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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Sidney, BC to Anacortes Trip

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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/08/2014 : 18:35:23

Hello,
I recently purchased a 1990 wing keel in Sidney, BC and will be moving it to Anacortes in the next few weeks. From what I've learned so far I should be able to cross over in one day and plan on generally following the ferry route through the Wasp Passage. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, info or tips having never sailed this area.
Thanks, Craig.

'90 SR/WK #6017. PO of '79 SR/SK.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2014 : 19:38:09

Craig & Lorri,
I did a quick calculation of what appears to be the shortest distance between Sidney & Anacortes through Wasp Passage, and came up with around 40 miles. On my boat I know I can cruise economically at about 4.5 knots or push it at 6 knots at the expense of economy. Assuming a C-25 can do the same, you should be able to motor there in less than 10 hours. I can't offer you any particular advice as I've never sailed in that area in my boat (I have in a 35' catamaran, but not the same thing). There are several folks on here who have, so hopefully they'll chime in.

At 4.5 knots my boat burns roughly a quart+ an hour. I don't have a good figure for 6 knots. That's with a relatively new Tohatsu 9.8HP four stroke. 10 hours at a quart+ an hour is roughly three gallons. You want to plan for using a third of your fuel supply to get there, a third as a reserve, and the last third for emergency supply. That works out to roughly 9 gallons of fuel. If it were me, I'd probably bring 12 gallons.

If you plan on sailing/motor sailing expect to take more time to get there. Fortunately this time of year there's plenty of sunlight until 9pm-ish so if you get an early morning start, even allowing for stopping for lunch or other delays you should have plenty of light.

Take lots of pictures!

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/08/2014 : 19:53:19

We motored JD 53 miles to Bimini (too many hills to sail) and it took around 13 hours.

If I recall correctly, we carried 2 5gallon tanks, a 2.5gallon tank and the 3.5gallon locker tank.

Upon arrival, we had about 3 gallons left in reserve plus what was left in the locker.

Biggest issue (other than the hills) was transferring fuel underway.

Paul

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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2014 : 20:56:25

Thank you,
That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. I found a site that said the run could be made in 5 hrs. at seven knots- that's only 35 miles- I'll plan on forty at 4-5 knots, 8-10 hrs. a few weeks before the summer solstice. What about currents sailing east bound? Hazards to watch for? VHF channels?
Thanks, Craig.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2014 : 07:26:54

Our boats aren't capable of 7 knots sustained, our theoretical top speed is 6.7 knots ([url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull_speed"]1.34 x square root of length at water line[/url] 25) = 6.7 knots. You may occasionally attain slightly faster speeds, but that'll be because you're surfing down a wake or some other extraordinary event. Besides if you're trying to go that fast, your engine will be sucking down fuel at an ferocious rate. I'd advise trading time for range and plan for 9-10 hours for your transit. Much better to take a little longer than to be calling for help because you're out of fuel. Besides you're going to be sailing through glorious scenery for the most part, you won't be bored.

The Canadian Coast Guard monitors VHF channel 16 for emergencies just like ours does. You'll find channel 13 useful for bridge to bridge communications with commercial traffic. They're not required to guard 16, and are only encouraged to do so, but if they do, (and I know from experience some don't in the Seattle area, especially tour boats) they must have a completely separate VHF to do so, their main VHF must be on 13.

You should be able to Google tides & current along your route to plan your best dates & times for a smooth transit.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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1144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2014 : 03:50:51

On my C-25 motoring at anything over 6 knots caused the stern to dive deep and the fuel economy to go way down. You should plan on 5.5-6 knots.

The currents on that passage are significant, but the passage itself is enjoyable. I love sailing in the Wasp Islands, but there are some rocks there so make sure to have good charts with you (or a plotter app on a smartphone or tablet).

