Hi Lula,
I spent my boyhood and young adult life living around and near Puget Sound. It's a great place for boating and many people own watercraft of some sort. The water is well protected by the Olympic Mountain Range to the west which wards off alot of the weather coming off the Pacific. The climate is very temperate and even though it is known for it's drizzly rain, with the right clothing you can do just about anything you want most of the year. That being said there are some special considerations unique to the entirety of the Sound that need to be considered. First the water is very cold. My brother who is an avid canoeist seldom goes out without a wet suit just in case he flips the boat. Secondly, it can be very foggy, very fast especially in the winter months. The visibility can drop to just a few feet so caution should be exercised and people need to really pay attention to conditions. Finally there is the tides. The tides rise and fall several feet every day. You mentioned Whidbey Island. On the east side of that island is a waterway known as Deception Pass. During tidal changes the water takes on the characteristics of a large, fast river. During the incoming tide it rushes one way and during the outgoing it goes the other. Although people traverse the pass with boats during these events extreme care should be taken. Another tidal occurance can be finding yourself stranded in a backwater area when the tide goes out. Fortunately that just results in waiting for the incoming tide. Aside from a few special considerations this area is wonderful. The scenery is breathtaking and the opportunities for good boating are endless. I would highly recommend you investigate Puget Sound further. As for me at my age I think I'll stick with the warmer waters of the Gulf. Happy Yakking!!!
- Roger
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