Circumnavigating Vancouver Island

[Amgine]

Maybe we should drop the idea of having a series of group meet-ups, and instead plan on sharing information we're learning about the route and our itineraries? Hopefully boats who are going to be in the areas at similar times can try to arrange meetups.

One of the problems with arranging a schedule is the whole sailing to a sched. Another is spontaneity... I know I really felt I could spend a month or two just sailing in Quatsino Sound.

Heh, I hate to say it, but it sounds like a great idea for a blog - all the sailors who are planning a cruise around the island and/or are doing it. A central place to post articles about ports, anchorages, boat yards, etc. as well as pictures, gps tracks, chartlets...

[s/v Beth]

What if we just start a thread and keep it updated with our daily adventures.
And perhaps we could "meet" at a specific SSB or VHF band for a daily talk. Could be fun.
Kinda like our own decoder ring club.

[Amgine]

I went ahead and started a blog about circumnavigating Vancouver Island. Anyone who's actively working toward that goal for themself is welcome to be added to the site - a place we can cooperate on collecting resources and information as well as having our own individual threads about our personal boats and preparations.

Hope it's useful.

[Stillraining]

Hmmm ...tried to create an account to log into your blog but it told me user name already taken...guess I cant play..I dont want a different name sorry.

[FrankZ]

You could also start a social group right here on CF at http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/groups/

[Jesse]

Has anyone included the timing for a smooth crossing of Nawitti Bar and a full 12hrs of daylight to reach Winter Harbor? There are a limited number of days to do this, if I'm reading my tides and currents correctly they would be July 13~16 28~31 August 12~15 27~28 and after that you get pounded by Nawitti Bar or run out of daylight. In a pinch neap tides over the bar are much kinder to the crew, please don't ask how I learned this.
Jesse

[sailsamal]

Hello all, our boat stayed on the westcoast of Vancouver island for 6 years - Zeballos inlet/Tahsis area. We have sailed from there south to Port Alberni back and forth when we can find the time, before moving back to Campbell river. The westcoast is more rugged, more fish, more crabs, mussels and oysters. I like it better than the eastcoast - more serene and close to nature. My husband knows more because he has lived in the boat all that time. If you have any questions, we will try to scratch our brains to answer. Its been awhile since we left Vancouver in 2002. Depending on weather, do watch out for Esteban Point.

[Amgine]

Finally had some time to do some book research today, as well as reaching out and touching a few people. (Grr... Environment Canada now wishes to charge for every phone call! almost every number is now a 1-900... Weather Porn? What's up with that?)

Anyway, I'm in need of some feedback, especially about the stages article for the Jungles, which is sort of the beginning of a template for future articles. The article is incomplete: the section on winds is not finished writing/researching, and I would expect to build a list of links to information about Islands, channels, anchorages, and points of interest.

And it'd be really great if others were interested in helping out with the research or writing. Posting here or there would be fine... Anyone got pictures?

[Amgine]

Originally Posted by Jesse

Has anyone included the timing for a smooth crossing of Nawitti Bar and a full 12hrs of daylight to reach Winter Harbor? There are a limited number of days to do this, if I'm reading my tides and currents correctly they would be July 13~16 28~31 August 12~15 27~28 and after that you get pounded by Nawitti Bar or run out of daylight. In a pinch neap tides over the bar are much kinder to the crew, please don't ask how I learned this.
Jesse

I actually used the inside route, sneaking inshore of the kelp beds on the Vancouver Island side. The bar wasn't bad that route, though I was quite a bit too early. I still ended up feeding the fishes, but not for an hour or two.

[Jesse]

I've read about a route near to the Van/Isl. shore but till now never communicated with someone who had used it. Please describe it using as much detail as you recall, it sounds like a real time saver and I would love to use it.
Thanks in advance Jesse

[Amgine]

It's not a time saver, other than making you somewhat less bound by the tide schedule.

I don't have my chart for the region, and am going on three year old memories, but here's what I recall.

Cross Goletas from Bull Harbor to the Vancouver Island side. There's a bit of a hook bay, with Sointula Point being the tip of the hook. As you move into the bay you'll see a ginormous patch of bull kelp, which of course is warning you about the rocks which make this bay a stupid idea for anyone trying to anchor.

But, if you work inside the kelp you'll find about 10-15' of water depth inshore from the kelp. Work your way along the kelp, and when you're past the big bed of it there are a couple of off-lying patches to avoid, so you will need to keep an eye forward. I remember thinking that I could probably find a spot to temporarily anchor here, though I don't remember if I was thinking of it as a hiding spot should weather go bad on the bank or if it was for waiting for the tidal slack.

By this time you're quite close to Sointula Point, still not being affected by the current. I don't remember there being any rocks off the point, nor was there a particular tide rip line. I jumped out off the point and immediately slowed to a crawl against the current, but because I was already at the point it didn't take as long to get upstream enough that the current reduced to reasonable levels. A fishing boat from Bull Harbor was coming out while I was beating against the current, and it was seeing it disappearing into the troughs that I realized the waves were pretty big and not just my imagination.

I got to the bar about an hour, hour and a half early, so the current was not anywhere near max. And I got carried once the current changed out to Cape Scott, which really made all the difference in the world. Which doesn't mean the Cook Bank was nice to me... ::

[Jesse]

Thanks Amgine, I'm definitely going to use that route next trip around the island. Nawitti Bar can be a very scary place and the less time spent crossing the better. And I agree that an ebb tide push toward Cape Scott is a real plus when you are trying to make it to Winter Harbor in a six knot boat and anchor in daylight. With a little luck we may see you up there.
Jesse

[haulback]

No need to stress out about the whole Nawitti Bar 'thing'. Just pass outside Hope and Nigei Islands. No drama.

This way you can depart Hardy Bay at 0:dark:30 in the morning (with current under you, if it works out) and get in to Winter Hbr in the late afternoon/ early evening.

There are even a couple anchorages to use on Nigei, Balaklava and Hurst Islands. for and even closer start.

Depending on how much time off I can manage, I may go sailing around the Island as well.

Jim/Haulback

[jackdale]

I just discovered this thread.

I go around three times a year, usually while tecahing a course, but I did Van 360 in 2007 on Carene.

Next year we are planning May 5 -19, July 9-22 and September 3 -17 trips.

I will review the thread and answer any questions that I can. I also hope to pick up some advice as well.

Jack

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Only in large grey ships. You could check this site: Official Website for the 2007 Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race

Have fun

Kevin

You might want to avoid being in the same harbour as these rowdies. The 2009 is scheduled for June 6 -20. There are sponsorship issues, but that might be resolved.

Jack