Let's talk cruising in British Columbia

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by NedX

Time always permits to geek out on other people's sailing videos. Thank you for sharing.

Trente Pieds, I sail in New England. Weather in Vancouver sounds great.

Plus some rain I expect, minus this stuff:

Not so much, my boat's first "experience" in Feb. 2017: (that's why I said HEAT!!! Friends on his Catalina 36 sailed from Everette to Vancouver and back during this dump!)

[Uricanejack]

I’m told it rains a lot in BC. Can’t say I’ve noticed.
I come from the west of Scotland, it’s all relative. To me it rarely rains here.
If you come from Arizona you might think differently.

Of course I am sitting at home in the SGI listening to a light rain. Did I mention it’s the middle of December.
I was in Ganges this afternoon walking around with just a sweatshirt enjoying a coffee outside a local coffee shop, it was sunny this morning and raining this afternoon.

I might have to shovel snow two or three times a year.

I have had some really nice sailing in February or March.
I don’t have heat on the boat, I would sail more if I did, I am getting wimpish as I get older. More accurately my wife had decided she ain’t coming without heat after October ends.

Wind there is plenty of it, sure summer days have little or none, other a nice fresh breeze.

The South is mostly warm and sunny from April or May int September or even October. The inside is sheltered with relatively easy navigation. Lots of interest places to visit.
I tend to hang out in the SGI or San Jaun’s.
Where I can Usually find a pub, restaurant, coffee shop, within a pleasant afternoons sail.

Or I can go further afield.

The North Coast is spectacular. But you need to be self sufficient.it rains more further North.

August is known as Fogust. Usually burns of by late morning, sometimes it doesn’t.

California Mexico may be warmer and sunnier, But I doubt if they are as interesting.

I do see quite a few “Stick Boats”, each to there own.
Meanwhile.
I am happily sailing, possible into the wind,

On the inside it does tend to be either with you or agin you,
Most likely changing at headlands, or passes

[sv_pelagia]

SGI = Southern Gulf Islands...

Less rain in SGI than around Vancouver. Even more rain northern/western Vancouver Island and, of course, record rain on central and northern coast of BC.

All would agree, snow on the (salt) water in BC is not that common. (But 6°C with rain and 20-kn winds can be damn cold... as we say, a "damp cold"... not like the "dry cold" of the prairies/Ontario.)

[NedX]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Not so much, my boat's first "experience" in Feb. 2017: (that's why I said HEAT!!! Friends on his Catalina 36 sailed from Everette to Vancouver and back during this dump!)

Roger that, cap

[Eder]

I enjoyed my full enclosure and Webasto heat when in the PNW. It was fun sitting in the cockpit in my shorts waving at others tacking about in their foulies.


Lots of chain, big ass anchor and a large freezer to hold the halibut steaks is necessary as well.


Have fun!

[Lepke]

If you like quiet, scenic places, there's no where like it on the East Coast. With a little effort, I anchor in areas with no other boats, no sign of civilization.

[TrentePieds]

NedX:

Another neat thing about Georgia Strait - yes, named for THAT George :-) — is that it either blows UP the strait or DOWN the strait. So out of Vancouver, you generally have a choice: You can do what gentlemen NEVER do, and beat to weather , or you can settle down with a hot toddy (just one, mind!) and run before it :-) Whichever way you go, the scenery is wonderful, and Vancouver Island is the biggest darn breakwater you ever saw! And this time of year the bears are scarce, all snoozing away in their dens.

The Vessel Traffic site: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...y:49.3/zoom:10

is useful for getting a quick look at what happening in the Straits, and the Sand Heads lighthouse at the mouth of the Fraser River gives you more detailed information:

https://www.google.ca/search?dcr=0&s...960&source=hp&.

Just now, as I write, you could be going "up strait" on a broad reach in 15 knots of wind and a temperature of about 50ºF. What more could you ask for :-)?

TP

[NedX]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

SGI = Southern Gulf Islands...

Less rain in SGI than around Vancouver. Even more rain northern/western Vancouver Island and, of course, record rain on central and northern coast of BC.

All would agree, snow on the (salt) water in BC is not that common. (But 6°C with rain and 20-kn winds can be damn cold... as we say, a "damp cold"... not like the "dry cold" of the prairies/Ontario.)

Saved me a Google, Pelagia. Thanks!

Cold, water, dark, foggy. Familiar.

I mentioned in the OP that Vancouver is on a short list. One of the other places is Sicily. Now that would be a change in the weather!

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Lepke

If you like quiet, scenic places, there's no where like it on the East Coast. With a little effort, I anchor in areas with no other boats, no sign of civilization.

Newfoundland.

[redhead]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

All that negativity about the weather!

Why not just be glad that weather forecasting is dead simple in these waters: If you can see the mountains, it's gonna rain. If you can't - it's raining :-).

TP

They have a saying here in Washington "The mountain's out today". Makes me smile.

[NedX]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Newfoundland.

Oh, don't worry, Mike. I'll do a "let's talk cruising in eastern Canada" post soon. It's on the list. Since I'm Canadian.

[NedX]

Originally Posted by redhead

They have a saying here in Washington "The mountain's out today". Makes me smile.

That's a great line.

[evm1024]

I want to amplify the thought that BC sailing is fantastic. I come up from PDX when i have the time.

As noted the weather is just what it is. 100% humidity and 33F is cold.

Rain - I think that it rains here. Around Vancouver Island is great. Rain, fog etc plus all the wildlife, and fantastic views when it is not raining.

As for the West coast of Vancouver Island... (not my words BTW)

There is a great deal of rainfall in Tofino, even in the driest month. The climate here is classified as Cfb by the Köppen-Geiger system. The average annual temperature is 9.4 °C | 48.9 °F in Tofino. The annual rainfall is 3160 mm | 124.4 inch.

[NedX]

Originally Posted by evm1024

I want to amplify the thought that BC sailing is fantastic. I come up from PDX when i have the time..[/I]

I'm still learning Pacific Northwestese. Does this mean you sail from Portland? Or do you fly from the airport?

[evm1024]

Originally Posted by NedX

I'm still learning Pacific Northwestese. Does this mean you sail from Portland? Or do you fly from the airport?

Sail up the coast from Portland.