The Other Route to Desolation Sound

[Hydraulicjump]

Tugnuts,

My brother-in-law and sister have chartered a Grand Banks 37 out of Bellingham in August and want us to follow them up past Desolation Sound to the Johnstone Straits area, then to Campbell River (to provision) and back (we originally talked Broughtons but the distance is too much). We're in, of course and we have two weeks. But given that they have been to Desolation a couple of times, they are proposing to deadhead out of Bellingham to Vancouver, probably Coal Harbour, on day 1, then up the east side of Georgia Strait to Pender Harbour on day 2. This shaves a day off on the front end (normally Bellingham-Bedwell-Nanaimo-Pender Harbour), and would probably be the same route on the return home, giving us two extra cruise days in the Johnstone Straits area.

I cannot find a lot of anecdotal information about running up the east side of Georgia Straits and thought I would turn to the Tugnut cloud, especially our Canadian friends in Vancouver who might have done this. And note, out of respect, that I spelled "harbour" correctly. Are we likely to get the stuffing beat out of us on this?

Barbara and I have the option of skipping all of this and simply hauling the boat to Pender Harbour and meeting them, with incredible ferry prices, but ActiveCaptain comments suggest there is not a good launching place there or a good place to leave the truck. Obviously, we can follow the tracks of Laurie Ann

http://www.laurieann-ranger25.com/index.html

but part of the fun is going up together. Including watching my brother-in-law feed the fuel tank on his rental beast.

Any advice would be most welcome! And thanks.

Jeff and Barbara

 

[JamesTXSD]

I have made that run up the east side of Georgia Strait a time or twelve (most of those times last summer on the whale watch boat). The Strait can be pleasant or rough, depending on weather... if you have wind against current (especially on the beam), it can be a long, rough trip. I've had crossings that were lovely. If you check the tide/current charts and the weather, you can adjust your timing to make the best of it.

Run in the wake of your brother-in-law, and let them take the pounding. 😉

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Thanks Captain Jim. And to correct a major error, it is a Grand Banks 47, not a 37. What was I thinking....it is more than 6X the displacement of our little boat, so yes, we will take advantage of the dispersiveness of the wave generated by my brother-in-law, which is a function of the length of his boat and the interaction of the bow and stern wave. We should have no trouble fitting in behind that 50k lb beast!

Jeff

 

[dalee62]

Hi Jeff,

Here is a little info for you. I am in Gibsons which you would drive through on the way to Pender Harbour.

To give you a rough idea on ferry costs my NIssan Frontier and R21 on the trailer is 40' and $210.00. Keep in mind that when you pay to get on the ferry in Horseshoe Bay you have bought a return ticket You will not pay again in Langdale to get back to Horseshoe Bay.

There is a very good launching ramp in Madeira Park. It's only draw back is that there is not a finger to stand on beside your boat so you must have someone who is comfortable with backing up your truck or running the boat. There are 2 self storage operations close by that might be able to help with storing the truck and trailer.
Squirrel Storage 604 883 2040
Coast Storage 604 883 2444 www.coaststorage.ca

The other option if you want to drive a little farther is to take the next ferry from Earls Cove to Saltry Bay and drive to Lund which is the end of the road, about a 1 hour drive through Powell River and another $210.00 which you will pay in Saltry Bay on the way home but again that is a return ticket. In Lund there is a wonderful parking service called Daves Parking which I have used for the last 2 years when I go to Desolation sound. I don't have their phone number handy but it's in the Wagoneer, that's where I got it. It's like valet boat launching. Coming home I phoned them half an hour before I got back to lund, they backed my truck down and I drove onto the the trailer, they hook up the winch and pull you out. It could not have been slicker.

Hope that helps.

