DESOLATION SOUND JUNE, 2011

H

hansonby

New member
C-Brats,

Irene and I are planning a June cruise from Anacortes to Desolation Sound. We have looked at previous C-Brat threads on this topic, have a current copy of Waggoners, and hereby request comments from any recent Desolation Sound cruisers.

Our plan is to get there in 2 days, spend 3 days in the area, and take 2 days to get back. We have built in an extra 3 days for bad weather; if weather is favorable we'll spend those extra 3 days in Desolation Sound.

We thought about going by car to Lund, but decided the journey was just as good as the destination, so we're going by water. We are aware of the approximate fuel cost, and if we don't get there in the 2 days, we'll be fine with it.

We like Skyline Marina as they will sling launch and haul one's boat, and the parking is secure.

Questions:
- is it reasonable to expect to get from Skyline Marina to Nanaimo in one day? And then to Lund or Refuge Cove the next day? Looks like ~70 m. for each leg.

- other than checking in somewhere at Canadian Customs, which are important Canadian rules and regs to know?

- tips/advice/recommendations?

Thanks,

Byron
 
Yes and No. If the weather is nice and the water flat then yes you can do it in a day. Even at 15 knots its only 4.6 hours run. which way are your planning to go? Where are you clearing customs? For your route I would suggest one of two ports. you can cross through the san juans and clear at bedwell harbor and then run the inside of the islands all the way to Nanimo Or you can cut across more open water on the out side and then check customs at nanimo when you get there. The second route will need better weather and a favorable tide/wind.
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Getting to Nanaimo in one day is entirely feasible. As always, weather dependent. We'll be heading up that way around that time and plan to clear customs at South Pender Island, (Poet's Cove). The harder part will be crossing from Nanaimo over the Straits of Georgia, early AM is often better. Be sure to checkto see if the torpedo test range, Whiskey Golf, is operating. Newcastle Island is a very good place to stay at Nanaimo. There are good provisions at Nanaimo, the store is within walking distance of the marina.
 
Where are you planning to visit in the area? I have a place in my heart for Dent Island. Sit out on the deck and watch the tide change directions. its only slack for a few minutes.
 
As you head up to Nanaimo, you'll probably go through Dodd Narrows. Make sure you know the timing of the tidal current there, which can be quite strong. There's a dog-leg in the narrows which blocks you from seeing who's about to come through from the other direction, so be cautious. Sometimes it will be a tug and tow. Ports and Passes is a really excellent book showing tides and tidal currents in BC.


Entering Canada, many items are prohibited or restricted. We’d suggest you don’t even think about bringing firearms. Long guns can be brought in, but only after going through a permitting process. No handguns. They’ll probably ask you about guns in several ways. Smile and answer nicely.

There are limits on how much alcohol and tobacco you can bring across without being delayed to pay import taxes. Check with Customs for the latest rules. Last I checked for BC, the limit was 1.14 liters of liquor per person, such that two people could bring in three bottles. Wine was limited to 1.5 liters per person, or four bottles for two people. Beer was 24 cans apiece. Coming back into the US, alcohol was limited to one liter per person.

Food is restricted in sometimes surprising ways. For as long as I can remember, we could not bring potatoes across, in either direction. Fresh fruit tends to be a problem, too. Coming into the US, meat has often been prohibited, and citrus as well. More recently the US has been allowing beef, and fruits and vegetables grown in Canada if they are labeled as such. Rules change often, and some don’t seem to make much sense, but it does you no good to object. Find out what the latest rules are before you go - it may save you having to give up a bunch of perfectly good food.
 
no garlic back into the U.S. I have not idea why..

http://www.losttarget.com/firearmcanada.html

http://www.panda.com/canadaguns/

read these two site. they will instruct you on what needs to be done to legally bring both long guns and hand guns into Canada. You can do both its just a pain on the hand guns. If you are going to be crossing a lot with a shotgun you can get a Canadian firearms license even if you are not a resident. this is also what you need for a hand gun. once you have it its good for 5 years. a vote to ease these restrictions was just voted down. read the hot news in the first link.
 
typical government double speak
illegal
tear gas, Mace or other gas, or any liquid spray, power or other substance that is capable of injuring, immobilizing or otherwise incapacitating any person
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legal
According to the Canada National Firearms Association: "Pepper spray is legal if it is intended for use on vicious animals, and is a prohibited weapon if intended for use on vicious humans. On the other hand, if you carry it to protect yourself from vicious animals, and are attacked by a vicious human, it is legal to use it on that vicious human. It doesn't have to make sense, it is government policy."
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other substance that is capable of injuring, immobilizing or otherwise incapacitating any person
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I just love laws like that. How many substances do we carry on a boat that could do that? How about the gasoline in the tank? How about a fire extinguisher sprayed in the face? LOL

The other question asked by Canada Customs that almost raises a smirk is: "Do you have any weapons or anything that could be used as a weapon?" I'm thinking---- Kitchen knife? Fillet knife? Fish bonker?

The correct answer is "NO" , no matter how much I want to say, "I thought Canada was a safe country, do I NEED a weapon?" LOL

Always remember---Customs officers have NO sense of humor when they are working. Any evasive answers or jokes will raise their distrust and you could be in for it.

