07/14 - 07/16 - Powell River BC, Canadian CBGT

It sure sounds like a great time was had by all attendees at the Friday Harbor CBGT. It is certainly is the premier CBGT IMHO.
And now folks its time to plan to attend the next West Coast gathering the PRCBGT July 14 -16. The format of the gathering will be much the same as last year, with a Salmon BBQ on friday night at Ron & Anne's house, Saturday potluck, and one change we'll move the pancake breakfast to Sunday. Those are the only things we have scheduled at this date. The rest of the time is open to socialize, renew friendships and explore the area, or attend the Loggers Sports event.
Docking is again in the South Harbour and is first come first served basis no reservations. The harbour master will work with us to keep us together as they did last year. I will firm up times when the Admiral returns from her week long 60th birthday celebrations on Vancouver Island.
Speaking of Vancouver Island, I had occasion to run from Powell River to Comox and back last Saturday. Conditions were excellent. Just over 1 hour each way at 17 knots.mid_georgia_strait.sized.jpg

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Looking forward to seeing you at the PRCBGT

Cheers
Ron
 
So I am just joining this discussion now and have not been to Powell river before. So I am using this app to try and figure out routes and stop overs. it will let you plan routes or it will auto route you and you can play around with the stops. t will also figure out fuel and mileage if you put in your boats info ( mph, mpg, etc) planner

I will not trailer over on the ferry. When the boat on the trailer is over 40ft not counting the truck it just does not make any sense money wise. So which route to take is the question. The facts are that I will launch at Bellingham or Anacortes. I have to clear customs some where and that is the under lining problem. If I have to go to poets cove then bellingham is out I think. I could cruise to Nanamio straight from bellingham if the weather is good. But what are my choices to clear customs if I run up the east side of the straits?? That is area that I dont know. i would like to go to Silva bay and then to Powell river but I cant clear customs there can I??

So any suggestions would be helpful.
 
So a little time on the net has yeilded some helpfulinfo. I never thought clearing customs at white rock because its really out of the way for me. BUT if you launch at Blaine its not .

Here is the web info for Blaine boat launch.

Blaine Harbor
This year-round, 2-lane boat launch is near the U.S. / Canadian border, the beautiful Straits of Georgia, and the Canadian Gulf Islands. Less than 1 mile from Interstate 5 Exit 276, this boat launch is popular with recreational crabbers and hardcore anglers fishing in Canadian waters. The parking lot includes a boat and trailer rinse and seasonal restrooms. Year-round restroom and shower facilities are available at the nearby Boating Center. Short-term parking is intended for stays up to 2 weeks. All others should call the harbor office at 360-647-6176 to check for alternative options for longer stays.

I really like the free two week stay. So launch here, run to white rock just across the bay and then head anywhere I want north. If I do that at my cruising speed of 24 mph, yes I love my 27fter. then its just a 4 hour 24 min run to Powell river. That is not counting clearing customs. This is not a plan I had thought of before.
 
Tom,
We're delighted you are coming to the PRCBGT. In last years gathering thread I had posted a couple of routes doing the whole way in one go. One is for the East Side an one for the West. I don't think anyone actually took my exact route suggestions but it certainly doable in a day given the right conditions. This is my last years East side route

"OK here we go.
STRAIT SHOT EAST- distance approx 105 N miles. I chose Bellingham as a launch point. Use that trusty chart plotter to find your way out of Bellingham bay, past Portage and Lummi islands. Keep as far to the east as your chart plotter will let you, as you are headed for Boundary Bay, just north of Blaine and the border.
Your first and the only stop is the White Rock BC government wharf where you will clear customs by Telephone. (unless of course you have Nexus) Wow, look at that. You already have got 25 NM behind you! Cool. And now you have cleared customs. No big deal EH?
What now? Well, check out that trusty chart plotter again and set a course to get out of the Bay and around Point Roberts USA. Yep, I've temporarily sent you back to the States. Actually you can't get out of Boundary Bay without going back in to US waters but thats OK as long as you don't stop at Point Roberts, rendezvous with any other boats, drop packages overboard or do any other foolish thing to attract the attention of the armed folks in those fast Ribs. One other note on Boundary Bay. Its shallow. Pay attention to the chart plotter and any navigation bouys.
OK so now we are around Point Roberts and the Strait Shot East really begins. Hey you already have 35 N miles done! This stretch is only about 50 N miles. Once again consult that chart plotter. Set yourself a way point up at the east or west side of Thormanby Is, at the start of Malaspina Strait. I usually choose the east side, cause the passage between Thormanby and Sechelt Peninusla is called Welcome Passage and thats a fun name. Plus the scenery is better.
Not much navigating to be done on this stretch. Just be aware of the huge shallows at the mouths of the South and North Arm of the Fraser River. They extend well out into the strait. There should be no problem if you are staying on the Strait Shot, but if you wander east...watch that depth sounder.
If you have one, let your auto pilot do the steering. All you will have to do then is, keep a sharp eye out for big floating steel things, called ships, tugs and ferries. You are paralleling and then crossing the shipping lanes into Vancouver. While you are paying attention to the big guys don't forget to look for other floating things, like logs, floatsam, jetsam, other C-Dory's and lesser boats. Avoid all these obstacles except for the C-Dory's, invite them to join you!

