09/03 - 09/18 - Desolation Sound 2005

What am I missing here. It looks as thought the Tswwassen Ferry goes from the Mainland to the Naniamo area on Vancouver Is. Then you still have to cross the Strait to get to Lund and Desolation Sound. So what are we gaining. Now with the added gas transport issue, I see one more reason to boat up.
 
David - you don't go to Lund at all (unless you want to). You drive to Tsawwassen, which is just over the border, a short hop from Birch Bay - time depends on border crossing, but probably half an hour tops. Then you take the Tsawwassen ferry to Duke Point, a 35 mile ferry ride. Finally you drive up a very good highway on Vancouver Island from Duke Point to Campbell River, or more to likely a resort a few miles south of there called Salmon Point, to launch - a 95 mile drive, or about two hours. This puts you right at the northern end of the Strait of Georgia, staying out of that huge expanse of open water between Nanaimo and Campbell River. It is then a relatively short run over to Desolation Sound from the Campbell River area. You are right near the southern end of Quadra Island, and could pretty much stay out of the Strait all together, going across the lower end of the Sutil Channel. Anyway, from a Campbell River area jump off, you are only about 15 miles from Desolation Sound. This is one tank of gas for the tow vehicle, boat gas for cruising and two $138 ferry rides, next to zero traffic or hassel. That is the way I am looking at it...


Anna Leigh":1qqjzpz4 said:
What am I missing here. It looks as thought the Tswwassen Ferry goes from the Mainland to the Naniamo area on Vancouver Is. Then you still have to cross the Strait to get to Lund and Desolation Sound. So what are we gaining. Now with the added gas transport issue, I see one more reason to boat up.
Click to expand...
 
Pat,

I have used the BC ferry many times and they have never asked about how much gas I had in the boat. Last summer they asked if I had propane and gave me some stick on tags to 'seal' the propane valves.(which must be 'off')

I think the 'two approved containers' refers to 6 gal portable outboard tanks, which are allowed.

What is not allowed are 'gas cans', like 2.5 gal or 5 gal jerry jugs.
 
Pat,
I've had six trips by BC Ferry in the past few years. I've never been asked how much gas I have in the boat. I doubt very much you'd be asked and if you were asked, just fib. Say that you have less than 100 litres. It is very unlikely that it is anything to worry about with built in tanks. Dave, of course, having worked for the BC Ferries would understand it from the ferries perspective and from his safety training he would have received at BC Ferries. A fire onboard fueled by lots of boat gas could ruin the whole day! Of course the next time that happens will probably be the first time on BC Ferries.
The crossing from Campbell River will be easy most times. The only time it may be a bit of a challenge would be the case of a wind blowing from the southeast. In that case it could get as rough as any other stretch. Of course then you'd still have the option of going around the other way.
Ron
 
A comment about gas in the tank on the ferry:

If you fill your tank full, till the nozzle shuts off, then sit in the sun waiting to load on the ferry, the gas could expand and overflow out the vents.
:sad

This would be a fire hazard for sure. :embarrased

So, common sense says only fill to 80% to 90% of tank capacity. :wink
 
About gas prices in BC

Gas is sold by the liter in BC.

To convert to US dollars per US gallon:

Multiply the price per liter by 3.78 to get Canadian dollar price for one US gallon.

Then multiply the Canadian dollar price by the currency conversion factor to get US dollar price per US gallon.

Example: Gas near Nanaimo is 90.9 CDN cents per liter.

.909 x 3.78=$3.43 CDN
$3.43CDN x .8134=$2.79US

Here is a link to a currency conversion site.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

If you use a US credit card in Canada, your card company will convert the Canadian price to US dollars on your bill.
 
Daydream Pat, Larry H, Cute-C and Ron on Meander, thanks to you four for all that valuable information. All of us will find some or many pieces of information therein which will help immensely.

Cute-C, I enjoyed your photos. Several offer an idea of Georgia Strait's expanse. Too, your boat is indeed cute.
 
