Points North - Cruising on your Ranger Tug

Hello. We wanted to go on the August cruise but aren't sure how to register. We just bought a new R-25. We are Barbara and Ken Niles.
 
Barbara and Ken,
Congratulations on your purchase! You are now "officially" signed up for the cruise! I would assume that since you are from Montana, you will be trailering your R-25 to the PNW. This would allow you to start further north than the majority of us.

You could launch at Anacortes and meet us the rest of us in Poets Cove in the southern Gulf Islands. However you decide, let me know and I will be sure you have all of the information you need.

Again, congratulations on the purchase of your R-25!

1. David and Maureen, Karma, R-29
2. Lyman and Janeane, Zuma, R-29
3. Bob and Nita, Nellie Too, R-29
4. Jens, Danca, R-29
5. Pete and Sportydog, Sporty II, R-29
6. Jeff and Christy, Factory, R-29
7. John Livingston and Family, Factory, R-29 (or are you planning to bring the R-21)
8. Fernando and Sunny, Blessings, R-29
9. Tim and Kim, Big Attitude, R-25
10. Bruce and Vicki, Moondance, R-25
11. Barry and Gill, Laxey, R-25
12. Herb and June, Sea Sweeper, R-25
13. Ken and Barbara, R-25
14. John, Red Ranger, R-21
15. Dennis Carstensen
16. Ken Dalgleish
17. Tom Harker
18. Ernie Hunt
19. Bill Linscott
20. David Lowther
21. John MacLeod
22. Richard Rich
23. Gary Williamson
 
The Presentation slides from last Saturday's "Points North - Cruising on Your Ranger Tug" workshop/seminar are now posted here:

http://bit.ly/cruisingnorth

Many thanks to Bruce for providing a web host to post these - we are still working on a way to include it permanently on the web site. This link should stay active for 14 days (or 500 downloads)

Mac
 
Great slide deck Mac. Thanks again for your time, expertise, and effort.

Those who attended the workshop, or who just have an interest in cruising north, will also enjoy checking out Boedeling: Travel Logs and Photographs, Bill Ray's journal of the 8-week Inside Passage cruise he made with his wife Jan and their Corgi, Popcorn. Boedeling is a GB36.

Bill Ray has been my instructor for Seattle Power & Sail Squadron courses in Seamanship and Weather Forecasting. Like Mac, he is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience to promote boating enjoyment and safety.

Cheers
 
Bumping this so everyone knows Mac Lamay's outstanding slide deck on cruising north is available for download. The link is in this thread, posted Thursday, March 18. Grab it!

Cheers,

Bruce
 
As we continue the planning of this cruise, a few questions to those of you that have expressed your interest in attending:

1) What is your comfortable cruising speed? (Not how fast can you go, but at what speed are you most comfortable? As an example, Maureen and I prefer seven to eight knots)

2) How many hours are you comfortable cruising in a day? This would be a day with fair weather, if it were extremely lumpy, the comfort zone would be much shorter.......

3) What do you hope to gain from this cruise? Is spending three or four days in Desolation your goal or are you looking for a leisurely cruise up and back with maybe one or two days in Desolation?

4) The big one is; how do you feel about making a side trip to Princess Louisa inlet? This will add one day to the trip north.

5) Are you comfortable with anchoring out 25%, 50% or 75% of the time?

Please either post your replies here, or send me a PM as we do need to get this itinerary done ASAP. Summer is a very busy season in this area.
 
Thoughts????? Comments????? Concerns??????
 
1) What is your comfortable cruising speed? slow and easy

2) How many hours are you comfortable cruising in a day? 4-6 hrs

3) What do you hope to gain from this cruise? a good tan and eating plenty of crab, shrimp and oysters

4) The big one is; how do you feel about making a side trip to Princess Louisa inlet? heck yes

5) Are you comfortable with anchoring out : 100%
 
We have the same ideas as Zuma except the osyters, we would be happy, though, to stay with those who like going slower. Princess Louisa Inlet with us is optional, we'll think about it.
Bob and Nita
 
You know Bob, I have to agree with you when it comes to that Oyster thing....... and I will also pass on the crab..... everything else though, sounds great! Hopefully the weather is good and Jeneane can get that tan she is looking for!!!
 
The itinerary for the cruise in August is now complete. Below is a template of what the cruise looks like so far.

Shilshole to La Conner 54 NM 7 hours
La Conner to Poets Cove 49 NM 6 hours
Poets Cove Gibsons 55 NM 7 hours
Gibsons to Pender Harbor 35 NM 4 hours
Pender Harbor to Powell River 46 NM 6 hours
Powell River to Pendrell Sound 59 NM 7 hours (you can stop in Refuge Cove and fuel if need be)
Pendrell Sound to Grace Harbor 15 NM 2 hours
Grace Harbor to Nanaimo 70 NM 9 hours (heading home, Maureen and I need to try to make it to Seattle in 3 days)
Nanaimo to Friday Harbor 57 NM 7 hours
Friday Harbor to Bell Harbor 65 NM 8 hours (this will be crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca) We will depart Friday Harbor at 6:30 am

Times are based on a cruising speed of 8 Knots. Total distance traveled will be 505 KM's. Estimated Fuel burn for Karma's entire run is 316 gallons.

