Cruising in the Pacific Northwest

[goathillgolf]

Hi all - newly registered, long-time peruser. Recently converted from long-distance sailor to trawler. Still in shock to discover that the pacific northwest is best experienced from the comfort of an old pilothouse trawler.

Hope I don't offend anyone - but, hope that some folks might find this new venture interesting. Have a look at our website & let me know what you think. It's a great way to get a taste of cruising out west without the huge cost and risk of doing it alone.

www.goathillgolf.ca

[ctenning]

I don't know how this could offend anyone. You have a very good looking web site. It's always nice to see good boating websites.

[Rob D]

I have to agree. Nice site. My wife is still trying to talk me into a Trawler as a liveaboard instead of a cruising sailboat.

[goathillgolf]

Thanks for your comments about our website - appreciate it!

I never thought that I would want to give up my liveaboard ketch....however trawler cruising has changed my mind. Same speed, but in comfort and with tons more room! If the boat is big enough you can always have a sailing dinghy to satisfy the sailing itch. Why not give it a try - we'd consider doing a 'intro to trawlers' kind of trip?

[ddspeer]

My wife and I are planning another trip into the area for the summer and we are thinking of going as far north as the upper end of Vancouver Island. I'd appreciate any and all input from experienced sailors as to places to avoid and places to make sure to visit.

thanks
SV Panacea

[goathillgolf]

Hi SV Panacea - What's your general itinerary? A leisurely sojourn or a 'just the highlights' kind of trip? Of course, we all would like the former, however work tends to get in the way. If you've got the time you could almost spend the whole summer in the Gulf Islands and not get bored!

[ctenning]

My favorites, Nanaimo and north are:

Nanaimo Inner Harbour (provisioning)
Pender Harbour (Hospital Bay, Garden Bay, or Madiera Park)
(Hospital Bay for the shortest walk to grocery and liquor store, John Henry's)
(Garden Bay for the shortest walk to restaurant)
(Madiera Park for Provincial moorage with power, full service grocery store but longer walk. Also has haul-out and repair services.)
Refuge Cove (good store, liquor, air service)
Prideaux Haven Marine Park (Melanie Cove anchorage, but watch for rock in narrow entrance)
Toba Inlet (waterfalls are a must see)
Octopus Islands Marine Park (anchorage)
Blind Channel Resort (nice people, nice restaurant, good store, liquor, moorage with power)
Forward Harbour (Douglas Bay anchorage)
Lagoon Cove Marina (nice people, happy hour)
Kwatsi Bay Moorage (nice people, potluck dinner)
Shawl Bay Marina (nice people, free pancake breakfast)
Greenway Sound (moorage with power, good restaurant, easy hike to Broughton lake)

[ctenning]

My experience:

Be aware of the strong currents in some of the passages.
Yuculta Rapids, Big Bay, Gillard Pass, Dent Rapids. When there is a lot of driftwood, it tends to rest in the calmer water of the rapids, forcing you to the rapid water. Try to go at slack.

Be aware the potentially strong winds on Johnstone Strait. Listen on the weather channel.

But I have also been on Johnstone Strait when it was like glass and going along at 14 knots with a six knot current. Out in the middle I had no perception of the current, but I could see a waterfall near shore. Interesting and beautiful scenery. Steep shoreline on Vancouver Island like a mountain rising out of the water.

[Rob D]

The Feb 06 issue of Sailing has a couple of interesting articles on cruising up in BC.

[ddspeer]

Thanks folks.
We've been in the Gulf Islands and as far north as Princess Louisa but this summer we want to go above Nanaimo. We have two months so it will not be rushed.

We're from the WWYC so any trip north begins by a 500 mile trip down river and up the coast which eats up 7 to 10 days of the summer.

Q E Too, your list seems pretty complete. Thanks; Any one else want to chime in here?

[Ian]

Cambell River before going through Seymour Narrows or across the channel to Quadra Island,Gowland Harbour is a great place if you like to anchor or you can get moorage with Dave and Shirly Saunders at seascape resort , very nice stopover, Port McNeal an unspoiled friendly town is my preference to Port Hardy. If you must turn around there visit the hundred places you missed on the way up. pic Gowland hbr.cheers Ian.

[ctenning]

Conover Cove on Wallace Island is a nice stopover on the way to Dodd Narrows and Nanaimo.

http://carlten.tripod.com/2006_cruise/05-001.jpg