Well here you are in Welcome Passage. 85 N miles done and only about 30 to go. While you may be tempted to check out numerous interesting places near here, like Buccaneer Bay and Smuggler Cove marine parks. As well as Secret Cove and Pender Harbour, all well worth exploring, you are focused, and on a Strait Shot to the PRCBGT, so press on. Set a course for East Point about half the way up Texada Island. Thats that big 29 mile long island on your left. When you get to East Point just set a course for Grief Point. Hey. Grief Point. Its not as bad as it sounds. Can't be, we live just up the hill above the point and we'll wave as you go by. Actually, as you are only 3 N miles from the PRCBGT facilities in the South Harbour, we'll probably be down there to welcome you and help tie you up.

Well there you have it, The Strait Shot East. About 105 N miles, and, depending on your cruising speed (I'll use 18 knots) 6 hrs travel time. Not bad EH? Who said the PRCBGT was a long way away. Add in time clearing customs, a stop to stretch legs at Buccaneer Bay, and a 10% speed reduction and its still done in a <9hrs. From Bellingham! Cool.

Seriously though, as wonderful as it may be, I doubt anyone will choose to do Strait Shot just to come to the PRCBGT. You might choose however, to do a Strait Shot one way though, in order to have time to explore Desolation Sound, Princess Louisa Inlet or the Gulf Islands as well as the PRCBGT. "

If I remember correctly Tom, didn't you and Susan pretty much do a Strait Shot from Princess Louisa to Bellingham a few years ago? Powell River is a just about a hours north of Jervis Inlet.
You can clear customs at WhiteRock and in Vancouver. I don't know of any other places on the east side of the Strait.
Looking forward to seeing you and Susan.

Cheers
Ron
 
Tom and Susan,

Ron gives you a great description of the "Strait Shot" on the east (mainland) side. Caryn and I have done that Straight Shot on the way back from Princess Louisa to Bellingham in 2014. That's a very long day. Luckily the water conditions were good that day so it is certainly doable in one day. I would advise against it however. BTDT. Secret Cove Marine or Smugglers Cove are great stops if you take more than one day. Or even Vancouver. I almost took too wide of a berth from the Fraser River delta and we got into some lumpy water. We checked into Point Roberts and made it back to Bellingham by 8:00pm. I seem to remember being on the water from PL to Bellingham for about 12 hours. Only 2 stops, 1 for gas and 1 for customs.

Our trip back from Powell River last year included an overnight stay at Secret Cove. We were taking our time going back along the east side and decided our next stop would be in Gibsons. We should have waited a day because the water was nasty from just outside of Welcome Passage to Gibsons, about 23 miles. We were caught in very strong following seas, 3-5 footers with the occasional 6 and we were one of a handful of boats out that day and surely the smallest. Luckily we were going with the wind or it would have been really ugly. So cross your fingers for good water.

I'm sure Ron will outline the route along the west side (Gulf Islands) to Nanaimo and crossing over to Welcome Passage. We did that on the way up to Pender Harbour in 2014 and it was a good crossing. We caught a short weather window before the wind came up again and the crossing to Welcome Passage was fairly uneventlful. I would prefer that route rather than staying on the east side. The Gulf Islands as you know are inside and protected and it didn't take long to get to Nanaimo. We stayed overnight on Newcastle Island and crossed over the next day.

One thing I would suggest to everyone is to apply for a Nexus Pass. We did all the initial paperwork online which was a breeze. In a week or so, after we passed the initial screening, they told us to schedule an appointment for the interview. DO NOT attempt to schedule an interview at the Seattle office. You will wait months for your appointment. We found that we could make an appointment at the Blaine office practically the next day! We chose a Sunday for a leisurely 2 hour drive up to Blaine. Totally worth it!!

Finally, again for all of you. DO try to get up to the Powell River gathering. Ron, Anne and the gang did a great job last year and we're doing everything in our power to make it up again.

Peter & Caryn
 
After the Friday Harbor gathering, we stayed an extra night in FH so I could spoil Andrea on her birthday. This was followed by 3 days in La Conner and 3 days in Oak Harbor. Great gig in FH thanks to Greg, Cindie, and Avon.

For those interested in the PR gathering:

Tom, you can also clear Canadian Border Services (do we still call it Customs?) at Sidney if you want to head north up the Vancouver Island side.

For us, it was 9 hrs running time from Friday Harbor to Comox at 16/18 knots. From Comox (great place to overnight, I'll buy you a beer) to Powell River is 1hr 15 mins. For our American friends heading north, this is one of the great Canadian gatherings. Just ask anyone who attended last year. Hope to see you there.

Martin.
 
bridma":2b2o6nxr said:
After the Friday Harbor gathering, we stayed an extra night in FH so I could spoil Andrea on her birthday. This was followed by 3 days in La Conner and 3 days in Oak Harbor. Great gig in FH thanks to Greg, Cindie, and Avon.

For those interested in the PR gathering:

Tom, you can also clear Canadian Border Services (do we still call it Customs?) at Sidney if you want to head north up the Vancouver Island side.

For us, it was 9 hrs running time from Friday Harbor to Comox at 16/18 knots. From Comox (great place to overnight, I'll buy you a beer) to Powell River is 1hr 15 mins. For our American friends heading north, this is one of the great Canadian gatherings. Just ask anyone who attended last year. Hope to see you there.

Martin.
Click to expand...

Comox was not too bad either! We'd be up for another Comox CBGT in 2018!
 
Thank you for the advice. For the record Susan and I made a one day run from anacortes thru the SJ's via Nanaimo and then across WG up the inlets and to the falls. It was a great weather day that I doubt will happen again.

WE have made the run up the west side and I wanted to try something different. If we are going to clear customs (I am old school) in White rock then launching at Blaine , with free parking for two weeks, sounds like a winner.

Only question is where to stop if we dont make a one run shot. In my boat its still a 5 hour run and time at customs. I would like to hit Silva Bay for a over night if I can but I have to tell you that I can taste the pulled pork at "Smoke on the water" in Gibson bay . The best pulled pork this side of the Mississippi. How is the crossing of Gibson channel shoals? Or do I have to go around Keats island?

This is all based on work time and Susan getting back from a Indian wedding in Sacramento in time . Who the hell would get married in Sac in July?
 
[quote
Tom, you can also clear Canadian Border Services (do we still call it Customs?) at Sidney if you want to head north up the Vancouver Island side.
[/quote]

I like to stop at Van Isle Marina in Sidne to clear customs. They will help dock your boat, answer any questions and fill your tank with gas all at the place. It is very convenient and they are super helpful.

To clear customs you just have to phone from the yellow phone.
 
We have used Sidney in the past but if we are headed north from the states is out of the way. We like poets if we are headed north thru the islands. And that route is not really that much further . Either way its only a one day run if I want it to be and only half a tank of fuel, i hold a 100 gallons and get 2.25mpg.

auto route has the trip at 108.9mi 4H32M 49.9G. going the east route. 111.8mi 4H39M 51.3G if I go to Silva bay. From bellingham to poets north to Powell river is 143.6mi 5H59M 65.8G. Cornet bay to poets to Powell is 125.0mi 5H59M 65.9G which is shorter then starting in bellingham.


So its still looking like from blaine is the shortest route. with many options if weather is bad.
 
A Blaine launch costs $7 if I recall correctly, and there is unlimited free parking, you just need to let the port office know if you will be out more than five days. Best deal going and best spot to head to Canada.

