seattle yacht club cortes island

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• Destinations: Circumnavigating Cortes Island

Here’s our latest installment from  Three Sheets Northwest  guest columnist Jim Burgoyne of  SalishSeaPilot.com …

Cortes Island offers much to mariners, from idyllic, protected anchorages to enchanted forest walks within its vast network of trails.

And it has a magnetic pull on cruisers who have been visiting nearby Desolation Sound, unplugged refugees who crave a smidgen of civilization. Of course, there are also the sailors who arrive and never leave, making a home on Cortez and blending into the colourfully eccentric community.

Got two weeks? Maybe three; a circumnavigation of Cortes Island can kill that and even longer with ease.

Let’s start at Cortes Bay on the island’s southeast. The bay opens its arms to arrivals from Desolation Sound. Many have anchored here, as we have, without problem, but the bay does have a reputation for iffy holding in strong east and southeast winds. If the forecast is for unsettled weather, use lots of scope, which is generally not a problem in the moderate depths and ensure your anchor is well set.

The bay is home to outstations for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Seattle Yacht Club. For most of the rest of us, there is the public dock, which offers a good dinghy tie for going ashore.

From the public dock, walk west along Bartholomew Road past the many blackberry bushes, turning right on Cortes Bay Road. Walk along the road, mostly uphill, for about 15 minutes, coming to a spot where Katimavik Trail crosses the road. Walking right takes you up to Easter Bluff for some lovely views into Desolation Sound; taking the trail to the left, takes you down to Gunflint Lake, surrounded by the Linnaea Farm, an organic land trust and school that teaches sustainable land stewardship. Here you can often buy fresh produce and tour the small, welcoming community.

Walk southwest along a path between Gunflint and Hague lakes into an area of dramatic rolling hills and a network of trails which eventually lead to Mansons Landing.

By water, from Cortes Bay going counterclockwise around the island, it is about six nautical miles to the public dock at Squirrel Cove, where boats can tie up in settled conditions, short-term or overnight, or anchor off if the dock is full as it often is during summer. Ashore is a general store, restaurant, coin-op laundry and showers.

Nearby is Squirrel Cove proper, a well-protected bay with many options for swing anchoring or stern tying. Here there is much to explore, including the tidal rapids into Squirrel Cove Lagoon and trails which lead aross island to Von Donop Inlet.

Next stop, over the top of the island is Von Donop Inlet in Ha’thayim Marine Park. This picturesque waterway cuts deeply into the island, almost slicing it in two. There are many spots to anchor here and many more coves and lagoons to explore by dinghy or kayak. As well, there are trails to explore the inlet’s shores or walk across island for lunch near the Squirrel Cove public dock.

Almost two miles south of the entrance to Von Donop Inlet is tiny Quartz Bay where excellent protection can be found in the bay’s western fork. Ashore is mostly private homes, but if you have a project that needs attention this might be the perfect place.

Farther south is Carrington Bay, where cover from prevailing summer winds is found behind Jane and Little Jane islets. South from the head of the bay is a large lagoon that is ripe for exploration, as is a network of regional district park trails nearby. The park has hosted various “rave” music festivals over the years attended by young campers willing to rough it.

Moving south boaters pass Coulter Bay, another tiny bay that might be filled with boats on resident mooring buoys. If there is room, it’s a nice anchorage with lots of shoreline to explore at low tide.

Then cruisers come to Uganda Passage, a narrow pass between Cortes and Marina islands. There are lovely anchorages with splendid views on either side of sandy Shark Spit which extends north from Marina Island. Daytime boat traffic tends to be without wake as vessels slowly navigate the twisting passage.

Nearby is the entrance into Gorge Harbour, the large, all weather bay on Cortes Island’s southwest. Inside there are several good spots to anchor and a great marina with a general store, restaurant, pool, fuel and laundry.

About 2km west by road is the ferry terminal at Whaletown, linking Cortes to Quadra Island and Campbell River on Vancouver Island, making Gorge Harbour a good spot to pick up or drop off crew, or temporarily leave the boat if necessary.

Continuing the circuit of Cortes, about two miles east is Mansons Landing, an anchorage or public dock where space to tie up is often available. Nearby is Hague Lake, a popular freshwater swimming spot, and trails which lead back to Cortes Bay, completing the circumnavigation if only by foot.

