In a message dated 3/13/06 11:05:12 AM, montgomery_boats-request@mailman.xmission.com writes:

want to take a m-17 to the great nw let it be a mini summer cottage then leave it in dry storage the rest of the year can any one suggest an affordable safe dry storage area either in the us or canada somewhere conveinient to the grat san juan islands any advice appreciated thanks g

G, I would vote for Islands Marine Center (IMC) at Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island (center of the San Juans). I kept my Flicka there (on the hard) for a year, and was very happy with the arrangement, service, setting, and security. Lopez is a short, direct ferry ride from Anacortes, and a IMC is about a fifteen minute drive from the Lopez Ferry terminal. The storage yard is large but quiet/low key, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The travellift operator (Mitch) knows sailboats very well (save your trailer from the ravages of salt), or if you must, there is a launch ramp available. The storage rates are very reasonable, and there are coin operated showers and a decent chandlery on site. There is a fuel dock nearby. IMC also operates a small Marina just across the street from the storage yard. It fills up fast in the summer, but I would bet that a boat as small as the M17 could be shoehorned in somewhere. The other advantage of Fisherman Bay is that mooring/anchoring out is a very viable option. I have a friend who keeps his boat on a free mooring most of the year. Lopez is a beautiful and relatively underpopulated island (+/-2000 full-time residents). People leave their houses and cars unlocked, and I have never heard of problems with theft at either the marina or storage yard. Indeed, I had no problems whatsoever during the year I kept my boat there. The village (only real commercial part of island) consists of a few restaurants, a well-stocked grocery, two book stores, a coffee house and a great bakery. It is a pleasant ten minute walk from IMC to the village. The serpentine entry to Fisherman Bay from the San Juan channel can be a little tricky in deep draft vessels, but for an M17, it would be a piece of cake. One of the big advantages to the location is the immediate proximity to so many great destinations and anchorages. Friday Harbor is just a short sail across the channel, and has just about anything you might need/can't find on Lopez (movie theater, West Marine, etc.). Blind Bay on Shaw Island, Jones Island, Deer Harbor on Orcas, and many other worthy stops are within easy daysailing distance. For my money, the West and North San Juan Islands are the most interesting. To me, locating in or around Anacortes has one primary disadvantage--you must cross the sometimes capricious Rosario strait to reach the islands. Having done that in a variety of conditions (including really uunpleasant, rough, and foggy), I now prefer to start my cruises in the heart of the islands to make the most of my limited vacation time. I have on occasion flown from home to Seatac airport, picked up one of the San Juan Islander Shuttle vans (about $50 including ferry fare) and been on my boat within six hours of leaving my house. Not bad access to paradise! The initial tow vehicle and trailer ferry cost (includes eventual return trip) is expensive (about $90-$130 depending on your total vehicle/trailer length and day traveling), but I would argue that this is a bargain compared to crossing the Rosario repeatedly. By the way, once you are on Lopez, you can walk on the ferry for free to visit Friday Harbor, Orcas, and a few other stops. You can also (not for free) walk or drive on the International Ferry to Sidney, BC that leaves from Friday Harbor daily (excepting winter months). If you prefer to locate in Canada/Gulf Islands, I would recommend checking out Canoe Cove Marina near Sidney, BC. This is a great location that is central to provisioning, an international airport, ferries, and offers great access to Victoria, Saanich Inlet, and Gulf Island cruising. It is decidedly busier and more developed than Lopez Island, however, and if your primary intent is to cruise the American San Juans rather than BC waters/islands, I would suggest that Lopez is your better bet as constant customs clearance can be a real pain. Check out IMC's website for more info and an aerial view of the facility: http://www.islandsmarinecenter.com/ Best wishes wherever you locate! Scott M15 #478 'bebe' Pacific Seacraft Flicka