Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor
I went over and talked with the harbormasters at Roche Harbor and the Port of Friday Harbor. I said that we would need 20-25 slips for July 7, 8, 9 Here is what I found.
Roche is extremely popular. It hosts many fleets each summer, and the groups tend to come back every year. Because of that, there would have to be a cancellation for us to get in. I left my contact info in case something comes up. I would expect to hear during the next couple of months, but I'm not too optimistic.
Friday Harbor is feasible. They could block out contiguous slips for us on the guest dock (G). These are mostly 40-footers, but the individual cost would be based on the size of the boat ($1.40 per foot per night, plus electricity). There is nice set of covered picnic tables that we could use for free, but they cannot be reserved. There are various nearby halls that would have to be paid for. The port is very busy during the summer, so if we want to organize our rendezvous there, WE WOULD HAVE TO RESERVE THE SLIPS BEFORE JANUARY 1. Each skipper would pay on arrival. However, they are considering a new policy that would require a downpayment of some kind for group bookings. No decision has been made yet, so that’s a bit of uncertainty there. The Port of FH is a class operation, and I am confident that we would be well served. The contact person is Assistant Harbormaster Michael Long (360-378-2688). The location has lots of pluses. There is a supermarket, drugstore, West Marine, Anacortes ferry dock, various shops and restaurants, all within a 10-minute walk from the port.
Both locations have a US Customs and Border Protection office.
Since I live in Friday Harbor, I could be the local contact for the event. But I would be happy to take Talpa to another venue if there is one that folks prefer.