Dave

 

[kim&tim]

We have "run" the east side many times up and down and without incident. Like most trips, the "key" is to pick you weather. The largest potential pitfall is the area off of the mouth of the Fraser River. There is much written in the various guide books about the potential for disaster in this area. You have a HUGE body of water ( being the Fraser River ) flushing out into Georgia St. with the possibility of incoming tides and winds stacking up against it, compounded by the fact that the water is very shallow there which casues the waves to become even more "spikey". Having said all of this we have had many trips back and forth with calm seas. If there is much for wind/heavy seas you would want to stay further off-shore around the area of the Fraser River. There are good places to tuck into along the way if conditions are not in your favour; ie: semiahmoo bay, white rock pier ( where you could clear Canadian Customs ), point roberts.
If your plan is to stay in Coal Harbour keep in mind that there is no customs clearing facility on that side of Vancouver. You would need to go to the False Creek side of Vancouver to clear customs. There is allot of transient moorage on this side of the city and you would be in closer proximity to the famous Granville Island Public Market.
The Canadian dollar keeps dropping too ....another bonus !
Enjoy your trip !
Tim & Kim
R29-Hermitage
Gibsons, B.C.

 

[ngleadow]

We are moored in Gibsons and have made the run from here to Desolation Sound a number of times along the East side. It is a wonderful and scenic trip with many anchorages along the way. There is the usual warning about watching the weather in Georgia Strait; and I would add another coming out of Coal Harbour. You need to watch the wind against the tide in English Bay between Point Grey and Point Atkinson. There is a huge volume of water coming from English Bay/ First Narrows, which combines with the water from Howe Sound. The waves can get quite vicious off Point Atkinson. The winds can also funnel down Malaspina Strait with steep waves. A number of times we have gone on the West side of Texada Island to avoid that problem. I can be a lovely trip when you observe the usual weather precautions.

Have fun

Norm on Blue Socks

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Thanks so much for all this great information. This looks like a wonderful challenge, given the right tides and winds. The key here is to be patient and wait for the right weather window. Or drive it up on its trailer if it looks like things are not going to work out so hot.

Happy to listen to any additional advice. Again, thanks!

Jeff

 

[steveandtina]

JEFF, FROM A FORMER TUGNUT THAT HAS CROSSED THE SEA OF CORTEZ 100+MILES ONE WAY IN A R-25 LEGACY [HULL 15] I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BEST ADVICE YET-----LEAVE YOUR BEAUTIFUL R 27 HOME ON THIS TRIP,, PILE ABOARD THAT 47 FT GRAND BANKS AND TELL YOUR BROTHER IN LAW THERE WILL BE KNOW CHARGE FOR ALL YOUR HELP DOCKING AS LONG AS HE PICKS UP THE FUEL TAB :lol: :lol: --STEVE AND TINA [ALL THE OLDER TUGNUTS KNOW US]

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Good Idea! When you and Tina get your big boat in Puget Sound, I will ask the same of you!

Only problem, every bunk on my brother-in-law's boat is taken. I hate sleeping on the floor. And like every other Tugnut on this site, when give an opportunity to drive my own boat, I take it. Love that boat.

Jeff

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Sorry to revitalize this old thread, but we are thinking again about heading north and I thought I would resample the Canadian wisdom.

First tell me what websites you would monitor in advance if you are making the Bellingham to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Pender Harbor trek. Environment Canada?

http://weather.gc.ca/marine/forecast_e. ... teID=14305

Second, and if you have the patience, give me an idea what you think of as too "lumpy" offshore of the Fraser River Delta (Waggoner gives a terrible description of this route!). All winds are in increments of five, of course. Here is today's forecast for south of Nanaimo:

"Strong wind warning in effect.
Wind northwest 15 knots increasing to northwest 20 to 25 early this evening then diminishing to northwest 15 to 20 Tuesday morning"

Flood tide in the morning against a NW wind? "Me thinks he doth protest too much" my brother in law in the big boat might say. Others of you will say "the boat can take more than you can". I think "punt" and go to Gabriola on a long day.

Seeking advice on your personal reflections on tolerance for rough conditions heading to Vancouver on the east side. Fortunately my wife and I have very strong sea legs after years of sailing. Thanks!

And to remind, we are not heading up for a few more weeks. Weather will be perfect when we get there because the Desolation Sound Tug cruise will be underway. And I will pass all those tugs on their way home. Hail us, please. Green hulled R-27 Tugnacious with a yellow and an orange kayak on top, following in the wake of a big old Grand Banks 47. We hope to anchor with some of you on an impromptu basis.

Jeff and Barbara