The Last Hoorah - Roaming Rondy

[Kimberly Dawn]

Hi Everyone,

I have put together my last Roaming Rondy event of the season: The Last Hoorah!

This is a self-supported 4-day outing to the Gulf Islands September 27-30. The float plan is the following:

Thursday, 9/27/18 - Montague Harbor Marina, Galiano Island, BC. $1.50/foot overall length, $10.00/night 30amp power, credit card to hold reservation (not processed until check-in), 24-hour cancellation policy, Canpass / Nexus reporting station, Reservations: 250.539.5733, VHF: 66A. The wild and crazy bus to the pub (food and beverages) will be in operation.

Friday, Saturday and leave Sunday, 9/28-30 - Port Browning Marina, North Pender Island, BC. $1.40/foot overall length, $7.00 15amp and 30amp power, no cancellation policy except call to notify, Canpass / Nexus reporting station, Reservations: 250.629.3493, VHF: 66A.

Please note: MHM and PBM marinas do not have fuel or water on the docks, so come to the marinas with full tanks. Toilet facilities are available at both marinas, and PBM has showers.

Kim and I have made our reservations for both venues. We really hope to see some of you there!

Clear skies, flat water and safe travels!

Bob and Kim Giles
The Doghouse 2
425.327.7291

 

[baz]

Bob: When r u making your way up to Montague Harbor Marina on Thursday Sep 27th, and where are you leaving from ? I ask as I know you trailer your R-27/OB.

Also, can a boat not having Nexus card checkin with Canadian customs at MHM ? ... will stopping at Pender be required for this ?

Also, what kind/brand of beer is served at the "pub" that the wild and crazy bus goes to ? :lol: The answer to this could be a show stopper for me. :roll: :twisted:

Thanks... Barry

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Barry,

Galiano Island is in "British" Columbia, so I'm certain you'll be able to find some great "English" brews. But let me steer you in the direction of the Pub's online presence... Hummingbird Pub (and Family Restaurant)... http://hummingbirdpub.com/ The list was too long for me to include in this post!

We will leave Thursday morning from Lake Stevens about 9:30, trailer to Swinomish gas station for ethanol-free gas, then over to Cornet Bay for an 11:30 departure. I dare say that fast tug of yours could leave Edmonds at 9:30 and meet me at Cornet Bay for our departure. Initial post gives my phone number.

Relative to Customs, unless you are a card-carrying "Trusted Traveler", you will be required to stop at Bedwell Harbor Customs. You should call to verify that station is still open and has not closed for the season. A side note, getting a Nexus card is so worthwhile for travelling on land, sea, or air!

Bob and Kim
The Doghouse 2

 

[baz]

Cornet Bay is just east of Deception Pass. So yes, I guess a quick cruise up to north Skagit Bay or on the west side of Whidbey Island to meet up with you would work out for me. Could always keep in contact with you via cell phone as well.

My concern about Pub was for any Child restrictions with the liquor laws etc as I may have two grandkids (10 and 6 yrs old) with me. You've mentioned "Family Restaurant", so that's reassuring. 🙂

I have USA and British passports. So do they carry same weight as for a Nexus Card ?

What about the kids ? What docs would they need ?

My reading tells me Nexus card applications can take 3 to 5 month to be processed and approved at this time. Getting a US passport for them will also take some 2 to 3 weeks..... Bummer, seems like the kids are out of luck. 🙁

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Barry,

Nexus process starts with online application, completed and submitted online, and is the most lengthy part. The interview is short and sweet (in Blaine).

Regarding kids and Customs you'll need to call Customs for the definitive word. In regard to your passports and Nexus, they both serve as legal I.D. at the border, but passports don't give you the ability to pass by a Customs Port of Entry to go directly to a reporting station.

Bob and Kim
The Doghouse 2

 

[Chimo]

Hello both

The weather looks spectacular this week. I am thinking about a fall trip and Montegue is always a favourite spot. I usually anchor or take a mooring buoy but if I’m going to bus to the pub then the marina may be wise. Not 100% committed yet. Are you still going?

