December, 2008
As part of the long term planning for the future of a facility for CYC on Lake Washington, a survey was undertaken by member Charles Fawcett on the status of alternative racing sites.
The objective of the survey was to try to identify if Lake Washington has any other suitable facilities, given the loss of the rental clubhouse. Also, over the years, sailors occasionally frustrated by either increased moorage fees, the poor state of the Leschi marina, the increasingly crowded commute or other reasons have expressed passing interest in alternative venues.
The survey sought to find a facility with any and all of the following:
The results of the survey, starting in Kirkland and proceeding around the Lake are:
1) Kirkland
The City has guest wet berth moorage; but 7 days berthage are the maximum at any one time.
The private marina charges at around $10 per ft /month and there is a notable lack of space. There is no dry moorage. Parking not easy. Finding a clubhouse probably not a problem. There are good sailing waters plus easy access off 520.
2) Carillon Marina (Kirkland)
This is a private marina with only two berths (30') available. No dry storage. CYC conflict of interest with Woodmark Hotel YC according to management!. Good parking available and Clubhouse probably not a problem within the marina/ development. Access to good sailing grounds and easy access off 520. Looks and smells very expensive!
3) Meydenbauer (Bellevue)
This is a private yacht club with a marina plus a public marina operated by Bellevue Parks. All wet berths are full and there is no dry moorage space available. Parking restricted. Easy access off I-405. Access from the bay to good sailing opposite Leschi.
4) Newport Yacht basin (Bellevue)
The manager advised that this is a private marina association belonging to the local housing and condo group. The marina is both covered and open and is full. Plenty of parking and a public ramp but no dry storage. Easy access off I90/405. The major problem is it is located in a narrow channel behind Mercer Island and quite a distance from the open lake.
5) Newport Yacht Club (Bellevue)
There is little moorage space at this facility and even less available now. Same other features as 4 above.
6) Gene Coulon Park (Renton) and Renton Sailing Club
This is a nice public park with a good launch ramp and guest moorage. There is plenty of parking and easy access off I-405. The facility is operated by the City of Renton. The Renton Sailing Club appears to be also operated by the local park service. All keel boats are moored to individual buoys offshore. There is a reasonable sailing venue south of Mercer Island. However, the wind here is patchy plus a lot of debris in the water.
7) Rainier Yacht Club (Seattle) and adjoining private marina.
Both of these facilities are full, lack dry storage and do not have great sailing venues.
8) Lakewood Marina. (Seattle Parks)
This is a good location north of Seward Park but no moorage or dry space.
9) Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Club (Seattle Parks)
This is a great location overall but there is no wet or dry moorage, just a ramp and clubhouse. There is no external security. Clubhouse use is a possibility and a liquor license could be a problem with the Parks Department.
10) Sand Point (Seattle)
A good sailing location in a park owned by the city of Seattle. However, all moorage is outside within a fenced parking area. No dry storage or wet berths available. While there are vacant buildings, an enormous cost would be incurred trying to renovate one. Leasing arrangements would need to worked out with the Sand Point Sailing Association, who has the master lease. Plenty of parking but lousy access from the Eastside.
11) Kenmore
The Condo/ Yacht Club marina is private and full and is a terrible sailing venue.
12) Conclusion
Fawcett's conclusion after having circled the lake over a two day period was that at this stage there isn't really any viable alternative to Leschi and actually, how ideal Leschi is despite the loss of the clubhouse and the state of disrepair of the marina. The positives are: