cruising from puget sound to campbell river and back
- Thread starter moknots
- Start date
moknots,
The easy answer is Yes. Mostly it depends on what time you are traveling. The current is the result of the tides, and so they reverse about every 6 hours. So you can either ride the tide, or buck it. The southern part of the island you could likely have more winds out of the south, but summer patterns are frequently from the west. The Race to Alaska 2015 had winds on the nose for almost all of the race (Victoria to Ketchikan). The winning boat (sail) did it in just over 5 days, all in Small Craft Warning conditions.
There are others here who have done that whole section in one trip. I have done it in parts. Strait of Georgia can make things very interesting. Most calm wind times are generally early mornings, but that may not be when that advantageous tidal current is. As you know, travel with wind against tide(al current) can be (very) bumpy.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
The easy answer is Yes. Mostly it depends on what time you are traveling. The current is the result of the tides, and so they reverse about every 6 hours. So you can either ride the tide, or buck it. The southern part of the island you could likely have more winds out of the south, but summer patterns are frequently from the west. The Race to Alaska 2015 had winds on the nose for almost all of the race (Victoria to Ketchikan). The winning boat (sail) did it in just over 5 days, all in Small Craft Warning conditions.
There are others here who have done that whole section in one trip. I have done it in parts. Strait of Georgia can make things very interesting. Most calm wind times are generally early mornings, but that may not be when that advantageous tidal current is. As you know, travel with wind against tide(al current) can be (very) bumpy.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Marco Flamingo
Active member
There is a "sneak route" for half of the trip. Go up the back side of Whidbey, through the Laconner channel, through the San Juans and Gulf Islands through Dodd Narrows to Nanaimo. It is scenic, time consuming, and under some conditions not all that sneaky. But the only big open water is then from Nanaimo to Campbell River, which under some conditions can be flat calm. It's all a crap shoot.
If I were concerned about time or sea conditions, I'd start in the south and maybe stay around the San Juans or Gulf Islands if I didn't like the wind conditions north of Nanaimo. Or, if you are only going one way (how is that done?), I'd trailer to Campbell River and then go north into the (sometimes) protected waters of Desolation Sound.
Mark
If I were concerned about time or sea conditions, I'd start in the south and maybe stay around the San Juans or Gulf Islands if I didn't like the wind conditions north of Nanaimo. Or, if you are only going one way (how is that done?), I'd trailer to Campbell River and then go north into the (sometimes) protected waters of Desolation Sound.
Mark
We have done the route mentioned by Mark and I would allow at least two days for it in decent weather. 100mile+ days are doable but a little long for many folks. Leave early each day for the best chance at flat water and take advantage of that time to cover ground at speed. The section north of Nanaimo is pretty exposed to winds and wave building so watching the weather is most important there. Don't worry so much about prevailing because that is never (it seems) what boaters get to enjoy. Keep an ear/eye to the weather each day and give yourself time. In our 19 angler I would plan 3-4 days each way and be ready to take a bigger bite if the weather allowed for shortening of that timeframe. What part of Puget Sound would you start from because that could be shorter or longer of course. Add another day for Olympia start. Subtract a day for Bellingham start.
Greg
Greg
Even with good long term weather forecasts in this area, I would want to have extra days scheduled for "weather". Waves can get choppy with wind against current even in the back stretches.
The good news is that there are hundreds of anchorages, and you can always find shelter and a good place to hand out.
The vast majority of our trips started in Sequim, so we have to look at crossing the Straits the first day. There have been plenty of "no go" days.
The good news is that there are hundreds of anchorages, and you can always find shelter and a good place to hand out.
The vast majority of our trips started in Sequim, so we have to look at crossing the Straits the first day. There have been plenty of "no go" days.
starcrafttom
Active member
We have done this a few times. I would go into the all the different routes and anchorages but that part of the planning is the fun part. I don't think that any of the passages are a worry to a planning boat and there are routes that avoid them . I will advice that you look into three things in your planning. Tide, current ( those are not the same) and wind. Hi tide is not always slack current and slake current can be a hour or more behind high or low tide. You need to know this for the area that you are cruising thru so you can plan. You need to know that so you can factor in the wind direction as it relates to the tide. If the wind and tide are going in the same direction a 25 knot wind can be a smooth ride. If its going in the other direction from the tide the a 15kt wind can be a nightmare. So learn to know the tide and the current in your area. In the islands the tide can be going in one direction on the bank of a passage or area and in another direction on the other side of the passage. This is why tide rips and hay stack tides form.
rshuman531
New member
We take our C Dory to Port Hardy every year, but always on the trailer. We take the first ferry in the morning from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo, the total trip from Seattle takes about 10 hours, Campbell River would be 2 1/2 hours less than that time. The ferry costs about $ 250 CN each way. We have launched at the ramp in Campbell River to run over to Desolation Sound, an easy run if the weather is calm. IMHO thats the faster and cheaper method but we plan to do it someday on the water when we have more time.
If the object is just to get to Powell River and back for a cruise, that is one thing. If Powell River is a point to get into the Broughtons from, and that is your objective, then I would highly recommend taking the boat to Powell River on the trailer. The BC Ferry has done Vancouver Island tourism promotion in the summer: From Tawassen to Nanaimo last summer was only $100 each way. Less than boat fuel to go from home to Nanaimo, and you could make it from home to Powell River in one day.
