Cruising Areas

Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Cruising Areas / Pacific Northwest of US and Canada
 
 
Author Pacific Northwest of US and Canada
Lowell Richardson, Owner, Catalina Direct
Sacramento CA

Boat Name: Steamboat Willie

Model/Year: 1984

Hull No.

Hailing Port: Folsom Lake
08/22/2004 2:48 AM Pacific Time

We just returned from a week of sailing the Canadian Gulf Islands in the Pacific Northwest…

Some friends and ourselves chartered a new Catalina 34 from Cooper Sailing. This is the same company that used to build Catalinas under license in Vancouver. They have morphed into the largest charter and sailing school company in Canada.

They have a new charter base in Sidney, just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. The new base is managed by Dawn Dexter, a 16 year veteran with the company. She does an excellent job and is dedicated to making the new base a success by providing excellent customer service.

Unlike other companies in the PNW and even the other Cooper Sailing bases, Dawn equips the boats with linens including pillows, sheets and nice comforters in duvet covers so there is no need to bring bedding with you. The boats have dodgers and biminis, GPS, autopilot, central heating, CD stereo, refrigeration, 200’ all chain anchor rode, propane bbq etc. etc. etc. And new Catalinas are well equipped as standard including electric windlass, huge batteries, two water tanks, self tailing winches, and a very smooth 4-cyl diesel. Living aboard the boat just doesn’t require the extra attention or effort that it used to.

The only improvements I suggested were a power down feature on the windlass (with that much chain, dragging anchor is never a problem but setting an anchor with 200’ of chain by hand can be a challenge), a light in the cockpit for dining under the stars, and bath towels provided so including them in your travel luggage could be avoided. A pretty short list eh?

The boats are only surpassed by the scenery and wildlife. Forests to the water’s edge. So many protected anchorages it would take years to explore them all. If you are ready for a hot shower there are many marinas available where showers, dining, groceries and amenities are available. Not fancy resorts generally, but friendly, local establishments with Canadian hospitality.

During the few days were there we saw otter, porpoise, bald eagles and hundreds of seals of course. The highlight however was a chance encounter with three combined pods of killer whales. The Soundwatch staff that was monitoring the fleet of sightseeing boats reported a total of 72; all of pods A and B and half of pod C. Quite a show with whales “spying”, lifting themselves partially out of the water with their powerful tails. Others would clear the water, landing on their sides with a huge splash.

To keep the cost down, we had four adults and two 10 year olds aboard. It takes a lot of gear to be prepared for Northwest weather. Everything from shorts and swimsuit to warm clothes and foul weather gear. Throw in a change of good clothes for everyone so you can have “High Tea” at the Empress Hotel and a jaunt around Victoria as a cultural experience and you have a ton of gear to stow! I’d suggest a bit larger boat or fewer people if you can swing it.

The sailing as usual for the time of year was spotty. I’d prefer to go earlier in the year but that’s when the phones are hoppin’ and I need to be available at work. If you don’t have kids in school any longer, September is generally better sailing. But the later the date, the more likely you’ll get rain. We had one really great sailing day, the rest were mediocre. But hey! It was a great time, a great vacation, and experiences that two 10 year olds will never forget.

Our 22’s are a great way to gain the experience necessary to charter a larger boat. Sail your boat in as many different circumstances as you can. Trailer it to different sailing areas for practice. Practice anchoring and mooring techniques. Deal with some tides and currents and learn how to use the appropriate tables. Learn some basic navigation, rules of the road and what the marks and buoys mean by taking a couple of Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary classes (they’re almost free). Then contact a sailing club where larger boats are sailed. There are always folks looking for a crew. Gain some experience on a few larger boats, even if you are only “rail meat” for some races. Then sail the boat back to the marina from the finish line. Do your homework and you can charter a larger boat anywhere in the world without ever taking an expensive series of lessons to earn your “Charter License”. As one of our local salts who has been sailing since childhood says “Own small and charter big”!
Richard Krebill
Pinedale, WY

Boat Name: Sylvan

Model/Year: 1974

Hull No.

Hailing Port: Pinedale, WY
05/21/2007 1:49 PM Pacific Time

Hard to beat the San Juans and Gulf Islands for cruising. In September 2004, my wife and I trailered our 1974 C-22 "Sylvan" out to Anacordes north of Seattle. From there, sailed or motored as conditions permitted south thru the Swinomish Canal past La Conner, then west thru Deception Pass, on to Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island, northwest thru the San Juan Channel, north thru President's Channel past Orcas Island, on to Sucia Island in Canada, and back to Anacordes. Then in June 2005 we left Anacordes and went west to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, over the border to Sydney on Vancouver Island, north to Galiano Island, south thru Navy Channel and Humper Sound and back south to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and back east to Anacordes. First trip 7 days, second 10. Sailed quite a bit and used less than 10 gal. gas in 4 cyc. Honda 9.9 for each trip. Found Douglass's "Exploring the San Juan and Gulf Islands" extremely helpful. Also appreciated the moorings at a reasonable price at marine parks supplemented by a good anchor for other areas. Used compass, simple Magellan handheld GPS, binoculars, VHF radio, separate weather radio, nautical charts purchased at West Marine in Anacordes, and tide tables pulled off Internet. Lots of great marinas, even better restaurants, beautiful marine parks, and remote anchorages. Interesting tides, currents, and wind conditions. Plenty of boat company, including lots of power boats, large X-ocean Freighters and large local Ferrys. The Catalina 22 proved well up to these cruises, though it proably would have been too small if there were more than 2 aboard. After trip was completed, trailered Sylvan back to Wyoming for more Rocky Mountain lake sailing.
 
 
Cruising Areas
Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Cruising Areas / Pacific Northwest of US and Canada