Seeking advice as we plan our first trip into Canadian water

Harvey,

Funny you should mention that! I was surprised when we didn't receive a clearance number last Summer. I asked Bob Hale of Waggoner Cruising Guide about it. Here's his response:

Roger

I’ve talked with Canadian and U.S. customs people, and here is what I’ve learned:

You were okay with no clearance number. They apparently don’t issue them for boats trailered in. They might, however, want you to fill out a Form E-99, Temporary Import. I wouldn’t ask about it, however. Let them suggest it.
Keep your ferry receipt, showing that you were charged for tow vehicle and boat trailer. This will explain why you don’t have a clearance number.
If for some reason the boat re-enters the U.S. on its own bottom, explain the circumstances and produce the ferry receipt.
My best source of Canadian Customs information was the number you call if you enter by boat, 1-888-226-7277. My worst source was the public information office in Vancouver, which was clueless. My U.S. information came from an agent at the Anacortes office. He knows the Waggoner and told me he trailers his boat into Canada every year. He doesn’t get a clearance number.

I hope this helps.

Bob Hale
Editor/Publisher
Waggoner Cruising Guide



 
Harvey, the reason I thought of Sechelt was to get as far north as possible without the expense of a ferry. When I looked at the Google Maps it seemed to me that you could drive all the way there from Vancouver by land -- not so?

Warren
 
We trailered Journey On into Canada a couple of years ago, at Lake Huron. The Canadian guy at the border looked at us and said "have a nice time." Since I've learned not to ask questions of the government when I don't know the answer, we just drove off. Two months later we reentered the US, and no-one in Canada asked us for a boat number.

We certainly didn't have a ferry ticket, but I always figured I could point to the trailer.

Boris
 
Doryman":2o3phomz said:
Harvey, the reason I thought of Sechelt was to get as far north as possible without the expense of a ferry. When I looked at the Google Maps it seemed to me that you could drive all the way there from Vancouver by land -- not so?

Warren
Click to expand...

The drive to Lund involves 2 ferries: one from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale which gives access to the Sechelt Peninsula, then Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay which gets you to Powell River and Lund.

There is no way to drive there without the ferry.
 
hardee":3483fots said:
Re
:"Harvey, can you provide more info on the truck/trailer parking and launch ramp in Sechelt?"
Click to expand...

have not launched from Sechelt, but the prospect is appealing. I have talked to a marina there, and to the Chamber of Commerce clerk. From what was reported, there is at least one good ramp, I believe it was Porpoise Bay Marina, and there is reasonably secure parking, (from the Chamber Clerk), a government dock, and a county or community park. There is launching on the Sechelt Arm side that would avoid the run up through Georgia Strait. Be well advised though, to get from the Sechelt Arm on up to Egmont and eventually to Princes Louisa, one would have to navigate Skookumchuck Rapids, which is an area that is famous with kayakers for whitewater surfing. That said, the tide turns twice a day (usually) and there are boats through there frequently, (best on a flood slack).SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

In my opinion, the best launch for Louisa is from Egmont which is just east of Earl's Cove (you just need one ferry and a further hour drive). There are two ramps, one west of town at a Marina/campground with limited parking and one in town. Both are above Skookumchuck, so no tidal rapids. From there it is an easy 2-3 hours to Malibu Rapids. Depending on your confidence you can wait for slack water or barrel through, following one of the Christian camp speedboats. It's a fairly straightforward run through the Rapids. Then it's another 20-30 minutes to Chatterbox at the head of the inlet.

I camped in MacDonald Bay which was very quiet, though there weren't many boats at the main dock at Chatterbox. May long weekend is an excellent time to go, if the weather cooperates. With spring runoff all the falls are in best form.
 
I think it is about 100 miles by water from Anacortes to Nanaimo. I can do that on about 50 gallons of gas, which would cost me about $115 at $2.30 per. Considerably cheaper than the ferry, unless I am missing something here --???

Warren
 
Warren, unless you like the boat ride for its own sake, if you go by water you are wasting time and gas launching in Anacortes - drive up to Blaine. I think you have to be a terrible masochist to even think about driving to Sechelt or Egmont, since for us Yanks, it entails a border crossing, nasty Vancouver traffic, and two ferries. I would also caution that Egmont to Malibu Rapids takes longer than 2-3 hours, unless you are absolutely blasting through. It is also very scenic, very nice at a leisurely pace! Do your "blasting" between Blaine / White Rock / Point Roberts and Vancouver!

Doryman":1a1plofp said:
I think it is about 100 miles by water from Anacortes to Nanaimo. I can do that on about 50 gallons of gas, which would cost me about $115 at $2.30 per. Considerably cheaper than the ferry, unless I am missing something here --???

Warren
Click to expand...
 
I had forgotten about Blaine -- thanks for the reminder.

After the previous post I realized that another part of the savings in ferrying to Nanaimo is the ground trip to northern Vancouver Island (vs. on the water.)

