CANAM 05' San Juan-Gulf Island Flotilla

[RandyMoon]

We stayed in Sydney in August and had a rental car to tour the island. Sydney is a nice place to stay. Victoria is a great place to visit. Be sure and sail around to Butchart Gardens. They have a nice harbor to anchor in and the gardens are quite the tour.

[Jesse Days Pacific Star 2]

Did you have to dingy in.

[RandyMoon]

Actually, we rented a car to tour the island and saw this cove on the backside of Butchart. From what I remember, there were numerous boats and airplanes coming in and out. I think there were several places to tie up.

PHOTO:

[smidnite]

I've received lots of help from this board and been given information on what to do and where to go in the San Jauns. I love this board. I'm often on a hockey board and this is much more informational and helpful without any type of conflicts or drama.

[BK]

I wanted to mention that every port and marina that we visited last summer in the San Juans and Gulf Islands was hailed on channel 66A. The international band was not used.
Several people we talked with in the Gulf Islands said Pirates Cove on DeCourcy is high on their list to see. We missed it last year but hope to see it next summer. Also Montague Harbor on Galiano Island is so calm you do not need to stay in a slip, everyone throws out an anchor. Some other Mac boaters asked us why we were staying in the marina when it is so calm in the harbor. The reason why was that when we got to about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away from arriving we hailed the Harbor Master and got a slip before checking out the area. Next time we will stay in the harbor.

[Terry]

BK Wrote:

Randy and others, Steve Johnson has not posted it yet but he is penciling out a 10-14 day San Juan-Gulf Island flotilla for early August 05'. Stay tuned to the event board

Up here in the Pacific Northwest we have a MacGregor Club www.MYCBC.ca with many members. We will be watching for the dates and perhaps plan one of our sailing events in conjunction with it. It would be a great opportunity for us to meet some of the Mac sailors to the south. Keep us posted, Looking forward!!

[Captain Steve]

Zoran and interested others.....copy of the post on the discussion section....

I was looking at saturday, july 23 and from there 8 - 10 days out. I have talked to Terry from your club..sending in my membership...$15.9666 in USD. Anyway I agree lets agree on dates...Duane is checking with the BWY club so every one is on the same plate.

If we design some 3 day lobes everyone can gettogether on those days and off on side trips in between.

Lets move this to the Upcoming Events secdtion so we can keep all these ideas in one spot. We have 2 pages of stuff there. You guys that live up there feel free to suggest locations and routes. We spent 6 days last year with Duane Dunn and it was GREAT.

Bob Kelley has several trips under his belt, and I know the San Diego mac group was up there last month.

Standing by but lets go to the upcoming events section to keep our thoughts in one place.

[Diversion]

Its great to see a desire to have a Macgregor gathering. I am presently the commodore for the MYCBC in Vancouver B.C. As was mentioned by others we would as a club, be very interested in this event. I too think that finding the right place for this size of event is important, as not all bays will accomadate the size of that many boats with the shore facilities required. Sucia Island is the best in my opinion for such an event as the park is so large and there are fire pits and picnic areas for events. There is also a dock or we can just raft up as a large group. Please keep us informed on the process of when and where and we will get our club to join in the fun.

[GeoffR]

Gulf Islands are my sailing area for the last two years. I look forward to meeting up with some of you folk when you make the trip. My home port is just north of Sidney on Vancouver Island and the M26X is ideal for motoring out to some of the better sailing spots, and for getting into some of the shallow draft areas. I may not be around here in June, but I can make some enquiries with marinas if I can get a sense of numbers and dates ????

Re: the trip to Desolation Sound - the trip over from Campbell River is very weather dependent. If you are towing and don't intend to sail anywhere else, my recommendation would be to stay on the BC Mainland and take ferries to Powell River, then put the boat in at Lund and spend more time enjoying beautiful Desolation Sound - some of the finest sailing available.

Geoff

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Taking the ferries up the BC coast looks good on paper, until you take the cost into consideration.

We looked at this in depth prior to the summer trip we took up to Jervis from Seattle this summer. The cost of a standard truck towing a mac, both over length and over height on the two ferries at Howe sound and then at Jervis is close to $400. Add to this the cost of long term parking at $125+ for two weeks and you are going to spend $500+ before you even get in the water. (Canadian Dollars, Round Trip). It is only 40 miles from Jervis up to Desolation an easy day for a X or M. There is a good launch and places to park in Pender Harbor. I would strongly advise anyone looking into this to skip the second ferry and launch in Pender Harbor. Then you can add a trip into Princess Louisa to the itinerary as well which since your in the area you have no excuse for missing.

