat]

I prefer to anchor.

I spent the night on a buoy in the south sound and when I disconnected I noticed it had a limit of 45 feet marked on the top of it. Didn't notice it when I hooked up.

If you're going to charter and cruse the San Juan's you'll find plenty of good anchorages without having to find a buoy.

In fact on the weekends in summer it's hard to find an open buoy.

I've never had any problems on the hook and I sleep very well.

[Guest]

Most of the Washington State mooring balls I have seen have signs limiting them to 45'. Just beware that the moorings have not been well maintained for several years. I would be hesitant to moor a boat at the upper limit and expect it to hold in a strong wind. They are handy if your just dropping in for lunch....

//Rick

[Johnny_Vintage]

I read somewhere that some brainiac bean counter bought a bunch of Chinese chain to save a swack of money when they were changing the chain on mooring bouys. I heard that the chain was busting after only a year in the salt water.

Not sure if this is an Urban Legend or if it's true. If it's true, I wonder if they changed the chain out to stuff made on this side of the world after they found this out.

[Johnny_Vintage]

I read somewhere that some brainiac bean counter bought a bunch of Chinese chain to save a swack of money when they were changing the chain on mooring bouys. I heard that the chain was busting after only a year in the salt water.

Not sure if this is an Urban Legend or if it's true, and also if they changed the chain out to stuff made on this side of the world.

[Alan_Teed]

I have nothing against moorings, especially for lunch-stops, but for an over night I prefer to trust in my investment in anchor and tackle over a, perhaps maintained, buoy set up. This is nothing against the State Park maintenance crew, whoever and wherever they are, just experience and having dived over moorings in three continents. As to the length limitations on buoys, the state has to come up with some (hopefully conservative) easily conveyed limits for the tackle they put down and they have chosen 45' Those of us who are over 45' should drop the hook.

[stargazerwa]

Thanks for the help. It's frustrating the state parks website doesn't have any length info on it. I always sleep well on one of the state park buoy's in the 4087, ignorance is bliss!

[Guest]

I am not sure of all the SanJuan parks but I did notice that rafting on the buoys is alllowed at the ones we visited last summer(Sucia, Stuart etc). So the length restriction does not have anything to do with weight/windage etc. Ie: your 47 weights a lot less than say, two 44 Nordhavens. Lol.

FYI. At the marine parks in Canada, no rafting allowed, but no length restriction either... Go figure

Cheers

[Broker Warren]

Washington San Juan State Parks buoy rafting goes someting like this:

Up to 25'---3 boats max

25-35'------2 boats max

35'-45'------One boat

Over 45'----Not allowed

I'm going from memory and could be off on exact sizes except the over 45'. I do know the badges will make you move off if not in compliance... Don't ask how I know...