By road about 1km south of Mansons Landing is Cortes Island’s commercial district which amounts to two grocery stores, post office, museum and a few other shops and cafes.

There is a lot to explore on Cortes Island, with anchorages that feel remote, others that offer opportunities to provision or fuel up. And for many of us, getting off the boat to stretch your legs is important, and Cortes offers a smorgasbord of hiking opportunities.

The anchorages, marinas and docks on Cortes Island are covered in Salish Sea Pilot’s cruising guide to Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands.

Jim Burgoyne

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Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation

Access and contact

Description, other marinas you may be interested in.

Discovery Harbour Marina

Bliss Landing Estates Marina

Gorge Harbour Marina Resort

Cortes Bay Government Dock

Cortes Bay Seattle Yacht Club

April Point Marina

Discovery Harbour

Coast Marina

Fisherman's Wharf

Lund Resort & 13 Moons Marina

Okeover Arm Marina

Lund Public Marina

Okeover Harbour Authority

Lund Fuel Dock

Toba Wilderness Marina

Refuge Cove Marina

Squirrel Cove Trading Co.

Squirrel Cove Public Dock

Whaletown Marina

April Point Resort & Spa

Heriot Bay Inn & Marina

Heriot Bay Public Wharf

Pacific Playgrounds Resort

Painters Lodge

Quathiaski Cove Public Wharf

Salmon Point Resort

Sonora Resort

Stuart Island Community Dock

Surge Narrows General Store

Taku Resort & Marina

Tyee Spit RV Park & Boat Launch

Discovery Harbour Authority

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation

About marina region

Seattle Yacht Club

Many Seattle Yacht Club members cruise the waters of the Pacific Northwest in powerboats.  Whether touring the Club’s 10 Outstations, located from Gig Harbor in the south to Cortes Bay in the north, or exploring the fresh water lakes, our members tend to enjoy their time on the water. SYC has a number of interesting and exciting events for members with powerboats. These include formal events with fun interactive themes, local and long-range cruises from Puget Sound to the Canadian Gulf Islands, and monthly dinners with exciting and informative speakers. Our monthly club dinners include topics about boating in the Northwest and adventures from around the world. These dinner are also a fun way to meet with fellow Club members and share boating experiences.

Seattle Yacht Club also hosts Navigational Rallies (aka Predicted Log Racing) around Puget Sound. These navigational contests are a great opportunity for members to improve their knowledge of their boat and skills of predicting the boat’s performance around a designated course.

Seattle Yacht Club Sailing

2019 syc race book, youth summer sailing school, adult sailing lessons, junior race team, high school sailing, opti green fleet program, junior race team, race team vision.

SYC is recognized among the leading yacht clubs of the world with a renowned comprehensive junior sailing program, in which the Junior Race Team is an integral part.  Our Junior Race Team draws upon a broad base of young sailors (open to the public) primarily from the SYC Summer Sailing School, SYC’s Northwest Interscholastic High School Sailing Team (HS Sailing), and community outreach programs.  The SYC Junior Race Team and HS Sailing provide youths, from ages 8 to 18, the opportunity to reach for competitive success at all levels while developing athletic skills, leadership, sportsmanship and a lifelong love for boating.  SYC has given rise to numerous generations of successful Pacific Northwest sailors, including multiple Olympic champions.  The SYC Race Team continues the Club’s legacy of achievement, representing SYC in local, regional, national and international competitions.

Race Team Mission

Progress juniors from participation to development to the highest levels of youth racing achievement.

• Provide a fun and supportive environment for junior racers of all abilities
• Provide coaches exceptional in their sailing accomplishments and their abilities to train and inspire our racers
• Maintain facilities and equipment equal or superior to leading yacht clubs around the world
• Promote interest and participation in sailing and racing with an active, adaptive outreach program
• Prepare racers for Collegiate Sailing providing an opportunity to leverage individual racers’ sailing skills and racing achievements in the college application process
• Develop  a lifelong interest and appreciation of sailing and racing in all Race Team members while promoting SYC junior membership in a family oriented, supportive environment

JOIN THE TEAM 

Race team schedule, race team coach: cameron hoard.

Cameron has been the SYC Jr Race Team coach since 2011. Originally from Upstate NY, Cam has lived on both coasts, but has come to call the NW home.

