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| Charter Itineraries from Vancouver and Comox
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We received this e-mail from Robin Price:
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January 2, 2002
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My wife and I along with another couple are planning to charter a 42' Bayliner or a 44' sailboat the week of August 24th, 2002. Our charter will last six nights, returning on the seventh day. We plan to charter from Comox
or Vancouver B.C. I've chartered twice before in the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Princess Louisa Inlet and other interesting spots, within our time frame, is our goal this time around. I'm finding it difficult to plan an
itinerary for the two departure scenarios. I would appreciate any ideas regarding our plans. Your 1997 Waggoner cruising guide was very helpful with past charters. I do plan to purchase an updated version.
Thank You
Robin Price
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Response
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For a six-night charter from Vancouver, I think we're talking about Princess Louisa Inlet as an objective. You could also do the Gulf Islands, but you've already been there. Until you get to Welcome Pass, the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver doesn't have many convenient places to hide, so weather will dictate your options. Assuming good conditions, I would run from Vancouver to Pender Harbour the first day, and to Princess Louisa Inlet the second day. The Bayliner will make this easier because it's faster than the sailboat, but the sailboat can make these two passages.
On August 26, slack water at Malibu Rapids is at approximately 0835, 1445 and 2045 (daylight saving time). I would go for the 1445 slack. If you spend one night at Princess Louisa Inlet you can catch the 0925 slack the next morning, or you could enjoy part of the day and catch the 1520 slack. I wouldn't do the 1520 slack in the sailboat, though. It's a long way back down Jervis Inlet at six knots.
Instead of returning to Pender Harbour, perhaps you could overnight at anchor in the Harmony Islands in Hotham Sound, or in Ballet Bay or one of the other anchorages in Blind Bay. Another option would be Egmont, either the Egmont Marina or Bathgate. You could hike over and see Skookumchuck Rapids. Then work your way back to Vancouver with visits to Secret Cove, Buccaneer Bay, Smugglers Cove, and Howe Sound. Let your mood and the weather determine your pace. You might spend your last night in Vancouver, either at the Coal Harbour Marina or in False Creek. You'll find good dining at both locations. Or you could spend your last night at the Union Steamship Marina on Bowen Island in Howe Sound. Their restaurant is good, too.
This would be my general plan. The point would be to get to Princess Louisa Inlet directly, then to dawdle on the way back to Vancouver.
From Comox, I would make Desolation Sound my goal. You'll definitely want to see Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound, and there are so many other interesting stops that I won't begin to suggest which to see. Read your new Waggoner carefully to come up with a general list, but be flexible. You might meet some people who have another list, and decide to hook up with them for a day or two. Or the weather might turn stinky and hole you up for a day or so. Anything can happen. That's part of the charm.
Assuming decent weather, you can get between Comox and Desolation Sound in a day. Be sure to watch the weather. The wind can blow on the Strait of Georgia. If it's blowing your way, you can run with the seas, but if the wind is on the nose the seas can be pretty tough.
And yes, you will definitely need the 2002 Waggoner. Not only is the new edition completely updated, but it is full of additional information. If you were happy with the 1997 edition, you will be astonished at the 2002 edition. Many people don't realize how much we put into each new Waggoner. Each year's book becomes the base for the next year's. The Waggoner is -- and I hope always will be -- a work in progress. With each succeeding year my understanding of the coast and cruising expands, and it all gets into the Waggoner.
Finally, if you aren't following our Web site www.waggonerguide.com, I recommend that you do. The updates are important, and so are all the questions and answers, letters, and articles. If you dig around inside the site you'll learn things. You'll even see your inquiry and this reply.
--Bob Hale
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