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Chimo,

We already have reservations for both Montague and Port Browning... definitely going. We will be meeting up at Port Browning with a couple more boats from my SeaSport past.

Hope you and others will take the plunge into this fall rondy!

Bob and Kim
The Doghouse 2

 

[baz]

FYI...
I checked with the Canadian Customs office at 866-996-3987 today about Bedwell Harbour customs office being open for boaters on Thursday Sep 27 and was told it would be. In addition I was told in fact, it's open all year round. 😀 This is good to know IMO.

I also checked with the Montague Harbour Marina 250-539-5733 today about their fuel dock opening hours for Thursday Sep 27th and they told me the fuel dock is open 8am to 4pm and has diesel and ethanol-free gasoline available. So if you need fuel get there before 4pm, or of course can get fuel next day after 8am. 🙂

BTW....FYI.... Distances in miles from Edmonds WA to Montague Marine Harbour

Edmonds to Deception pass is 53 miles via Saratoga Passage (for R27/OB @ 30 mph time would be around 2 hrs)
Deception pass to Bedwell is 38 miles (for R27/OB @ 30 mph would be around 1.3 hrs)
Bedwell to Montague is 16 miles (for R27/OB @ 30 mph from dock would be around 0.5 hrs)

Thus total distance is some 107 miles and time taken would be around 4 hrs with calm waters.... allow 5 hrs to be safe.

If I decide to go I would leave Edmonds at around 9am on Thursday Sep 27th and stop to check in with Canadian Customs at Bedwell (assume this needs 1 hour as I only have USA Passport) and then onto Montague Harbour and be there between 2pm to 3pm.

Returning on Sunday I would check into USA Customs at Roche Harbour.

I would travel solo.

 

[baz]

Well I'm committed. Have made slip reservations at MHM and PBM.

Will leave Edmonds at around 9am. Will be traveling solo + my Wire Hair Fox Terrier. 🙂

I will likely team up with Bob Giles (The Doghouse 2) at Deception Pass at around 11:30 am and cruise with him up to Bedwell where I have to stop off and check in with Canadian Customs using US Passport etc and then onto Montague Marina. Should arrive Montague between 2 and 3pm.

Weather is shaping up nicely for us.

Safe travels to all.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Great news, Barry!

Meet up with you at Cornet Bay around 11:30... will monitor VHF 16 or cell phone... tide pushing 6 ft of water over 6 hrs with low at 1:30.

This is a great weekend of weather if any others are looking to get out "one more time" before the weather says no!

Hoping to see you for The Last Hoorah!

Bob & Kim Giles
The Doghouse 2

 

[baz]

...snip...
This is a great weekend of weather if any others are looking to get out "one more time" before the weather says no!
...snip...

Bob & Kim Giles
The Doghouse 2

I actually like boating opportunities year round. There are times between Oct and March/April when weather is cool, sun shining, clear skies, decent water conditions and fewer boats out there. 😀 With a full cockpit enclosure the cockpit in cooler weather is a nice place to be in and is dry.... and the newer R-29 S has a heated cockpit from its Webasto diesel forced air heater....yea. 😀

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Barry, does Jake, your wire hair fox terrier, require any special on-board documents for going across the border?

Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2

 

[baz]

Barry, does Jake, your wire hair fox terrier, require any special on-board documents for going across the border?

Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2

Yes, Rabies Certificate..... And I have it at the ready. 🙂

BTW... MHM does not provide onshore showers. The PBM does and they are coin operated using single dollar coin for 3 mins. Dollar coins can be secured at the Marina's office so they told me. I always carry tons of US 1/4s but in this case they are useless except for exchanging 4 of them for a dollar coin. 😉

 

[baz]

Weather for this "Last Hoorah" is shaping up nicely. 😀

Hads tooth implant surgery this morning and dentist did give me the OK assurance for cruising tomorrow as the meds would wear off by end of day. 😀