PORT TOWNSEND – After nearly eight months of work, Port of Port Townsend officials plan a “soft opening” of Hudson Point Marina on Friday.

Already, a group of about 20 Erickson sailboating enthusiasts are planning to land at the marina Friday night for a rendezvous, said Chris Wenger, port of Port Townsend harbormaster.

Yacht clubs, users groups and rendezvous clubs are booked for the next month, Wenger said Tuesday.

Port Executive Director Larry Crockett is quick to say those boaters will greatly benefit the city of Port Townsend because they often eat, drink and shop downtown.

While Friday’s opening – on the day of the lowest tide of the year – is informal, a more formal port ribbon-cutting is planned on July 6 at the marina.

The popular marina just underwent $4.08 million in renovation, which included the removal of 174 creosote treated pilings and dredging around the marina’s perimeter.

New features included kayak storage racks and a large kayak launch dock.

With new steel pilings and wooden docks, slips and a steel gangway, the project provides 570 feet of linear moorage to the marina’s south, and boat slips for boats up to 70-feet on the facility’s northern half.

The facility is now completely accessible to the handicapped.

Port officials said the flexible marina as it is redesigned will moor between 75 and 150 boats, depending upon their size.

Larger boat slips are closest to the marina’s eastern water entry.