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2008 Edition,
$21.95 U.S.
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Author Bob Hale talks about cruising the Northwest. |
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PLANNING A NORTHWEST CRUISE: Continued
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About Customs, Chart & Publications, Equipment, Clothing
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Customs. Customs must be cleared whenever the U.S.-Canada border is crossed, either direction. Generally the process is quick and straightforward, but if the skipper isn't prepared with the proper information, it can be time-consuming. It is extremely important to follow all the rules, and be polite. While Customs officers are trained in courtesy and usually are cordial, they have at their disposal regulations that can ruin your day. (Shown right, Customs office at Bedwell Harbour, B.C.)
About charts and other publications. To keep the Waggoner informative and up-to-date, we have stuck our nose into nearly every port, bay, cove and notch along the coast. In the process, we have become staunch advocates of nautical charts and navigation publications. We now own more than 200 charts, and use them constantly. A good selection of charts not only will keep a boat out of trouble, but will let you enter places you wouldn't want to try without the chart.
Annual tide and current tables are essential. The U.S. Coast Pilot and the Canadian Sailing Directions should be considered essential. U.S. and Canadian light lists will be useful. We subscribe to the U.S. Notices to Mariners and the Canadian Notice to Shipping and Notices to Mariners, and find them extremely helpful. No charge for either one. Contact the respective Coast Guard offices.
An astonishing amount of information exists about this coast and safe navigation around it. I have trouble understanding the mentality that will invest great sums on the boat and its fuel, then scrimp on charts and other navigation publications. Actually, the money has nothing to do with it. The rocks, tides and weather are indifferent to the amount spent on any boat. They treat all boats equally.
Necessary equipment. The marine supply industry can provide useful boat equipment for as long as you care to pay for it. I happen to be a boat equipment junkie. Each year, our sturdy little research boat Surprise settles deeper on her marks as yet more gear is brought aboard.
I feel that the minimum navigation equipment for safe cruising could be reduced to just five items: a high-quality compass, adjusted by a professional compass adjuster; a quality hand bearing compass; a depth sounder or fish finder; a VHF radio with a good antenna; and a radar reflector. Of course, complete Coast Guard safety equipment is a must.
But I know a couple who cruised around Vancouver Island on their 26-foot Folkboat equipped only with a bulkhead compass, a hand bearing compass, complete charts, a radar reflector and a large Bruce anchor. Nothing else, not even a depth sounder. For depths they used a leadline.
Surprise has a few extra pieces of equipment: GPS, Loran, radar, autopilot, two VHF radios, handheld VHF radio, Steiner binoculars, two cabin heaters, inverter, microwave oven, survival suits...the list is embarrassingly long.
Clothing. Except for Desolation Sound in the summer, the waters in this area are cold. Even during warm weather you may welcome a sweatshirt or jacket. Layering works well. While rain gear is essential on sailboats, it can be useful on an enclosed powerboat. Shoreside attire can be as nice as you want, but most people do fine with comfortable sports clothes.
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• An Overview of Destinations
• Back to Planning A Northwest Cruise Main Page
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