We also looked at using the ferries to get to Vancouver Island. The American ferries are way over priced. The cheapest way to get there was out of Tsawwassen to Nanaimo but this is still a $350 fare round trip. If we had gone that route we would not have gone clear up to Campbell River, there are good launch facilities in Comax and at Pacific Playgrounds Resort at the Oyster river. The crossing from either of these to Desolation is very straight forward, particularly for an X or M.

We made our crossings of the Strait of Georgia from Schooner Cove Marina on Vancouver Island at Nanoose to Pender Harbor on the mainland. Both were south of Texada and Lasqueti Island where it is quite a bit more exposed than further north. Each time the weather guys had Small Craft Advisories posted for the Strait. Neither of the crossings was at all difficult and we met much more difficult conditions down south in the Gulf Islands than we did crossing the strait.

To my mind there are really two different trips being discussed. One in the San Juans and the Gulfs, and a second in the Desolation / Jervis area. Connecting these adds a lot of passage making distance and requires a lot of time. It took 23 days to do our San Juan / Gulf Islands / Jervis Inlet trip this summer and we were on a fairly tight schedule the whole way. It was a 500+ mile trip altogether.

For a group function with a few gathering points as Steve has discussed I think it makes a lot more sense to limit the area to the Gulf Islands south through the San Juans. I would suggest Dodd Narrows as the northern limit in planning stops. Perhaps the two most northerly places considered should be Pirates Cove on De Courcy Island and Silva Bay on Gabriola Island.

[GeoffR]

Hi Duane.

Can't argue about the road trip costing more than a sailtrip but I've never paid as much as you quote. The fares quoted on the BC Ferries website cover both ferries (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale and Earls Bay to Saltery Cove). Same on the way back.

I bought my boat up near Pender Harbour and lived on that coast for a couple of years. Great sailing area. I think I paid under $Cdn100 each way (about $US10 joking!!!) I know I paid $Cdn125 one way for the Tssawwassen to Schwarz Bay ferry last year. Passengers add a few more bucks of course.

Agree wholeheartedly about keeping the distance within the reasonable limits you propose.

Hope to see you next year.

Geoff
M26X
Victoria, BC

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

From what I read at the website, http://www.bcferries.com/fares/sunshine_coast.html , the fares for a 48' truck and mac, over 7' high, driver, passenger, and three kids as in my family would be $154.05. I see where it says this is return if you are just taking one of the ferries, one way if you are taking both. I think last year I may not have noticed this.

Going to only Pender Harbor and launching would save doubling this fare to $308.10. Then add in the long term parking which when we called around last spring was $125+ for 2 weeks.

Tsawwassen to Nanaimo, which makes the most sense for going up island, is $177.10 one way, $354.20 round trip plus parking.

We decided to save the ferry money and take more time by making the whole trip from Seattle to Princess Louisa in the Mac since we had time to burn. We used the money for a couple stops at resorts along the way.

It was great to cover so much ground and get a feel for the area's where we want to spend more time in the future.

We're looking forward to a un-planned itinerary, go where the wind takes you trip next year.

[Terry]

There have been a few locations suggested for a large rendezvous, some of which have minimal facilities. I have heard mention of "the Admirals needs" some of which need to be more specifically defined. Sucia is a nice location but does not have much in the way of ammenities i.e. no showers or flush toilets, no stores or gas stations, it does have a small dock though, but it is usually full. Sucia is a beautiful State Park with no commercial ammenities which is why many boaters like to escape there. If there are those who enjoy the ammenities of a marina & resort they should make their voice heard so that plans can be made accordingly. The 2004 Wagonneer cruising guide has a very comprehensive description of locations within the San Juans and Gulf Islands to make it easier for one to find a location with their preferred ammenities. Perhaps those who plan to attend should list a few of their priority needs on this thread to make it easier for others to make appropriate suggestions. I'm sure the Admiral is not the only one with certain shore needs. (Yes, I like showers ) Customs (one time) and fuel/supplies are also high priority.
PS. Cost escalates relative to ammenities.

[eworthy]

I posted this to the MYCBC discussion board and repost it here for our US friends to contemplate.
****
This grand flotilla of Macs around the San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands sounds fantasic and I am an enthusiatic supporter of the entire event.

Thetis Island jumps to mind as a place to congregate. There are two largish marinas. I say largish because by some standards these marinas are puny. Let's just not compare them to San Diego. The main island is only a short hop by ferry to the burg of Chemainus and its murals and other attractions. A great places to visit. Chemainus has a summer theatre which also has a large restaurant/banquet facility if a formal dinner is planned. There are several large anchorages in the area for those that wish to anchor out and the marinas have restaraunts, small stores, one has a pub and the other has yummy ice cream. There is also a coffee roasting company that is reported to make some of the best coffee in the world available only on the island or by mail order.