We just found out that we don't have to be at a niece's wedding in Portland on Labor Day weekend. That got me fired up to start planning our Desolation Sound trip in September. If we leave September lst, and take the ferry from Tswassan to Duke Point, that will put us in Nanaimo that night, and on the water out of Campbell River on Friday the 2nd. We plan to spend at least 14 nights out. I realized with that amount of time, we could explore more than Desolation Sound. At the NW of Desolation Sound is Cordero Channel and the inside passage around much of Johnstone Strait. You have to transit several famous rapids, which make for a timing issue, but it isn't all that far. Then out into Johnstone Strait for 14 miles and you can tuck back into Havanna Channel. From there you have protected water into the phenomenal Broughton Group. The Broughtons are a huge, more remote area that we have visited by kayak. I think in September we could have a lot of it to ourselves. We were thinking about cruising Desolation Sound the first week and then heading for this area, but we could reverse that and go there first and then come back to Desolation Sound. There are good marinas, lodges and coves all along the way so that you can refuel, resupply and choose to anchor out or stay at a dock. Your Waggoner guide will give a good description of the challenges and rewards of the trip.

This trip has us excited. Is anyone else interested in exploring that far afield?
 
Cool, it will be great to have Bessie along! We are only doing the second week, September 10 - 18th. We are wondering where folks will be when we get there and how we will hook up...maybe everyone will be moving on, like you say, to Johnstone Strait or something just as we are getting to Desolation...Cruise Director, how is this going to work? Is there going to be a group itinerary? Are people going to try to stay together or go their own way and only randomly hook up? Is it unrealistic to think that a group like this will even want to stay together for this length of time, sort of like herding cats?



Bess-C":2ze9o8ny said:
We just found out that we don't have to be at a niece's wedding in Portland on Labor Day weekend. That got me fired up to start planning our Desolation Sound trip in September. If we leave September lst, and take the ferry from Tswassan to Duke Point, that will put us in Nanaimo that night, and on the water out of Campbell River on Friday the 2nd. We plan to spend at least 14 nights out. I realized with that amount of time, we could explore more than Desolation Sound. At the NW of Desolation Sound is Cordero Channel and the inside passage around much of Johnstone Strait. You have to transit several famous rapids, which make for a timing issue, but it isn't all that far. Then out into Johnstone Strait for 14 miles and you can tuck back into Havanna Channel. From there you have protected water into the phenomenal Broughton Group. The Broughtons are a huge, more remote area that we have visited by kayak. I think in September we could have a lot of it to ourselves. We were thinking about cruising Desolation Sound the first week and then heading for this area, but we could reverse that and go there first and then come back to Desolation Sound. There are good marinas, lodges and coves all along the way so that you can refuel, resupply and choose to anchor out or stay at a dock. Your Waggoner guide will give a good description of the challenges and rewards of the trip.

This trip has us excited. Is anyone else interested in exploring that far afield?
Click to expand...
 
Pat,
We want to travel with you guys too. I knew that you were going to be there the second week, that's why I said we were flexible on which week we would be in Desolation Sound. I don't know how to organize this either. It seems that even on 3 day weekends in the San Juans people end up going different directions and meeting up by late afternoon. The hard core fishermen are going to want to find the best fishing area, others are going to want to explore, still others are going to want to sit and visit in the sun tied to a dock. We want to travel with the C-Brats, but it's such a big area and big block of time that we may have to have rendezvous points on certain dates.
 
Desolation Sounders,

How about meeting at someplace like Gorge Harbor Marina, in Gorge Harbor, Cortez Island? They have guest docks, fuel, store, etc. Gorge Harbor is not far from Salmon Point Marina. Gorge Harbor also has anchorage room for those who want to swing on the hook.

We could meet there on Sunday Sep 11, to allow everyone time to drive, launch, and travel from their starting location. Since this is after Labor Day Weekend, the crowd should be thinned out.

After a good dock party and pot luck dinner we can decide where to go and where to meet up later in the week. :teeth
 
Bess-C,

The Broughton Archipelago is an excellent cruising area.

I would recommend driving to either Port McNeil or Telegraph Harbor and bypassing the Johnstone Strait. The weather in the Johnstone can be very difficult and may require waiting for the wind to ease. I (and lots of boats) was holed up there for 5 days one summer waiting for the westerly wind to quit.

Port McNeil is only 3 to 4 hours north of Campbell River on a good two lane mountain highway.

