Vancouver > Sunshine Coast or Gulf Islands

[daedaluscan]

Sorry I don't know any docks in Vancouver, but in Gibsons you could stay for a week i think. Bus to Vancouver. and you would be on your way a bit further?
Not too cheap though.

[Amgine]

Actually, I wouldn't suggest leaving a boat for any amount of time at anchor without someone aboard. I don't know of any safe anchorages near Vancouver where you could do that, actually.

Probably the least expensive, but not very convenient, tie-up option would be Shelter Island Marina in the lower arm of the Fraser River. Because it is so far up the river you will spend a number of hours motoring against the current: you will seriously want to make sure you are on a rising tide. It is possible to bus from the marina to the train station in downtown; it'll cost $5.50, and may involve a couple of transfers. Otherwise you could just call a cab. If you do decide to try Shelter Island DO NOT try to enter the marina between Lion and Don islands: you will run aground. Go upstream of Don Island and carefully approach, watching the depth sounder very closely because it's been a while since they've dredged up there.

Other options include Lynnwood or Mosquito Creek marinas, on the north shore, or better yet Gibson's Landing (which will involve catching a ferry to Horshoe Bay and a bus or cab to the trainstation from there.) Gibson's Landing would be the best choice, imo, being another day up the coast from from Vancouver, but will take the same amount of time to get to as Vancouver from Seattle. It's possible to get from Point Roberts to Gibson's in a single day on my little boat, but it's a very looong day.

[brian ritts]

Thanks for the tip. Think I'll look into Gibsons Landing especially if it will take the same amount of time to reach Vancouver.

[jcrozier]

what would be a good route with layovers, if we wanted to get from gibsons to Desolation Sound with a 9.9 hp motor, yet not travelling at night? how long would it take?

[daedaluscan]

Thats easy, Gibsons to Smugglers cove is the longest stretch, about 20 miles I think. I have anchored in a little breakwater just south of Sechelt, but it is not very interesting. From Smugglers there are lots of options for short days, Pender harbour, Quarry bay, Green Bay if you go up the inside, there is a group of Islands whose name escapes me off the North of Nelson Island opposits Scotch fiir point which are nice (As is Scotch fir point) Then Powell river, or better Texada yacht club docks, or Blubber bay on the North of Texada. Or if you go around the south/west side of Texada then go to Jedediah which is lovely, Mouat bay on the West of Texada is also nice. Lund, Savary if it is southerly off the beach, Copeland Islands and then you are around into Desolation (which is not so aptly named).

But if you go further north then even more options, less people and better fishing.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by jcrozier

what would be a good route with layovers, if we wanted to get from gibsons to Desolation Sound with a 9.9 hp motor, yet not travelling at night? how long would it take?

The time depends on your cruising speed and how much of the day light hours you want to use.

From Gibsons - your first anchorages are Smugglers Cove or Thormanby Island (20 miles)

Blind Bay (15 miles)

Lund (25 miles) reprovision and breakfast at Nancy's bakery. You are then less than 10 miles from Sarah Point.

You might be able to do Gibson's to Blind Bay in one leg.

So - it looks like 2 days at least.

Jack

[canuck1955]

Originally Posted by brian ritts

Thanks for the tip. Think I'll look into Gibsons Landing especially if it will take the same amount of time to reach Vancouver.

If you choose Gibsons, please post here. I have my boat moored in Gibsons Landings. I just bought it (my first boat and 54th birthday present to myself). There are 3 marinas (docks) available. Gibsons Marina, Gibsons Harbour Authority and Smittys. There is also some anchorage available.

Leaving your boat alone. Well Gibsons is a small town, mostly honest people. I left Gibsons to head home (I live 75 km away). Waited for the ferry for an hour and half and just as it arrived realized I left my bag on a bench. It had my computer, Video Camera, Digital camera and clothes in in it. I drove back, found the the bag untouched along with my cold coffee. Nothing touched. Can't say its 100% honest there all the time but I had a good experience.

Its about 10 minutes by car from Gibsons to Landsdale (Ferry Terminal), then a 40 minute ride on the big boat to Horseshoe bay. Then a 40 minute drive to Vancouver. Of course in the summer it can be a 3-4 hour wait at the ferry terminal (driving your own car), bus will take you from Gibsons to Landsdale, onto the Ferry and into Vancouver.

The bus fares are strange. The ferry only charges to go from Vancouver to Gibsons, you return for free. So if you start at Gibsons, you get a free boat ride, but to return it costs you $11.00. Add Malaspina Coach Lines (BUS) and it will cost you $19.00 to ride to Vancouver and $30.00 to return to YOUR boat.

Depending on when you arrive in Gibsons, its possible I might be heading back towards Vancouver ! ! ! !

Gibsons does have some nice restaurants and is a very quaint, quiet town, left over hippies, retirees, laid back and slow.

Gibsons Marina 1-604-886-8686
Shower, washroom, laundry

Pumpout, fuelbar 100M (meters) at government dock.

[Maggie-K]

When I was on Bowen Island ( just north of Vancouver) I used to really enjoy heading north to Desolation running at night . It's very peaceful and all the Bayliners are sleeping, Only commercial traffic on the water which you can monitor on the radio. The wind commonly dies at night so it's usually motoring over calm seas , as I recall it's around 75 miles so 15 hours at 5 knots. Leave around supper time and get there around Lunch time. Twice I had dolfins in my bow wave jumping in the phosphorescence.

[highseas]

Lots of logs and deadheads floating around right now in that area,night travel might not be such a good idea.

[DRS]

Originally Posted by jcrozier

thanks for the tips everyone. I think i need to consult some charts now

1-Vancouver to Pumper cove on Keats Isl.
2-On to Smugler Cove just south of Pender Harbour.
3-Next stop Harmony Islands in Hotham Sound.
4-Then on to the beaches on Savory Island
Just my thoughts. Been to all of them and they are great.
So many places so little time

Will be heading that way mid August as well

[Amgine]

There's always a bit more floating stuff to avoid during spring tides, and least during the neaps. There's more wood off rivers and inlets with larger outflows, less near quiet fjords and inlets.

For the trip north, be cautious near the Fraser, Burard, less worried near Howe and Jervis. (Which is odd, since there's a big plant in Howe Sound, but I rarely see much slash or log when crossing the mouth.)

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Amgine

There's always a bit more floating stuff to avoid during spring tides, and least during the neaps. There's more wood off rivers and inlets with larger outflows, less near quiet fjords and inlets.

For the trip north, be cautious near the Fraser, Burard, less worried near Howe and Jervis. (Which is odd, since there's a big plant in Howe Sound, but I rarely see much slash or log when crossing the mouth.)

In one 48 hour sail I managed to hit two logs; one near Merry Island and one west of the cement plant on Texada.

Jack

[DRS]

There is a series of four books by Anne and Laurence Yeadon - Jones that make excellent cruising guides for the San Juans and BC coast. There is an older series by Bill Wolferstan as well. Both offer great info on the area. I do no know if the Wolferstan series has been updated my are dated 1987. Good aerial shots of anchorages to give you the "lay of the land" so to speak.
Recomend either set to anyone thinking of spending some time in our part of the world

[cwithboat]

Originally Posted by jcrozier

Any tips on whether the Sunshine coast is a worthwhile cruising destination when you have about 8 days in August?

Suggestions?

On Texada Island Anderson Bay on the southern tip is a quiet anchorage well sited for small craft and very well protected. Vandana (to the north) is a small town worth a walkaround (some of the gardens are lovely) and a chance to restock your beer supply at the town store.