Marina Moorings: Port of Skagit

What a week! We have been so busy for the past few weeks I did not think we could be busier, but the 4th has set a new high water mark. We had to turn away dozens of reservation requests for G dock and the RV park because every foot of the dock is spoken for. We even stashed a couple of smaller boats on the flat just to ease congestion and fit everyone in – literally as busy as it can be.

This weekend and through the holiday we are averaging about 30 boats per night on the guest docks and 40 RVs in the RV park. When you think about it, that’s a lot of visitors coming to town and we are hauling them back and forth in the Port golf carts like crazy. La Conner’s the place to be!

Maintenance tip for the week: I met a young crabber this week who was getting a lesson from a seasoned pro. The young man’s hydraulic pot puller was lying in the bottom of the boat because it fell off the arm. The nut holding the bolt in place had gradually backed off until it was free and the bolt, block and hydraulic motor all came clattering down. This was caused by vibration as the lifting arm was in use. The installer had not used a nylock or locking-style nut when the device was new and the seasoned pro who was helping him put it back on was telling him about this necessity.

If you have equipment that calls for nylock nuts, be sure to use them! And most of the manufacturers say they cannot be reused, as the nylon gets worn with the first use and will not hold as well.

An additional activity this summer at the marina is the John Deere tractor caravan taking place on July 15. The Cascade Two Cylinder Club will be leading about 15 antique John Deere tractors across the flats into town. They will be in the south basin parking lot around lunchtime for a couple of hours. This is not really a show, but they are certainly cool. If you see someone wearing a John Deere hat on the 15th, be sure to ask them about it.

See you on the Channel!

— Chris Omdal, harbormaster