Currents in the Swinnomish Canal and La Conner

[JDCAVE]

Good Morning. We intend to travel to La Conner, Friday April 14. We've been there several times but recall that docking can be an adventure. I see that Slack Water at Deception Pass is 10:07 (am), according to Coastal Explorer. Is this a good gauge of when we should arrive? Coastal Explorer also posts a Low water at the La Conner Tide Station of 7.1' at 08:19. This site suggests 2.5-4 hours after Low Water, so it may be a bit later.

https://shelterbaycommwa.pilera.com...a/documents/NavigatingTheSwinomishChannel.pdf

Any suggestions welcome!

Looking forward to dinner at the Oyster and Thistle! Had a wonderful meal there!

Jim

 

[AlaskaProf]

In my experience, the current indicator arrows on Coastal Explorer are pretty good in that area.

Another consideration is that the current is always aligned with the docks; just be sure you are docking upstream.

 

[Portage_Bay]

Here's a source you may find helpful.
https://oakharbor.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1461/Guide-to-Swinomish-Channel-Currents-PDF

 

[chanprr]

My experience in La Conner is that slack water in the channel lasts but a few minutes, and the current in the channel will reverse direction almost instantaneously. If you swing past the marina entrance at F or G dock, and go to the inside part of the dock, the current will be less strong, and make for easier docking.

 

[ScottRhodes13]

If you swing past the marina entrance at F or G dock, and go to the inside part of the dock, the current will be less strong, and make for easier docking.

OP will probably be coming from the north, so turn into the marina entrance just before arriving at F or G dock.

 

[NWSeadog]

Friday morning should be a good arrival time in general. There is less then 1 foot of tidal difference between 8:18 Am and 11:56AM. Then comes a 8 foot drop to the low low at 7:27PM. Normally I try to schedule my arrivals there around half tide. In that canal YMMV.

 

[Bob Cofer]

Also note that the rising tide flows north in the channel and obviously the falling tide flows south. Planning to arrive around the halfway period between high and low is good advice. Where will you be docking? The reciprocal dock for the Swinomish Yacht Club is a good choice. Saturday morning coffee at The Wayfinder is a good choice.

 

[JDCAVE]

Thanks all. They have been doing construction at G dock so I think we will be staying at F Dock. Thanks for the advice on the tides.

Jim

 

[JDCAVE]

Sadly, we decided to avoid the prospects of poor weather coming back on the weekend and left Anacortes this morning and returned to home port with paint and other boat materials. We did not go to La Conner. We are back in Steveston.

Jim