06/13 - 06/14 - Pender Harbour 2014

Lizarry · Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 4:53 pm Post subject:

Hey thanx Martin , Glad to here that you guys got home ok. I'm still learning all the ins and outs of this web site , not a real wizard at the computer thing.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject:

Reservations made at Fisherman's Resort Marina for Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th!

Plan is to depart Blaine Wednesday, June 11, cruise to Nanaimo, 64 NMs, little over 5 hours at 12 knots, stay at Newcastle Island Wednesday night. Depart Thursday morning for Comox, 50 NMs, a little over 4 hours at 12 knots, might run faster, might run slower, conditions will dictate! Refuel at Comox.

Thursday visit Martin and Andrea, Thursday night on government dock at Comox, head over to Pender Harbour Friday morning (right, Martin?). Martin says under two hours from Comox to Pender Harbour, not sure what speed he likes! Looking forward to another CBGT in Canada!

On to PLI, and plans after that vague, plan to retrieve by Wednesday afternoon!

bridma · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 3:09 pm Post subject:

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 4:49 pm Post subject:

I would like to talk about the plus and not so plus ( being on the water is never a minus ) of the different routes to this gathering. It comes down to two basic different route for me. Launch in Anacortes or Bellingham and run the west side of the Strait of Georgia thru the gulf islands to somewhere near Nanaimo and then cut across to Pender OR. Launch in Bellingham/ Blaine and run the east side of the Strait to pender. Either way its about 110 miles each way on the water. I can make the trip there and back ( almost) on one tank of fuel. I will top off some where before heading back. I could even tow to Vancouver and launch near there but it does not really save me any time due to border crossing and traffic but if I did where would I launch??

If I take the east side and wanted to make it a short run friday night to the Vancouver area where would I stay? whats to see? I average 20 to 27 mph in up to a 3 ft sea if its not too short a wave length. So 5 to 6 hours total run time.

How is everyone else going up? I know that the safer weather wise route is the west side thru the island but been there done that?? Is Gibson worth a stop? or bowen island.

colobear · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 5:32 pm Post subject:

We have done both routes. We prefer the West side via Nanaimo. On the East The Fraser River delta means you have to stay well off shore most of the way, the water is shallow and can be ugly. In bad weather I'd definitely do the West route. If you do go up via the East we have stayed in False Creek. You can anchor in False Creek and dinghy ashore and there are a couple of marinas on Granville Island, a really fun place. We have also stayed over on Bowen Island at Union Steamship Co. Marina, another fun stop. Either is well worth a stop. Haven't been to Gibson but hear good things.

colobear · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 6:48 pm Post subject:

Just made our reservations in Pender Harbour.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject:

We're in! Reservations just made. Thumbs Up

Peter & Caryn

Pat Anderson · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 9:15 pm Post subject:

Tom, you can save about 20 miles on the water by launching in Blaine. You check into Canada at White Rock, about a mile from Blaine. Then you can either go up the east or west side depending on water conditions. The run up the east side saves a lot of time if the water is flat. Sometimes it is - I made it from Blaine to Gorge Harbor in less than six hours in 2006!

Martin - we will have to adjust our time estimates! We run at 12 knots more or less depending on conditions!

bridma · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 9:42 pm Post subject:

Igrant · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 10:18 pm Post subject:

Coming up the east side of the straight past the Fraser River can be quite rough depending on the weather and tides. An alternative is to come through the Gulf Islands and instead of going through Dodd Narrows to Nanaimo, come through Gabriola or Porlier and across. This avoids the stretch across the mouth of the Fraser but gives you the opportunity to come up the West Side from Vancouver on. Bowen is good to see, Keats Island has a marine park, Gibsons has a nice Marina and walking access to the lower town. Further up there is Smugglers Cove, a great anchorage or Secret Cove. These are a little over 30 minutes from Pender Harbour.

If you go on the West Side of Thormanby past Epson point there have been salmon caught there recently at about 135 feet. The outside of Bjerre Shoal is also a good place to try.

hardee · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 11:05 pm Post subject:

serenitymay1995 · Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 11:57 am Post subject: pender harbour

I just got denise out of the hospital yesterday. she had shoulder and knee surgery at the same time. I hope we can still make it over as I am really looking forward to seeing everyone. we will have to leave it to last minute probably but hopefully can find a spot if we get there.

ghone · Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 12:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Tom. I agree with Barry and Ian on going up the mainland side. It can be easy,if the weather is good. If it turns on you it is a long way between sheltering spots. I've done it several times in different boats and under sail it's the way to go. Under power I prefer the Gulf Island run and cross from Nanaimo at dawn or evening. Avoid GS during most days if the usual summer westerly is up. It will knock you about. We were just thinking about coming back to BC via the mainland and recalling other trips made me decide to spare us issues by returning thru the Gulf Islands. Takes a lot of wind before the Gulf Islands are bad. Like a winter gale. Summers pretty easy. See you all there
George

bridma · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 12:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Ian,

My neighbour and his wife are interested in attending the gathering in their C-Cory 16' but need somewhere to sleep. Do you know if there is a motel or B&B close by to where we are staying?

Martin.

Igrant · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 1:32 pm Post subject:

Fisherman's marina where we are gathering has cabins for rent. There is also the Sundowner Inn Garden Bay which is very close.