I will find out what it will take to get reservations in the marina's that we will be staying at. It will be up to each vessel to secure their own reservation if there is a deposit required. If no deposit is required, I will make reservations for all.

Of course, this entire itinerary is based upon weather. We have checked into Kenmore Air in the event we get hung up and Maureen must fly out of one of the areas up north. Kenmore is very reasonable ranging from $200.00 at Nanaimo to $125.00 at Friday Harbor.
 
I had already made tentative reservations for the group in Poet's Cove and Gibsons. Dave, can you please re-confirm with me the dates for these 2 stops and the projected number of boats.
Thanks !

Tim
 
Tim,
We have 23 vessels that have said they are planning to attend. However as we all know crap happens, I would plan on 20. I have added the dates to the stops.

August 20th Shilshole to La Conner 54 NM 7 hours
August 21st La Conner to Poets Cove 49 NM 6 hours
August 22nd Poets Cove Gibsons 55 NM 7 hours
August 23rd Gibsons to Pender Harbor 35 NM 4 hours
August 24th Pender Harbor to Powell River 46 NM 6 hours
August 25th Powell River to Pendrell Sound 59 NM 7 hours (you can stop in Refuge Cove and fuel if need be)
Auguse 26th Pendrell Sound to Grace Harbor 15 NM 2 hours
August 27th Grace Harbor to Nanaimo 70 NM 9 hours (heading home, Maureen and I need to try to make it to Seattle in 3 days)
August 28th Nanaimo to Friday Harbor 57 NM 7 hours
August 29th Friday Harbor to Bell Harbor 65 NM 8 hours (this will be crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca) We will depart Friday Harbor at 6:30 am

Thanks,
David
 
Greetings cruisers: I inserted David's cruise plan in a Google Map to help visualize the trip. Each leg of the trip is listed in the left column. Clicking on them automatically scrolls the map to the respective location. You can zoom in and out, choose satellite, map, or terrain views, etc. NM and hours are indicated for each leg. Markers are approximate.

http://bit.ly/cruisenorth

Cheers
 
First, thanks to Bruce for building the map of the intended "Points North" cruise.

While there has been some concern expressed with the number of hours and miles run each day, it boils down to simple math. We have 500 plus miles to cover in ten days. Simple math will tell us that if you average it out it will be fifty miles per day. At eight knots, six plus hour per day.

Everyone needs to remember, this is just the plan. The plan can be altered or adjusted to each vessels likes or dislikes.

Who is not to say that you arrive in the San Juans or Gulf Islands on the way north and decide, this is far enough for me. You hang out there for the week and hook up with the group or a single vessel on their way back south.

The other option is to run a higher speed (15 to 18 knots), make the dash to Desolation in two to three days, spend four days in Desolation and dash south.

Another option is to run at ten knots as opposed to eight. This though would increase the amount of fuel each vessel will consume and result in what I feel would be a less comfortable ride. At ten knots, the average cruising time each day would be reduced to five hours. Is it worth the hour saved?

Maureen and I for one, are not going to run at a higher rate of speed. We are going to "cruise" at eight, maybe ten knots, trade off time at the helm, enjoy the scenery along the way, get the hook or dock lines set around two, and enjoy the afternoon.

We (Maureen and I) do have a dash back south. However, we do not expect anyone to put in the long days that we will put in. We simply have a deadline to meet. We do however have a contingency plan. If the weather slows us down or prevents our progress altogether, Maureen and I will fly out via Kenmore Air. As She has to be in Vegas and I have to be in Bremerton on Monday morning, we could be faced with leaving Karma behind, catch a plane, and come back the following weekend to get her.

To do this trip right, you really do need two weeks. Unfortunately, some folks don't have two weeks. But, if you do, good for you! Hang out the extra week in Desolation, enjoy the beauty, make the rest of us jealous!!!!
 
For those who have the additional time, the cruising in Desolation Sound is beautiful... Refuge, Squirrel Cove, Von Donop, Gorge Harbour, Herriot Bay... so many great options and easy distances. We've done group cruises with the C-Dory folks and truly enjoy the comradery, but everyone's cruising style is different. It's OK to wander off on your own (or with a buddy boat or two) for a day or three and then meet up with the group again later.

