Desolation Sound

El and Bill

New member
Anyone thinking of going north to Desolation Sound in this summer? We're heading up to the San Juan's after Lake Powell, and will probably keep moseying to the north.
 
Looks like May will be the best time for us -- maybe two-three weeks. Maybe up through the Gulf Islands, and then across. Doing the plotting for the cruise now.
 
Another possibility would be from mid-June to mid-July, but we've been thinking it might be more crowded up there in that later time frame. Would May be a quieter time? What do you nor'westers think?
 
It really is a big area -- and June and July are busy, but there are lots of little places to get away from the yachties... definitely worth a trip or two, or three.

Dusty
 
Hi El & Bill,

Like Fred and Robbin, we're going up to Desolation Sound after the Blakley Island gathering. Compared to the crowds here in Cannon Beach it would be quite layed back. Any thought about coming down our way on one of your trips? As I said before, we have room in the driveway for the boat and room in Dugan's Roost, our little quest house, for you to spend some time off the boat and stretch the legs before heading out. A great stop after a long run down the big river.

Tim
 
Dusty -- when we get up your way, we need some good ol' chats over a mug of coffee at EQ -- and maybe a little puttin' around together. El says she needs a Dusty "fix" -- see you in May.
 
Tim --
After Blakley won't work for us, unfortunately. We have our annual family gathering (in Colorado, this year) -- sixteen of us, now, and lots of Grandkid "messing around" to do.
We remember your kind invitation for a visit -- and Dugan's rest sounds great -- we plan to start down the Columbia from Lewiston, ID about August 20 and an r&r at "the rest" might be just perfect after the weeks of cruising down the Columbia.
Thanks for the suggestion ... the Oregon coastal country is a real favorite of ours and we look forward to meeting you two.
 
Longer answer. See page 28 in Waggoner Cruising guide.

"As a practical matter, Canadian authorities do not enforce U.S. radio license laws, and U.S. authorities are not going to follow a boat into Canada. In other words, there's no enforcement. We have our station license, however, and would not be without it, enforcement or no enforcement. We recommend that our readers do the same."

And old Dusty agrees.

A Restricted Radio Operator permit IS required.

If you want more just email me, and I can give you the full BS treatment.

Dusty
 
PS_Rick and Sawdust,

Yes, a license is required. And yes, you need a Restricted Radiotelephone Operators license.

I have heard that the FCC monitors VHF channels while US boats are in Canada, and they can send you a ticket by mail. I recall a report some years back where a Seattle boat received a ticket by mail. They had not even been in Canada, but their boat name was the same as the one the FCC monitored. Is this true or urban legend?

In this post 9/11 world, I would bet that the FCC is monitoring everything they can.
 
Larry,

Agree 100% - they are both required - and no reason not to have them. I've not heard of a citation of a U.S. vessel while in Canadian waters, but it is very wise to be safe.
My old operator's license is sure getting brown around the edges!

Duster
 
Dusty,

I'd hang onto that Restricted Radiotelephone Operators permit.

Maybe have it laminated.

It now costs $50 to get that permit!

I got mine way back in the 80's when they were free.
 
Larry,

Another often ignored Canadian requirement -- "Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length must carry a radar reflector (when essential for its safety) within radar navigation areas -- unless such installation is not feasible."

In layman language I think this means that in a low visibility situation and you do not have a reflector - and you are involved in a collision - hang on tightly to your wallet if you survive the collision.

Best answer is probably stay out of the fog (tough in Canadian waters), and if you go there have a reflector. It's always smart to have one in our area.

Dusty
 
Hi all,

Here's some information about the Desolation Sound Area.

Lund is a very small town at the end of the highway, and just south of Desolation Sound. Its a two ferry ride trip starting at Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver.
When we stopped in last year(by boat), they had a longterm paid parking lot, hotel, restaurant and bar, a small bakery, small store, fuel dock, and public marina, and launch ramp.

This is the end of the road and jumping off spot for many seasonal residents and trailer boaters.

By trailering to Lund you can avoid the long run(on the water) up from Vancouver or the Gulf Islands.

In Desolation Sound itself, The major 'town' for supplies is Refuge Cove. They have a store, fuel dock, hamburger stand, showers and laundry, water, propane, post office, and telephone. The access is by boat or float plane. There is a government dock where you can stay overnight.

Across the water(two miles), is Squirrel Cove. This is a well protected large, anchorage with only a narrow entrance.

If you have made a long run and are tired, these two places are easy to access and safe from most weather.
 
C Pelican will be cruising Lake Powell May 20 to May 30. We will then directly be going to Poulsbro, WA for Trawler World Fest, where I will be giving a lecture on Medicine at Sea on June 5. After that we will be cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands. I will be on the Northwest boaters Ham radio net (3865 mhz at 0800 PDT call sign KA6PKB). We will leave the boat in Sequim for the summer and then return in the fall to cruise the S. West Coast of Vancouver Island.

We have been to Desolation sound 6 times, but always in May/early June or Oct. It has been great and uncrowded these months. There are lots of places to take a small boat as the C Dory into.
 
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