Port Townsend Ferry to Coupeville in WA

About once a month there's a week where tides are quite asymetric, with one low tide much lower than the other. That -1.6 ft is typical of the summer, with the lows dropping during the previous week and shifting toward noon and beyond.

Tide Cancellations on the Port Townsend/Coupeville Route
The Port Townsend/Coupeville route is subject to scheduled cancellations or adjustments to sailing times due to tidal currents. Visit the Port Townsend/Coupeville Tidal Cancellations page to view all cancelled and adjusted sailings for the current or upcoming schedules.

I thought the problem on this run was the shallow depth at Coupeville, but this talks about the currents. Trying to match cancelation times with tide tables suggests that they cancel runs about a hour before the lower low tide, and not just on negative days. So the ebb current past Admiralty Head must be strongest on these days where there's a big swing.

If I read https://wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/sailing-schedules/low-tide right, ramp angles aren't a big concern for this route.

Cancellation tables don't extend to August yet, but I'd guess that one or more of the late morning runs on 8/8 to Coupeville will be cancelled due to currents.

I found current predictions as well as tides.
On 8/8, the lowest tide of -1.6 is at 11 am, but the strongest ebb current is 4.7kt at 8 am.

We take that route often, and usually end up in the front row with a great view. I have had the attendants position me at the front but too close to the side, and I could not make the turn to get off with my tail swing. They had to reposition cars behind me to allow me to back up. I don't let them do that anymore.

It is a bit cheaper to disconnect the towed vehicle.

Only time would be at extreme low minus tides. The WSDOT ferry workers can adjust the ramps so you should be able to get on an off. No way would I drive around!

jamesu I'd guess you have more clearance that I do.

rhagfo Yes 8/8/21. The summer schedule including tide cancellations which apply to the Port Townsend Coupeville route should be available in March and I will make early reservation and call about low clearance.

Others may also have experience with low clearance vehicles.

WSF posts low clearance warnings for this route.

WSF wrote:
Low tide warnings
Avoid certain routes during low tides so you do not damage your vehicle from scraping or getting caught on the loading ramps. At low tides, some of our loading ramps have a steep slope that causes an extreme angle for:

Trucks
RVs with a low ground clearance
Vehicles towing a trailer

You should also wait for a ferry at high tide for safe clearance for vehicles low to the ground to avoid damage to your vehicle. Below are the routes and low tide warnings.

corvettekent wrote:
We have been to Port Townsend a few times from Marysville and I find it is easier to just drive around and go through Tacoma.

Well you are a bit south of Burlington, so it would be a long drive to take the ferry to Port Townsend, unless you took two ferry rides, expensive and time consuming.
You must also have the patience of a saint, I worked in the greater Seattle area from the mid 80's to late 90's, traffic then was terrible. DW and I were driving to Anacortes to go to the San Juan's, I took a left at Olympia, and drove up 101 to Port Townsend to avoid the Olympia to Everett traffic nightmare, and we were in a car.

We have been to Port Townsend a few times from Marysville and I find it is easier to just drive around and go through Tacoma.

I notice that you are looking at crossing 8/8, I assume that is 2021. You might check into getting reservations early. I am not sure how early before day of travel you can get them, but worth checking into.

Your choice on tides. I have never had a problem towing on that ferry run, regardless of tides. WSF personnel are great and will work with you if there is going to be an issue with your clearance. There are two ferries and one is leaving every 45 minutes.