OTOH, if I am not in a hurry, going slowly from Anacortes could be relaxing and fun, and I would not have to pull my boat out of the water to put on the trailer for the trip north.

Warren
 
Absolutely true. IF you are not in a hurry and have no schedule - something I am really looking forward to one of these days!

Putz from Anacortes to, say, Stuart Island...spend the night there, then over to Bedwell to check in the next morning. Fool around in the Gulf Islands, a night or four at your favorite coves, working your way north, maybe a night at Pirate's Cove, pop out Dodd Narrows, then to Newcastle Island at Nanaimo. Dinghy in to Nanaimo for dinner! Don't forget the Nanaimo Bars! The next day, if the weather is good, blast across the Strait of Georgia (checking Whiskey Gulf of course). Head up Welcome Passage to Smuggler Cove, and spend another lazy night on the hook (we are imagining long, warm, sunny summer days here!).

The next moring, head up Malaspina Strait to Agamemnon Channel, and you are in Jervis Inlet. Probably a good idea to gas up in Secret Cove or Egmont (we went from Blaine up to PL and back down to Egmont without gassing up, and really were nervous those last few miles coming back down Jervis Inlet!), a nice leisurely cruise up Jervis Inlet, enjoy the scenery. You might want to time your arrival at Malibu Rapids, we did, but watching the boats there, I know we didn't have to - and that is even more true for your Tomcat. Don't know how long you want to spend at Princess Louisa/Chatterbox Falls, but it will be relaxing, guaranteed - no cell service, no Internet! Have to visit or read!

Now, your only question - since you are not in a hurry and have no schedule (and trust me, I am REALLY ENVIOUS about this part) - your only question is whether to head back, or continue on up to Desolation Sound, the Broughtons, or ???? (I would LOVE to go back to Ketchikan (farther, actually - to Juneau and the Mendenhall Glacier) with no schedule up the Inside Passage - SO many cool spots to spend days.

Sound like a plan?
Doryman":1cf3po0o said:
OTOH, if I am not in a hurry, going slowly from Anacortes could be relaxing and fun, and I would not have to pull my boat out of the water to put on the trailer for the trip north.

Warren
Click to expand...
 
Pat's itinerary is pretty close to the way we did it. I really like our trailer, but with all that gorgeous water and those interesting coves, going by boat is mighty nice. From PLI, we went on to Desolation Sound. Easy daily runs, plenty of places to anchor, good hikes when you're off the boat.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Note to Warren: while much of Desolation Sound is deep, you do have to watch for some "shallow spots"...

OMGe.jpg

:shock:
 
Pat,

I am interested in your description of the trip from Blaine to Vancouver. As you know I'd been thinking of that but then heard nothing good about the route, i.e.rough water along the Fraser river delta, a long time exposed in the Straits of Georgia, boring, etc. It sounds like you have done it with no problems. Would you elaborate a little please?

Thanks.
 
Just lucky I guess, have had no problems...you definitely want to watch your chartplotter and depth - you need to stay out a ways off that big shallow shelf that runs all the way from Point Roberts to the north arm of the Fraser River, so you certainly are exposed to the vagaries of the Strait of Georgia. It all depends on how the wind waves are behaving. Now, you will hear lots about the Strait. But remember, we have been launching in Blaine since 2003 (last year we were at Hilton Harbor in Bellingham) and every time we went anywhere, we have had to cross the Strait of Georgia. I can only remember one time that I would rather not have been there, it was a trip home from Cabbage Island, and we did have some really big waves. But most of the time, if the weather is conducive to boating at all, you do not need to be afraid to be in the Strait of Georgia. The run from Blaine to Vancouver in the Strait is boring - nothing scenic at all - and only makes sense if you are starting in Blaine. Otherwise you probably would be better off going up inside the Gulf Islands and crossing over farther north, shorter distance in the Strait.


colobear":2s6pxwsz said:
Pat,

I am interested in your description of the trip from Blaine to Vancouver. As you know I'd been thinking of that but then heard nothing good about the route, i.e.rough water along the Fraser river delta, a long time exposed in the Straits of Georgia, boring, etc. It sounds like you have done it with no problems. Would you elaborate a little please?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Pat Anderson":1yjppfol said:
Warren, unless you like the boat ride for its own sake, if you go by water you are wasting time and gas launching in Anacortes - drive up to Blaine. I think you have to be a terrible masochist to even think about driving to Sechelt or Egmont, since for us Yanks, it entails a border crossing, nasty Vancouver traffic, and two ferries. I would also caution that Egmont to Malibu Rapids takes longer than 2-3 hours, unless you are absolutely blasting through. It is also very scenic, very nice at a leisurely pace! Do your "blasting" between Blaine / White Rock / Point Roberts and Vancouver!

Doryman":1yjppfol said:
I think it is about 100 miles by water from Anacortes to Nanaimo. I can do that on about 50 gallons of gas, which would cost me about $115 at $2.30 per. Considerably cheaper than the ferry, unless I am missing something here --???

