Anacourtes to Victoria

[Irish Mist]

Well today we will be floating again 🙂
We are launching in Anacourtes and boating to Victoria. Later we will do lots of exploring but today it's just get to Victoria and get settled day... The weather looks good and I think we are going to just straight line it as much as possible ... If there is anything we should watch out for as well as the big ships with cars in them please let us know
Really looking forward to exploring out here after reading all the posts about it 🙂
Thank you
Mark

 

[JamesTXSD]

Check the weather for the Strait of Juan de Fuca before you leave Anacortes. If all is good, you can go south in Rosario Strait, then west in de Fuca, and go right to Victoria. If it sounds lumpy, you can go through the San Juan Islands, come out between San Juan Island and Stuart Island, cross Haro Strait, then go down the east side of Vancouver Island (generally gives you some protection).

Having driven commercial whale watch boats there the past 4 summers, and cruised our boat all through the area, I am excited for you. Victoria is a great city!

As you come into Victoria, there is a traffic pattern - basically, you stay to the right. Be sure to keep your speed to the posted 7 knots, then 5 knots. Our last two trips there, the Harbor Patrol boats were stopping anyone who exceeded that speed. The Customs Dock is on the right after you pass the Fisherman's Wharf area (you'll see the floating homes).

Hope you enjoy your season there. The weather can be tough there during the winter - certainly different from the middle of either of our countries, but 40ºF there with wind and drizzle cuts right through this southern boy. I'll be looking forward to reading about your adventures there!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[Irish Mist]

Thanks Jim .. Great advice.. We are staying at the Coast Hotel where the customs office is so that part will be easy 🙂

 

[walldog]

I am jealous. We are in Houston with our boat on Lake Union. Will you come into Seattle for the boat show? It is a great mid winter event. Maybe we will see you there.

 

[Irish Mist]

Boat show sounds great
We got in the water filled up with fuel Picked the shortest straightest route and got the boat up to about 16 miles per hour and just started pumping fuel into the ocean.. Got here in about 2 1/2 hours .. Water was pretty flat for the most part.. We are in our slip and have had visitors , cleaned a bit and ready to check out the pool 🙂 All really good so far

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Mark and Jodie, glad your cross country trip came off without any difficulties and that you're safely tied up in Victoria. Lisa and I look forward to cruising to Victoria and seeing you two in a few months. Currently docked in Portland on the Columbia River.

Jim F

 

[Lobo]

Mark-Jodie:

I'm all of 30 minutes from you by road, an hour by boat. Call me if you have any questions, etc. Be happy to give you a tour of the town -- but before Nov 5th and after the 24th.

Dave
LOBO
250-721-4201

 

[Irish Mist]

Thanks Dave
We have family there and have toured a couple years ago .. That's what brought the boat here 🙂 If you are in the area stop by and say hello . Call first so I know to be around we are easy to spot
416-399-3500

 

[Scuffy]

Irish Mist,
What are you towing with?

 

[Irish Mist]

2013 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel, Didn't even break out a sweat going up the mountains, and the engine break held her back down all the hills, My average mpg was 10.2 over 2788 miles. My load was 16,500 lbs... It really feels different now with nothing behind the truck 🙂 I did feel the wind a bit crossing the flat lands in Saskatchewan , I asked a friend of mine with a dually and he said he feels them too but I am sure an extra set of wheels would be somewhat better. Having said that I never found it unmanageable or unsafe. Like boating if it was really windy I would probably just wait. We kept to about a 55 mph average.