Desolation Sound

[Sawdust]

Larry,

Agree 100% - they are both required - and no reason not to have them. I've not heard of a citation of a U.S. vessel while in Canadian waters, but it is very wise to be safe.
My old operator's license is sure getting brown around the edges!

Duster

[Larry H]

Dusty,

I'd hang onto that Restricted Radiotelephone Operators permit.

Maybe have it laminated.

It now costs $50 to get that permit!

I got mine way back in the 80's when they were free.

[Sawdust]

Larry,

Another often ignored Canadian requirement -- "Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length must carry a radar reflector (when essential for its safety) within radar navigation areas -- unless such installation is not feasible."

In layman language I think this means that in a low visibility situation and you do not have a reflector - and you are involved in a collision - hang on tightly to your wallet if you survive the collision.

Best answer is probably stay out of the fog (tough in Canadian waters), and if you go there have a reflector. It's always smart to have one in our area.

Dusty

[Larry H]

Hi all,

Here's some information about the Desolation Sound Area.

Lund is a very small town at the end of the highway, and just south of Desolation Sound. Its a two ferry ride trip starting at Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver.
When we stopped in last year(by boat), they had a longterm paid parking lot, hotel, restaurant and bar, a small bakery, small store, fuel dock, and public marina, and launch ramp.

This is the end of the road and jumping off spot for many seasonal residents and trailer boaters.

By trailering to Lund you can avoid the long run(on the water) up from Vancouver or the Gulf Islands.

In Desolation Sound itself, The major 'town' for supplies is Refuge Cove. They have a store, fuel dock, hamburger stand, showers and laundry, water, propane, post office, and telephone. The access is by boat or float plane. There is a government dock where you can stay overnight.

Across the water(two miles), is Squirrel Cove. This is a well protected large, anchorage with only a narrow entrance.

If you have made a long run and are tired, these two places are easy to access and safe from most weather.

[thataway]

C Pelican will be cruising Lake Powell May 20 to May 30. We will then directly be going to Poulsbro, WA for Trawler World Fest, where I will be giving a lecture on Medicine at Sea on June 5. After that we will be cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands. I will be on the Northwest boaters Ham radio net (3865 mhz at 0800 PDT call sign KA6PKB). We will leave the boat in Sequim for the summer and then return in the fall to cruise the S. West Coast of Vancouver Island.

We have been to Desolation sound 6 times, but always in May/early June or Oct. It has been great and uncrowded these months. There are lots of places to take a small boat as the C Dory into.

[El and Bill]

Larry and Bob --
Thanks for the info re Desolation Sound -- putting in at Lund sounds like a great idea. And the May time sounds preferable to summer -- although, Dusty said, there are plenty of small coves for C-Dorys. Anyone thinking of the Sound in May?

[Larry H]

By water to Desolation Sound

For those who might want to boat all the way to Desolation Sound, here is some info.

From the San Juans go to and thru the Canadian Gulf Islands. Customs checkin is at Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island or at Sydney on Vancouver Island. There are many beautiful anchorages and
marine parks in the Gulfs.

When leaving the Gulfs northbound the choices are to use Dodd Narrows or Gabriola Passage. Both of these are current passes and should be used during slack current. Dodd Narrows leads to Nanaimo(a large full service city) and Gabriola leads to Silva Bay(a small resort with fuel).

At this point you must cross the Strait of Georgia. Watch the weather!There is a military exercise area in the middle of the strait. If it is active, you must go around. Most people cross over and go 'behind' Texada Island. Pender Harbor is the next harbor after going 'behind Texada. This is a full service harbor and a good overnight stay.

From Pender, go northwest between Texada and the mainland to Desolation. The next major harbor is at Westview. After that is Lund.

This is just a summary of the possible trip north, be sure to consult charts, tide and current tables and cruising guides for detail information so that you can chose the best trip for you.

[El and Bill]

Thanks, Larry. I'll be plotting those waypoints this afternoon -- sure appreciate the suggestions.

Catman -- all your annotations you put into our Douglass South Coast book have sure been great in plotting out the best anchorages -- thanks again for taking the time at Blakely.

[Lynn Marie]

Hi All,

Check out the bc ferries site and look at the Tsawwassen to Duke Pt. route. Looks to me like a great way to avoid towing a boat and trailer into Vancouver. Last time I was there you were on city streets full of cars , commuters, and traffic lights. Both this route and the Horseshoe Bay are the same fare.

Tim

[Sawdust]

Tim,

Tough decisions! For quick and easy I like the Tsawwassen run -- easly drive, nice ferry - and not much traffic. The two little-ferry route to Lund is scenic and different. Lund was a good jumping off place (been a while for me)... my favorite way is Larry's route... go by water and enjoy the beautiful cruise.

If time is important the Tsawasseen Ferry route will probably save a day. I haven't checked the BC ferry rates lately, but with the price of gasoline -- and the upward spiral of ferry prices -- probably a push on travel costs. Witih my work schedule I'd go by boat every time. I've had to wait a couple of days to cross the big water, but chances are good that an early morning crossing could be pleasant.

A bit envious!

Dusty

[thataway]

I assume that the C dory qualifies as an over height vehicle for the Tsawasseen Ferry. If so during peak season it is $58.25 for 20 feet, plus $2.95 for each feet over. So the C Dory plus tow vehicle would be in the neighborhood of at least $130 each way--or at least $260 for a round trip.
Plus the gas for the tow vehicle.. There are great places to see on the way up so if time is not of the essence it seems as if on the boats bottom would be best. I assume that gas is in the neighborhood of $3 a gallon in BC. So if we are getting 3-4 miles a gallon an a 22, this would give about 250 or so miles in the boat for the $260....260 to 340 miles. Just nipping off the distance on the CD chart I have here it is about 150 miles from Anacortes to Desolation Sound--or the fuel cost of that run would be close to the ferry crossing.

[Larry H]

Hi all ,

I am refreshing this thread due to current interest in Desolation Sound.