After our time in Desolation Sound, spending a few days in Victoria on Vancouver Island was also an interesting treat. We stayed on the docks at the Inner Harbour and enjoyed the city trappings after most of our time on the hook in Desolation Sound.

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun - best wishes to all the participants (and post lots of photos!).

Jim B.
 
The plans are now finalized for the "Points North Cruise" to Desolation in August. After much discussion and debate it has been decided that we will make four the run to desolation in four days.

We will cast off from Shilshole Bay Marina on Friday, August 20th at 7:00 am. (Those of you that wish to travel faster can obviously leave later) We will proceed up Admiralty Inlet crossing the Straits of Juan De Fuca (weather permitting of course) to end the day at Poets Cove. (7 Hours)

Saturday, August 21st, Depart Poets Cove at 7:00 am, cross the Straits of Georgia to Gibsons. End the day at Tim and Kims for the Crab Feed. (7 hours)

Sunday August 22nd, Depart Gibsons at 7:00 am. Arrive Hardy Island Marine Park at 2:00 pm. Lead boat will stake out anchorage locations.

Monday August 23rd, Depart Hardy Island at 7:00 am. Arrive Desolation Sound at 2:00 pm.

Once we arrive at Desolation, many boats will go on their own way exploring the areas that they want to. Others may stay together.

The return trip to Seattle for Maureen and I will start on Thursday August 26th. Jeff and John will not be departing Desolation for an additional week as they will be hosting the editors from Passage Maker and Motor Boating magazines the second week.

I have attached the list of those who have said they plan to attend. There are a number of names of folks that have been dropped. If you do not see your name it is simply because we need to make reservations for the trip north. We have emailed each of you asking for additional information and received no response. If you are planning to attend, you need to let me know and I will add you to the list.

1. David and Maureen, Karma, R-29
2. Lyman and Janeane, Zuma, R-29
3. Bob and Nita, Nellie Too, R-29
4. Jens, Danca, R-29
5. Pete and Sportydog, Sporty II, R-29
6. Jeff and Christy, Factory, R-29
7. John Livingston and Family, Factory, R-29
8. Fernando and Sunny, Blessings, R-29
9. Tim and Kim, Big Attitude, R-25
10. Barry and Gill, Laxey, R-25
11. Herb and June, Sea Sweeper, R-25
12. Ken and Barbara, R-25
13. John, Red Ranger, R-21

Please remember, this is a plan that can and will be altered due to weather or conditions that are not conducive to traveling.
 
We have another addition to the list of those planning to cruise north with us in August. Gary and Rosalee with their R-25 Harbor Ranger along with their son in a non-Ranger Tug will be joining us! This takes the Ranger Tug count to 15 with a total of 16 vessels attending! It is not too late to sign up for this great adventure to the north!!!! Remember, if this seems to be a mad dash to the north, you can drop out at any point along the way and rejoin the group on their trip south! Dates are departing on August 20th, back in Seattle on the 29th.

1. David and Maureen, Karma, R-29
2. Lyman and Janeane, Zuma, R-29, Will join group in Desolation
3. Bob and Nita, Nellie Too, R-29
4. Jens, Danca, R-29
5. Pete and Sportydog, Sporty II, R-29
6. Jeff and Christy, Factory, R-29
7. John Livingston and Family, Factory, R-29
8. Fernando and Sunny, Blessings, R-29
9. Tim and Kim, “The Boat”, R-29
10. Dennis and Darlene, Tug of My Heart, R-25
11. Gary and Rosalee, Harbor Ranger, R-25
12. Barry and Gill, Laxey, R-25
13. Herb and June, Sea Sweeper, R-25
14. Ken and Barbara, R-25
15. John, Red Ranger, R-21, Will meet us around Hardy Island
 
Tim Thompson has been working through the docking situation for our Points North Cruise. It seems as if all vessels will have to make reservations for themselves for our overnight stay. The marina requires a credit card to hold your reservation. Please see the email below which will have all the contact information for Poets Cove. We will be spending the night of August 20th at Poets Cove.

From: "Poets Cove Marine Operations" <marineops@poetscove.com>
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 16:31:21 -0700
To: 'Super Valu'<supervalu@dccnet.com>
Subject: RE: Ranger tug rendevous-Aug20th


Hi Tim,



We do require each individual boater to call and make their reservation. When they make their reservation we get a credit card to confirm the reservation.



If you would like however, you can give us a list of all the boaters and their information then we can book them in. However in this case we would have to take a deposit.



Cheers =)



Jerome Rahaman

Moorings / Marina Manager

Poets Cove Resort and Spa

Pender Island, BC

Phone: (250) 629-2127Fax: (250) 629-2110

marineops@poetscove.com

www.poetscove.com
 
Shared Dream would like to join the Points North cruise. Shared Dream, R29 is owned by Ken and Sandi Dalgleish. What do we need to do to get ourselves current with plans, etc?
 
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