This is my favorite planning tool, because you can easily see the currents:
http://deepzoom.com/indexSilverlight.aspx#/Views/Boat.xaml

Spots to keep a close eye on, west to east, are:
Spieden Channel (will be running at 4.3 knots against you next Saturday at 10:40am)
Wasp Channel Lighthouse (2.2 knots against you next Saturday at 5:33pm)
Peavine Pass (between Blakely and Orcas, runs up to about 4 knots)
Rosario Strait, measured at Strawberry Island and Green Point, gets going up to 5 knots
Guemes Channel

Next weekend has significant currents and is probably one to skip, currents today are half as strong, and two weeks from now is probably about the same. My general advice is to avoid current passes over 2 knots on a boat that you don't know, even if the current is in your favor. The high velocity water can significantly change the boat control.

The route that you are doing is probably one of my favorite days of sailing available in WA. You'll have a great time, just plan appropriately for it.

You can also go around the north end of Orcas Island, but there are many fewer places to stop should something go wrong. It is a little longer, but the currents are generally weaker.

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ct95949
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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2014 : 10:29:26

Thanks everyone.
I'm used to strong currents on the Sacramento River but there aren't any rocks. I'm pretty much committed to going on Wed. June 4, hope the conditions are good. I do have a chart plotter and I will probably get some paper charts also. Thanks Alex for the link, pretty cool. My biggest problem now may be finding a berth in Anacortes, sounds like there is plenty of transient moorage but almost no seasonal. I found one berth at Skyline but only for a yearly contract.
Craig.

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awetmore
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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2014 : 11:33:12

June 4th looks good. The highest currents are late in the day (around 4-6pm) and are still generally under 2 knots.

This is a hard time to get moorage, good luck finding a berth! Down in Seattle everything is generally booked from now until November.

This book has charts that cover the region well:
http://www.richardsonscharts.com/product_detail.php?id=34

You can pick it up at any local marine shop. It is rarely discounted, but extremely handy to have onboard.

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ct95949
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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2014 : 12:13:03

Thanks for the tip Alex. I have a choice of the boat sitting in mud at low tide with no electric service or dry storage. I think I'll go with dry storage, it's a lot cheaper, month to month and the travel lift fee is not that much. Living in California I don't expect to make a lot of trips anyway before bringing the boat back in the fall.
Craig.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2014 : 08:09:23

Dry storage sounds pretty smart.

Travel Lift fees here can be misleading, power wash is not included and is usually quite expensive. They are required by the state to capture and filter the runoff water from power washing (a good thing) and that usually makes it cost about $150 extra than the published haul out price. If you aren't coming often it still seems like a reasonable option.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5353 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2014 : 20:02:40

I'd suggest plotting your course over time and calculating speed and distance at each hour (sort of like Dead Reckoning in advance). I'd assume a speed through the water at 4.5 kts (not speed over ground!!) and plot your "predicted log" a few days ahead. If you do it 2 days before your trip you can also factor in winds as well.
For example, if you start out at 8AM and you make 4.5 nm in the first hour, put a point there.
Then if you expect a 2 kt opposing current for the next hour, put a point 2.5 nm distant and mark that 10AM.
If you have a 1 kt opposing current in the next hour, put your next mark at 3.5 nm hence marked 11AM.
If you get a favorable current from 11-noon, add that distance.
This approach will give you a prediction of where you expect to be during your passage.
If you find you vary significantly from that course or time during your run, you can make corrections and predict expected currents in subsequent hours later in the day.
It's not rocket science, but it can take some preparations to get right.
Adding wind predictions can be a help too. I've planned a number of kayak and sailing trips in this manner and generally it's pretty accurate.
If you'd like, I can send you a PPT presentation on the technique and an example. Ping me on email for that...

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2014 : 18:28:47

I have much boating experience in the San Juans. Listen to Alex and disregard other comments. The tides and currents on your route are capable of exceeding your hull speed at times. Get a tide table and plan accordingly.

regards.
andy

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