Warren
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Well, not wanting to argue about it, but I live up here. There is one ferry to Egmont (and a pleasant ride it is). The traffic through Vancouver is really only a problem at rush hour, 3pm to about 6pm. It's not like the traffic through a really large city like Seattle. And finally when I went to Princess Louisa from Egmont it was 2-3 hours at 15 knots with a couple of short stops. It's scenic, but nothing like Louisa, so I didn't think I was missing anything major traveling at that speed. There is a bay across from the entrance to Malibu which was nice and a couple of bays along the inlet... one might stop for a bit of fishing. But like I said, Louisa is the crown of the trip and I would spend most of my time there.
 
The question of not having a Canadian clearance number bring up the question about if you drive to Prince Rupert-there will be no ferry receipt? There will be a clearance number issued when you come back into Canada at Prince Rupert Customs; would it be wise to attempt to get a Canadian clearance number when launching?

Our only experience of trailering (14 foot skiff) into Canada, was they Canadian Customs went though the 14 footer with a fine tooth comb. May have been because of the California numbers on the boat and License plates on the car...

My thought about the dock at Chatter Box falls is that it is a lot of fun socializing with the other boaters ( and their comments about the "small boat C Dory).

We have always left from Sequim and gone to the San Juans, Victoria, Sidney or Bedwell harbor rather than taking the boat on a ferry.
 
The trip from Egmont to Malibu Rapids took us about 2 hours as I recall. We left Egmont about 5:30 AM for a 7:30 slack and made it fine running about 18 knots. Keep in mind that it is a no wake zone from the rapids to dock. This takes a little while, but it's beautiful. Don't make a wake; a 45 foot Bayliner did and caught hell at the dock when we were there.

If you have time go through the Gulf Islands and spend some time at other places in Jervis Inlet. It's all good cruising. If you don't and the weather is good you can go as Pat suggested from Blaine. If it's windy, trailer to Egmont. The Harmony Islands are nearby and are really nice for a night. Or just head up PLI and enjoy it. If you are in decent shape there is a fun hike up a ways into the woods. Bring good shoes since its slippery. I think that anything more than two nights at the dock would get a bit boring, but if it's just a weekend cruise that will work fine.
 
Pat Anderson said:

"Don't forget the Nanaimo Bars!"
Click to expand...

Pat, since we are teetotalers total, the Nanimo Bars are one of the few that we do frequent on any available occasion. :wink :thup
and for the uninitiated, the Nanimo Bar is worth the whole trip.

Warren, I would drive to Sechelt instead of Egmont, just to be able to take the boat up Sechelt Arm and spend more time on the boat. With your TC and ability to make considerable higher speed than we do in the 22, You would do fine going up from Vancouver via Georgia Strait. You also have the time available to get the weather window opportunity that would be optimal.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
From Roger (Dreamer's) post.
Quote from Bob Hale - Waggoner's,
"My best source of Canadian Customs information was the number you call if you enter by boat, 1-888-226-7277."
Click to expand...

Same number that the Canadian Customs officer gave me to call, and said to do it at my earliest opportunity after I had enter Canada, pulling the boat.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I just posted this on the O Canada thread but it probalby fits better here.

For some recently posted photos of Princes Louisa Inlet (from Sept08) try this link:
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php

I checked it and it worked from there, hope here too.

So Click on SleepyC to the left in the poster ID here, click, and on Page 1 in the SleepyC Album, go to "Trips We Have Taken". Princes Louisa Inlet is a sub album there.
Click to expand...

Harvey
SleepyC
 
We had the same dilemma tralering the boat in Canada but had no problems even with CG personnel visiting the boat in Telegraph cove. didn't think to ask them about it at the time.

With Nexus, we just call in by cell phone anyway and the worst they ever ask is that you go to a point of entry and wait for 30 minutes, If no-one comes then you are good to go but they do give you a number.

From which I have deduced that when crossing by trailer I will simply call the same number and tell them we have just entered the country at check point Charlie and could i have a number please. If they don't like it they will surely tell me but what's not to like?

Merv
 
Some time has passed and we have been making ready for our big trip focused on Desolation Sound.
We are booked on BC ferry to Vancouver Island on Friday July 24th and plan to spend that night dockside in Campbell River where we will top off stock, grab a meal and a good night sleep prior to heading out on the 25th.
We plan to be on the water around the sound and points North until August 8th or so.

If any of our fellow brats will be up that way or passing through please let us know. Its always nice to see another cdory and crew.

Dinghy, check, windless new anchor, 30'chain, 220' line, extra anchor, check, Stern line, check, BBQ, over the side stove, check, folding shrimp pot, crab pot, fishing supplies, check. Charts paper tide and electronic, check.
To do/get list:
1. backup prop for 90
2. screen door
3. curtains
4. 2nd bulge pump
 
Back
Top