Doing that, you could spend 2 or 3 weeks in the Broughtons or Desolation Sound.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
:embarrased
Doing that, you could spend 2 or 3 weeks in the Broughtons or Desolation Sound.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
:embarrased
Marco Flamingo
Active member
Be sure to run those narrows at slack tide. Here's what can happen if you lose your line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgC2SOQNCTk
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgC2SOQNCTk
Mark
We've been through Dodd Narrows many times, in our CD22 and also our current 26-footer. At max current (10 knots?) it can get a little crazy, with standing waves if wind is opposed to current. At 4-6 knots or even more without opposing wind it's not tough - just be ready to make steering corrections.
I like to go through at moderate speed (relative to the water, of course), maybe 8-12 knots. Makes it easier to maintain steerage than going real slow, and bad stuff can't happen as fast as if you blast through at full planing speed.
Look out for opposing traffic, and for floating wood.
I like to go through at moderate speed (relative to the water, of course), maybe 8-12 knots. Makes it easier to maintain steerage than going real slow, and bad stuff can't happen as fast as if you blast through at full planing speed.
Look out for opposing traffic, and for floating wood.
AstoriaDave
New member
I'll chime in here, also on running the passes. If you are wanting to make the quickest transit to CR, definitely a run inside the Gulf Islands, entering at Swanson Channel and hitting Customs before passing through between the Penders en route to Trincomali Channel is the most direct. Avoid the shots to the Strait and run through Dodd, reaching Nanaimo, perhaps for a layover at Newcastle Park. Dodd can be rough, but I have been through it 4 or 5 times, and never found it a challenge.
OTOH, Silva Bay on the Strait side of Gabriola is a sweet spot, and running Gabriola Passage is not bad, only one real constriction and not a problem if you follow the chart. From there, you can run on the Strait side of Gabriola if conditions in the Strait are benign. Otherwise, head back through the Passage and over to Dodd, as described above.
Truly, the most challenging part, and only if the wind is up, is from Nanaimo north to CR.
OTOH, Silva Bay on the Strait side of Gabriola is a sweet spot, and running Gabriola Passage is not bad, only one real constriction and not a problem if you follow the chart. From there, you can run on the Strait side of Gabriola if conditions in the Strait are benign. Otherwise, head back through the Passage and over to Dodd, as described above.
Truly, the most challenging part, and only if the wind is up, is from Nanaimo north to CR.
There are so many great places to visit on the way up to Campbell River. I have stopped a number of times in Campbell River, including with my parents for salmon fishing several times in the late 1940's and early 1950's before Ripple Rock was blasted (talk about challenges!).
Along the way not to be missed is Buchart Gardens--from the water, where you can find a mooring in the cove near the dock or anchor the next cove over and spend an entire day and evening in the Gardens.
Chemainus, with its wonderful murals and walking along the streets and shops is another must stop. An alternative is to stop in Telegraph Bay (Thetis Island) and take the ferry over.
Ganges Harbor and Maple Bay were also favorite stops of ours. 'There are many anchorages in the Gulf Islands--and then the whole Mainland coast of BC.
My first introduction to the passes was with a 12 foot aluminum skiff when we were camping and Salmon fishing. I feared the passes on our fist trips up and down in the Cal 46 (6 to 7 knots, big keel), but with time, I began to understand the current patterns, and run them with the current. Going thru Seymour Narrows at 13 knots was a thrill!
When we first took the C Dory thru these areas, I began to realize what a great boat it was for the passes and narrows. With some good seamanship, and a lot of respect, it became fun to go thru passes at other than precise slack water. I would advise the novice C Dory boater to stick to the current charts (and eyeballs--since occasionally the predictions can be off a little). Watch other traffic, and follow their lead. You still have to be very aware and careful of whirlpools, and rips.
One of the greatest cruising grounds in the World.
Along the way not to be missed is Buchart Gardens--from the water, where you can find a mooring in the cove near the dock or anchor the next cove over and spend an entire day and evening in the Gardens.
Chemainus, with its wonderful murals and walking along the streets and shops is another must stop. An alternative is to stop in Telegraph Bay (Thetis Island) and take the ferry over.
Ganges Harbor and Maple Bay were also favorite stops of ours. 'There are many anchorages in the Gulf Islands--and then the whole Mainland coast of BC.
My first introduction to the passes was with a 12 foot aluminum skiff when we were camping and Salmon fishing. I feared the passes on our fist trips up and down in the Cal 46 (6 to 7 knots, big keel), but with time, I began to understand the current patterns, and run them with the current. Going thru Seymour Narrows at 13 knots was a thrill!
When we first took the C Dory thru these areas, I began to realize what a great boat it was for the passes and narrows. With some good seamanship, and a lot of respect, it became fun to go thru passes at other than precise slack water. I would advise the novice C Dory boater to stick to the current charts (and eyeballs--since occasionally the predictions can be off a little). Watch other traffic, and follow their lead. You still have to be very aware and careful of whirlpools, and rips.
One of the greatest cruising grounds in the World.