Seeking advice as we plan our first trip into Canadian water

C

Capital Sea

New member
Kathleen and I are planning a trip for 16 days, north of the border for the this summer. For those of you who have done this before, we are looking for some advice in the following areas.
The boat is new and well equipped. Power is via a Honda 90 +9.9. We have dual batteries. I will add a second bulge pump using the through hull intended for the live well, as others have done. We will travel with a backup VHF and GPS.
What we lack are a trusty shore boat, radar and an arch or other set up that works for these two items.
1. Is radar a must?
2. Is their an Alaska dingy rental or used market out there?

With regard to planning where to go and such, we have the novonics chip, but seek recommendations on publications one would want to have and review in the planning process.
Though we are both campers, the lovely Kathleen is looking to spend 1/3 to 1/2 of her nights on land. It looks like we will have many options though I expect all require reservations for dock space and lodge space well in advance. Have others traveled in this way and what tips do you have?

Finally, what is the best time of year, good weather, salmon, crab, prawns and crowds all being factors? Last year we went to the Friday Harbor gathering and that offers a good jump point, but is this the best time to go North?

Ah, so many questions, still, we would be so appreciative of your sound advice.
 
I'm sure the Pac NW folks can reply about the particulars. In terms of radar, it would be a nice safety advantage at the very least. Some would consider it a safety requirement. If you did not get radar, I would suggest a radar reflector such as the tri-lens radar reflector. I have field tested this in pea-soup fog with decent size (vehicle carrying) ships and you show up on radar with a much better signal return.

A dinghy is definitely required...

Sounds like a fun trip!
 
Steve
The Gulf Islands are very nice. We have been up there several times, and plan on going back again this year. We don't have radar and never felt threatened. But you must be willing to wait it out if the fog does roll in. A dinghy of some sort is a must. There are so many nice coves and harbors to check out, and most don't have public docks.
As for places to go, well that depends on how far north you are willing to go. We made a trip up to Nanimo with a group of C-Brats two years ago. We didn't spend a lot of time there but it is very nice & we want to go back. Burchart Gardens is a must. They have an entrance from the water at there private dock. Todd inlet is just around the corner and you could dinghy in from there.
We also like Conover Cove, Pirate's cove and Montigue Hbr. If you need some civilation and resupply, stop in at Ganges. It is a very busy place on the weekends, but the Saturday market can be fun.
Too many places to list them all. I know you will enjoy the trip.
Terry
 
Ah, your questions get my excitement level up! We love exploring the waters of the PNW, and found Canada to be truly wonderful.

To answer some of your questions:
Radar isn't absolutely necessary, but there were days we would not have gone out without it. If you are willing to stay in one place to wait out low visibility, you can do that area without radar.

A dinghy is necessary (IMHO). There are many great anchorages where you will not be able to go ashore without a dinghy. Oh, you could certainly go just where there are docks/marinas, but you will miss some of the true character of the area. Without knowing where you intend to go, that advice may vary... but much of Desolation Sound and even the Gulf Islands will be more accessible to you if you have some means to anchor the boat and get to shore.

There are various cruising guides available. I have my PNW guides in storage right now, so I can't recall the names, but if you go to the Seattle Boat Show, there will be displays where you can look over the various guide options.

We spent a month up there without an advance reservation. If you want to go into a particular marina, you can call the day before, or show up early in the day. Some places, like the dock at Chatterbox Falls and Refuge Harbour are "first come, first gets"... another reason why a dinghy is helpful: if you can't get dock space, you can anchor nearby and still enjoy the area.

We were in Canada in July and August and found the weather to be very pleasant... cool nights, pleasant days, not much precip. By mid-September, it can start getting colder.

With 16 days, your C-Dory, and a spirit of adventure, you can explore much that the area has to offer. Keeping your schedule open would also eliminate the "we have reservations so we have to get to the next place" problems.

We traveled with the group that left the Bellingham gathering to go to the Gulf Islands, then went on our own for another month or so. Another consideration for you.