Cam has been a sailing coach for the better part of 20 years. He has worked for various yacht clubs and sailing programs in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

The SYC Jr Race Team does most of its year-round training on Shilshole Bay (Puget Sound), however Cam and the team travel all over the country competing in over 25 regattas every year. A busy training and regatta schedule is what makes the SYC Jr sailors the best in the North West!

The team has found lots of success under Coach Cam with SYC sailors winning national championships, qualifying for international regattas, and dominating the NW Youth Racing Circuit. It’s exciting and fun to work with such committed, talented, and hard working Jr sailors representing the club. 

2017 was a big year for the team and the sailing department! They were honored to receive the Captain Joe Prosser Award, from US Sailing, for excellence in sailing instruction. The Jr sailors list of accomplishments is far too long to list here, so please stop Cam in the hallway or on the dock to hear about it all! Or join them at the SYC Jr sailing awards held every January, to meet the team, celebrate an amazing year, and help them kick off the successful season ahead. Go SYC!

Contact Coach Cameron Hoard.

Joining SYC

Seattle Yacht Club welcomes applications for membership from Northwest boaters ages 10+ who would like to join our active community.

Members of the Club are entitled to use our Portage Bay Clubhouse with casual and fine dining restaurants, banquet and meeting facilities, guest moorage, and permanent moorage (subject to availability).  Members are also encouraged to participate in a wide range of regattas and cruises, and enjoy activities and dining events at the Club.  Membership with SYC offers use of our Elliott Bay clubhouse facilities and discounted Elliott Bay moorage (subject to availability), use of nine Outstations (listed below), and reciprocal privileges to more than 225 other yacht clubs around the world.  

SYC OUTSTATIONS

• Cortes Bay – Desolation Sound, B.C. 
• Eagle Harbor – Bainbridge Island 
• Elliott Bay – Seattle 
• Friday Harbor – San Juan Islands 
• Ganges – Saltspring Island, Gulf Islands, B.C. 
• Garden Bay – Pender Harbor, B.C. 
• Gig Harbor – South Puget Sound 
• Henry Island – Roche Harbor, San Juan Islands 
• Ovens Island – Dunsmuir Islands, Gulf Islands, B.C. 
• Port Madison – Bainbridge Island 

Several levels of membership are available based on the age and marital status of the candidate.  For an individual membership, the initiation fee is determined by the age of the new member on the date the application is completed.  Monthly dues adjust throughout the life of a membership as it advances from one class to another.  We encourage married couples to apply for joint membership.  There is one initiation fee, which is determined by the age of the older spouse on the date the application is completed.  The monthly dues are determined using the birthdate of the older spouse.  To request a chart of the current fees and dues, contact SYC's Membership Director.

Each membership application needs one primary sponsor and three other members to serve as recommenders (all must be voting or Surviving members of SYC).  The application process begins when a voting member of SYC checks out an application packet and becomes the applicant’s sponsor. 

Interested In Learning More?

If you are interested in exploring membership and receiving an invitation to SYC's next Open House (date TBD), please complete and submit a Prospective Member Interest Form . 

Membership Brochure & Benefits Of Membership Video

For an overview of the Club, download SYC's Membership Brochure . Enjoy the video below about the benefits of membership with SYC featuring the Club, our Outstations, activities, and some of the people who make the Club special.

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Cortes Island Marinas

Cortes Island has four public docks: Whaletown, Squirrel Cove, Mansons Landing Provincial Park and Cortes Bay. Cortes Bay also hosts private outstations for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Seattle Yacht Club.

Cortes Island Public Boat Launches

Cortes Island Public Boat Launches can be found at Blind Creek on Cortes Bay, Gorge Harbour Marina, and in Squirrel Cove.

Cortes Island Small Craft Launches

Small crafts including kayaks and rowboats can be launched at Smelt Bay Provincial Park , Mansons Landing Provincial Park , and Hollyhock Beach .

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• Desolation Sound

Circumnavigating Cortes

by Jim Burgoyne · August 12, 2019

And it has a magnetic pull on cruisers who have been visiting nearby Desolation Sound, unplugged refugees who crave a smidgen of civilization. Of course, there are also the sailors who arrive and never leave, making a home on Cortez and blending into the colourfully eccentric community.

Got two weeks? Maybe three; a circumnavigation of Cortes Island can kill that and even longer with ease.

