- What is the level of interest in such a cruise?
- Get there quickly or smell the roses: how many miles do people want to cover each day?
- Marinas or anchorages, or some combination of both?
- Alternative routes?
- Other issues/questions?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Summer Cruise to Desolation Sound
We (Tracer) are planning to lead a cruise to Desolation Sound this summer at the end of July. To provide some theme, we thought it might be fun to retrace the (little-known) expedition of HMS Plumper, which explored the bakeries of coastal BC in the mid 19th century. We envision this would involve stops in Bedwell, Harbour (by dinghy to the bakery in Port Browning), Ganges, and Nanaimo before crossing the Strait of Georgia and on to Desolation Sound. Boats with less crusing time available could peel off from the flotilla in the San Juans, Gulf Islands, or at any point further on. Some planning questions come to mind:
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Tom, Jean, and Tunie on Andromeda are very interested in this cruise. We normally smell the roses along the way as our mutt needs periodic bio breaks, but we can put in longer days if need be to take advantage of weather, currents, etc. We like to anchor or tie up to buoys unless we are putting in a very long day, in which case it is nice to have a marina with bar and restaurant to come into.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know total time estimated for this trip and what route you are proposing.
Unless there is forecast bad wx in the Strait,it would be efficient to take advantage of the strong ebb to head North up and out of Puget Sound, then take advantage of the flood to push us across the Strait and into the San Juans. This could be done in one very long day, or we could overnight at Edmonds Marina and do it in two easy days. The following day we could check in at Bedwell Hbr after an easy 25 mi day. The following day at Ganges after another easy 15 mi day. Then up Trincomali Channel to Decourcy Isl after an easy 25 mi day. Then an easy 15 mi trip to Nanimo thru Dodd Narrows. Then a long 55 mi trip to Comox thru Baynes Sound, followed the next day with a 45 mi passage across the Strait of Georgia to Desolation Sound. Although this is a little slower than we would normally do the trip, I believe that it is doable for a six-knot vessel and it will probably be less stressfull than covering maximum distance each day. Daphne and I also like to anchor out or tie up but we usually stay in marinas in at least Nanimo and Comox to relax, take on fuel and water, dispose of trash, etc. I think the trip to Desolation, as described above, would take about eight days. Of course we are open to other options, and I think the miles/day comfort level of the participants will be the controlling factor in determining how long the trip will actually take. Daphne and I plan to spend about a week in Desolation Sound before heading back to Friday Harbor, where we have family commitments in August. Sorry for the delay in getting back with you, my charts were on the boat.
ReplyDeleteSloe Tango is interested. Your plan is probably a good pace, but is actually a bit faster than we usually go. We would want to spend no more than 3 weeks round trip. The Comox route would be new to us. We've gone to DS only once before - went south of Texada Island to Secret Cove, then north. We're interested in learning from your experience. And we like bakeries - maybe one small step healthier than one of our prior cruise themes (looking for pubs with the best onion rings).
ReplyDeletePat and I may be available to join in the group cruise. Sue
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