My first sea trials after a pretty aggressive refit. Found 6 leaks and sealed those leaks. Redid the wiring and the mast top, new 3D printed anemometer, Now ready to try out my newish boat. My question is where do I go for an easy intro for my first time sailing girlfriend? This is meant to be the gateway drug for a circumnavigation for her, and to test if this is the lifestyle we want to try.
I am thinking Gibsons, then maybe North up the coast over to Comox and back. Or that might take more than 2 and a half days? We have Friday to Sunday night. Where should we go? Leaving from False Creek. My mind races at 4am, New lines, old sail, old batteries, so many thinks I get to worry about. It is nice being genuinely scared for the first time in many years. I feel alive again.
Anyone on the west coast want to join me for a leg? April 3-5
If it’s her first time sailing and first time out for the boat after refit I would say a bit of day sailing in English Bay is in order.
…maybe a trip to Bowen Island. Close to home is good if things go sideways in either of the firsts.
It’s a long way to Comox. Definitely go to Bowen and enjoy all it has to offer. Gibsons the next time. Or, pages on gabriola if the weather is favourable for a crossing.
Good advise. So how is anchoring in Bowen? Is there a place that I can find good anchorages around the the coast? I imagine it is like camping. You don’t post your favorite spots on public forums?
For your first trips consider going to a marina. Union Steamship on Bowen is amazing and your new to sailing girlfriend will appreciate the excellent bathrooms and shower facilities. Anchoring there isn’t great. Near Gibson’s you can anchoring in Plumper Cove Marine park or use one of the buoys, if available. A buddy goes to Gambier and anchors in one of the 3 bays facing south but it can get very busy if the weather is good. I’ve. Not been in there personally.
I’m in Pender Harbour and there are lots of options here. It’s a two day trip just to get here from Vancouver unless you’re into a very long day of motoring.
Rahsaan,
I can’t offer any destination advice for your area.
Your sailing enthusiasm is refreshing. You are starting an incredible life journey that can take many rewarding forms.
Share your thoughts and feelings with your girlfriend and formulate a plan together. Planning and dreaming together is half the fun.
After 36+ years of navigating life and various boats with the same partner, I can say with certainty it’s 10x easier to fix a boat than to fix a relationship.
Challenges you see as thrilling may be terrifying for your firstmate.
Go to Snug Cove on Bowen or Gibsons. Call ahead and make a reservation at the marina. For a little further destination, on a future trip, go to Silva Bay, Newcastle Island off Nanaimo, or Thetis. Comox is a very long haul to get there in one day, better to make it there in 2 days.
Rahsaan, actually there are a number well written books on west coast sailing destinations, including anchorages and marinas. Go to Steveston Marine, they carry a number these publications, browse the selection to find one you like. You should also carry some paper charts covering local waters, Steveston sells them as well.
I don’t think we are going to find a spot in a marina. This whole trip is about finding an anchor. We are have spent lots of time in the marina in the past 2 months. We were talking last night about going to Bowen and anchoring in the harbor but that doesn’t sound good so I think we will continue on to Gambier and look for an anchor somewhere there. I will definitely go get the anchoring book. Then maybe just a day trip around Gambier and check out that area around Gibson’s. Thanks for all the advice!
The West Coast and BC Cruising Guides have a lot of information about marinas, anchorages and hazards. Plan on going an average speed of about 3-5 knots (4 knots) depending on winds with tides/currenrs and figure out how far you can get in a 10 hour day sail. Passengers may find that to be a very long day for themselves. I highly recommend that you set any passengers expectations about how far you can travel in a day, meals, on board comforts (or lack there of) for a long weekend. Sticking close to home is a good idea especially if you’re constrained by having to go work following the long weekend. Weather, seas and breaking down are all things that can conspire to extend your sailing schedule. Remember, no one plans to fail, they fail to plan. Wishing you a marvellous long weekend ahead.
You can call the marinas to see if they have space. If you want to anchor, I suggest you go up to Port Graves. It is about 15.5 nautical miles from False Creek to the entrance. There will be lots of space this time of the year. The bay can easily handle 60 boats. If you have a dinghy you can go to the public dock at the north end by Camp Artaban and go for a nice walk.
Favour the starboard side of the entrance channel as you go in. At low tides the port side can get shallow. Right at the entrance on the starboard side at low tide you should have about 20-25’ of water. Along the east shore at the north end is a small islet. Keep clear of it. There is a rock off of the south west corner that is uncharted. My friend hit and has made a note on Navionics.
I generally head to the north end and anchor in front of the dock to the west of the public dock. I try to anchor in about 25 feet. Of water depending on what the tides will be doing.
Windy shows light winds for the weekend and no inflow at night so the anchorage should be peaceful. Just confirm the forecast on the day.
The more I look, I think I just don’t want to come back Monday. May a couple weeks will be better. I want to go around the island. What do kidnapping laws look like?