Cruise to Gulf Islands-June 12th through 20th

I'll shine Lobo up so that we look good when you all pull into the Victoria Harbour on Saturday. I thought I give some comments on the route -- not alternatives -- but "just in case" scenario's.

VICTORIA: Follow David's advise -- get a reservation! If you haven't been to the Victoria Harbour before you are in for a real treat. When you come in you will pass a marker buoy with "NO SAILING, LOWER SAILS, MAX 5 MPH". Just after that you will see 4' tall yellow markers. Leave to PORT. This is part of a traffic separation scheme. You don't want to get hit by a turbo prop Beaver. Look for customs, about 11 o'clock as you come in. Docks are at 2 o'clock.

SIDNEY SPIT: This is a marine park. Good anchoring. Some mooring buoys (@ $10 a night). If it gets windy, it can get bounch. Over in Sidney is Port Sidney Marina (docks, @ $30 a night) or go to Tseheum Harbour, anchor.

WINTER COVE. Use caution when going around the reef from Plumper Cove. Don't hit the same reef that the tall ship Robertson hit. Excellent anchorage.

POETS COVE: Nice resort, pool and hot tub, restaurant, etc. If you prefer to anchor you go another 1/4 mile to Beaumont Marine Park. Good anchorage, some mooring buoys. You can also go between North and South Pender to Port Browning. Moorage, anchorage, pub. I understand they are finally doing some work on Port Browning.

GANGES: Use caution when entering Ganges -- it is crab trap hell. Keep mid channel -- surprises lurk on both sides. Stinky anchoring! Recommend docks. There are several. Farmers Market on Saturday morning -- but caution on what you can take back to the US. No goat meat!

See you next month.

Dave
 
I just called Victoria Harbour and registered "Lobo". I was told that I am the first of our group to register. Currently there is space for all of us and I've put us under the group "Ranger Tugs", which you will use for reference when you call. There is a reservation fee of $15.75 Cdn on your credit card. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Rafting is mandatory if the place is crowded.

Dave
 
I too reserved my spot today. I spoke with Thora the liaison for the marina. She informed me that Dave had registered. She said they would make every attempt to get us all in the same area of the marina when we come in. If we have to raft, they will have us all raft together. At this time though, that does not appear to be an issue.

The $15.75 is a non refundable, non-transferable fee that you pay to make a reservation. It does not get credited toward your moorage either. Dave also is correct on the cancellation policy. They will not refund your money if you cancel prior to the 48 hours, they will use it for a reservation in the future.....
 
Just a reminder that a passport or the enhanced drivers license is required to enter Canada. Nita has just applied for a new pasport and we are hoping it will be issued in a timely manner, she couldn't renew it earlier as we have spent a week in Mexico. We still hope to see you all there.
Bob
 
Just smuggle her in under the berth in the master stateroom....... What could the charges be if you get caught......
 
Death? Just kidd :lol: ing
 
Just as a reminder, Canada allows pets to accompany their owners to Canada but there are requirements. i would suggest that you go on to the Canadian Customs website to review the specifics.

Bob
Nellie Too
 
Just put the cat in under the bed with Nita........
 
We are almost there!!!!! Two weeks from today we will be sitting in Victoria enjoying the view!

The current plan is for Maureen and I to shove off from Port Orchard at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 11th. We will go as far north as Port Townsend or possibly Hansville (Dennis and Darlene's backyard dock). We will shove off at 7:00 am on Saturday June 12th weather permitting a "straits" crossing. If the weather does not appear that it will be conducive to a straits crossing on Saturday, we will head up the inside on Friday overnighting at Anacortes.

Another option, if everyone else is up to it and the weather cooperates, we could also run to Susia on Friday afternoon. PLEASE let me know if you would be up to this. As this is a group cruise, we need to make this decision as a group. If one member says no, then we make the crossing on Saturday morning.... straight to Victoria.

Zuma plans to depart Bellingham on Friday and overnight in Susia. If we go to Victoria on Saturday, we will meet up with them there. If we go on Friday, we will hook up in Susia. Again, a group consensus will determine this.
 
Welcome:

We would like to invite any boat going on this cruise to spend friday evening and night with us at
Driftwood Key Also known as Coon Bay. North of Port Gamble. We have both free moorage and launch.
We will supply the food. This is the area that June & Herb (Sea Sweeper) call home.
Please let us know if you are interested.

Dennis & Darleen
37649 Teel Ln NE
Hansville Wa 98340
360-638-0141
 
Dennis and Darlene,
You can count Maureen and I as "in". We should arrive around five. I looked up your address on Google as you suggested so when you look out your back window and see a yellow R-29 tied up, you will know we have arrived.

