CANAM 05' San Juan-Gulf Island Flotilla

[Moe]

Canadian Hyrdological Charts

[mgg4]

I was reading part of the new Chapman Piloting and Seamanship I got for Christmas, and I found something interesting that applies to our planned cruise into Canadian waters (Chapman, 64ed, pp. 687-691). Canada requires all radio operators to have an operator's permit. There appears to be no need for a station license, but all operators must have at least an operator's permit. It looks like the FCC's Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit satisfies the Canadian requirement.

From what I can gather from Chapman's, the process is:

1. Apply for an FCC Registration Number. This is available from the FCC here. There is no fee for an FRN.
2. Apply for a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit. This can also be done online, at the FCC web site. There is a $50 fee for this license. No test is required, and the license is good for the lifetime of the holder.

I'm starting to look forward to this trip. I'm hoping my situation allows me to participate.

[mgg4]

Remember, participants of this trip will be going through both Canadian and U.S. Customs. You must have proof of citizenship to pass through customs. You might be able to do this with a birth certificate and some form of picture ID (Driver's license, etc.), but it will be much easier if you have a passport. Now would be a good time to apply for a passport if you don't already have one.

You will also need proof of ownership documentation for your vessel. There are other requirements for crossing into Canada. I'm sure I could research these, but it may be easier for someone who has made similar trips to let us know what the requirements are. We should probably start thinking about these requirements now. Waiting until two weeks before the trip will probably be too late.

[Captain Steve]

Mark,


Do you suppose that an amatuer radio license would qualify? Looking forward to the trip...not so much the tow.....ordered the Wagoneer Guide yesterday. It is great reading between trips. Do you have a dingy?

[mgg4]

Do you suppose that an amatuer radio license would qualify?

I don't think so. I also have an ARS license (N5EIH, General class). This licenses you under part 97 of the rules. The Restricted Radiotelephone Operating Permit is part of the Commercial Radio Service (part 13). Two different parts. You probably need two different licenses.

Looking forward to the trip...not so much the tow.....

I think we will do just fine. I have relatives all along the path. It may give me a change to visit with them on the way back.

...ordered the Wagoneer Guide yesterday. It is great reading between trips.

Do you have the ISBN, or a link to the Amazon link for this book. I'll look for it, but it may be easier to track down if I have additional information.

Do you have a dingy?

I have a Sevylor inflatable with a boat boot, powered by an electric motor and/or oars. I can tow it behind, or deflate and stow it on the foredeck or below decks. I'd like to work on getting a better dingy, but there are other, higher priority items to purchase for the boat.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The radio license requirement does not apply to US flagged boats in Canadian waters for less than 45 days. The same is true of the Canadian requirment to have a boating certification card.

To get into Canada all you really need is a drivers license. It's getting back into the US where having a passport will make things easier. Even so, just a drivers license and a copy of your birth certificate will suffice. For any kids all you need is a copy of their birth certificate, again for re-entering the US, not going into Canada. All you need for the boat is your state registration documents. They recommend having current insurance documents as well but I was not asked for them going either way.

Make sure you are up on what you can bring each way as far as food stores. There are hot buttons going each direction, and they are different. I'll try to find the current list and post it.

There is also some cruising gear that would be good to have along which most US boats would not have on board. They do things a bit different up there, particularly in park anchorages. I'll make up a list.

[Captain Steve]

Mark,

Someone posted this info awhile ago...http://www.waggonerguide.com/index.html I ordered it direct from them, to assure getting a 2005 edition. Only 3 bucks shipping. Used our dingy alot last trip up there. Stand by for Duane's list of gear. I used all of his reconmmended items in 03.

[mgg4]

Someone posted this info awhile ago...http://www.waggonerguide.com/index.html. I ordered it direct from them, to assure getting a 2005 edition.

I placed my order a few minutes ago. Looks like an excellent resource.

