SEQUIM — Large boat slips are filled up at the John Wayne Marina, and waiting lists to get into the 50-foot slips can be up to two years long
“There is a strong demand for slips over there, though in the winter there is less of a demand for the smaller ones,” said John Calhoun, president of the Port of Port Angeles Board of Commissioners.
Since the marina — which is at Pitship Point in Sequim Bay — was built 23 years ago, larger boats have become more popular, creating a larger demand for the large slips, Calhoun said.
The location and growth of the retired population in the area also has contributed to the demand for slips in the marina, he said.
“I think this is really a unique, special place,” Calhoun said.
“It is located very well and near the town with Sequim right there in eastern Clallam County where there are a lot of people who are interested in pleasure crafts.
“The demand for it has really remained since the original conception 25 years ago.”
Options for alleviating the waiting list range from expansion to a reconfigurations, Calhoun said.
“There is the possibility of reconfiguration, where we would have fewer smaller slips to make room for more larger ones.
“And, of course, there is always the possibility of expansion.”
The marina has started a new policy to make sure the waiting list is realistic.
If a place comes open and a boat owner turns it down, the owner must re-apply to get back on the waiting list rather than staying on it continuously.
“We had several people who had been coming back around for several years, so the wait list didn’t really give a very good idea of how long the wait would really be for people who were new to it,” harbor master Ron Amundeson said.
Out of 300 slips, 264 are currently occupied — about 88 percent.
Anything 32 feet and larger is filled up, but there are two slots left for 30-foot slips and 28 openings on the 28-foot slips, Amundeson said.
Wait times are about two years for 50-foot slips, one year for 36-foot and 40-foot slips, three months for 32-foot slips and no wait for 28-foot or 30-foot slips.