Let’s start at Cortes Bay on the island’s southeast. The bay opens its arms to arrivals from Desolation Sound. Many have anchored here, as we have, without problem, but the bay does have a reputation for iffy holding in strong east and southeast winds. If the forecast is for unsettled weather, use lots of scope, which is generally not a problem in the moderate depths and ensure your anchor is well set.

The bay is home to outstations for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Seattle Yacht Club. For most of the rest of us, there is the public dock, which offers a good dinghy tie for going ashore.

From the public dock, walk west along Bartholomew Road past the many blackberry bushes, turning right on Cortes Bay Road. Walk along the road, mostly uphill, for about 15 minutes, coming to a spot where Katimavik Trail crosses the road. Walking right takes you up to Easter Bluff for some lovely views into Desolation Sound; taking the trail to the left, takes you down to Gunflint Lake, surrounded by the Linnaea Farm, an organic land trust and school that teaches sustainable land stewardship. Here you can often buy fresh produce and tour the small, welcoming community.

Walk southwest along a path between Gunflint and Hague lakes into an area of dramatic rolling hills and a network of trails which eventually lead to Mansons Landing.

By water, from Cortes Bay going counterclockwise around the island, it is about six nautical miles to the public dock at Squirrel Cove, where boats can tie up in settled conditions, short-term or overnight, or anchor off if the dock is full as it often is during summer. Ashore is a general store, restaurant, coin-op laundry and showers.

Nearby is Squirrel Cove proper, a well-protected bay with many options for swing anchoring or stern tying. Here there is much to explore, including the tidal rapids into Squirrel Cove Lagoon and trails which lead aross island to Von Donop Inlet.

Next stop, over the top of the island is Von Donop Inlet in Ha’thayim Marine Park. This picturesque waterway cuts deeply into the island, almost slicing it in two. There are many spots to anchor here and many more coves and lagoons to explore by dinghy or kayak. As well, there are trails to explore the inlet’s shores or walk across island for lunch near the Squirrel Cove public dock.

Almost two miles south of the entrance to Von Donop Inlet is tiny Quartz Bay where excellent protection can be found in the bay’s western fork. Ashore is mostly private homes, but if you have a project that needs attention this might be the perfect place.

Farther south is Carrington Bay, where cover from prevailing summer winds is found behind Jane and Little Jane islets. South from the head of the bay is a large lagoon that is ripe for exploration, as is a network of regional district park trails nearby. The park has hosted various “rave” music festivals over the years attended by young campers willing to rough it.

Moving south boaters pass Coulter Bay, another tiny bay that might be filled with boats on resident mooring buoys. If there is room, it’s a nice anchorage with lots of shoreline to explore at low tide.

Then cruisers come to Uganda Passage, a narrow pass between Cortes and Marina islands. There are lovely anchorages with splendid views on either side of sandy Shark Spit which extends north from Marina Island. Daytime boat traffic tends to be without wake as vessels slowly navigate the twisting passage.

Nearby is the entrance into Gorge Harbour, the large, all weather bay on Cortes Island’s southwest. Inside there are several good spots to anchor and a great marina with a general store, restaurant, pool, fuel and laundry.

About 2km west by road is the ferry terminal at Whaletown, linking Cortes to Quadra Island and Campbell River on Vancouver Island, making Gorge Harbour a good spot to pick up or drop off crew, or temporarily leave the boat if necessary.

Continuing the circuit of Cortes, about two miles east is Mansons Landing, an anchorage or public dock where space to tie up is often available. Nearby is Hague Lake, a popular freshwater swimming spot, and trails which lead back to Cortes Bay, completing the circumnavigation if only by foot.

By road about 1km south of Mansons Landing is Cortes Island’s commercial district which amounts to two grocery stores, post office, museum and a few other shops and cafes.

There is a lot to explore on Cortes Island, with anchorages that feel remote, others that offer opportunities to provision or fuel up. And for many of us, getting off the boat to stretch your legs is important, and Cortes offers a smorgasbord of hiking opportunities.

The anchorages, marinas and docks on Cortes Island are covered in Salish Sea Pilot’s cruising guide to Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands.

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Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation

Address: 2601 West Marina Place Seattle, WA 98199

Website: http://www.seattleyachtclub.org/

Phone: (206) 325-1000

About Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation

Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation is located at 2601 West Marina Place Seattle, WA 98199. They can be contacted via phone at (206) 325-1000 for pricing, directions, reservations and more.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What is the phone number for seattle yacht club cortes bay outstation.