Good luck with your plans. I know you will get LOTS of good advice here. We had C-Brats tell us about great places to see, offered to lend us cruising guides, even told us about their favorite "quiet getaway" spots.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
The Friday Harbor meet is a perfect time to extend Northwards and you would meet a whole bunch of great people with just as many ideas about where to go. You may well find others doing the same thing at the same time.
You basically have three regional choices:-

San Juan / Canadian Gulf Islands
Desolation Sound
Broughtons

If this is your first trip, then San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands would probably be a good starter with LOTS of places to combine hanging out on the hook with marina stops and exploring. Look up some of the past Gulf Island trips on this site and you will have more than you can do in 16 days.

If you are time limited and want to go further North then yo may want to consider trailering to a more Northern destination such as Nanaimo, Lund, or even Telegraph Cove. It saves a lot in "weather time".

Again. many many postings about such trips on here and let the group know what you decide, you will almost certainly find people to buddy-up with and share local knowledge.

Finally, the crabbing, shrimping and fishing is great in BC. Buy a license at your first port of call.
If you intend to do such things regularly then check out the NEXUS program as it reduces your time spent at specified ports of entry.
Also be VERY careful about what is allowed into Canada and back into US in terms of foodstuffs. We always plan a "provisioning" stop as first point of entry.

Good luck, we will probably see you there.

Merv & Kathy
 
Although I have not cruised in my own vessel up that way I did visit Nanaimo and dove on a wreck off Vancouver Island called the Cape Breton. I took a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo and the scenery was just unbelievable....
 
Pick up a Waggoners guide, it will help you immensely and is well worth the $20. It covers all the cruising areas from the south sound to the north end of Vancouver Island, including the west coast.

You'll want to have some flexibility in your travel plans to account for weather or mechanical problems. With 16 days you could make it to the Broughtons if the weather is right and easily get to Princess Louisa and Desolation Sound. Of course, this assumes that you want to push it further north. Remember there is plenty to see in the Gulf Islands.

Lots of Islands have bed and breakfasts on or near the water that would be nice places to stay ashore. I have never stayed at them so you will want to check online to see which ones are worth visiting.

I think some kind of shore boat is absolutely necessary. Last year I bought an 8 foot West Marine brand inflatable from a neighbor for $150 or $200 right before the trip and it worked okay. We didn't have an engine and it definitely was not ideal for rowing. I also put a hole in the floor somewhere along the line. This sized dinghy can be either placed on top of the pilothouse and lashed on, deflated and stored in the cockpit, or towed. We towed it and never had any major problems and it was easier than lifting it on and off the boat.

This year we are taking a couple of kayaks instead. These are stable, easy to paddle, and virtually indestructible. They do, however, cost a lot more than an inflatable. I'd recommend checking Craigslist for good deals on used but good condition inflatables.

Radar is not a necessity. Very few of the smaller sailboats (32 feet and under) have radar due to power consumption and cost, and they get along fine. In the month we were gone last year, which was roughly June 10th to July 10th, there was not one day which required radar. It was nice to have, and I always had it running when underway, but far from a necessity.

Weather should be good in July and August, with more fog in August. The crowds will be at their peak the first couple weeks of August probably. June is often good but can be hit or miss.
 
Hi, Steve and Kathleen!

A quick note here to take my mind of the flooding in Snoqualmie!

Timing - any time the weather is decent! We have done the Gulf Islands in the summer mostly (the last two years the week after the Bellingham gathering), Desolation Sound in September, traveled from Blaine to Ketchikan in June. Sunny is better than rainy, right?

Guides - there is one that is absolutely a "must have," Waggoner Cruising Guide. About $20, buy at West Marine, Boater's World or at the SBS. Waggoner's covers Olympia to Prince Rupert. It bills itself as "The 'Bible' of Northwest Cruising" - and I would be hard pressed to disagree. Another series that many consider better but cover less territory per volume and cost more are the Douglass / Hemingway-Douglass "Exploring" books. I especially like these because they include lat/lon for entrances and anchorages.

Radar - your choice, but we did a lot of cruising in the CD22 without radar. More than likely you won't need it. If you find yourself out caught in the fog, you may wish you had it, but you can usually use your chartplotter to navigate ASAP to the closest protected spot, and they are not far apart in the Gulf Islands.