[BK]

I need to post this statment about Puget Sound as I am returning the book to the library. From "Sea of Glory" page 265 by N. Philbrick about America's voyage of discovery of the Pacific Ocean in 1836-42. Captain Wilkes marveled as he made his way into Puget Sound "Nothing can exceed the beauty of these waters, and their safety: not a shoal exists. I venture nothing in saying there is no country in the world that possesses waters equal to these."
I agree.

[eworthy]

Using the two Anchor locations of Stuart Island the first weekend and Saltspring Island on the second weekend. I have plotted an alternate itinery. I deliberately left off the how to get there and how to get home routings.


Call this Plan B - Circumnavigate Saltspring Island

Sat Stuart Island - Anchor Get together
Sun Stuart to Todd Inlet via Sydney (Customs)
Butchard Gardens
Mon Todd to Genoa or Maple Bay
Tues Genoa or Maple Bay to Telegraph Cover (Thetis Island)
Wed Side Trip to Chemainus Townsite
Thurs Telegraph to Conover Cove
Wallace Island Explore
Friday Conover to Montague Harbour
Hummingbird Pub
Saturday Montague to Ganges
Ganges Market

This trip is about 80 Nautical Miles over 7 days so it is not onerus. I have routes in garmin format for any/all of these legs.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Here's my two cents worth.

Over all I think I like this better.

However, I'd really like to spend two nights at Stuart, not just Saturday. This would mean reducing the loop by one night. With all the distances being so short wouldn't we be able to visit Chemainus on the way to Telegraph Harbor? It would seem if we had a reserved block of slips we wouldn't have to rush.

Friday - Deer Harbor (Marina)

Sat and Sunday - Stuart Island (limited facilities)

Mon - to Todd Inlet via Sydney for customs, Butchart Gardens (limited facilities)
We don't really have an interest in going into Victoria. I also don't mind missing the Roche Harbor area either.

Tues - Maple Bay (Marina)
This looks more appealing from what I read in the Waggoner than Genoa

Wed - Telegraph Harbor. Visit Chemainus on the way there. (Marina)
Which marina in Telegraph? We've stopped at Thetis Island Marina once, and from what I saw it looks like Telegraph Harbor Marina might be a better choice.

Thurs - Conover Cove. (limited facilities)
Do you think it is big enough to hold us all? It sounds like a fantastic place, there was a write up in the most recent Norwester magazine. But both Conover and Princess Cove sound quite small.

Fri - Montague Harbour (limited facilities)
Any Pub is fine with me.

Sat and Sunday - Ganges Harbour (Marina)
When we stopped for groceries last summer we were at Ganges Marina. It is quite a bit close to town than Salt Spring Marina but Salt Sping looks to be bigger. Would Ganges Centenial Wharf also be an option? Do they take group reservations?

Mon - I think we would opt for Winter Cove on Saturna rather than Poets Cove on S Pender. (limited facilities)
If that didn't work out we would go for Port Browning. We'd probably go straight from there to Friday Harbor for Customs. There's really no reason to stop at Bedwell on the way out of Canada for the US boats.

Tues - Friday Harbor. (Marina)

Seems like a good mix, 6 Marina nights, 6 park nights.

[Tom Spohn]

This route with the ammendments suggested by Duane works very well for us. We will get to Stuart via Deer Harbor and maybe Blakely depending on where we launch from. We will probably spend a couple extra days on Saltspring as we will have our collapsible bicycle along and will combine the sail with our other passion--bicycling. On the way back from Ganges we will go to Otter Bay, maybe Poets Cove, Garrison Bay (Clearing customs at Roche Harbor), and back to the mainland. We are also toying with the idea of leaving the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma and motoring/sailing up to the San Juans so we can see some extra sights on the way, and because we don't have any time constraints. (We're retired!)

Any other Puget Sounders thinking of sailing to the San Juans?? Any other bikers??

[Rob M]

Yes Tom I enjoy biking Saltspring is ok for biking , its not great because the roads are narrow and there is alot of traffic

[Moe]

An interesting development regarding Canadian Hydrological Charts.

--
Moe

[Tom Spohn]

Rob,
Are there any other Islands that you would prefer for a day or two of biking?