Kingston: A little charmer

Plans were afoot here to write a blog post about the anchorage and facilities at Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula, a ferry ride across Puget Sound from Edmonds.

We intended to get to it. Really we did.

But then David and Stephanie, the crew of Cambria, posted a delightful blog about the Kingston they love. It was positive and fun, as usual, so we felt compelled to finally touch on Kingston’s moorage opportunities without stepping, hopefully, too clumsily on Cambria’s toes.

There is no reason sailors must stop at Kingston. It has a marina, a supermarket, bakeries, bars, a public library and oodles of fast food outlets, but lots of places do. Ferry traffic gives it a feeling of a rush to get in and get out.

It’s a pleasant place; not esthetically overwhelming. Just pleasant. No one puts on airs, not even those who daily survive dreadfully long commutes by ferry and road to jobs in the Seattle area.

There’s the free mooring buoys which might be a draw for those given to frugal cruising. There are four buoys suitable for vessels up to 40 feet in Appletree Cove east of the ferry terminal, with stays up to five consecutive nights. Rafting, of course, is prohibited.

Swell rolls through the cove, particularly in winter winds, but we have not found it too uncomfortable. We have heard others complain about wake from ferries arriving and departing, but after a week or so nights in total on the buoys over time, we have not noticed it. (Edited to note that on a subsequent visit winds picked up and sitting on a mooring buoy was unpleasant.)

If the buoys are occupied, it is possible to anchor off them, but better protection and a shorter dinghy ride to the marina is available southwest of the ferry terminal, south of the marina breakwater.

We found decent holding in mud, but know the state of tide when dropping your hook to ensure that swing area does not include low-water hazards as much of the bay dries or becomes unnavigable.

The Port of Kingston Marina has 49 transient slips just behind the breakwater for vessels up to 50 feet. A side tie at the end of the guest dock can accommodate a boat up to 80 feet. Berths can be booked ahead.

The marina is well-kept and comfortable, with a fuel dock, pumpouts and typical services for a modern marina. Provisioning is a snap with two electric cars provided for guest use.

The terminal is next door for ferries to Edmonds, with lots of provisioning and service options, as well as straight-forward public transit connections south to Seattle. The full-service Port of Edmonds Marina near the ferry terminal has a boatyard and list of approved contractors.

Food-wise provisions can be found at the supermarket about a 10-minute walk up the hill along Highway 104. On the way are bakeries, bars and fast food outlets.

The public library, with free wifi, is located in the new Village Green Community Center a short walk northwest of the marina. Walk west along West Kingston Road, then north on Dulay Road.

Try as you might not to let it happen, Kingston will grow on you.

(Kingston is covered in Salish Sea Pilot’s Cruising Guide to Puget Sound.)