shuswap/okanagan

[marc ducharme]

We are taking the "Ray-Lee-Joy" to the Shuswaps and the Okanagan lakes next week, has anyone sailed these lakes and do you have any reccomendations. We will be lauching in Siccamus, British Columbia, 660 miles from the home port. Any advice on long distance trailering?

Sailing ya gotta love it.

[piratecliff]

I don't have any area specific info but we also trailor long distances. After wearing tires out like crazy someone on this board mentioned inflating the tires to 45-50lbs.

With 35lbs of pressure the tires would get really hot. The tread would wear heavily on the inside if the tire. The higher pressure eliminated both issues.

Cliff
After-You

[Captain Steve]

I towed to the San Juans last summer. After a lot of checking I found that 52 lbs, gave the best trailering ride and the least temperature increase. I had swithed to radial tires too.

[Graham Carr]

I have towed to the San Juan Islands twice, once last summer and I am currently out there now. I keep my tires at 50 lbs. The trailer is a 2002 with stock tires. I live in Colorado so the trip is about 1400 miles one way. The return trip last year was during the second week of August, so it was hot out. I put my hand on the tires and hubs at each gas stop to check for heat. At the same time I check my bearing buddies and add grease as needed. I have also done a few five hour one-way trips on some pretty rough mountain roads. The trailer and tires have held up well. The tires are ST 215/75D14. I do repack the bearings at the start of the season and then before a big trip I check for any play in the bearings.

Bearing info:
The following items are NAPA part numbers:

Outer bearing: Timken set 14 (bearing and race) or just the bearing #BR14
Inner bearing: Timken set 17 (bearing and race) or just the bearing #BR17
Grease seal: 17146

Other things that I did:
Added a safety chain from the ladder to the boat.
Put a x 12 x12 piece of plywood painted orange on the back of the outboard.
Added a stop light at the end of the mast. This light also acts as a right hand turn signal.

On the long road trips I carry a emergency repair kit has the following:

2 of each; inner, outer bearing sets
4 seals (easy to damage)
6 cotter pins for the wheel nuts
1 can of marine EP/wheel bearing grease
1 small (3oz) grease gun with extra 3 oz tubes. I use this for my bearing buddies
2 cans - break cleaner. If needed clean bearings or break shoes if grease gets on them.
1 can of hand cleaner
Rags and one roll of paper towels
Bricks (I use them as wheel chocks)
2 - emergency orange road markers.

I also carry ; bottle jack, lug wrench, 1-1/2 socket (for the wheel nut) hammer (for driving off the bearing buddies and races) flash light, small blocks of wood, a x12x 12 chuck of plywood (use this as a bench on the ground)
This sounds like a lot but it only takes up a small space in the back of my truck. This will save you a small fortune if you were to break down and will give piece of mind.

[Tom Spohn]

I think Graham nailed it. Assuming your tires are ST rated, make sure you inflate to the pressure posted on the sidewall. Also some little things are easy to forget. For example, if you have a boarding latter make sure it is very secure. Also the bolts in the rudders are easy to forget.

[marc ducharme]

Thanks for the advice of which, I will gladly accept most. Just about forgot those rudder bolts . "Ray-Lee-Joy" is coming out of the water on thursday, so I will review all of these posts that night just to make sure I got them all. thanks again to you all.


Sailing ya gota love it.

[Rich Plumb]

Put one or two twists in the hold down strap on each side before attaching to the trailer rails. This will keep the strap from slapping, as you go down the road and will prevent damage to the gelcoat on the hull.

Rich Plumb "Plumb Crazy"
Covington, WA

[kenny]

Marc, been some time since I've sailed over there, but from memory, on the Shuswap, the better sailing was over near Chase, as winds were more constant.
That said, year ago I've had some very good HobieCat sailing on each of the arms. Shuswap wind is not real regular, so I guess the M26 will be ideally suited.
Let us know how you make out on Okanagan as well. I'd hoped to do this as well this summer, but can't get the time.
There is a public ramp in DT Kelowna, next to the yacht club parking lot, but not sure about vehicle storage there for any lenght of time.
I'd suggest calling Kelowna club to get some tips
PS:
If you come via Calgary, spend a day or two at Ghost Lake, west of Cochrane. Good wind is fairly often Good view of the Mountains as well, (if its' clear)
Have a great holiday, and let us know how it works out, and where you access in Okanagan, and where you stay.


regards:
Ken
If

[Jim]

hi.I trucked through the Shuswap and Okenogan a number of times, and never saw too many sailboats on the Shuswap.there are a few though. They told me there isnt much wind on the lake, and as I recall I never did see a lot of waves on the lake from time to time. Lake Okenogan is a georgous part of the world. A big Marina at Kelowna.Read an article in a magazine a bit ago about sailing from Vernon to Penticton. and all the spots one can spend the night.Be a great place for a trip.Fair winds..Jim in Canada

[marc ducharme]

Well we are back. Overall we had a great time on both the Shuswap and the Okanokan. A few high lites of the trip.

the Shuwap is not the idea of a sailors heaven, no wind to speak of for five days, an old timer told me that House boats are on Shuswap and sail boats are on the Okanogan. how right he is. I was not to disapointed as we were a group of ten and we had a blast on the houseboat for three full days, lots of places to anchor close to shore, 15 feet form shore water depth is at 45 feet + just about everywhere on the lake. great weather and a great time.

We then traveled one hour south and visited friends in Vernon on Okanogan lake. A beautiful lake for sailing, great lauching site in Vernon but we could not get a slip anywhere in this area. If I would be member of a yacht club I could have used their facility, I am starting a club soon for Slave Lake. great scenery and many place to go. We were short of time, but did manage to see Rod show and shine about three hundred cars . Also for any wine drinkers in the crowd, I would highly recommend a visit to MISSION HILL Vinery in Calona, it was an awsome tour and great wine.

We had no issues with towing and the only problem we had is that I had left hte cooler plugged in overnight in the truck, and you guesed it dead battery in the morning Got a boost within five minutes and we were off .

Great holiday and i would recommend this area for anyone near the forty ninth parrallel.

Today is boat launch time.

Sailing ya gotta love it