2008 Jul 18th-Aug 3rd Seattle/San Juan Island/BC Gulf REDZVS

thunderbird1 said:
We're interested too -- thanks for planning well in advance. My two kids (4 and 10) will be out of school -- the trip should be a terrific adventure for them! Hauling our boat to Seattle will be expensive, so I'll start saving now. I only have an 80 gal fuel tank, so please plan for frequent fueling opportunities. :thumbsup:
Hopefully I will be in a 260 by then as well. There are plentiful fuel stops in the areas we will be going.
Also, I will continue add locations in the itinerary assuming we don't plan on SeaFair. This will minimize the long cruising segments limiting as much as possible huge fuel bills. :thumbsup:

How many mind if a night or two are on the hook?
 
T-Bird: I'll tow both of us with my ski boat and we'll split the cost of fuel for the tow.
 
I'll pass on Sea Fair! I'd rather be out in the San Juans cruising while the rest of the boats are stuck on the lake watching the Hydro's and Blue Angels! :thumbsup:
 
ditto Sundancer: crowds at Sea Fair, not at anchorages!
 
Ok so far here's what we got
2008 San Juan Roster said:
Marqbloq
Sundancer
Just Right
Debt-icated
thunderbird1
If you want to add your self "quote" the List and slip your name in.
Now that it seems we're concentrating on the beautiful San Juan's and BC Gulf islands here's my proposed itinerary:
Friday July 18th
Be prepared to depart 2PM from Anacortes Trailerable boats: Swinhomish Slough or Washington park
Larger Boats needing haul out Capabilites: Cap Sante Marine[/quote] orSkyline
Let's do a quick Cruise 45 mins- 1 HR to Lopez Island. I think a short run will get everyone into the spirit of the San Jaun Islands and enough time in the evening to get to know one another and relax - Lopez Islander
Saturday July 19th
I think we should run up to what I have always considered the jewel of the San Juan Islands; Roche Harbor. Roche Harbor is on the NW corner of San Juan Island. There is quite a bit to see. There is so much history and tradition at Roche it's a sentimental favorite.
Sunday July 20th
Cruise from Roche Harbor on the West side of San Juan Island in the De Haro Straight to Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island. This will be our best opportunity to view the Majestic pods of Orca whales.......also I have not been to Victoria by boat. I will go this summer but I can't wait
Monday July 21st
spend some additional time siteseeing in Victoria then Run to the famous Buchart Gardens................to be con't
 
Neha -

Sounds good so far. I have to get out my old cruising books for the area and do some reading.

One thing that might be nice, especially after a fairly long passage, would be a layover day every two or three days for a little extra relaxing, sightseeing, hiking, etc.

As we get closer to the cruise date, we might want to review Buchart's and the other attractions' calendars to make sure they will have the full run of activities. I remember as a kid having to visit Butchart two days ( a bit much to ask a nine yerar-old) because one exhibit wasn't to open for a couple days and they didn't have the good bands on our first day. Might also be good to visit the major tourist traps on mid-week days to avoid some of the crowds (but still get the whole nine yards!).

Thanks for your efforts!!!
 
Just Right said:
One thing that might be nice, especially after a fairly long passage, would be a layover day every two or three days for a little extra relaxing, sightseeing, hiking, etc.
I agree. So far none of these runs are long by any means so far. I was going to fill up the dates with places and then like you said maybe pick out the ones worthy of a two day stay or whatever and shape the rest of the trip. One thing people can do is do some local.live.comor Google Earth searching for where these places are. In my opinion the most scenic but also limited on facilities are those further North Desolation Sound
8-20-0614-1.jpg

8-20-06.jpg

8-21-062.jpg

Princess Louisa inlet
Caldwell2003099.jpg

and Jervis inlet areas
Caldwell2003059.jpg

ETHNICTRIBALRETREAT05146.jpg

HeadingintoCanada.jpg

We could always run up there first and work our way back south giving us a chance to experience those places for the "Decompression" part of the vacation and come south hitting these places. Like you mentioned I just want to be ahead of the game warning the marinas that a good sized fleet is coming :thumbsup:
 
Todd,

This sounds fantastic! We are part of a small group of "mixed" boaters (various brands between 25-30') here in the Sacramento, CA area that have been doing a 2-week San Juan Islands cruise for years (they do them every other year). They/we are planning the next one for next summer as well! It'll be my wife's and my first trip up there. How awesome would it be if we could meet up with you somewhere along the way!?!? I'll thus be sure to watch this thread!
 
gengiant said:
Todd,

This sounds fantastic! We are part of a small group of "mixed" boaters (various brands between 25-30') here in the Sacramento, CA area that have been doing a 2-week San Juan Islands cruise for years (they do them every other year). They/we are planning the next one for next summer as well! It'll be my wife's and my first trip up there. How awesome would it be if we could meet up with you somewhere along the way!?!? I'll thus be sure to watch this thread!
Sounds great to me! :thumbsup: Get your gang the link and let me know "like above" names and quantities so everyone can plan for it. :smt038 Your Admiral will love it.
On another note, I have received an e-mail inquiring about rocks and other hazards. Yes there are some reefs but very good charts and those with GPS it will not be an issue, plus you'll be following me :smt100 Those of you East coasters or shallow water guys considering the trip.............calibrate your Depth finder to work deeper than 15' :smt017
 
thunderbird1 said:
What is the distance between Lopez Island and Roche Harbor? Roche Harbor to Victoria B.C. ?
Hey T-Bird.
Lopez to Roche 45 mins
and Roche to Victoria (never done it) 1 hour or less.
 
