Fletcher Bay Cruise
August 9-10, 2025
The Fletcher Bay Cruise returns on August 9-10. This cruise is unique in that it calls for full measures of both navigation and patience. Navigation to enter the bay and, except for early risers, patience to enjoy a day at leisure pending sufficient water to depart. In short, an opportunity for boaters to relax, swim, explore a little known part of the island, socialize, work on boat projects, read, paddleboard, etc.
Saturday evening from 5:30-9:00 pm the Reynvaan/Verharen and Vanderlee/Robertson families will offer beverages and a taco bar to cruisers, members, and guests at the Reynvaan/Verharen residence (upland, at 8975 Woodbank Dr. NE), access to which can be had from their dock or by road. Sunday morning from 9:00-11:00 am there will be coffee, pastries, and eye openers on the Vanderlee/Robertson dock.
Some cautionary notes: Because of biotoxin hazard the entire west side of Bainbridge Island is closed to the taking of clams and other shellfish. There are some private oyster beds in the bay that should not be disturbed. Please also do not walk on the spit at the entrance, which is a private wildlife area.
Watch your in-box for an email message with navigational and other details. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required. To facilitate planning, RSVPs should be sent to Rick Robertson by email or text message. To obtain Rick's email and phone number, click here (login required.)
As for navigational and other details, there is a broad sandbar that blocks entrance to Fletcher Bay at lower tides. However, once boats are across the bar there is additional depth and room for boats to anchor. At least two boats, Griffon on a mooring and Heron anchored beyond, will be available for smaller boats to raft.
While there has been some shifting of the sands, experience suggests that a tidal depth of 2' at nearby Brownsville translates to about 0' over the bar at the entrance to Fletcher Bay, which is not a good time to enter. However, 7' at Brownsville translates to about 5' over the bar when following the correct course, which upon entering is along the inside of the spit (quickly turning right at the entrance to proceed midway between the white buoy and the spit), aiming for the first dock on the south shoreline, and then proceeding along the docks on the south shoreline (w/in a boat length) until reaching the first deep water mooring. Likewise, 10' at Brownsville translates to about 8' over the bar, following basically the same route. Large tidal exchanges can generate swift currents that should also be considered, particularly if cutting it close. At very high tides boats can take a more direct route across the bar but that is not recommended for first-time visitors in keelboats.
The bottom line is that PMYC cruisers should consult their tide tables and arrive Saturday afternoon or evening when they are comfortable. The tide will be rising. The bottom is mostly sand and shells. Our Navionics app shows a depth at Brownsville on Saturday of 7.31' at 4:00 p.m. on the way to a high of 11.99' at 7:04 p.m. Brownsville depths will be around 10' at 5:00 p.m. The flood will be similar on Sunday, about a half hour behind, reaching a high at Brownsville of 12.22 ' at 7:27 p.m. For early risers, departure is possible during the ebb early Sunday morning.
We look forward to welcoming PMYC cruisers. Anchorage can be had outside the bay (i.e., in Port Orchard Narrows), factoring in tides/depths and weather, but is not a common practice. Questions about the bay can be directed to Rick Robertson. To obtain Rick's email and phone number, click here (login required.)
Cheers,
Rick Robertson and Jo Vanderlee
S/V Griffon
