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Barkley Sound Cruise [:)]

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/29/2007 : 15:14:03

Folks, the Admiral and I would like to cruise Barkley Sound which is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC. It is reported, by Waggoner's crusing guide, to be a terrific sailing ground. It is also somewhat difficult to sail to because it is up the Strait of Juan de Fuca. But, it is possible to trailer there using the ferry! Waggoner's calls it the ultimate trailer boat destination in the PNW.

OK, we want to go. But, we are new to cruising (have lake sailed for 5 years) and want to go with another boat or two or more with experienced PNW sailors. We are open to 1-2 weeks and would prefer June but can be flexible. We have a C250WK. Open to some time in slips, moorings and on the hook. We've been getting the boat ready with a dinghy, suitable ground tackle, etc. We just need some other sailors with more experience to show us the ropes and have a grand adventure. Post here if this interests you and we can go from there.

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2007 : 18:40:51

Rita and I would be interested, but I'd call us novice cruisers as well. Both of us have raced, me much more so than her. We were supposed to take a week long cruising course in BVI last year for our anniversary present to ourselves, but I decided to have emergency surgery instead. Given the choice I think I'd rather have sailed... I've done most of sailing my own boats (as opposed to racing on someone else's) on lakes here in WA & some in CA & FL as well, with the occasional foray out into the sound on my old catamaran.

On a plus note, I just bought 19 charts of Northern Puget Sound and all along Eastern Vancouver Island & Western BC from a guy who's wife would no longer go out with him. He'd sold his boat and was looking to get rid of his stuff. He sold me the charts for $125 which works out to about $6.50 each or so. Unfortunately I don't think any of them are for the south western end of Vancouver (I'll have to look). We also bought a cruising book from him for BC, I'll look tonight and see what it says about Barkley Sound.

Rita and I are planning a trip up to the northern part of the Strait of Georgia, which will involve trailering and taking ferries to get there (Powell River / Toba Inlet). This trip isn't going to happen till 2009, she wants to do it when we've both turned 50. A shorter trip up to Barkley Sound sounds like a good warm up. I entered the route into Mapquest, and they say it's right about 300 miles from our place to get to Ucluelet which seems to be the place to put in?

We have similarly been picking up things to make the boat more habitable, safe, etc. We've got a nice dinghy now, two anchors and rode, and a "new" tiller pilot, but it's not installed yet. The only thing I don't have that I really think the boat needs before a serious cruise (or really just being out in the shipping lanes in the sound) is a radar reflector. I've been reading up on those as well.

Edited by - delliottg on 01/29/2007 18:48:14

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2007 : 19:29:59

David, trailer to Port Alberni which should be closer than Ucluelet. It is a 21 mile cruise down the inlet to Barkley Sound from Port Alberni. I recommend you buy the Waggoner's Guide 2007. It seems to be the Bible of PNW cruising. It is a fun read too. Let's see if we get more bites.

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2007 : 21:56:38

I would suggest a first cruise could be easier if planned for the SJ. I haven't loaded my boat onto a ferry but have heard from motorhome travelers that it is an experience with close packing of vehicles and the expense. I've been on several ferrys, the Blackball from Port Angeles to Victoria, from Anacortes to Sidney, Tawassen to North Pender and it is amazing to see all the trucks and large vehicles that do use the system. Summer traffic is another consideration for your schedule. Fog is a factor you have to plan for as suggested in Waggoner to take navigation tools when you dinghy away from the boat. Anyway just a thought after I read your topic.

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2007 : 15:37:14

I think that cruise would appeal to Liza and I in 2008 or 2009. This year will be our first cruising experience, and I think we will try something out of Anacortez towards the San Juans. I have to take it slow, Liza is still getting used to the whole sailboat thing, and I have only one summer of river sailing experience in my C250WK, and several summers of dinghy sailing 20 years ago.

Keep us posted on anything that anyone plans for the San Juans, and we will look forward to hearing about your Barkley Sound trip.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.