San Juan lings

it's less than 3 miles from Orcas (N Beach to Sucia) closer to two.

It can be a super easy paddle if you work the current/wind to your favor. It can be fairly dicey if you don't.

It's a common trip for seakayakers, in the summer, so not really a secret.

I would upgrade the warning from "fairly" dicey to "very" dicey, in the wrong conditions. In summer, the conditions are usually pretty stable. Winter and spring the conditions can snap pretty quickly. It can go from 0 to 45 knots in less than an hour. I've even seen it go from 40 knots out of the South, to 50 knots out of the North, in less than an hour. Keep close tabs on the weather radio.

it's less than 3 miles from Orcas (N Beach to Sucia) closer to two.

It can be a super easy paddle if you work the current/wind to your favor. It can be fairly dicey if you don't.

It's a common trip for seakayakers, in the summer, so not really a secret.

I would upgrade the warning from "fairly" dicey to "very" dicey, in the wrong conditions. In summer, the conditions are usually pretty stable. Winter and spring the conditions can snap pretty quickly. It can go from 0 to 45 knots in less than an hour. I've even seen it go from 40 knots out of the South, to 50 knots out of the North, in less than an hour. Keep close tabs on the weather radio.

I was kidding about the "don't tell anyone" because this is a public forum, and every sea kayaker in the PNW has done the trip:)

I think "dicey" and "very" dicey are dependent on the person/knowledge/skill, but yes, you should keep an ear on the VHF any time of year.

It is only a couple of miles, as stated, and it needs to be done in a group.  Also have to keep in mind that nobody can guarantee spring conditions either.  I'm totally prepared to stay at home that weekend if weather dictates it isn't safe to go.

One of the great things about the SJ islands is the fishing and the beauty.  On the minus side, is the current.  Big tide swing = big current.  Take a current guide and use it!  We stayed in a rental house on the north shore of Orcas in August, we had both Revos and I fished one morning on a stiff ebb, and had to bust my chops to make any headway at all!!  Was skunked, too.   There were lots of sit-in yakkers making the trip across to Sucia, one group had dolphins accompany them 1/2 way across.  Here's currents for San Juan Channel on May 1-2

Paddling against the ebb will be tough on Saturday
 Time Zone is PDT      Units are knots
 Sat 01 May        0220        0418    1.1F        0623        1010    -3.2E        1337
                                                 1710    3.8F        2108        2346    -1.9E    
 Sun 02 May        0323        0508    0.8F        0659        1052    -2.8E        1422
 1756    3.5F        2158       

getting ready for the May 1 opener...needed to see if the 16' tarpon would actually fit  on the 20' boat...guess it will work without need for a pilot car 

hope it rides well up there for you, 'mano

i am concerned but wont keep me from trying...

What kind of boat is that.  It looks like the style my buddy and I were looking for before the recession hit. 

One of the great things about the SJ islands is the fishing and the beauty.  On the minus side, is the current.  Big tide swing = big current.  Take a current guide and use it!  We stayed in a rental house on the north shore of Orcas in August, we had both Revos and I fished one morning on a stiff ebb, and had to bust my chops to make any headway at all!!  Was skunked, too.   There were lots of sit-in yakkers making the trip across to Sucia, one group had dolphins accompany them 1/2 way across.  Here's currents for San Juan Channel on May 1-2

Paddling against the ebb will be tough on Saturday
 Time Zone is PDT      Units are knots
 Sat 01 May        0220        0418    1.1F        0623        1010    -3.2E        1337
                                                 1710    3.8F        2108        2346    -1.9E    
 Sun 02 May        0323        0508    0.8F        0659        1052    -2.8E        1422
 1756    3.5F        2158       

May 4-9 is the mild current window for May. I'll be at Jones Island 5/5-9. The key to fishing/touring up there is the Washburne Table and Current Atlas. Google it, then buy it if you plan to yak up there. Never leave home without it. I've submarined a sea kayak in 8-9kts up there before.

What kind of boat is that. 

No doubt, that's a sweet looking mothership.

Z

HHHHHHHHHHmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...... can we start a " Guess What make HBH's little boat is, Win Nanooks favorite yak." Contest? 

my wife chastised me for removing the manufacturers decals from the side of the boat...what kind of kayak are we playing for? 

i am pretty happy with it especially the heated cabin! and the drastically reduced moorage fees

HHHHHHHHHHmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...... can we start a " Guess What make HBH's little boat is, Win Nanooks favorite yak." Contest? 

its a Seasport.  I almost pulled the trigger on a 24' a couple years ago

HBH love the color of the Tarpon. Mine is a non-descript brown, but I bought it with the thought of doing a little duck hunting in the salt marsh along the Texas coast. Bright red and duck hunting just do not seem to mix well. Bright colors on the salt seem much safer to me at this point. Maybe I should get a can of paint? Frank

HBH when I get blown out for the SJ opener, I'm coming looking for you and your heated cabin on the boat.