Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

[MajBach]

Hi, everyone! I've visited the area many a times and always wanted to take my boat there. Well, this month I will be. I only have a 17' DC with a 90hp, but I use it like a mobile tent and I am quite experienced in rough water (I'm a Fishery Officer). I know I am pushing the limit of open water with that size of boat but I am also a float plane pilot so I can read the weather and conditions too. Suffice to say that I play is safe.
Now that the waiver is out of the way this is what my initial plans are:
I would like to launch somewhere up the Fraser so that I can slowly cruise into Vancouver - maybe hit Granville Is market. Providing the weather is good, I want to skip across to Victoria and eventually work my way up the coast to Nanimo - maybe further if time permits (10 days) and then back down again on the eastern coast. I might even look into heading state-side too. An alternative plan includes taking the ferry across to the island and heading up the coast instead of crossing the straight.
What I am hoping to find here is some advice on places to launch and keep the trailer, marinas or harbours to lay up for the night, (most importantly) points of interest and must see's. If weather turns lousy along the trip, we'll rent a car somewhere.
This is also my first time running my aluminum in salt or tidal waters so any precautions I should know about (how do you tie off to a dock)? Also important are some rules of the road for traffic and ferry crossings that are obvious to locals but not to newcomers. Are there any other forums a little more specific to this area?
No reply is too long or too short. I've done a bit of Google Earth research but it's so inundated with info it's almost impossible to sort through.
Thanks a heap in advance!

Oh, I almost forgot. Fishing tips without using downriggers.

 

[caken]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

Ooohhh finally a topic I can provide some help with and not the other way around

So I have been going up to Vancouver Island for about 25 years now every summer. It is probably one of my favorite places around. Our usual trip starts off by driving up to Vancouver and taking the ferry across from Tsawwassen or Horseshoe (departure) Bay which are both close by Vancouver. I do not have a lot of info on cruising from Washington, but this is definitely an alternative if you would like to spend more time by the island.

We take the ferry to Nanaimo where you have the option of going to a lot of places. Our boat is stored up in Campbell River which is about a 2 hour drive north. They have a fresh water marina there where you can stay overnight and head out during the day to do some fishing (make sure you check the tides and only go out if it is high) Ask for the red and green cans at the south end of Quadra Island. You can usually see plenty of boats fishing there. The is a great fishing/tackle shop in town (river sportsman) where they are super friendly and can provide a lot of helpful information. From Campbell River you can get to so many amazing places that are on the inside passage with not too much crossing of the straight.

Also Port Mcneil and Port Alberni have some great fishing. When are you planning this trip?

Oh and one more thing...If you plan on driving up the island take the scenic route and not the inland island hwy. It is an amazing drive that takes a bit longer, but well worth it.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

Well as a Vancouver Islander I can safely say you have picked one of the very best salt water places in the world to safely boat. (safe in terms not only the Georgia Straight waters but from an political, etc standpoint...hey it's Canada).
That said, there is a marine campground directly off Swartz Bay on the Victoria/Southern Vancouver Island side. It is located on a small island. I haven't been there but I've heard lots about it.
As you go up Island check out Cowichan Bay (marine overnighting no problem as well as free launching). Then check out Maple Bay...same thing. Try out the Gulf Islands including Salt Spring Island (lots to do there in the Town of Ganges which right on the water and it has 2-3 Ferry access points).
The places to launch, stop, boat, eat, sleep are pretty much endless. If you want to do some fresh water boating try Shawnigan Lake, Sproat Lake or Campbell Lake up Island.
Caken makes some very good points about up island stop over points.
The island is about 500km long (about 300 miles) and has about the same land area as Switzerland so you should find something to do. As well, it has some of the very best rain forest scenery in the world...just a little harder to get to out on the West Coast on the Island (where you don't want to boat in a 17'er)
All Good and ENJOY!!!!!
BP

 

[MajBach]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

thanks! keep it coming.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

maj,
check this out,great read and he did it in a 19' er with a dog

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Smal...1912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1251230588&sr=8-1

woosterken

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

Hi I live In Nanaimo but used to live in Vancouver.
If you launch in Fraser river and go around to granville island with 3 hour free moorage you will love it!
You can also launch in False creek
In Nanaimo There is a great place to camp, dock and anchor called Newcastle island There is a shower and very close to the city of nanaimo for supply's and a nice marina with 3 hour free moorage
I would take the ferry to Nanaimo....thats a large body of water...Here is a list of must see places imho
Silva Bay Marina Shower-Nice Patio
Smugglers Cove-Secret Cove-Shower
Pender Harbour-Garden Bay
Lund-Showers-Savory Island
Cortez Island
Desolation sound-Very sheltered-Check out Tenedos Bay
Gulf islands too very sheltered must have tide book...and go through at slack tide
I hope you enjoy the trip and please be careful

 

[rbh]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

sounds like a great trip, our neighbours have been pulling their 22 cobalt down to the coast from the okanogan every 2nd year to get some salt water time and they also put in on the fraser, then over to the island.
I worked in port albernie a couple of months back, and thought that if we go with then next year I would try and arrange for trailering from parksville or Qualicum beach over to port albernie as its about 45 km.
then you can go out the "canal" to the broken island group and bamfield.
could be a great trip.
rob

 

[captainbr]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

We have lived and boated professionally from Sidney for the last 30 years.

The park that Bigprairie1 mentioned is Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island. The Island has two anchorages with a dinghy dock at each location. There is also a campground on Sidney Island with good anchorage and sandy beaches. This is about three miles from Sidney. http://www.sidney.ca/

I would suggest that you come across the Strait of Georgia from Tsawwassen to Swartz bay which is just north of Sidney. VanIsle marina has a launch ramp.

For information contact Parks Canada
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/gulf/index_E.asp
who administer the Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve

Also contact BC Parks as they have a number of marine parks
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/recreation/marine_parks/marine_parks.html

We have some detailed information at BC Boating Forum - Destinations
http://www.cruising.bc.ca/boating_forum/index.php/index.php?board=2.0

As for tying to a dock, most places have floats so there is nothing special to do.

The Collision Regulations do apply.
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Regulation/C/C.R.C.,_c._1416.pdf
Per the Regulations, a ferry will sound a prolonged blast before departing the berth. They will also contact Vessel Traffic Services on VHF. Be aware that the Spirit class ferries between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay have a service speed of 19.5 knots and some of the large ferries will be over 20 knots so they come up on you very quickly.

If you do not have a VHF radio, I would strongly recommend that you obtain one. I have a Standard Horizon HX850S which has a GPS built in, waterproof and it floats. It would allow you to monitor the weather forecast, contact marinas, most are on channel 66A and to monitor Victoria Vessel Traffic Services on Channel 11. Vancouver Traffic is Ch 12 and Comox is CH 71
For coverage areas see http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/e0003906

 

[oops!]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

dont forget to boat around the tip of the island...!....to victorias inner harbour.....and then to race rocks light house.......watchout for the race channel...it gets rough quick.....but at race rocks....there is about 200 elephant sea lions sunning them selves on the rocks..the animals are huge....over 12 feet long each one !..a once in a lifetime experiance.....really cool....

 

[MajBach]

Re: Vancouver and V. Island trip planned - advice sought.

This is great info folks! thanks! We launch tomorrow!