The phone number for Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation is (206) 325-1000.

Where is Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation located?

Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation is located at 2601 West Marina Place , Seattle, WA 98199

What is the internet address for Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation?

The website (URL) for Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation is http://www.seattleyachtclub.org/

What is the latitude and longitude of Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation?

You can use Latitude: 47.63039210 Longitude: -122.39068460 coordinates in your GPS.

Is there a key contact at Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation?

You can contact Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation at (206) 325-1000.

Seattle Yacht Club Cortes Bay Outstation Reviews

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Cortes Bay Anchorage

Cortes Bay. Cortes Bay is well protected, but in some places, the soft mud bottom doesn’t hold well.   Use Chart 3538 when approaching Several charted rocks and reefs near the entrance have claimed the inattentive.  These include Central Rock, north of Twin Islands, several rocks around Three Islets, and rock off the headland midway between Mary Point and the entrance to Cortes Bay.  To be safe, we always pass south of Three Islets.

Pay close attention to the beacon in the middle of the narrow entry to Cortes Bay.  This beacon, with its red triangle day board,  marks the south end of a nasty reef.   leave the beacon to the starboard (Red, Right, Returning) as you enter.  If you doubt the existence of this reef, one look at low tide will convince you.  A small public wharf is at the head of Cortes Bay.  It is usually full during the summer.  Rafting is required.

Seattle Yacht Club has an outstation on the south shore of Cortes Bay, at the location of a former marina.  Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has an outstation on the north shore.  No reciprocals at either outstation.

Local knowledge says the good holding ground is east o the Royal Van outstation, off the mouth of a small drying cove.  During a 30 – 40-knot southeasterly blow, we saw several boats anchored successfully off the SYC outstation as well.

Cortes Bay. (Cortes Island) Charts 3538, 3312, 3513; 2.9 miles W of Sarah Pt; 3.8 miles SW of Gorge Harbour.  Entrance: 50°03.48’N, 124°55.12’W   Public Float: 50°03.78’N, 124°55.95’W  Anchor: 50°03.85’N, 124°56.06’W

For more information visit our partner site Waggoner Cruising Guide .   For all your yacht provisioning call our concierge desk at 778-432-0477.   If you’re looking for a  superyacht marina we accept 65′ to 220′ vessels.  Phone or book online to reserve your slip or book the ultimate yacht Rendezvous .

Victoria International Marina 1 Cooperage Place, Victoria, BC V9A 7J9 Ph. + 1 778 432 0477 Email. [email protected]

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Yacht Clubs

Seattle Yacht Club

Founded in 1892, Seattle Yacht Club is one of our country’s most active and long-established yacht clubs. With facilities ranging from the historic main station on Portage Bay, to ten outstations located along the shores of Washington and British Columbia, the club offers an outstanding group of properties for use by its more than 2,500 members.

From the Commodore:

It gives me great pleasure to confirm the commitment of the Seattle Yacht Club Board of Trustees and its members to the goals and mission of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Our Fleet Captain Sail, Dave Ferguson and his committee, and Past Commodore, Chris Otorowski, will be working together on the member matching fund program that I expect will exceed the Founding Club level.

We look forward to watching the progress of the NSHOF and its home in Annapolis.

The Pacific Northwest waters, aristocratic pines and views of Mt. Rainier, Baker and the Olympics provided inspiration for Chief Sealth’s (Seattle) native peoples and SYC respects this heritage while developing its own traditions and stewardship. In the 1880s Puget Sound’s Budlong’s Boat House was the locale of the first gathering place of SYC yachtsmen followed in 1882 by the moorage on Battery Street at Brighton’s Boat House. The first Clubhouses built for a formally organized Seattle Yacht Club were in 1892 and 1909 in West Seattle.  Presently the Portage Bay clubhouse (1919) between Lakes Union and Washington offers a colonial style with classical elegance and uncovered and covered moorages. It has been on the National Register of Historical Places since 2006. In addition, there are ten beautiful outstations extending from south Puget Sound through Canadian waters. They are Gig Harbor, Elliott Bay, Port Madison and Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, Henry Island and Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, and Ganges, Ovens Island, Garden Bay and Cortes Bay in Canada. The marine environment is protected by SYC’s Code of Ethics and negotiations with the City of Seattle. Reciprocity with U.S. and international yacht clubs exists.