Dinghy - absolute necessity if you anchor, and you should anchor, that is the charm of the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. But a cheap Sevylor (under $100) and a $12.99 Craftsman 12 volt inflator/deflator are fine IF all you want to do is get from where you are anchored to a nearby shore or dock. We did that while waiting for our Alaskan Series to arrive, and while not ideal (don't depend on it to save your life), it is entirely adequate for that purpose.

Destinations - ah! So many! Terry on Rock-C listed our favorites too, I guess I would add Sidney Spit and Cabbage Island. This is why you need the Waggoners! Definitely read up on Sidney Spit, Cabbage Island, Winter Cove, Montague Harbor, Conover Cove, and Pirates Cove, but there are LOTS of other places that may catch your fancy. Enjoy!

 
I would "invest" in a cruising guide such as: Gulf Islands Cruising Guide - Peter Vassilopoulis.

You will eventually want a dinghy--so I would consider buying one--don't go too cheap, Hypalon will last longer and be more resistant, but is more resistant.

Agree that Radar is not necessary. We have always had it, but used it more for tracking large ships when crossing sounds and straits than in the fog.

The rocks and shells can cut up a dinghy floor fairly easily --the beauty of the Alaskian is that it has an abrasion resistant floor. I put a cut or two in my inflatable last summer-but easily patched. If you are careful, the cuts can be avoided.

If you stay in the San Juans and Gulf Islands, then you do not have to cross the Straits of Georgia--and this allows you to go up as far as Naniamo. This would be a good first time trip, with a stop at Butchart Gardens.

The last of July and first week of August are the most popular because of the best weather, but also most crowded. Last summer we never had a reservation and always found a place for the C Dory just showing up. Even at Friday Harbor on a weekend the first week of August...there were just fewer boats.

If you want to be a bit more adventuresome, then consider Princess Lousia Inlet and Malibu Rapids. This gives less time along the way and the challange of crossing the Straits of Georgia--probably more than you want on a first trip--but the Scenery is some of the best in the world.
 
we live in the comox/ campbell river area. if you are up this way we have a very good knowledge of discovery passage and northward. would love to meet if you get this far.
 
Hi Steve & Kathleen,

We did 5.5 weeks in the Broughtons last Summer, June 15-July 27. I turned on the Radar twice and each of those instances could have been handled without it. Where you would need it most is crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

The Waggoner's is a good choice. We also carry a book called "The Burgee". It's not a cruising guide, just a drawing of and all the info on hundreds of marinas. A second guide we enjoy is the Dreamspeaker series. They have one on the Gulf Islands and others on Desolation Sound and the Broughtons.

The Gulf Islands are great fun, easy to navigate and destinations are close together. A good area to hone your skills and whet your appetite for further exploration.

You'll have a great time!
 
Capn Steve & 1st Mate Kath,

Lots of great info already posted. Waggoners, an inflatable, Radar reflector, and don't schedule too tight are some of the highlights.

I have seen sailboats 20 plus feet without radar, reflector or VHF for that matter who thought they were OK. They were but they were also, IMHO stupid for being out there without a radio. Radar is certainly an option, VHF is NOT.

Inflatable, If you can find a used Alaskan it would be a good choice. From my experience, a new purchase of same is not worth the expense, or the stress. (PM me for details on bad experience with Inflatable Boat Works in Ballard if you are serious about an Alaskan)

I would think that the San Juan and Gulf Islands could easily fill your 2 weeks. If you are interested in Princes Louisa Inlet, I would recommend trailering up to W. Vancouver and launch there or out to Sechelt. That is fabulously beautiful country, but I would not try to get the Gulf, SJ and Princes Louisa all in the same trip if you are thinking of spending every other day sleeping landbased. Too much area to cover.

Roger (Dreamer) and others spent a great time up in the Broughtons, trailering up to Telegraph Cove on the N end of Vancouver Island. It could easily take your 16 days, but it is a ferry ride and another days drive north from Victoria.

Wishing you the best trip ever,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
First, I have decided that I can do and plan anything with the good advice available here.


Frankly, the prospect of buying radar and an arch was not a happy one, so it has taken about two seconds to drop that priority. And, yes, I get that running in fog or across open water with high seas need only happen if one has not preserved the flexibility to travel when conditions are more favorable.