Here is a link to my photo album with pictures of that area.
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php
 
It looks like most folks are driving to the Campbell River area, are there anyone who is thinking about cruising up? I was hoping to cruise with some other boats but it appears that most are not.

Fred
 
Believe or not, we are still on the fence...but we are only doing the second week, the 10th - 18th. I think David is doing the same. When are you going, Fred?


Anita Marie":272kpt12 said:
It looks like most folks are driving to the Campbell River area, are there anyone who is thinking about cruising up? I was hoping to cruise with some other boats but it appears that most are not.

Fred
Click to expand...
 
Pat, we may not be able to leave till the 6th because of my job. I am trying to get the weekend off so we can leave on the 2nd but that does not look promising.
Spending all that money for a ferry ride would buy a lot of fuel and it sure is alot more enjoyable on the water than the pavement.
 
Larry,

We spent a week along Johnstone Strait with a kayaking group a few years ago. The second day I was ever in a kayak we crossed it. I thought the currents were pretty strong, but I was too uneducated about it's reputation to even be scared. I put my faith in the guide who had guided on it for 7 years. In a week I saw several of it's moods. From glass calm drifting amongst 50 orcas to blowing so hard the other person in a 2 person kayak couldn't hear you even when you shouted.

I've been out of Telegraph Cove, and that would probably be easier than the Strait. However, the stretch between the Cordero Channel and Havanna Channel is only about 14 miles with a couple of places to get off if necessary. I'd like to try it. An hour or two in good weather, and as you warned it could be 2-5 days if the weather goes wrong. If most people are going to show up later in the trip we might shoot through Desolation Sound and head north early. That would give us a few days to explore the Broughtons and still allow enough time to get back and meet up with the C-Brats if the weather goes bad.
Lyle
 
Pat, Lyle and Larry, I agree with all of you. Pat, yep, this could be like herding cats alright. That's why I don't think we should choreograph this cruise too completely. I expect people will eventually want to go in different directions for diverse reasons. That's normal, and encouraged as far as I think. Lyle, I think going to see the Broughtons is a great idea, and those who want to go there will see a wonderful place. I don't think I'll go any further north than Blind Channel this year. If I'm to explore the Broughtons, I think I'll do what Larry suggested and trailer to Port McNeil.

My drive is mostly to get us away and up to Desolation and environs. Once there, whatever people want to do is cool with me. My ego is a non-factor, and I won't take my ball and go home if people don't play like I want. My agenda simply is to get us there. Larry has the most recent and extensive experience, and his ideas are all very good. In fact, he's been voted the new Cruise Director!

Having said that, before the jailbreak I think we might like to spend, say, the first three days together. Soon enough most will have must-see places we'd like to visit, perhaps alone or with whoever agrees. And my experience has shown Brats to be quite independent explorers. I've worried unnecessarily about others, and learned ya'll are perfectly self-reliant, thank you. Personally, I'd like to poke around at a pace that doesn't leave me needing to get home for a good rest. Nine years ago I spent four great weeks motoring around Desolation. Two weeks will be nice, and the area has plenty to keep us busy. Heck, I could easily spend two or three days at Roscoe Bay, Prideaux Haven, Tenedos and Pendrell Sound.

Larry, meeting at Gorge Harbor is a good idea. You'd mentioned September 11. I think Gorge could work for the Sept. 2-5 earlier arrivers as well. Too, I like Refuge Cove as a rendezvous site.
 
Catman,

Don't abdicate your throne on my account! At this point I cannot accept being cruise director. I am not 100% sure about my schedule for September yet. I am just putting some info on the board for people to consider.

I agree that this herd of cats and brats will probably go off in diferent directions.

The docks at Refuge Cove are first come, first docked. Sometimes its hard to get one space there, let alone several. However, after Labor Day the traffic slows down so it may not be a problem.

We hope to visit Cordero Lodge and Blind Channel also. That part of the trip requires going thru the Dent/Gillard/Yuculta rapids. Not a problem at slack.
 
Well, we will be quite disappointed if when we arrive on September 10 or 11 the group is all spread out all over the area with no plan for a rendevous...how about a rendevous point for Sunday the 11th at least?
 
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