Since 1928 SYC has participated in powerboat predicted log racing’s annual International Cruiser Race, the Capital to Capitol Race. Hosted by SYC in 1936, the attendance was the highest of any U.S. cruising event to that date. In the 1940s the IPBA made it a family event. Today SYC hosts the IPBA Stimson Cup and participates in other IPBA and local races.

The belief that “everyone who wants to be on the water should be” underlies programs for the community such as the 1935 Shut In Cruise when 50 SYC boats took patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers for a Lake Washington cruise. World War II veterans were taken on similar cruises. Today’s Annual Special People’s Cruise was inspired by SYC women who arranged Christmas cruises for the Fircrest clients. SYC’s Opening Day, modeled in part by the city’s 1911 Potlatch celebration has the largest boating parade and international crew races in the world. SYC sponsors the largest fund raising event in boating, the Leukemia Cup Regatta and the SYC Foundation provides funding for Youth Sailing classes and community boating projects.

Protection of maritime waters and racing abound. SYC formed the first Pacific coastal squadron to teach motorboat navigation and to cooperate with the U.S. government in 1916. During World War II SYC’s Flotilla 24, the largest civilian squadron in the U.S., patrolled Pacific inland waters with private small and large luxury yachts. Pleasure boating was dormant but racing continued. The hydroplane races with SYC’s Slo-Mo IV and V won the Gold Cup 1950-1954 and put Seattle and Seafair on the map. The hydroplane era continues with the SYC burgee on winning boats and thousands of spectators watching the races on Lake Washington and on television.

Pleasure boating resumed after World War II. In 1964 SYC was invited to join the Cruising Club of America and continues to host several of their events. The latter’s goal of promoting cruising by amateurs and its interest in seamanship, navigation and handling of small vessel is in keeping with SYC’s philosophy and support of what the juniors call “people who like to mess around in boats”. Boating education at SYC has always been a priority for youth and adult members and non-members. Currently it is provided in Lasers, Vanguard 15’s, and Optimistist dinghies. Pleasure boating for adults, families and the public is provided in Club and private member boats.

Competing in international races in the 1980s again demonstrated SYC’s racing skills. Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals were brought home. The SYC burgee flew on One World in the 2003 America’s Cup Race. SYC women have won world championships in rowing and the Adams Cup for sailing.  World involvement is further demonstrated by hosting of the International Council of Yacht Clubs Forum in 2011. This is the first time it was held in the United States and 14 countries were represented by numerous delegates.

To insure “the most fun for the most of us” the SYC committee system allows for diversified interest groups and activities for all members. The Men’s and Women’s groups have luncheons with speakers and programs to educate and entertain. Parties, balls, dinner dances and children’s events occur regularly. The annual Commodore’s Ball with the Grand Fourteen Yacht Clubs in the area is a gala event. Potlatch, a weekend of water games, races and feasting at Port Madison, is an example of the family centered events for juniors, intermediates and regular members.

Seattle Yacht Club has a tradition of pride in its members who come from every socioeconomic level. Many have made significant contributions to navigational science and member volunteerism is basic to the Club. The 1937 Board of Trustees stated: the club should cater to the average class of gentlemen yachtsman” attempting to please the aristocrats and also the members with small boats regardless of financial position. SYC also has pride in its clubhouse and the city it is named after. The beacon light on top of the Portage Bay clubhouse was installed by SYC members and the Coast Guard and its spire is shown on nautical charts as a private stationary aid to navigation. It beckons you to join the fun of a cultural icon and continue to make history.

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Juniper Bluffs is a comfortable and charming guest cabin overlooking Cortes Bay, furnished with a cozy alcove-sited double bed, sitting area, private bathroom, and kitchenette with basic cooking pots, pans, and utensils.

Reservations : 3-night minimum, no pets

Around the bay are the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club , the Seattle Yacht Club , and the BC government dock. In the neighborhood hike up Easter Bluff for a stunning view of Cortes and the surrounding islands. A short hike or drive takes you to Linnaea Farm where you can buy organic meat and vegetables (seasonal), attend classes, and visit the Vancouver Island Regional Library . A short walk takes you down to the beach at the mouth of Cortes Bay, where you can relax, skip rocks and watch the birds and boats.

For more information about the activities, attractions, and services on Cortes see ourcortes.com  and  www.cortesisland.com .