As most of the other boats are coming from directly east of the islands, or the north, they will meet us in Victoria. For those of you still interested, we are headed from Coon Bay to Victoria on Saturday morning. We will be spending a week exploring the Southern Gulf Islands. I will try to post as often as possible where we are located and where we plan to be the following day. If you are interested in joining us, please do so! John and Laurie Gray will not be joining the group until Tuesday.
 
I get to add some interesting flavor to the Gulf Islands Cruise.

On Friday we move Lobo from our Yacht Club to the inner harbour (6 miles) -- same docks as we'll be for Saturday & Sunday with the other Ranger Tugs.

That weekend is the celebration of the Canadian Navy being 100 years old. There will be around 13 warships from 4 or 5 countries -- including the US aircraft carrier Ronald Regan. They will be anchored all over the place.

Our yacht club (Royal Victoria Yacht Club) has been invited by the Navy to participate in the "on water" events.

On Friday night our yacht club goes out near the fleet to see the fireworks show, then back to the docks in front of the Empress Hotel.

On Saturday our yacht club goes out near the fleet for the Review. Canada's Governor General inspects the fleet -- from a boat -- while we and all the others watch. This is then followed by a show from Canada's Airforce aerobatics team, the Snowbirds, and finally some army parachutists leave a perfectly good airplane and fall to earth. The event is scheduled from 1000 to 1300 hours.

Then, while the remainder of our Yacht Club makes the trek home, we go back into the Victoria Harbour to meet up with the other Tugs.

If you happen to arrive in Victoria around noon on Saturday, proceed a mile west to see the air show. You shouldn't have any difficulty in finding the fleet or airplanes! Try and hide the Regan! There will be security on the water -- including US Border Protection Boats with Canadian Mounties on board. You can be shot by both countries if you get out of line. I'll be monitoring VHF 16 and 9 on Lobo. Victoria Traffic (commercial vessels) is VHF 11. The Navy's harbour control is VHF 10.

If you come to watch, remember that as long as you don't anchor or raft up to another boat, you are still not yet in Canada.

There is fuel service in the Victoria Harbour, but don't go there before you clear Customs. Price is probably $1.10 a litre. It's about 10 minutes return trip from the Canada Customs dock back to the fuel dock (at 5 knots max). You will see the fuel dock when you come in, just past the "Speed 5 Knot Max" sign on your starboard side. Remember to keep the yellow markers to PORT or a bureaucrat in a small boat will come and hound you.

All marinas in BC monitor VHF 66A (US mode).

I'm looking forward to that weekend!

Dave
"Lobo"
 
Well it is currently 2:40 here in Las Vegas, the temp outside is a beautiful 108 degrees with a nice breeze blowing. One week from today at this very time, Maureen and I will be back home in the PNW on our way to the Gulf Islands. It is not too late for any other vessels to come join us. We currently have seven vessels that are going to attend.

If you are interested in joining the group for the entire week or just part of it, let me know!
 
Hi david Gail and i will join up at some point on the cruise I will update you closer to the time .

pat
Thats it
Salt spring
 
Pat,
Glad to hear it! Once we get underway, I will update on Tugnuts as long as I can get internet. I am assuming that will be a good portion of time!
 
tahank you david

pat
 
This is an update on timings of events happening near Victoria Harbour on Saturday -- the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy and Review of ships by the Governor General:

1000 hrs: Review starts and ends by 1130
1130 hrs: Parachute jumpers
1200 hrs: Flypast by military aircraft
1230 hrs: Canada's Snowbirds aerobatic team.

If you arrive in our area soon enough on Saturday, just go about 1 mile past the entrance to the Victoria Harbour and at least a half-mile out to sea. You will certainly see the event -- with the USS Ronald Regan very visible. Stay east of a line going south from Fleming Beach, which is just slightly east of Saxe Point -- all well east to the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour. I think there will be a couple thousand yard perimeter around the navy ships.

There will be @ 23 of our yacht club boats all dressed out in flags parading with the navy. We're invited so we can get a bit closer than you will be able to.

When you dock you are only minutes from the Empress Hotel (expensive afternoon teas); the BC Provincial Museum (nominal admission); the Parliament Buildings (aka "Zoo"); tour busses to various places (various prices, of course) and downtown Victoria (up to the sidewalk, turn to port -- go two blocks).

Lynne and I look forward to seeing you in our town. I'm not sure when we get there -- I might end up going back to the yacht club for a couple of hours after the review, but no later than 7:30 PM. Milestones -- on the causeway to your left -- is a good restaurant.

Dave
 
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