Juan de Fuca Advice

[Captain Mack]

We are planning a trip from Seattle out Juan de Fuca and up the west coast of Vancouver island. We have a 40 foot with twin cummins 370 hp. We are looking for advice on routes, ports, or anything that will help us with this trip. I would rather not learn the hard way. Thanks for the advice.

[gmau]

I would recommend getting a Waggoner's crusing guide. Home | Waggoner Cruising Guide

They list all the stops that are along the route you want to take.

How far you plan to travel in one day would help?

West side of Vancover Island can get rough with some big rollers (open Pacific ocean)!

[Cheechako]

That's a great trip for sure. So much to se up there. My approach has been to go to Pt Townsend. Head out the south / US side with the tide to Pt Angeles. Next day, Head either accross with an outgoing tide, or one more jump up the US side with the tide. Often in summer, you will need to wait for the fog to clear which may be until noon. (i dont like freighters!) so maybe head out on the US side with the tide until it clears and then jump accross. Or rely on your radar if you have it. There isnt much once you get North of Brooks Penninsula on the outside and for me not worth the bashing you might take in the afternoon. Lots to do south of there anyway. In all cases, leave as early as possible as the Straight can whip up 35 mph in the afternoon in the summer at times. You can go clear to Neah Bay and cross, but I usually made it from Port Angeles to Barkeley in one day. There was a customs check-in at Bamfield... hopefully still is.Watch for Purse Seiners on the Canadian side in the am fog, if you come back on that side.
Be sure to spend time in Barkely Sound and go up to the end of Pipestem inlet for a night...Limited space at the very end, so go early. Beautiful!