USA to Canada via the Straight of Juan de Fuca

Wood Zeppelin

Pardon me for not knowing *anything* about this subject, but...

- Anything I'd need to know about cross the border via boat? Would a boat licensed in WA be ok in Canadian waters?

- What about fishing. Is my WA license valid, or also need a Canadian license?

- I realize a 16' should only be out there in good weather. Anything else safety wise?

san juanderer · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2020 12:08 pm Post subject:

Wood,

The border doors have been closed since the " corona virus " began.
You can not fish in there countries waters without the proper licenses.
Be careful, that can be big water out there in 16' .

Wood Zeppelin · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2020 5:38 pm Post subject:

Yes, thank you.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:30 am Post subject:

san juanderer · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:53 am Post subject:

Probably been about 10 years, several boats were out in the middle fishing Hein Bank when a nasty Westerly blew in not forcasted. Everyone headed for shore but one boat was swamped by the large waves, and one life was lost.

Not to be fooled with unless you have a big water boat, or are very fast in your retreat speed. Neither of which your 16' boat exhibit.

Be careful.

hardee · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 5:28 pm Post subject:

Definitely not to contradict the safety concerns already posted, but, Yes, it would be possible to take your 16 up into Canadian waters, although I would certainly wait until the border opens up again. It could be very expensive to be caught up there illegally.

I would be cautious of both your routing and timing. Watch wind and tide directions closely, and minimize open water stretches. I live in Sequim and cross Juan de Fuca several times a year usually. The waters can change within minutes, if/when the tide or wind changes, so keep a weather eye. Crossing from Anacortes may be your closest approach, but you still may have some heavy commercial traffic. Some of those travel in the 20 knot +/- 5 range. Some others, (Victoria Clipper and some of the other jet-cats), run 30+ knots, so keep a traffic eye as well. The ferries are "everywhere" and also run fast (18 to 22 knots), so best not to run in their routes.

The San Juans would be a great place for a 16 once you are inside their protection, but there are still places there with some fair rips and currents. Staying to the west and getting up into the Canadian Gulf Islands is again fairly doable, BUT, always stay aware. Mother Nature ALWAYS has control.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Peter & Judy · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 6:33 pm Post subject:

The Canadian Border is still closed to the US and will not likely open to US travellers on land or sea until the US gets a handle on it's Covid-19 outbreak. Hopefully by next boating season. As a Canadian I would like to travel to the US especially in the cooler months of the year, but I have cancelled my plans for this year and probably next year as well.

We did meet a kayaker at South Pender Island in the Gulf Islands. He paddled from the San Juan Islands across the border into the Gulf Islands for a tour last fall.