Gig Harbor to Cornet Bay

[Helen O]

How long should it take to make a run from Gig to Cornet if I were to cruise at about 15 mph? (Saratoga Passage)
I'm looking for alternatives to driving the bumpy stretch of I-5. Was thinking it might be fun to put in at Swantown in Olympia, spend the first night at Gig Harbor then head north to Cornet, San Juans and Gulf Islands.

[Robbi]

If you indeed can carry the speed of 15 knots, it would take about 6 hours...but it will depend on your comfort level. There are some places, depending on amount of tide change and the direction of the wind that can be extreamly bumpy. I would count on it taking longer. Not much help, huh? Robbi

[Larry H]

Larry,

In 03 we launched at Olympia and headed north on July 10. Here are some of the runs.

Northbound
Olympia to Tacoma Narrows 2:15hrs 33 miles
Tacoma Narrows to Bremerton 2:25 27 miles
Bremerton to Poulsbo 1:20 15 miles
Poulsbo to Cornet bay 5:45 58 miles

Southbound (start Aug 10)
Cornet to Poulsbo 3:35 61 miles
Poulsbo to Olympia 4:25 55 miles (includes gas stop at Brownsville)

Times are dock to dock, miles are as recorded on speed/distance log on depth sounder.

Bremerton was NOT a good place to stop, however Poulsbo was a good stop and Brownsville was a good place to gas up.

[Helen O]

Thank you Robbi & Larry. This is a wealth of information to someone planning an extended cruise in unfamiliar water.

Tyboo Mike & Bill: We have a topic of "Cruises and Gatherings". It contains information almost exclusively on Gatherings. What do you think of the idea of splitting it into two different threads "Cruises" and "Gatherings". I hope people would be willing to share information on their adventures. You know like, when, where, how long, how much fuel, where to fuel, hazards & dangerous areas, scenery etc... I think it would be a treasure, as all our boats travel at about the same speed.

Larry (Nancy H) Would you consider posting more from your log book on your adventures further north?

[Larry H]

Larry S

If you let me know the origin and destination or areas I will look in my logs and post what I can.

Mike,

I think a separate cruising thread would be a good idea.

Larry H

[Pat Anderson]

Larry - the Saratoga Passage part is the EASY part, it is south of there that is going to take your time (and concentration).

[Helen O]

We have relatives that live 1 block from the False River Harbor in Vancouver, BC. Either this year or next, Helen and I want to journey there in the boat. I'm trying to figure out if going from Swantown to Vancouver is doable in 2 weeks. And of course, which route I should take.
And beyond, I've had the yen to travel north of Vancouver up the Straigt of Georgia and possibly do the inside passage. Hey, a guys gotta dream. I was hoping to tap some of the knowledge of our membership.

[Pat Anderson]

Two weeks? It is do-able in two easy days...really. The route? I will leave the Swantown to Everett part to the folks who boat there regularly, but shoot, I think that part is pretty straight forward. From Everett, I would go up Saratoga Passage, just like you planned, out Deception Pass, over to the San Juans, into the Gulf Islands, and cross over to Vancouver. Alternatively, you could come over from the San Juans to Point Roberts and run up the mainland in the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver (about 2 hours I reckon), but that is likely to be rougher and is definitely is more boring scenery. Where to stay the night on this journey? I would guess somewhere around Everett, maybe Coupeville or Langley on Whidbey?

[Larry H]

Larry S,

How about this?

Day 1 Swantown(Oympia) to Edmonds/Kingston/Poulsbo
Day 2 Edmonds etc. to Cornet Bay and if Deception allows on to the San Juans.
Day 3 Enter Canada at Bedwell and on to Silva Bay.
Day 4 Silva Bay to Vancouver(False Creek)

If the weather allows, I think this is possible. You need to plan for timing of slack at the Narrows and Deception pass and Gabrolia pass.

Of course your tolerance for long runs is important. Trying to go too far, to fast for several days in a row can lead to fatigue and general crankiness and mutiny by the crew.

All of these waters can have logs and debris so I try to avoid going into the afternoon sun.

I would also allow one or two extra days for weather, tiredness, or just to stay a day in that 'perfect place'

Two weeks total might not be enough time for the whole run up and back and also have several days in Vancouver. I found the portion from Olympia to Cornett Bay somewhat boring and stressful. there is a lot of ferry and shipping traffic near Seattle and the 40 ft Bayliners can make a continious wake from Edmonds to Deception.

In my opinion, the better part of this trip is from Cornet Bay north.

I have found that overall we average about 11 knots speed dock to dock. We like to cruise at 15-17 knots, but the slow parts at each end and having to slow down for waves, etc brings down the average speed.


Larry H

[Helen O]

Okay, here is my rough plan.

Put in at Swantown, motor up to Gig Harbor. Gotta be careful going through Tacoma Narrows, can be rough. Should be traversed at slack or incoming tide. Spend the afternoon and evening wandering around the town of Gig Harbor.

Day 2. Motor up Colvos Passage if weather and conditions are good can continue north on the main channel or if bad conditions can go the channel on the west side of Bainbridge Island. Possibly fuel in Poulsbo (thanks for the recommendation Larry) Would possibly spend the night in the Everett area, but I don't know where would be a good place. If sufficient time and not fatigued, could press on to Cornet Bay. Fuel Here.

Day 3-4 Friday Harbor to Stuart Island. I've been to both with Tyboo.

Day 4-5 Bedwell Harbor. Never been there. Need to know where to spend the night.

Day 5-6 Somewhere near Gabriola or Galiano Island. Need suggestions. I hear that crossing the Georgia Straight needs great caution. Should I embark from the passage north of Galliano or Gabriola?

Days 7 and 8 Vancouver, BC

Day 9 to 14 Return


Any and all tips or info would be appreciated.

[Helen O]

Hey thanks Larry. I was busy typing my above post while you were posting yours. That is exactly the info I wanted.

[Larry H]

Larry S,

A few additional comments.

From Cornet bay to Bedwell(Canada customs check in) and on to Montegue harbor is 48 miles.(marine park with dock)

Montegue to Silva Bay is 25 miles.


Larry H

[Helen O]

Larry H

Did you pass through Porlier Pass to get to Silva, or another route?

[rogerbum]

For the stay in Everett, the Everett marina is great - even in the summer they often have covered guest moorage available with power at the same price (or close) to tying off at guest dock. Several good restaurants withing walking distance, good showers, laundry etc. The brew pub (Scuttlebutt) at the NE end of the marina is particularly good. There's also an Anthony's and a sushi place.

Unless the weather is bad, my feeling is that worrying about slack tide in the areas you suggest is overkill. You've got a C-Dory..... I've gone through Deception pass at full flood.. Just keep 'er straight, keep 'er in the middle and give it some horses. Really not a problem...

Roger on the SeaDNA

[Larry H]

Larry S

I used Gabrolia Pass between Gabrolia and Valdes Island. This pass goes between the inside Gulf Island waters and the Strait of Georgia.

Silva Bay is on the Straight of Georgia side of the pass.


Larry H