Float plan to Desolation Sound

H

Herky

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2014
Messages
24
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Non-Fluid Motion Model
1991 Bayliner 4588, 2001 17 foot Boston Whaler
Vessel Name
Blue Heron
We are planning a 2 week trip from Anacortes to Desolation Sound and back this September in our R-27,The Blue Heron.Where is best place to cross the Straits? Any advice for our itinerary woul be appreciated. Thanks
 
which straits are you referring too?
for Rosario strait... as you are coming from Anacortes the main decision is whether to go across Rosario straight directly through thatcher pass or going over the top of Guemes island. This decision is about wind versus tide in rosario straight as it can get a little bumpy.

then the next decision is which harbor you will clear customs at. if you have a nexus pass (for all passengers on board) this opens up options as you can call in to customs. otherwise you have to go to a customs marina like sidney and see an agent in person.

check out the Cutwater cruise itinerary for ideas.

https://www.bellinghamyachts.com/news/cutwatercruise-registration
 
Regarding the Strait of Georgia there are many options. “Best” depends on what you want to see on the way and your ultimate destination. There are many guidebooks with lots of information. While not an expert by any means we have been up that way a few times. Here is what we have learned.

I believe the most common route and most direct to the heart of Desolation Sound is up through the gulf islands to Nanaimo and then jumping across below Texada over to Secret Cove or Pender Harbor and then up the coast from there.

The Ranger Tugs Cruise also goes via Nanaimo but from there goes up the east coast of Vancouver Island. This is probably because the end destination is not actually Desolation Sound but rather Gorge Harbor on Cortez Island. They also spend time at Comox on Vancouver Island. This route is more direct to Gorge Harbor. When the RT group disbands then people often head over to Desolation Sound on their own which is only a half day east. There are no marinas in the actual Desolation Sound which is a protected marine park.

You also have the option of going up the Sunshine Coast (west coast of mainland BC) via Point Roberts and the City of Vancouver. The challenge with that route is traversing in front of the mouth of the Fraser River which can be bumpy and full of junk (logs!) so you have to swing wide into the strait a bit.

All routes are doable but you need to watch the weather for all of them as well. As always, be prepared to wait if necessary for a good weather window.
 
As Red Ranger says, it's all about the weather. We've been up three times from Sidney, twice in a Ranger 27. The upside to the west coast of the mainland (albeit after Vancouver) is that there are more anchorages and marinas to duck into along the way and wind blowing up or down Georgia Strait (on either side) makes for an interesting (occasionally hair-raising) trip.
On the east coast of the island it looks faster as the crow flies from Sidney, and the trip through the Gulf Islands to Nanaimo via Dodd Narrows (need to time the passage for slack if you do) has lots of interesting stops and easily within a day from Anacortes, but there aren't a lot of marinas between Nanaimo and Comox and you still have to cross over.
Most people I think make Lund their last stop before Desolation but if you're in the vicinity or coming from Comox don't forget Refuge Cove in West Redonda - a quirky spot on the edge of Desolation, great for supplies and a coffee, and an pleasant contrast to the monster ships elsewhere in Desolation (Prideaux Haven).
In Canada the Dreamspeaker guides are quite useful for local knowledge and colour. Safe travels.
 
Also, if you do go up the east side of Vancouver Island there are two things to watch for. The first is the Whiskey Golf (marked WG on the chart) torpedo range, either stay out or call ahead to see if they are testing. The second caution is that there is a relatively new cable ferry running between Vancouver and Denman Island. It is well marked with a signal light (red means you have to wait, green means go). Unfortunately, if you have older Garmin charts in your chartplotter It will not show up on your chart and the lights on the shore will mean nothing to you. A few of us on the RT Cruise ahead of the main group few years back went through on red! No problems other than a lot of chatter on the radio and a visit from a local explaining our mistake. It could have been much worse! You don’t want to hit that cable! Not good! Fortunately we have a shallow draft!
 
I'd agree with "best" being a function of tide and weather more than anything.

Get your Wagoneers guide book, read up, and have fun...

We did this trip last summer....

Don't miss the city of Vancouver. Great city.........
 
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