North Bound

Dbrumwell

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
24
Fluid Motion Model
R-21 EC
Good morning Tugnuts I am getting ready for my trip to Alaska the second week in May and open to any and all suggestions and advice for my first trip up also where in Anacortes is a good place to exchange American money into some Canadian money. Having a new Garman chart, plotter, and radar installed on the eighth and ninth May after a sea trial I’m headed north. Have spent time in the San Juan‘s with my cutwater, but I’ve never had the time to go into Canada and further North. All input will be greatly appreciated.
 
Congratulations, It's a great adventure with lots to see. I suppose you know about the Slowboat set of videos, they were very useful to me in planning our trips.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... YTSGFlZzCy

You could also check out the "Washington to Alaska" video we made with the Ranger Tug folks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVPBy-ck2Hg&t=3s

Also some other videos we made that are on our Pacific Northwest Boating channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7TC7h ... _xRPuF_gpQ

I suppose you could get Canadian currency at the Wells Fargo bank in Anacortes but I used credit cards for all my transactions so didn't take much cash with me for either of my trips.
 
Some thoughts on range. I think the C28 has 100 gallons of fuel and gets maybe 2.3 statute miles per gallon at cruise? Leaving 15% in the tank, the maximum range at cruise would be 195 miles. Of course if needed you could run at 9 MPH and get more range.

The longest interval between reliable fuel stops is between Shearwater Resort and Prince Rupert, 205 miles, however on that leg, fuel is usually available at Hartley Bay and Klemtu but hours and availability might not be as consistent so one should double check those locations before taking on this section.

If you wanted to go from Petersburg to Juneau and in between visit both of the tidewater glaciers at the end of Tracy Arm, that would be about 200 miles.

If you go around the west side of Admiralty island (to visit Warm Springs, Hidden Falls, etc. the distance from Petersburg to Tenakee Springs is about 145 miles. IF Tenakee isn't open (limited days) then Petersburg to Hoonah is 195 miles

One learning was that to get better economy we reduced our water load by a lot as we were able to replenish our water supplies at pretty much every place we got fuel.
 
As for currency I wouldn't worry about exchanging in the US. You will pay a high exchange rate fee, and it's not difficult to get cash in Canada (and as mentioned you won't need that much). Most places with provisions (as well as customs/border docks) will have an ATM. Just get lots of 5s or 10s to tip marina and fuel dock helpers!

BTW I always cringe when I have to offer this, but in the border cities, Canadian folks have always been very gracious about accepting US$ tips (with my apology!)

Have a great trip!
 
Good morning and thank you for your input. I’ve watched all the videos you put out Maggie Ann gteat videos and congratulations on the new boat. It’s beautiful I’ve watched all the slow boat videos. I can’t count the times. Fuel range has been a worry for me so I will pack an extra 25 gallons with me from Sherwood on just to make sure I’ve got enough I burn about 8.5 gallons per hour at 14 kn. I do all my trip planning by fuel burn. I’ve spent the last two years of running the boat recording what it burns at different speeds and loads. The biggest reason I was looking at changing and getting some Canadian currency was for the tips for dockworkers and change for laundry. I’m not sure how far north I’ll make it this year. My goal is wrangle and then may be around to the Petersburg we have friends in Wrangell that we’re going to stop and see. again thank you for your input and maybe will see you on the water sometime
 
In our 13 years cruising into Canada we almost always get our Canadian currency at a CIBC bank ATM in Ganges on Salt Springs Island. Consistently the best exchange rates and low fees. And Ganges is one of our favorite stops to provision for food that you can’t bring across the border and wine when entering Canada headed north.
Sometimes we also get more Canadian $$ in Sidney, Nanaimo or Comox if we are at those stops and if needed.
The Provincial Parks typically want Canadian cash for dock or mooring buoy stays and we prefer to use Canadian cash for low dollar purchases. Plus you need a good supply of Loonies for the showers and laundry. We budget $40 Canadian (approx $30 USD) a day for mooring and incidentals in Canada. Of course your budget may vary.
 
We're leaving for Europe (flying) on Saturday. I logged into by bank account online (Wells Fargo in my case) and purchased Euros which they express mailed to my home. Good exchange rate. Took 2 days.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
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