Pt Townsend Coupeville Ferry Seattle Area

[CA_Traveler]

I’m planning to take the Pt Townsend Coupeville ferry on 8/8 and concerned about ramp clearance for my low clearance MH. Negative tide at 10am and 4’ at 3pm which is the time I’m considering. I’ll be in Pt Townsend for a few days and will get a visual on the ramp with tides. But thinking I should made a reservation ahead of time. Also need to understand turning radius as I can’t back up with the toad and prefer to not disconnect.

Suggestions etc appreciated.

[CA_Traveler]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

[Pangaea_Ron]

Here are 2 of the sites that I use.

WSF vessel locator

AIS world vessel locator

[jamesu]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
We like to camp at Fort Casey SP and watch the ferries come and go. I've watched them circle in the fog just offshore waiting for the fog to clear for more than 45 minutes. I have an app on my cell phone that allows me to track their position.

What’s the name of that app? Would love to download it.

[Pangaea_Ron]

We like to camp at Fort Casey SP and watch the ferries come and go. I've watched them circle in the fog just offshore waiting for the fog to clear for more than 45 minutes. I have an app on my cell phone that allows me to track their position.

[paulj]

Pangaea Ron wrote:
This is how the ride can be. The ferry skipper is amazing.

That's probably the classic case of a stiff west wind against the outgoing tidal current, producing short choppy waves.

[Lwiddis]

The video demonstrates why I didn’t join the Navy.

[ScottG]

My buddy takes his Maserati, Ferrari and Aston Martin (I know, right?) on that ferry every single weekend. Never ever had a problem with clearance. I've taken my Challenger SRT on it that scrapes some speed bumps and never hit.

[Pangaea_Ron]

This is how the ride can be. The ferry skipper is amazing.

Wild Ferry Landing

[Tom_Barb]

OBTW--- it is alway good to do the reservations on the ferry.

[paulj]

https://wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/sailing-schedules/low-tide

Port Townsend is not one of the runs with a low clearance warning. Cancellations later in August (19+) are due to currents (at the Coopeville end). Strongest cross current occurs somewhat before low tide

https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/when-the-ferry-quits-dredging-begins-at-keystone-harbor/

[Tom_Barb]

CA Traveler wrote:
I’m planning to take the Pt Townsend Coupeville ferry on 8/8 and concerned about ramp clearance for my low clearance MH. Negative tide at 10am and 4’ at 3pm which is the time I’m considering. I’ll be in Pt Townsend for a few days and will get a visual on the ramp with tides. But thinking I should made a reservation ahead of time. Also need to understand turning radius as I can’t back up with the toad and prefer to not disconnect.

Suggestions etc appreciated.

As posted, it should not be a problem.

remember...The short cut... leaving the ferry on Whidbey Island side ... It is a left turn thru Ft. Casey.. swing wide use both lanes, and do not follow Highway 20. That takes you 10 miles out of your way. The Left turn brings you out (Engles Rd) at the traffic signal on Hw-20 then direct to Oak Harbor.

Use Google Map.

[Pangaea_Ron]

The 4 foot tide should not be a problem, the ferry is often not running at extreme low tides.

Do not let them place you too close to the sidewalls at the front of the ferry. We could not turn the MH with our tail-swing to exit the ferry, and they needed to back up vehicles behind us, so the we could also back-up and make a more gentle turn. No one was happy!