So, always give direct answers to their questions, as short as possible, NO JOKES, and be prepared by calling before you go to get the latest info on what is allowed and what is not. Make a list of the fresh food, liquor, and cigarettes aboard, have you and your passengers passports, and boat registration in hand, be friendly. Remember that you are asking to be admitted to Canada as a guest, and they do not have to say yes!

When the "20 questions" have been answered satisfactorily, Canada Customs will give you a clearance number. Write it down, enter it in your log, and display the number in the windows on boat sides of your boat.

Pets have to have an International Rabies Certificate. Get that done before you go, its your pets passport.

As to where to clear, I recommend clearing at the closest Port of Entry to where you cross the border. If anything goes wrong between the USA and say, Nanaimo, and you have not cleared, you really have a problem. We use Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island (Poets Cove) as it is close to the border and is in the Gulf Islands.
 
I suggest you look into getting Nexus passes for you and your wife. I haven't had a chance to use mine for a marine entry yet, but it turns out as a "Trusted Traveller" I get to use the expedited lane at airports - very nice!
 
centerisland":1eotmgwg said:
I suggest you look into getting Nexus passes for you and your wife. I haven't had a chance to use mine for a marine entry yet, but it turns out as a "Trusted Traveller" I get to use the expedited lane at airports - very nice!
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This is only true if you elect to sign up for "Global Entry" when or after you get your Nexus card. Lori and I had to go up to Blaine with our passports to get our Nexus cards on Global Entry because GE is a new program. Maybe it is automatic now for new Nexus applications.

Warning: Do Not try to sign up for Global Entry online if you already have a Nexus card. Despite what the website says, the only way to do it is in person. I ended up with two wasted applications (at $25/ea) for SENTRI, the Mexican-US counterpart of Nexus.

Warren
 
Doryman":h0ryceen said:
centerisland":h0ryceen said:
I suggest you look into getting Nexus passes for you and your wife. I haven't had a chance to use mine for a marine entry yet, but it turns out as a "Trusted Traveller" I get to use the expedited lane at airports - very nice!
Click to expand...
This is only true if you elect to sign up for "Global Entry" when or after you get your Nexus card. Lori and I had to go up to Blaine with our passports to get our Nexus cards on Global Entry because GE is a new program. Maybe it is automatic now for new Nexus applications.

Warning: Do Not try to sign up for Global Entry online if you already have a Nexus card. Despite what the website says, the only way to do it is in person. I ended up with two wasted applications (at $25/ea) for SENTRI, the Mexican-US counterpart of Nexus.

Warren
Click to expand...

As of Jan 2011 Nexus card is part of the Global entry program.
 
Last July we towed the boat from Seattle and launched at Sunset Marina in Howe Sound. We took two days to get to Desolation Sound with one night at Fisherman's Resort at Pender Harbour. It worked out really well and we avoided crossing the Straights of Georgia.
 
Leadbelly How long of a drive was it to Howe sound and where did you launch. did you have to take a ferry. Susan wants to go to Howe sound at some point this summer and was trying to decide if we should boat up or tow up.
 
We launched at Sunset Marina, which is about 15 miles north of Vancouver on the way to Whistler. (About 3 miles north of Horseshoe Bay.) I can't remember the exact distance from Seattle. I added a picture of the ramp in my Desolation Sound photos. It's a steep road down to the marina but not too bad. There's plenty of trailer parking, but make sure you don't get there on a Friday before one of the numerous Canadian long holiday weekends. Hook up with Highway 1 east of Vancouver for an easy route around the city.
 
That is great information! At the Seattle Boat Show we talked to folks at the Bowen Island marina and got a pass for one night moorage. Also talked to owner of Aspen catamarans and he was suggesting launching in Howe Sound to make a pleasurable trip along the Sunshine Coast instead of going up the west side Gulf Islands.
It looks like around 120 miles to Horseshoe Bay from Arlington one way, but a little further bypassing Vancouver to the east.

Still, a great alternative to cruising all the way from Anacortes, especially is time is a factor.

How about cost of launch and parking and allowed time to park vehicle and trailer?

Thanks!
 
If my route to the Broughtons takes me to Bellingham, Blaine, Howe Sound, etc., where would I clear Canadian Customs? I have always done it at Bedwell or Victoria but never on the east side of the Strait of Georgia.

Warren
 
In 2006 we cleared customs on the east side in White Rock, just across the border from Blaine. There was one dock, and a phone number to call for Customs. They told us to wait on the boat, and after a while (30 min.) two young ladies came and looked us over. They gave us a number to post in the boat window. The only problem was that it was some holiday, and the dock was full of kids hoop net fishing for crabs. Not easy to approach and dock the boat. If it's still an option, this is where we will clear customs again this June. One other possibility would be to trailer to Howe Sound to launch. I guess you clear customs at the border in Blaine. Do they give you a boat number to display, if you go through a regular border crossing? Does anyone know if there is adequate parking at one of the Howe Sound marinas? I know that Horseshoe Bay is terrible for parking with a truck and trailer. Lions Bay Marina looks small from the pictures online.

Brent
 
Brent,

At a border crossing while trailering, they will not give you a clearance number. That is OK. Have them stamp your passports. That is all the proof you need to show where you cleared customs. We questioned this in 2009 and Bob Hale of the Waggoners Cruising Guide researched it and found this information.

 
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