Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/25/06 - 3:02 PM

Well, I just got back from spending a week in the Seattle and San Juan Island area.
Beautiful country.

I saw lots of Whalers and lots of Whales.

Among some of the specific places I visited, not including the various islands, were:
Friday Harbor
Roche Harbor
Deer Harbor
Port Townsend
Shilshole Bay Marina
Space Needle (what a view)

It would have been nice to spend another week or two traveling around both areas as there is a lot to see. Maybe next time. I hope to post some photos sometime later this week.

Edited by Joe Kriz on 10/07/06 - 8:21 AM

Posted by Doug V on 09/25/06 - 7:30 PM

Joe,

This is a really nice area. I am not a real Seattle fan, mostly because of the freeways and congestion. I love the Puget Sound and surrounding area.

I would really like to spend some time in the San Juans. Someday....

Doug Vazquez

Posted by Jeff on 09/26/06 - 7:18 AM

Someday when I have alot of time (and some extra cash) I really want to head out there with the boat. I remeber the first time I stopped by Jim H's house he showed me the trip he and LHG did up in the Vancouver region and north. Breath taking. They drove about 4-5 days each way with just over a week of boating. Buckda I know keeps trying to get a group together from the Great Lakes to head out there but few takers.

Looking forward to some photos.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/26/06 - 3:11 PM

I have some photos of the trip here:
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/fishin...shing.html

One week is not nearly enough time for this region, or most regions for that matter.
A boat should really be a must unless you know someone in the area.
Next time I am taking my own boat for a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks.

This Orca below seemed to be looking at me for some reason. I think he was hungry and I was in his sights... We had other Orcas jumping right in front of the boat but it was hard to get a photo of them in action. One jumped straight up in the air about 20 yards from the boat and then made a big splash. It was quite spectacular.

PS..... The law wants you to remain 100 yards from the whales. However, if you turn your engine off and whales just happen to come by, so be it. When doing this don't forget to shut off your engine and make sure you turn off your sonar.
Some of these whales do not like the sonar and have been known to bite them off of the boat.
The photos of the whales were taken from an Outrage 18' that we toured the islands in.

Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/26/06 - 3:47 PM

Posted by JMartin on 09/27/06 - 11:45 AM

Nice pictures Joe, I was out at Roche and vicinity 9/8 to 9/10 and 9/22 to 9/24. I want to go back out this weekend also. Orcas are hard to take pictures of, you got to be quick. Next time up, let me know the dates. John

Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/27/06 - 12:03 PM

John, will do.....
I stayed on San Juan Island with a friend.
I stayed there Wednesday the 20th and left Friday evening the 22nd...
I saw many of the same boats you did. 'Hey Jude' was one of them.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 10/06/06 - 9:07 PM

I've added a small Quicktime Movie with music at this link:

http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Seattl...e2mov.html (815k)

You will need Quicktime to view the movie which is FREE from Apple.
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/downlo...d/win.html
This download also includes the newest iTunes for Windows.

Edited by Joe Kriz on 03/21/07 - 3:18 PM

Posted by JMartin on 10/09/06 - 11:19 AM

#11

The Lime Kiln lighthouse with the orca is a great shot. By the way, that was the only time this entire year that it looked like that out in the islands. The rest of the time it was raining, foggy and miserable. John

Posted by Joe Kriz on 10/09/06 - 1:58 PM

#12

John,
The day we arrived was rainy. We were lucky to have the weather change for the better the rest of the trip.

As per Tom's request about a longer movie, here it is.
It is 7 MB movie but I have made it into a streaming video. You shouldn't have any problems playing it unless you are on a Dial-Up and then you will probably have to wait for the stream.

Let me know if you like this type of movie.
Seattle & San Juan Island Vacation (streaming movie)

Edited by Joe Kriz on 10/09/06 - 2:34 PM

Posted by JMartin on 10/09/06 - 5:03 PM

#13

CLAP CLAP, very well done! I was kidding about the weather. We have had some wonderfull weather this year. Heck it is 65 and sunny right now. The fishing still sucks, but I use fishing as an excuse to just get out on the boat. I spend a lot of time right in the area where you took the pictures. My "fishing shack" and dock are the farthest west condos in Roche. Well, I guess it is not my fishing shack, but I get to spend time there. I am going to go watch it again. John

Posted by Joe Kriz on 10/09/06 - 5:48 PM

#14

Thanks John....

Did you see the Banana hull Whaler that was being towed by the trawler or pocket cruiser as a tender?

That's the way I want to go....... :)

Edited by Joe Kriz on 10/11/06 - 6:48 PM

Posted by MW on 10/10/06 - 1:26 AM

#15

Love the "WHALE" ! Beautiful creatures, I saw a 10' Baluga whale early one morning right in the entrance to "Reynold's channel" a small state channel that goes behind the barrier beaches of Long Island. It was early in the am, nobody believed me, all acused me of being drunk, the next day someone else spotted it, LOL, It hung around for about 3 days, and made itself a news item, then went back out to sea, it's so cool living by the ocean, ANYTHING CAN SHOW UP, and DOES !

Posted by JMartin on 10/10/06 - 11:33 AM

#17

I noticed the bannana tender. That is a heck of a boat it is tending. I have tried to get some pictures of big boats towing whalers, but it is hard to do. If I see one coming and I stop, they do not know what I am doing and I do not want to make them change course. If I am overtaking, it is hard to keep the camera steady. Last time out, caught up with the ferry that was going into Lopez and took some shots. They move right along, you have to watch what you are doing, and I was by myself. Thanks for sharing the pictures. John