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CRUISING WITH KOTARE

Saturday, may 21, 2022.

  MAY 20, 2022

Seattle Yacht Club outstation, Dunsmuir Island Group

It’s taken me this long to figure out how to get going on my blog! Mike and I boarded Kotare, my 41’ Camano trawler on May 8th in Pleasant Harbor and headed for our haul out in Anacortes. Seas were calm around Foul Weather Bluff and all the way across the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Fighting the current a good part of the way,  it took nearly 10 hours, but pleasant nonetheless.

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Post a comment, cortes to dent, july 15-20.

 We stayed an extra day at Cortes, but still no luck. In fact we lost gear; so headed in Flec to Refuge Cove to replenish. Very expensive! O...

The Boater’s Connection for flights to Cortes Bay BC from Seattle.

Northwest Seaplanes offers summer scheduled flights and charter flights from Seattle to and from Cortes Bay, BC Government Dock and the Seattle Yacht Club outpost in Cortes Bay .

Seattle to Cortes Bay Flight Schedule

Northwest Seaplanes is conveniently located on the shores of South Lake Washington on the Renton Airport.  We are just minutes from downtown Seattle,  Bellevue and the Seattle (Sea-Tac) Airport and offer a complimentary shuttle to the Seattle Airport on your arrival into Seattle.  Free parking is also available for those driving.  For reservations and information, please call.  Please visit our Passenger Information page for information regarding our flights.

• www.marinas.com
• www.seattleyachtclub.org
• www.corteisland.com

South Lake Washington departures and arrivals

Complimentary parking

Complimentary 15 minute shuttle TO Sea-Tac Airport

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Cortes Affairs - Seattle Yacht Club

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Kittery Point Yacht Club dock plan paused in New Castle: Here's why

NEW CASTLE — The Kittery Point Yacht Club's bid to gain town approval for a new dock on the Piscataqua River’s back channel has been paused by a New Castle board at the club's request.

Club leaders are planning to work with project opponents and residents on addressing safety around the property along the Route 1B causeway, addressing criticism made against the proposal since the winter. The proposal is presently tied up in the New Castle Zoning Board of Adjustment review and public hearing process.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment voted Wednesday night to continue the proposal to its Sept. 17 meeting in order to collaborate with the 68-year-old club on safety solutions. 

The club released a statement Thursday regarding the proposal's continuance through Dave Severance, treasurer for the club and a board of directors member. 

“We believe that there may be opportunities for the club to work together with the community in an effort to improve safety along the Route 1B causeway,” the club stated. “We felt that it would be better for all involved to take additional time to explore these opportunities and provide a clear perspective to all who may not have a clear factual understanding of the scope of our proposed project.”

The Kittery Point Yacht Club first proposed a 150-foot-long dock in the river’s back channel off Goat Island, a plan that has since been scaled back. The dock would be built off land purchased by the club from an abutter in 2022, jutting out in the waterway for use by the club’s student sailors and staff to avoid the potentially dangerous sailing conditions off the club’s current dock on the river.

Club members and proposal proponents have stated in hearings the new dock doesn’t mean the club is expanding. Rather, the new dock would evenly distribute students and staff and offer a safer voyage along the back channel and help further students’ knowledge of sailing.

The club's intention is to offer a second, safer access point to the water, according to Severance and Doug Pinciaro, the club dockmaster and a board of directors member.

Critics of the plan feel the dock would obstruct their views of the back channel and compromise safety along the causeway, arguing foot and vehicular traffic would increase, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicular accident involving pedestrians. Some have claimed a dock off Goat Island would harm navigation in the back channel.

In January, the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a motion to grant the club the necessary variances for the proposed dock. However in February, the town Select Board stepped in and asked for a hearing to appeal the matter, alleging the Zoning Board of Adjustment erred in granting the variances. 

The Zoning Board of Adjustment agreed to the Select Board’s appeal, setting off the rehearing process that has now spanned several months.

“We look forward to working with the community to find an amicable solution,” the Kittery Point Yacht Club’s Thursday statement added.

The dock would be installed between November 15 and March 15, 2025 to avoid disruption to the sturgeon population in the back channel, according to May 21 minutes of a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on the matter.

Aside from the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s stamp of approval, the proposal would need to be signed off on by New Castle’s Planning Board, in addition to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.