Having lived in Seattle 7 years a while back - paddled but not sailed on all the urban lakes - if it were me I'd use the Magnusson park launch, sail on Lake Washington some, and make it a day's adventure to navigate in to Lake Union and sail there. You will clear all the bridges easily (Montlake and University) so no need to signal for a bridge raising. Here's the height info on Seattle vehicular bridges: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bridges... You can probably sail most of the way even, if there's some breeze, except the Montlake cut. Pretty narrow. But if on a run, you could sail it one direction at least. You probably know this already from renting at CWB before, and, go on weekdays if possible, if you do this during local boating season (e.g. summer). Boat traffic on weekends in season can get pretty nuts, especially thru the Montlake cut and other narrower parts of the channel between Union and Washington. cheers, John On 2/5/22 07:10, Peter Zimowsky via montgomery_boats wrote:
Hi: Bill: Thanks so much for the heads up. My son also lives in Seattle and knows the area. But this is the very detailed info I needed. Don’t know what I’ll do. Maybe it’s easier just to keep renting those classic sailboats at the Center for Wooden Boats.
Pete WinterSky (Zimowsky)
San Juan Islander lost inland - an old salty stuck in the sagebrush
outdoors writer and photographer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pzimowsky Twitter: @zimosoutdoors The Northwest Outdoors Journey: https://outdoorsnorthwest.home.blog/2019/03/13/the-journey-begins/
"We Can Not Control the Wind But We Can Adjust Our Sails"
On Feb 4, 2022, at 3:07 PM, Bill Cirino <billc@peak.org> wrote:
Peter, My son lives on a houseboat on Lake Union and I forwarded you question to him as he's not on this list Here is his response.
“There are basically 3 options for decent boat ramps in Seattle for easy lake Union access. Sunnyside Ave boat ramp at the north end of the lake, 14th street ramp in Fremont/Ballard area on the ship canal and on lake Washington at Magnuson park boat ramp. For lake Union sunny side is the easiest and has the most parking, but these days it’s a little dodgy as there is an extensive homeless/rv encampment that is sketchy at times. Just don’t leave any valuables in plane sight. Because of the number of rv’s parking for car and trailer is not super easy to find. This is also kind of a frustrating place to set up your boat as you need to basically do it in a driveway where you will get a lot of grumpy looks from the people that use the driveway and you will feel the need to hurry. I live in a houseboat right next to this ramp so this is my front and back yard. 14th street boat ramp is similar in some ways and well down the canal and has even less parking. Know your mast hight coming under the Ballard bridge into lake Union. The safest and easiest place to set up your boat and have all the time in the world is Magnuson park boat launch. Lots of parking, plenty of space to rig, nothing overhead, pretty safe parking but a ways from lake Union, about 5 1/2 miles. For direct access to lake Union other than sunnyside there are no good answers, and sunnyside is a little sketchy these days. That said I have parked my car there every day for years and have yet to be broke into. If there is wind lake Washington is a better sail, but in the summer lake Union is much more reliable if a bit small.
Bill Cirino”
----- Original Message ----- From: "montgomery boats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> To: "montgomery boats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: "Peter Zimowsky" <rapidz@mac.com> Sent: Friday, February 4, 2022 10:55:29 AM Subject: M_Boats: Launching on Lake Union
Hi folks: Each year I sail Lake Union, renting a boat from the Center for Wooden boats. I love those boats. However, my bucket list includes sailing my M 15 (sail 377) on the lake. Where is the best boat ramp as far as access, parking and safety. Thanks,
Pete WinterSky (Zimowsky)
San Juan Islander lost inland - an old salty stuck in the sagebrush
outdoors writer and photographer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pzimowsky Twitter: @zimosoutdoors The Northwest Outdoors Journey: https://outdoorsnorthwest.home.blog/2019/03/13/the-journey-begins/
"We Can Not Control the Wind But We Can Adjust Our Sails"
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com