Quartermaster Harbor (Dockton County Park)

This convoluted harbor is an ideal destination for sailors circumnavigating Vashon Island. Four miles long, Quartermaster Harbor curves northeast and then west around the Burton peninsula, creating two exceptional anchorages. The main attraction for boaters is on the southeast side of the harbor, at Dockton County Park. Here you’ll feel far removed from the commercial activity of nearby Des Moines and Gig Harbor, and even farther away from the industry of Tacoma.

The sleepy community of Dockton was once a busy shipyard, with the first dry dock in Puget Sound large enough for sailing schooners. Today, nothing remains of these industries except a few floats and piers used mostly by fishing vessels, and several rows of pilings. On top of the steep bluff, the wood-framed supervisors’ homes—known locally as Piano Row—still oversee the long gone shipyard.

Moorings and Anchorage
The long, outside park floats form a squared-off “J” that opens to the north. These concrete floats are braced with stout double pilings; inside are a fair number of concrete finger floats. A fee box is located at the restroom on the pier. Moorage is limited to three nights per week. A park attendant is on duty in the summer.

Anchorage is good in 3 to 5 fathoms, with a mud bottom. Protection is excellent from the south, but a strong northerly coming over the low isthmus at Portage can raise a good chop.

All mooring buoys are private.

Getting Ashore
Use the park floats. Stay clear of the swimming area south of the pier. Tidelands outside the park are private.

For the Crew
Dockton County Park has picnic tables, a large cook shelter, a bonfire pit, play equipment and paths up the bluff. A swimming area and launching ramp are on the south side of the park’s moorage floats.

Aside from a cozy community that’s pleasant for walking, there’s nothing much close by. For art galleries, shops, and restaurants, take the bus into the town of Vashon—the bus stop is at the road near the park.

Dockton County Park’s stout pilings provide excellent protection for pleasure boats of every size.

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Sailor, writer and teacher Migael Scherer, who divides her time between Seattle and Lopez Island, is the author of “A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands,” published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill. The guide can be purchased online through Armchair Sailor Books & Charts, Captain’s Nautical Supplies, Amazon and other retailers.