Sail to the Good Life at McCormick

Posted March 4, 2020

“There was a great difference in boats, of course. For a long time I was on a boat that was so slow we used to forget what year it was we left port in.” ~Mark Twain

McCormick’s location is perfectly situated to enjoy some of the best boating on the west coast, if not the entire country. McCormick is just minutes to many full-service marinas, yacht clubs, and other water trail activities. This post shares just a few of the opportunities available to both experienced and aspiring boaters who live at McCormick.

Port Orchard Marina

Just minutes from McCormick you’ll find the Port Orchard Marina on the tranquil Puget Sound. It offers boaters easy access to many locations – from Olympia to the south or the San Juan Islands to the north. The Port Orchard Marina welcomes permanent tenants and visitors with affordable moorage, both covered and open. The Marina is alive with activity, events and festivals. It is known to be a favorite among boaters, in part do to its convenient location near the charming small Kitsap County town of Port Orchard. One cool and convenient feature that can enjoyed by commuters and non-boaters is the foot ferry to Bremerton. It allows you to affordably spend some time on the water, and reach the Bremerton ferry terminal without having to drive your car! The foot ferry leaves on a regular schedule Port Orchard to the Bremerton ferry dock.

Bremerton Marina

Head 15 minutes north of McCormick and you’ll reach the Bremerton Marina. It provides fantastic moorage at an affordable price for permanent tenants or visitors. The Bremerton marina is state-of-the-art providing open berths and wide fairways, with 221 permanent slips and room for almost 100 visitors. It also hosts fun seasonal events and activities including the Kitsap Harbor Festival and BrewFest Bremerton. We are proud to say Bremerton is also home to our US Navy.

Gig Harbor Marina

Just down the road from McCormick is charming Gig Harbor and its beautiful marina. The Gig Harbor Marina has it all – a “central location, covered and uncovered slips, free parking, and repair facility.” It also offers some jaw-dropping views of Mt. Rainier and provides boaters an affordable option for moorage. You will also enjoy time dining and shopping in the well-loved village of Gig Harbor.

Port Orchard Yacht Club

The Port Orchard Yacht Club (POYC) is a lot of fun for members, who enjoy cruising to destinations around the sound. “Since the club’s beginning POYC has continued to grow in size and prominence among Puget Sound yacht clubs.” The Yacht club offers endless activities and events, including participating in the renowned Opening Day of Boating in Seattle on May 4th, 2019. Throughout the year members can enjoy a Commodore Ball, Lighted Boat Parade, Crab Feed, St. Paddy’s Day Cruise to name a few. The POYC offers a fantastic clubhouse and marina. Members of the POYC share interest in being on the water, and help each other grow in their knowledge of boating techniques. They also have a lot of fun together in the process! You don’t even have to have a boat to be a member, but you do have to be 21.

Bremerton Yacht Club

The Bremerton Yacht Club dates back to 1929, and promotes “camaraderie and enjoyment of boating and safety on the pristine waters of Puget Sound.” It’s nestled on a quiet bay, sheltered from wind and waves. It offers a beautiful setting, fantastic moorage with 187 slips, clubhouse, and a happening social events and cruise calendar. One unique feature of this club is its well established work party, where “members get to know other members by working together…develop a sense of pride and ownership in projects and tasks accomplished…(and) by doing as much of the work as we can at the club, we are able to maintain attractive dues and moorage rates.” The Bremerton Yacht Club prides itself on a friendly environment, and also offers youth sailing camps open to the public.

Gig Harbor Yacht Club

Gig Harbor is just beautiful, and living just 20 minutes up the road in McCormick, you can conveniently join the Gig Harbor Yacht Club. At the yacht club you will share good times with friends, and enjoy a full social calendar with cruising, racing, and other events. Events include club cruises, Commodore’s Ball, Lighted Boat Parade, and Ladies Night Out. The Gig Harbor Yacht club offers reciprocal privileges with nearly 100 other yacht clubs along the Pacific Coast. It also has a youth program with race team and summer camp.

Gig Harbor, WA. Photo Credit: Abigail Lynn

Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails System

The Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails was designated by the US Department of Interior in 2014 as a part of the National Water Trails System. It’s the first in Washington. It’s also the only natural saltwater trail in the entire country. This expansive trail covers 371 miles of shoreline on the Puget Sound. Hop on the trail to kayak, stand up paddleboard (SUP), boat, scuba dive, fish, or just enjoy time on the public piers and beaches. Find a map of the water trails at this link, and be ready to get out and enjoy the water!

Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails

Kayak or SUP on 371 Miles of shoreline

Hood Canal

Hood Canal is a wonderful destination to get on the water. It’s been a favorite among families for generations in the Seattle area. Its location is ideal, just 30 minutes from McCormick. The Hood Canal is a natural, glacially-carved fjord between the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas. Perfect for kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding, it’s a great escape in your backyard.

Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains

Take a Ferry Ride

Little known fact, the Washington State Ferry system is the largest ferry system in the United States! It serves 8 counties in our state, with connections to British Columbia, Canada. McCormick is perfectly situated next to two of the most popular WSDOT Ferry routes, Southworth to West Seattle (or Southworth to Vashon Island), and Bremerton to Downtown Seattle. Either ferry terminal can be reached by car from McCormick in just 15 minutes. Once onboard you can enjoy the quick and scenic ride across the sound to Seattle. What we find especially charming is the country drive from McCormick to the Southworth Ferry Terminal. On your way, count the number of stoplights you pass and you’ll realize just how special this is. Bring your car along if you wish, but feel free to walk-on or ride your bike.

Close to What Counts at McCormick

Ferry transportation is such a wonderful amenity in our gorgeous Puget Sound region. Now you can even hop a foot ferry to speed across the sound from McCormick to Seattle in just 30 minutes. The Kitsap Fast Ferry system is up and running and well loved. The fast ferry offers a direct route from Bremerton to downtown Seattle in 30 minutes, and will soon offer service from Southworth to Downtown Seattle as well.

Fast Ferry to Seattle

With the opening day of boating season upon us in the Puget Sound region, it’s the perfect time to get on the water. Be close to adventures on the water, in your new home at McCormick.