As for the shore inflatable, we will invest in one, just not sure what form it will take yet. Since 80%+ of our boating involves trips in and around the South Puget Sound and we have a moorage buoy, just off shore, I am torn between a lighter weight inflatable that can be easily lifted on and off of the roof and a more substantial inflatable that would spend some time being towed. It would be a plus to have a true rigid floor and be able to transfer my 9.9 Honda over from time to time for use from shore, when here at home.

Went out and purchased a copy of the 2009 Waggoner and will put it to good use.

Will likely take this trip in late July as I am informed that Kathleen likes sun far more than rain and that in the right conditions she may be convinced to stay on board more of the time and help me spend our lodging budget eating out.

As for destination...hmmmm... I am more interested in that which lies farther North. We have driven to Port Hardy and also to Lund and have camped along the way. I am not sure I want to take the ferry and then leave my truck & Trailer in one of these remote places, so we will have to think over the question of where to jump off from. With our son up at Western, Bellingham is sounding nice. In any event, I am looking at charting a path that offers a quick look at those destinations that might be reached over a 3-4 day trip and starting this adventure with two to three full days of running followed by spending some time up where the crowds are less an issue.

Pat and Patty, sorry to see so much flooding up your way, the falls were running like we have never seen them. Impressive.
 
OK, here's what you might consider. Launch in Bellingham - you already know about $5 launch and free parking. EVERYTHING depends on the weather and the Strait of Georgia being relatively flat, but Day One you go to Smuggler's Cove - this is an easy run IF the weather cooperates. The next day, gas up in Secret Cove or Egmont. It is only 40 miles or so up Jervis Inlet to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls - you need to do this if you are going north by boat. Stay overnight on the dock, and come back down the next day. Try to time arrival and departure for slack at Malibu Rapids. Gas up again on the way back down! Then it is an easy run to Desolation Sound. Squirrel Cove, Prideaux Haven, Von Donop Inlet, so many provincial marine parks. Look at the pix in the Cruises and Events album for the Desolation Sound 2005 CBGT to get some ideas. Allow yourself two days to come back down. This is a fabulous trip if you can take a couple of weeks.
 
Anyone have a link that gives the requirements for your boat to meet legal requirements in Canada?
I've heard that a bucket will do for a second bilge pump, is this true?

I don't know that we will make it there this year but Adrienne has made it known that she wants to go there in the boat.
 
my intention to install a backup is just to complete the set of redundant systems. Two forms of power (90 +9.9), VHF, GPS, two batteries, shore boat and then a backup pump.
 
We travel into Canada quite often and, as far as I know, unless your boat is in Canada for more than 30 days consecutively, you do not have to meet Canadian requirements. If you plan to get up there much you might want to consider either the I-68 or NEXUS programs that allow you to re-enter the US without having to stop at a customs office.

I see a number of good suggestions have already been made but we will be more than happy to chime in as you get closer to getting underway.
 
Capn Steve and Kath,
You mentioned:
"As for the shore inflatable, we will invest in one, just not sure what form it will take yet. Since 80%+ of our boating involves trips in and around the South Puget Sound and we have a moorage buoy, just off shore, I am torn between a lighter weight inflatable that can be easily lifted on and off of the roof and a more substantial inflatable that would spend some time being towed."

I don't think you would be too happy towing an inflatable at the speed you would be cruising with your 22. I could be wrong.
We have an Alaskan Series Inflatable that is light enough that I can put it on and off the cabin of our TomCat without help. I'm 79 years old and 175 lbs. We have the largest model of the Tender, 8' 10'' 50 lbs. We have a 2 hp Honda but this boat rows so well that we never use it. My boat partner, Rick is a big guy. This tender is very comfortable and easy to row , even in a wind, with both of us and some gear. The tender comes in two smaller models 45 and 40 lbs.
My son Jim King is the designer and owner.If you deside you like this choise, buy the boat directly from him at the SBS. Tell him your a C-brat and use my name ( It may not help but it can't hurt).
I think it is the best tender for our purpose, of course I'm prejudice.
Gary King
 
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