Thetis is North of Salt Spring and is part of the inner protected islands chain.

American boat's coming North from the San Juans would likley clear customs in Sydney or Bedwell Harbour (Poets Cove).

The most northerly of the San Juans is Stuart Island. I have never been there but the local journals report it has several fine anchorages. From there it is a short hop north to Bedwell harbour on South Pender and the Customs Docks. There is a marina there and a provincial marine park with some mooring bouys.

Around the corner is Port Browning, last time I was there the marina was delapidated and nearly bankrupt. It is sheltered except for a SE'er.

Saturna, north east of Pender up Plumper Sound has Lyall Harbour and the excellent Winter Harbour (famous for the Canada Day, July 1st lamb roast) but no marina and limited facilities.

Mayne Island has few if any good anchorages and is best for a day trip.

Salt Spring Island and Ganges is a must visit. Time it for a Saturday and the open air market. Large CROWDED anchorage and several marinas. Best to Visit then run to anchor at one of Prevost Islands' many bays or to Montague Harbour on Galiano.

Galiano does not have much in the way of shoreside services but the marine park and huge anchorage with its smallish marinas could accomodate any number of boats. There is a regular bus to the Hummingbird Pub (it makes special runs for groups) and the provincial campground has several large open spaces where activities could be mounted. The marine park dock allows tie up for those the prefer spending the night tied to something.

North of Montague is Wallace Island but any large group would overwhelm it and its best left to individuals to love and explore on their own. It has no services but there is a small dock in Conover Cove.

North east of there is Thetis/Kuper and my suggested rendezvous spot. Boats can anchor in Clam Bay and motor the 'trench' into Telegraph Harbour where the marinas are. Some of the anchorages are open but if the wind is consistent from any one direction, you can pick a happy spot to stay.

Many folks like Pirates Cove Marine Park on Decoursey but I wouldn't recommend it. Its overused, often overcrowded and has a tricky entrance for newcomers.

Alternately folks could head east from Stuart Island and clear customs in Sydney. This island town is just bustling in the summer. If you are a book lover then you must visit. Well worth an afternoon at any rate. Several Marinas varying in price and convenience to town. Sydney spit opposite is a fascinating spot with mooring bouys but is only sheltered from the south. A westerly or norwester will have you selling your boat after a night hobbyhorsing in the steep swells.

From Sydney, you can head up the west side of Saltspring Island via Sansum Narrows with several wonderfull and sheltered places to visit. Genoa Bay at the south end of Sansum has a small marina and a large harbour. Maple Bay at the north end is rumored to be a delight. (no personal experience here but the local Power Squadron has booked time for major events there.)

Make sure to bypass Crofton and its pulp mill.

Lo and behold your back at Thetis/Kuper/Telegraph Harbour (Central, eh)

I think any visit to the southern Gulf Islands in Canada deserves a stop in Nanaimo as its northern terminus. The small city has many amenities and inner harbour is pretty safe. Newcastle Island Park is a must visit. It has some docks and a floating 'dinghy only' pub. There are many marinas on the mainland side and regular passanger ferry service to and from the park. The park has large picnic shelters and could accomodate a large group for a picnic/pot-luck. There is also a relatively large group of Mac Owner's in Nanaimo and they could join the fun too.


Why don't we start making a list of suitable places that a fairly large group of boats could practically gather?

One note: most of our southern friends will not understand how long the days are here in the summer. In late July the Sun is still up at 9pm and it is dusk for a lonnng time. Plan to make use of all that extra daylight.
***

[Captain Steve]

OK everybody...lets chew on this PRELIMINARY course. I propose the following. In the water at Anacortes. July 25th
25th---Lv Anacortes and cruise to Deer Harbor
26th ---Lv Deer Harbor cruise to Stuart Island
27th---Stuart Island
28th---Lv Stuart and cruise to Otter Bay...customs stop @ Bedwell
29th---Lv Otter Bay and cruise to Ganges
30th---Ganges or close by
31st---Lv Ganges and cruise to Sidney
1st----Lv Sidney and cruise to Friday Harbor...customs stop
2nd---Lv Friday Harbor and Cruise to Blakely
3rd---Lv Blakely and cruise to Anacortes and out

Dates and locations are still flexible, but we should lock down dates ASAP.

Would really appreciate local knowledge on ports, lengths of cruising days, etc. Lets get going... MYCBC people are these dates good for your group? and happy holidays.