Marina recommendations in Tacoma, WA area

[yhc]

Good morning,

My friend and I are planning to bring up our boat from CA to Alaska in the spring time. The boat will first be brought up to WA in Mar/Apr time frame either by hiring a sea captain or trucking her to pre-stage there then we will motor her up through the Inside Passage at the end of May time frame with our families. So we are looking for a 40' slip in Tacoma, WA area to moore her there from end of March to end of May.

I called around yesterday and spoke to Foss Harbor, City, Narrows and Hyelbros Marinas. Obviously I can't tell the quality of their facilities by talking to them on the phone so if any members in the area (Mariner, et al) has first hand knowledge/recommendations on any of these facilities or others in the area please do let me know.

Regards,

yhc

[Mariner]

Boy, you picked the right place to ask this!

The real question is, do you intend to use it at all while it's here, and, if so, where will you be staying? Convenience is probably the most important factor for most people.

As far as quality, the marinas you mention represent a wide range. For example, Foss Harbor is a collection of several marinas that were bought up by the Foss Waterway Development Authority. As such, it really depends on what dock you get put on. Some docks are brand new concrete docks with good security, others are quite a bit older. I'm not familiar with "city marina". I'm thinknig it must be part of Foss Harbor. Until a few months ago, my office was on the Foss Waterway overlooking one of their docks. Foss Harbor is probably the closest to the freeway. But as for provisioning the boat, it may or may not be convenient. It depends on what dock you're on. Some are close to parking, others are not. Downtown Tacoma has lots of stuff, but it's notorious for it's lack of shopping, especially grocery stores (there are literally zero). Narrows is pretty run down. It is popular because of it's location. However, it's location makes no sense for your plans, unless you want to do some fishing in the south sound while the boat's here. Hylebos is in a horrible location, save for one thing. It is immediately adjacent to Modutech Marine, where I would bet they are planning to launch your boat (I'm betting you're using Dudley).

There a ton of marinas in the area, some of which may be better than the ones you've mentioned, depending on your needs. My father owns one in Gig Harbor, which is about a 15 minute drive from downtown Tacoma, and about ten miles across the sound from downtown Tacoma, actually more conveniently located for heading north and with shopping and lodging conveniently located nearby. I know he has some open slips, but I'm not sure if any of the 40's are available. I will check.

Let me know a little more about your specific needs and I can make a more specific recommendation.

[Anthony1013]

YHC -

I keep my boat on Lake Union in dowtown Seattle... the company that manages my marina also manages several other. Send me a note if you want any info for this area. Lot's of shopping and restaurants here on the Lake along with fresh water moorage, the downside is going through the locks everytime you want to get to the salt.
Best of luck with your adventure.... you'll have to keep us all posted on your trip up North.

[Veebyes2]

I will be touring the Seatle, Olympic, Mt Rainier area from about May 5th to about May 24th. Maybe we can get an AOG meet together.

[yhc]

Thanks for the info Mariner and Anthony.

We will be staying either at McChord AFB or Ft Lewis lodging while getting the boat provisioned, etc. Grocery shopping will be done from one of the commisaries (military base "super market") so no worries about not having a grocery store near by a marina. I would think having a marina near UP, Tacoma or Gig Harbor would be convenient.

We are not planning to do any fishing while in Puget Sound. Rather we will be visiting some friends, get the boat ready then boogie out to head north.

Mariner,

The particular Foss Harbor Marina I am tallking about is on 821 Dock St http://www.fossharbormarina.com/. Also please do let me know more about your dad's marina, availability, etc.


Veebyes2,

That's an interesting idea. My family and I will be flying down on or about 22 May to WA.


Regards,

yhc

[Mariner]

If you're going to be at McChord, Foss Harbor is definitely the most convenient for you. It is RIGHT off the freeway about as close as possible to the base, while still being convenient for heading north. If the price is right for you and they have availability, that's what I would do. The Foss Waterway is immediately adjacent to downtown and provides walkable access to some pretty good dining and nightlife activities, in case you decide to take your friends for an evening cruise while you're here, and want to grab dinner after.

Gig Harbor is a good alternative, but is farther away, and is across the narrows bridge from Tacoma, which has a toll (the only toll road in the State of Washington). Regardless of where you stay, I recommend a visit to the Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor by boat. It's a landmark of sorts and very boating oriented. I've rubbed elbows with Capt. Phil Harris from Deadliest Catch there. They also have the best fish and chips and clam chowder you'll find on the west coast (or anyhwere, for that matter).

[yhc]

Thanks so much for the info Mariner.

Are you familiar with this particular Foss Harbor Marina? If the facility is decent then we will go with it.

Regards,

yhc

[Mariner]

Ok, well I did some research on the marinas in the Foss Waterway. Not very long ago, they were all bought up by the Foss Waterway Development Authority and were managed as a single entity called the "Foss Waterway Marina". Now it appears that they have separated them out and they go under two different names; Foss Harbor Marina, and Dock Street Marina. This kind of makes sense, because there was a major difference between the docks at what is now Foss Harbor, and what is Dock Street.

Both are sufficient for your needs, I think. They both have concrete docks, water, power, and secured docks. However, I think you will find that the docks at Dock Street are a lot newer, nicer, larger, etc... One would assume they are also more expensive.

Dock Street operates docks on both sides of the waterway, at the south end.
http://www.dockstreetmarina.com/
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=47.2 ... 7&t=h&z=16

Foss Harbor operates docks only on the west side of the waterway, at the north end, closer to open water.
http://www.fossharbormarina.com/
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=47.2 ... 7&t=h&z=16

Foss Harbor is probably the most convenient, becuase you can get off of I-705 at the A Street exit and loop right around and drop down right at the marina:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 4&t=h&z=17

There is also a fuel dock immediately across the waterway from the marina...
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll= ... 6&t=h&z=19
...though I fuel up at Breakwater Marina out on Pt. Defiance because the fuel is un-taxed and typically less expensive:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll= ... 2&t=h&z=18

Breakwater marina is another one to consider. I can't lie, their docks are pretty ratty, and they are a lot farther from the freeway. However, it is in a much more residential area and they are located within Pt. Defiance Park, which is Tacoma's crown jewel. They are also inside the "slag pile" that provides very protected moorage and quick access to prime fishing spots. Decide for yourself.
http://www.breakwatermarina.com/

[yhc]

Thanks so much for the detailed info. I will get a hold of Dock Street Marina tomorrow and see what their availabilities are. Again thanks Mariner.

Regards,

yhc