I made the move to Dagmars

[billwerth]

I had my boat at Stimson Marina just east of the Ballard locks. We had been planning on moving to Dagmars at the end of the summer, but when we heard the small lock would be closed to at least November, that made us decide to move the boat immediately.

The trip up was nice except for going through the large lock in Ballard. One boater wouldn't wait their turn and didn't listen to the dock attendant. This seemed to get him in a foul mood and made that trip through more stressful than usual. I really won't miss going through the locks anymore :)

We did have a little surprise when we got to the railroad bridge. It was closed and we had just 1 1/2 feet clearance above the boat going through :eek:

When I got to Dagmars, the office was closed, so I didn't get a chance to ask about the railroad bridge. At high tide the clearance under the bridge isn't much. The moorage information says that you need to call ahead one hour to have the railroad bridge opened. Anyone know how well that works?

Thanks.

[DRAGONFISH]

I have a friend that goes through there often he has had no problems before well they had one and it was a miscommunication issue that was resolved fairly quick like

[SomeSailor]

I think you'll like Dagmars. The bridge isn't really much of an issue. You can go under it while closed probably 1/2 the time and they're generally very quick to open it as well.

The "call ahead" sign is for the barges. You simply call "Bridge 37" on VHF channel 13 and tell him you're approaching from up river and he'll swing it open for you. The tenders are sometimes a little odd on the radio, but they'll generally get it open in a minute or two. Worst I ever had to wait was about 5-10 minutes for a train that was just North of the bridge when I approached.

One other note about Dagmars is to be careful and avoid the temptation to run straight out from the end of Jetty Island (westbound) unless you have a +4 or more tide. There is a navigable channel there, and it does save some time, but until you've done it, it can be a little shallow through there.

Anyhow... welcome to Dagmars. I'm in L-7. Where did they spot ya?

[billwerth]

I think you'll like Dagmars. The bridge isn't really much of an issue. You can go under it while closed probably 1/2 the time and they're generally very quick to open it as well.

The "call ahead" sign is for the barges. You simply call "Bridge 37" on VHF channel 13 and tell him you're approaching from up river and he'll swing it open for you. The tenders are sometimes a little odd on the radio, but they'll generally get it open in a minute or two. Worst I ever had to wait was about 5-10 minutes for a train that was just North of the bridge when I approached.

One other note about Dagmars is to be careful and avoid the temptation to run straight out from the end of Jetty Island (westbound) unless you have a +4 or more tide. There is a navigable channel there, and it does save some time, but until you've done it, it can be a little shallow through there.

Anyhow... welcome to Dagmars. I'm in L-7. Where did they spot ya?

Thanks for the tips on the bridge. I'll watch the tide and call the bridge next time when needed.

I doubt I'll be going straight out from the end of Jetty Island any time soon :) This is my first season boating with a boat this size, so I am very cautious. I have a mapping GPS that shows the shallow areas in two different shades of blue. I usually stay in the white area.

I'm not sure about what what space I am in. I signed up around noon and she said they will assign the location when I get the boat there. I got there around 8 pm and they hauled the boat out and put it in the second to last row across from the parking lot near the moorage office, but didn't tell me the space number. I looked on the pavement and didn't see the number. We were all exhausted from the heat, so I figured I will find the number when I go back later this week.

[Avanti42]

welcome also.....I'm in Y17A...great place!...don't have to worry about it sinking,bottom paint or zinks.:argh2

[sunnydude2]

The bridge isn't usually an issue but you are the lowest priority when a train is coming. Yesterday as we came back the tender guy was out and waiving to the kids.

We are over on S17. You will enjoy the ease of loading, servicing and mooring your boat at Dags.

[SomeSailor]

Yeah. I've been very pleasantly surprised. I started out just as a temporary solution, but since I've really grown to like the place. Lots of positives, without the downsides of being moored.

One of the nicer features is the "late launch" list. In the summer, they launch from 7:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. You can also stop by and get your name on the "late launch list", and they'll set you in the water at the end of the day. You can then just show up whenever you want and you're sitting there ready to hit the road.

Really a professionally run place too.

[Play N Hookie II]

We are in Z 29. We also love it here at dags. Great group of people. Looks like we must get a river dock party going on just for IBNW soon??

[SomeSailor]

I talked to a guy the other day who was going UP river to a sand bar that the beach the boat on and BBQ. That might be fun.

[sunnydude2]

There were about 5 boats beached at the mouth of the river yesterday on Jetty Island. I haven't seen that before.

[SomeSailor]

This guy was headed UP the river though. He says there's a really nice bar up there at the Y just before the trestle. He was driving a 28 foot Contessa and I was teasing that at least he could drift home from there and save half the fuel. :D

[Nehalennia]

I think I know where you are talking about. Don't go too deep in them woods though, you'll hear banjos and people living back there in Redneck Riff Raff that seriously look at you like "you don't belong"

[insguy]

You guys forgot one of the biggest advantages to mooring at Dagmars: It's one hour closer to the San Juans! :iconbiggrin:

I'm in T6.

[sunnydude2]

This guy was headed UP the river though. He says there's a really nice bar up there at the Y just before the trestle. He was driving a 28 foot Contessa and I was teasing that at least he could drift home from there and save half the fuel. :D

I understand that he was heading up river, was just pointing out that for the first time I saw a bunch of boats down at the mouth beached. It was getting close to changing tides and they weren't small dinghies.

A dinghy run would be fun to explore the river and slough.