09/03 - 09/18 - Desolation Sound 2005

[Catman]

We've had scattered chat about a vacation cruise to Desolation next summer, and I wanted to get a sense of where Brats stand regarding a group jaunt next year.

If we do this, my feeling is two weeks in the offseason is preferable to a July or August circus tour through the video arcade. May, June, and especially September are good months to visit.

I imagine some would trailer to Lund, and others opt to cruise from somewhere down here. I'd boat from Anacortes, then through the Gulf Islands and up. And for those allergic to cats, you wouldn't have to spend the whole two weeks with me. Nope, we could choose to rendezvous at a predetermined port every couple days to share stories and party.

[Adeline]

Hi Catman, I made the trip from Seattle in '92 and it was great except for one thing. I had'nt accounted for the huge spring tides that were occurring(July). I calculated that I had just enough fuel to get in and out from Egmont(36 miles each way) with a 1/3rd fuel reserve. However, there was so much flotsam in the water that I could'nt stay on plane for any length of time. I quickly used up my reserve repeatedly re-planing. This happened three consecutive days. On the upside, we took a tour boat into Skookumchuck Rapids when the current was running @ 15 knots! Be sure to get a Canadian tide and current guide and updated predictions. Pete

[Ron on Meander]

Well a cruise in my neck of the woods. Well sort of. I'd be interested for sure. We were there in September this year and had a really great time. At that time of the year the anchorages weren't crowded, fishing was good, and there was plenty of marina space if desired. I'd probably trailer to Lund because time is usually a problem for us and if you don't have a fair bit of time a person can have about 45 nm of bouncy going if you can't wait on the weather. Heck I'll even offer to be the official Canadian greeter, welcoming C-Brats with a bottle or two of Sleemans or Granville Islands finest. It may not be a Snoqualmie brew, but what the heck, to paraphrase... when in BC drink what the BC'ers do. Well at least some of them.
Cheers
Ron

[Anita Marie]

I have wanted to do this for the last 2 years. With enough advanced notice you count us in. Two weeks would seem like the right amount of time.
So Brock, according to the Tyboo rules, you started the thread so you are the cruise director, right.

Fred

[B~C]

I know this has been hashed over before....but...does one need a station license for their boat radio if you venture to far north? If so what's involved in getting one? I have boated in foreign countries (Oregon) before with no problems

[SeaSpray]

We are planning a Desolation cruise next Sept. with some friends. Don't have any details yet but it would be nice to meet up for a potluck.

Catman, any problems taking your cat into Canada? We just got a new cat and my wife is afraid to take him on the boat. Thinks he will jump in or something. If you go to a dock do you let your cat out or keep it in the cabin?

Steve

[Jon - CLou]

Great idea Brock.

You guys are getting my attention. Hey Ron, can you tell me a little more about the fishing in that area in September?

Jon

[Anita Marie]

Ken, I got my operators license and vessel license before we went on our trip into the Gulf Islands. Here is the link from the old C-dog site.
Radio license
Dusty thinks it is a must and he knows what he is talking about. I talked to a guy in Anacortes who got a fine from the FCC for operating his radar in Canada without a vessel permit.

Fred

[B~C]

Thanks Fred, that's perfect

[Da Nag]

This has always been one of my dream cruises...you can bet I'll be there. This will be one to remember.

As to dates - I like September, but any of those mentioned are do-able.

[Pat Anderson]

Not sure how this is going to work for the Daydream crew, but you can bet we will be there for at least a week of it, two if we can swing it, preferrably in September...my job situation is changing. January 1, 2005, I become a City employee instead of being contracted, so I get vacation and comp time. That makes this more feasible than it would have been if proposed last year...Damn, like Da Nag, this and Princess Louisa are things I have seriously drooled about doing...LET'S GO FOR IT!!!!

[Pat Anderson]

And to quote the wise one on the VHF radio license issue, PatA2 from the old C-Dog site on the license requirement, ("I was right then, I am right now"), read 'em and weep. I did NOT bother with a license for our Gulf Islands cruise, not so sure what I will do for a more extended stay deeper into C-eh-N-eh-D-eh...

The LAW is pretty clear - read it here, direct from the FCC:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html

The STATION license is not necessary in the U.S. or Canada for boaters in their HOME waters. The STATION license, when one is required, like it says, is required to have radio equipment aboard (NOT "installed") - again directly from the FCC: "A ship radio station license authorizes radio equipment aboard a ship, while the restricted radiotelephone operator permit authorizes a specific person to communicate with foreign stations or use certain radio equipment (e.g., MF/HF single sideband radio or satellite radio). " So it would seem that it would apply to having a handheld VHF aboard as well. The station license is necessary to have the radio equipment aboard, whether or not you transmit. The operator's license is necessary only for the person who actually transmits using the equipment.

Some ships are "compulsory" ships, that is vessels that are required by law or treaty to have radio equipment on board. All other are "voluntary." The FCC decided a number of years ago that it was better policy to promote safety by encouraging voluntary vessels to have radios on board than to impose barriers with licensing requirements. But by law this is only in HOME (U.S.) waters.

The LAW requires U.S. boaters to have both a station license and an operator's license in foreign waters, including Canada. The operator's license is required by both U.S. and Canadian law for U.S. boats in Canada.

The PRACTICE however is pretty well documented also that both countries tend to ignore the law for small voluntary boats in the vicinity of the border. But as mentioned above, it is a matter of your risk tolerance. I seriously doubt whether the US Coast Guard cares if you have a station license aboard while travelling in Canadian waters. I know there is a Canadian Coast Guard (hear them on Channel 16 all the time, my home port is Birch Bay, WA, a couple of miles south of the border). I hear them occasionally sternly reprimanding errant boaters for misuse of the marine VHF, and I will bet they are more concerned with proper use than licensing per se (too many boats out there, it would truly be futile to try to enforce licensing strictly - remember the days when CB technically required a license?) The FCC has a hard time keeping up with aggregious violations let alone technical violations (I am a licensed ham operator, and know this without doubt). But it is true there is some potential exposure, you could be that one in a thousand fluke case...

[TyBoo]

[Rock-C]

Catman Brock (aka) The Moderator
Sounds like a great trip I had hoped to make some day. Count me in ! On second thought, I better talk to Ann first...lol.

[Pat Anderson]

To quote Wayne, "Well ex-squeeze me!" Obviously I meant C-BRAT not C-DOG...and Egregious? And phpSpell tells me YOU are obviously TABOO not TYBOO!!!!