Nehalennia II said:
thunderbird1 said:
What is the distance between Lopez Island and Roche Harbor? Roche Harbor to Victoria B.C. ?
Hey T-Bird.
Lopez to Roche 45 mins
and Roche to Victoria (never done it) 1 hour or less.
These are all relatively short distances. I will try and come up with some good numbers. But two years ago we did Friday Harbor to Victoria, which takes you past Roche Harbor. It was an easy morning trip, except for the water. The crossing was a bit rough, we had to back off plane a few times.

I too vote to skip Sea Fair. I would rather spend the fuel on the San Juans. I also like Friday Harbor, a nice, quaint little town with a wonderful mix of boats in the Harbor.

There is limited mooring space at Butchart Cove. Anyone wanting a mooring bouy should probably be there at noon, as the previous days boats will leave by then. Earlier would be better. Some may find it not worth the fuel to go around the peninsula to get there, but may prefer to stay tied up in Victoria and go to Butchart on the bus. It is only 10 miles or so by bus, much longer by boat. I loved Victoria. Fuel is probably not available on the Butchart side of the Saanitch Peninsula, so you need to plan for that.

On the hook is OK with me too if there is someone to show me the ropes! :grin:

Maybe I will have a reliable anchor and chain by then.

Oh, Jones Island is nice too.

I agree with Todd, distances should not be a problem for fuel. The only time it came up for me was when I expected to get fuel around Butchart Gardens.
 
Nehalennia II said:
Sunday July 20th
Cruise from Roche Harbor on the West side of San Juan Island in the De Haro Straight to http://www.victoriaharbour.org/marinas.php]Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island. This will be our best opportunity to view the Majestic pods of Orca whales.......also I have not been to Victoria by boat. I will go this summer but I can't wait
Monday July 21st
spend some additional time siteseeing in Victoria then Run to the famous Buchart Gardens................to be con't
Todd, your original url for Victoria is improperly formatted.

If you go to Victoria and pass on the west side of Discovery Island, pick your route carefully on a chart plotter before you go, or follow someone who knows the route.

Entering into Victoria, the inlet is fairly long. You must be careful to stay on the east side of the channel, as arriving and departing aircraft (and there are a lot of them) use the west side. This applies for the whole length of the channel from the Strait of Juan de Fuca until you get to the moorage area.

When do you plan to make this first trip?
 
Dave M. said:
When do you plan to make this first trip?
Probably the third weekend of July.

Also yes, Friday harbor I was thinking of on the return trip. Either Roche Harbor or Friday harbor we can use to re-enter the states.
As far as going from Victoria to Buchart Gardens Fuel can be had either at Victoria before we leave or closer to Buchart on the way at Sydney. Since Buchart does not have a large dock for all of us we should stay in Brentwood bay atBrentwood Bay Marina. We can shuttle everyone to the Gardens from there on one boat or two. (There's a small dock) Heading north from there there are several great places.
Genoa Bay Is a nice quiet harbor. No Fuel though a really short run from Brentwood. Another small but nice harbor is Maple Bay literally a 30 to 40 minute run north of Genoa.
MAPLE BAY
Caldwell2003162.jpg

Caldwell2003160.jpg

Fuel is available there.
North of Maple bay about an hour run is Telegraph Harbour. It's a nice quiet place as well. They also have fuel.
From there about another 1- 1 1/2 hours is Nanaimo. A city for sure, any and all replenishment of supplies can be found here.
Ok now from Nanaimo, Google this area. You will see due north of here the Straight of Georgia. So far we have been in well protected waters. To make a crossing from Nanaimo to the Sechelt peninsula and Sunshine Coast area accross the Straight of Georgia it's about 27 miles.
It's a good run but can get nasty. I have done it many times in my little 230 so don't fret. The best times to cross are early before any wind gets going or late in the evening. Crossing can take about 1- 1 1/2 hours.
Once accross
NoWake_Small.jpg

there is Pender harbour, Secret Cove where again fuel or groceries can be had.
HeadingintoCanada.jpg

Further north his is where Princess Louisa, Hotham Sound, the Skookumchuck rapids and just beautiful country is. Egmont is 40 minutes north of Pender Harbour passing
My Unlce's Island
198.jpg


BoysIslandtripretrnMay20-071.jpg

North of here is the famous Desolation Sound. On the way to Desolation we'll pass by Savory Island with white sand beaches andLund
has fuel, moorage and groceries.
Desolation is simply that Desolate, but in a good way. Extremely well protected with no dock or accomodations Prideaux Haven is an ideal anchorage and day or two quiet spot.
8-20-06.jpg

Desolation Sound is about an hour North of Lund.
returning South Places to Stop are any of the places mentioned above we decided not to stay overnight or
Montague Harbour
Ganges
Poet's Cove(aka Bedwell Harbour)
BedwellJun06025.jpg

Back into the states Friday Harbor
Deer Harbor........
we running out of dates yet :huh: Anyway take a look we have lot's of time to sort out the timing.[/img]
 
I am in Mill Creek. My wife and five kids are making this exact trip July 20th from Everett to Nanaimo. We will be gone for two weeks ending with a camping weekend on Spencer Spit (Lopez island). I would be very interested in joining you guys for the same trip nextr year. We did this trip three years ago and only made it to Ganges (Saltspring Island).

Scott
 
smanier said:
I am in Mill Creek. My wife and five kids are making this exact trip July 20th from Everett to Nanaimo. We will be gone for two weeks ending with a camping weekend on Spencer Spit (Lopez island). I would be very interested in joining you guys for the same trip nextr year. We did this trip three years ago and only made it to Ganges (Saltspring Island).

Scott
Sounds great Scott(no pun intended). I hope you can make it as well. Maybe this year we'll see you in the islands :thumbsup:
 

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