From Blaine, you can go two directions - go to White Rock if you are going up the mainland side. This is a phone-in clearance. There used to be a phone on the dock, not sure if there is any longer or not, if not, call via cell. it is possible somebody will come from the I-5 border crossing but really unlikely. The mainland side is faster IF the weather is OK and the wave height is manageable. If not, you can get your fillings knocked out. Go WIDE around the Fraser River, and don't ask how we know! We have done this many times.

The other option, if you have a NEXUS, is to go from Blaine to Cabbage Island, which amazingly is a designated port of entry, and phone in via cell phone. If no customs person appears within half an hour (and they do not and never will unless you trigger some red flag, since Cabbage Island is nowhere near anything else at all), you are in Canada and free to proceed on up through the Gulf Islands to Nanaimo or, better yet, Comox - take Martin up on the free beer, or maybe you will get dinner our of it like we did last July on our scooter trip on Vancouver Island!

Canada telephone reporting numbers are NEXUS: (866) 996-3987, non-NEXUS (888) 226-7277. You can now pre-register your travel infromation via email for faster processing, see this site.
 
I was really hoping to make this year's Powell River event but the ol' work schedule just won't allow. Instead, I'm now planning a trip up that way possibly as far as Desolation Sound right before the CBGT, from July 1 - July 13.

Great discussion on where to clear Canadian customs, very helpful! Cabbage Island, seriously? That little rock right behind Tumbo? Whodda thunk? Looks like you can also use a Canpass at that stop, for which the application process appears slightly simpler, slightly less expensive and doesn't require an interview. I'm going to look into it, but may not have it by the 1st, in which case I'll cross at Poets Cove or Sidney. Return trip I plan to come back straight into Cap Sante at Anacortes.

Perhaps it's possible to meet up with some other Brats while up that way. I will probably depart Anacortes Fri night Jun 30, overnight at Stuart, then make the crossing into Canada Land first thing on Saturday and continue North as far as weather permits that day. Since it will be both a Canadian and US holiday weekend and probably extra busy. My plan is to get North fast, and spend as much time as possible exploring those waters up there. Really looking forward to my first adventure north of the border in the 22!

-Mike
 
On your northbound or southbound trip, try and spend a bit of time in the Gulf Islands. There is so much to see and do on a small boat.
The week prior to the PR gathering we will be hanging out on the water, either Desolation or Sunshine Coast area. Give NOMAD a call on Ch16 and see where we are.

Martin.
 
Don't forget, July 1 is Dominion (or) Canada Day. Should be some good celebrations going on north of the border. If you can make it to Port Harvey, they have a pretty good weekend scheduled.

CANADA 150
Click to expand...
Come celebrate Canada's 150 birthday on July 1, 2017. Many activities are being planned. Pancake breakfast, PHYC AGM, Annual Ho-Shoe tournament, Capt'n Charlie will be entertaining, Dinner provided by George and Gail, Fireworks display. Reservations are recommended.
Posted by George and Gail Cambridge, Port Harvey Marine Resort
Click to expand...

If it works out with your schedule, it could be worth the trip, and the are not far from Campbell River.

Hope to see some C-Brats there.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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IMG_2874_1.jpg


http://www.powellriverloggersports.com/

Logger Sports are on Friday, Saturday, Sunday. It looks like they will be a lot of fun.
 
That does look fun. Those guys have some pretty fast chain saws.

Might be worth checking out. Some of those saws probably have more power than my
C-Dory.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
Sorry guys, we have to pull out of the PR gathering. Nomad is for sale, she is all cleaned up inside and out, and I have taken all my crap off. Not going to risk getting her dirty or suffer any dings. Have a great time. I know we will see some of you in the future.

Martin.
 
Hi Ron,
We're heading north towards the Broughtons around the 8th of July. You may remember us from when we had Bess-C our 25. We'll be on our 46 West Coast, and might stop by the gathering if we're taking our time and moving slowly. We miss the C-Brat group.

Would Powell River or Lund be the best spot to fill with diesel?
Lyle
 
On your way to Powell River you may consider stopping by Pender Harbour (yes we spell it with a u) and check out Pender Harbour Days on July 7, 8, 9. It is there annual Celebration of Marine Heritage.

http://www.penderharbour.ca/schedule.html

After checking out Pender Harbour days you would have just enough time to make a side trip to Princess Louisa Inlet and Jervis Inlet or into Sechelt Inlet before arriving at Powell River in time for the CBGT.
 
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