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At the end of this month I am going to Bamfield. The plan is to trailer the boat to Port Alberni, launch from there and go up Alberni inlet to Bamfield.I've just bought the charts its 30 nautical miles, so I'm thinking 15 gals of fuel is lots. Just wondering if anyone on this board has done this trip, I'd be interested to know where they stopped, best marina to stay at etc.

While I've not been to Bamfield, I would like to express some concern over the amount of fuel. True, 15 gals should be enough, but there are a lot of factors that could affect that.

1. Size of your motor. A larger motor will burn fuel faster.
2. Planned speed of operation. The faster you go, the faster you burn fuel.
3. State of the tidal current. If you are going 6 kts into a 5 kt current, it will take you much longer to get there, and you will burn more fuel.

With all that said, 15 gals may be enough, especially with good planning and fuel conservation methods used during your cruise. The general rule of thumb is to divide your fuel into three parts. The first part is to get you to your destination. The second part is to get you home, and the third part is your reserve to deal with any emergencies. Assuming you can get fuel at Bamfield, you can combine the first two parts; so you have 10 gals to deal with. With proper planning and operation, you should be able to do the 30 miles on that.

My wife and I just returned from a 12-day cruise of the San Juans and Southern Gulf Islands. It's beautiful up there, and I wish I was going with you. During our outing, we went 120+ miles, and burned a bit over 20 gals of fuel (I haven't gone through the receipts yet, so I don't have an exact figure). We planned our daily legs to take advantage of tidal currents, and we did a bit of sailing which also helped.

Have fun. Stay safe. And share your pictures when you get back.

Hmmmm. . .Bamfield. Have you heard of a West Coast Canadian Band called the Bills? (formerly The Bill Hilly Band). They have played at the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival in St. Augustine for the past few years and they are phenomenal-absolutely amazingly talented musicians. They do an a capella song called "Bamfield's John Vanden", about a seaman from that area. Hearing them perform it live (several times so far) has sent shivers up my spine. This tune is on their latest CD, "Let 'em Run".

BTW, 15 gallons is probably cutting it a bit thin. Best of luck.
I'll try and come up with the lyrics.

-Walt

When planning, I figure worst case fuel economy which is about 3 mpg. With two 12 gallon tanks I can go about 36 miles out and back without refueling. Most of the time the conditions are not too extreme; I can sail a bit, etc. and I get way better than 3 mpg, but I have never gotten worse so this is my baseline.

For me, with a somewhat loaded boat I would want two 12 gallon tanks to get there and back. If you can get fuel in Bamfield I would think you could make it on 15 gals. total, (if your worst case fuel economy is similar to mine--better to check it out.) but you will be mighty nervous the last few miles.

Thanks for the replies, much apprieciated. I just relized that when I said 15 gal that was imperial gal which works out to approx 19 us gal. Just to add a little more confusion , gas is sold in litres. So it works out that I will pack about 75 liters. Last week when I went to Ganges from where I'm moored in the fraser river which is about 25 miles I used 30 liters one way. So I'll be bending the 1/3 rule a bit but its all inside water and if I go with the ebb tide that will help as well.You can get fuel in Bamfield, I should also mention that I am partnered with a much faster power boat.Any way I am really looking forward to this trip as I missed out on the Can Am flotilla Rob

Sitting here in hot Kansas where it is almost too hot to sail, and having rented a boat last year and cruised the San Juans, I am green with envy. Enjoy and please post a sailing report when you get back.

I will be taking pictures for sure, Randy especially of the obscenely huge salmon I'm going to catch, and if I can figure out how I will post them here. And Walt I have not heard of the Bills but I'm sure when I get to Bamfield I'll get the lowdown. Rob

Bamfield's John Vanden

I come from the mud and the wind and the wet
From as far to the west as a man can get
And I worked those waters for all my years
And I caught my share of triumph and tears
Ah the ocean's the source of my hopes and fears

Kept an eye on the jigger pole and on the gaff
And a smiley on the line always brought a laugh
She's the prize of the coast biggest of the springs
We would carry her home past Edward King
I'm Bamfield's John Vanden

CHORUS:

And you might slip and stumble on the rocks at the shore
And exalt in the blast of the mighty wake's roar
But when you stand humbled by the ocean's door
Then you'll understand just who I am
Bamfield's John Vanden

end CHORUS

Fair weather is a mask that the devil dons
A disguise for the tempest that's coming on
But looking t'ward the west I can always tell
By the tint of the sky and the strength of the swell
Who's winning today is it heaven or hull

And when unseen arms threw thundering gales
We risked our souls on that telegraph trail
When the listing wrecks needed us the most
We slipped past death on the graveyard coast
I'm Bamfield's John Vanden

(CHORUS)

I've rolled and trolled and my hands were worn
In God's vindictive southeast storms
Heard the hull of the ship as it ripped and groaned
But there is one thrill I have never known
Yes the love of a woman I could call my own

So your questions of romance don't ask me
I'm the man who wed the Pacific sea
Tempestuous though she may have been
A more faithful two you've never seen
She's kept me wise and fit and lean
I'm Bamfield's John Vanden

(CHORUS)

Lyrics by Chris Frye,
sung a capella by the Bills

If you can catch this band singing this song live, I think you'd be delighted and amazed. If memory serves, they start their sets with it.

I hope to have not digressed too much (and wasted bandwidth), however this is a 'ditty' about the SEA. . .

-Walt

Got back from Bamfield Tuesday aft. Now I can say I sailed the Pacific Ocean. Best speed I could get was 5 1/2 kt according to the Gps. Just was not that windy out there. For the record I used 32 liters motoring from Port Alberni to Bamfield. I have a Honda 50. If I can figure out how I will post some pictures. A humpback whale came fairly close to our boat and breached several times , hopefully those pictures turned out. Walt I did not find out about John Vanden although when I walked the boardwalk, there was a little wooden sign with his name on it. Rob M

Well, great Rob, sounds like you had a splendid time. I'd love to sail up around Bamfield (and visit western Canada). Maybe someday.

-Walt

Rob,
If you used 32L of fuel, you used 8.453 US Gallons. So if the distance was 30 miles (are nautical miles the same as road miles?), then you were able to get 3.55 miles/gal, which is pretty good. I don't think I have ever got that good of milage, but haven't been that good about keeping track of gals used and miles traveled.

Rich

One nautical mile is approximately 1.15 statute (road) miles for the record.