So... How safe is it likely to be to sail from Campbell River to Victoria... in January...

[Chris M]

So I'm in a class right now, and a handful of us are going to take an in-person course at Camosun College in Victoria, BC this January. Marine Safety, ironically. And it ends up that there's just not that much for motels etc near that campus, but there's only four of us, and there's a marina not too far away, so I thought, what if I sailed "My Way" down and we stayed in her for the week instead? It would certainly be a lot cheaper, even allowing for fuel and moorage costs, and it'll be fun, too.

It looks like it's about an eight-hour trip, at an average of 6.5 knots (she cruises at 7, but I like to build some buffer into my calculations), to pilot her from Campbell River, where she ought to be living by then, down to the Goldstream Boathouse Marina, down near the southern end of Finlayson Arm, at the southwest end of the Saanich Inlet. Which ought to be a comfortable two-day cruise. I figure, giving the shortened days, I'll head out with the sun at about 8am, head south along Vancouver Island's east coast for four or five hours, find somewhere to stop for the night (unless I feel like going on a bit further, of course), and then finish the trip off the next morning.

It sounds like one of my classmates who has some boating experience (or at least certifications) will be coming along with me, which is good, because I didn't particularly fancy going down all by myself---not least because I don't think I could manage the mooring lines alone!

But given the time of year, am I being ridiculously stupid? Or should it be okay, assuming I'm careful, and I stay put during any stormy weather? I will of course leave my flight course plans with a good friend, and stay in regular contact, so if something does go awry she'll be able to let people know pretty quickly.

She's a 37' long 1977 C&L Grand Mariner trawler. I grew up on boats, but on rivers and lakes, not the ocean, and not in the dead of winter.

So just how completely suicidal and stupid am I being? I'll have my certifications by then, and I'll be a bit more familiar with her; but still... Winter?? And it won't be a route I've done before. How hosed am I?

 

[JackConnick]

All depends on having a weather window. That time of year can be very cold and unsettled. But there are high pressure breaks - which tend to be very cold. You can't be in a hurry, you have to wait it out. Don't get on a schedule. I guess I'd look for an airb&b myself...

 

[tiltrider1]

Watch the weather and have a backup plan.

 

[guy with a boat]

Know and understand the current tables. Leave CR at the wrong time and it could take you 2 hours to get 2 miles. You also have to go through Dodd Narrows or another narrows and have to time that.

Weather could cooperate or could make it a difficult trip for many days at a time.

With those limitations considered, it’s not an unreasonable trip in January. If you prep and get lucky with weather, it’s a nice run.

 

[Chris M]

Ah, right, I was afraid there might be a Narrows or something I'd have to go through! Is it like a Skookumchuck thing where it's really treacherous except at slack tides? Or is it one of those ones where it just won't be deep enough to go through until high tide?

Here's hoping for a nice run!

 

[DDW]

The Dodd can run about 10 knots or so and you won't want to go through when it is. Best to time it at or near slack, southbound high slack is better because you will carry a bit of tide as you go south.

The only problem with the plan I see is you are on a schedule to get to class, and the weather is unlikely to be on the same schedule. You will definitely NOT want to run down the Georgia St. against a strong south wind (or probably any strong wind). Going back you could delay for a week or three if needed. Campbell river to Nanaimo is a pretty long day, you are then staged for the Dodd Narrows, then a shorter and much more sheltered day to the Saanich or thereabouts.

But yeah, I'd consider an AirBnB instead. It is actually unlikely to be fun unless you get unusual weather.

 

[luna]

Campbell River to the Goldstream Boathouses looks to be about 125 Nautical Miles. At 6.5 knots (speed over ground) that will take about 20 hours.

Sunrise to Sunset in Mid January is about 8 hours in duration. If it is overcast (likely) you can't count on a long Nautical Twilight. I would plan on being set for the night by 3:00 pm.

For me at that time of year it would be a minimum of 3 days with stops a Ford Cove on Hornby, Newcastle Island and then through Dodd and on to Goldstream. Hopefully the slack at Dodd Narrows co-operates. If it doesn't I would wait and add a day if necessary. You can go through Dodd or any of the other 3 major passes at low slack easily.

Here is the monthly Windroses for the Comox Airport. Any wind from the Southeast will be on your nose and you will try to avoid, but on this course you really can't. January does not look good as the strong winds are from the Southeast.

Once at Newcastle your passage becomes easy and comfortable provided that you have a good source of heat and ventilation onboard.

It could be a great trip. You just need enough time and/or have a Plan B, in case you get blown off the water.

IEM :: Site Wind Roses

Iowa Environmental Mesonet of Iowa State University

mesonet.agron.iastate.edu

 

[RedRascal]

Super safe if the wind on your nose is below 10 knots and depending on location could be safe with 15 knots on your nose. 15 or 20 knots on your stern can be much easier to deal with. The challenge is if Mother Nature will give you a few mellow days before and after your class. You could easily need to wait a few days or a week for an okay weather window. Also you really just need low winds from 5 am to 5 pm. As long as you are in a good anchorage or dock the wind can rip at night. If the wind dies a few hours before you get underway that will give the wind chop some time to lay down, that's why I said you need low winds around 5am assuming an 8am start. Mother Nature may give you 12 hours of calm at night but only 4 hours of calm during the day so you have to factor that into your plans if you have a travel day cut in half.

Just start watching the forecasts and check actual wind speeds to see if you could make it this time of year.

 

[SteveK]

8 hours travel from Campbell River is sure to get you to Newcastle which was mentioned as a stopover on perfect cruising weather. If the wind is blowing 15+ consistently for 24 hours it will be a rough/wet ride and much longer. Comox is about 4 hours on a good day.
Sounds like an adventure for a new boat operator having trouble getting insurance for lack of experience in the boat size.

 

[luna]

8 hours travel from Campbell River is sure to get you to Newcastle which was mentioned as a stopover on perfect cruising weather. If the wind is blowing 15+ consistently for 24 hours it will be a rough/wet ride and much longer. Comox is about 4 hours on a good day.
Sounds like an adventure for a new boat operator having trouble getting insurance for lack of experience in the boat size.

Campbell River to Newcastle Island (Naniamo Harbour) is about 77 Nautical Miles. This boat does 7 knots on a good day. That will take 11 hours.

You have about 8 hours of light. You could use it all and maybe get to French Creek (55 N.M.) but why? It is still a three day trip to Goldstream if you avoid travelling in the dark.

I agree with the previous comments, get an Airbnb.

 

[sjisailor]

+1 on local accommodations.

The weather window is likely to be open at some point, but due to the uncertainty you would need to plan on leaving at least a few days in advance (in case one opens but then will close) ... and the same on the back end. It would not be unusual to be stuck for a week or even two weeks while waiting for a return window.

And I would add in the risk of some kind of mechanical failure, including in the house systems (head!) that would be annoying. Land accomodations relieve almost all of that uncertainty!

 

[READY]

Usually I evaluate based upon risk factors. Here is what I see:
1) you just got this boat a week or two ago
2) see above, unknown condition of fuel, very limited operation of all systems
3) weather window could be closed
4) No one one the boat has experience on the route
5) you have a timetable that dictates latest arrival
6) 4 guys on a 37ft boat for a week in a marina is a risk in and off itself

So while I love adventures this one seems to me to go against logic. One more vote for local accommodations. Build some experience with the boat first and make sure boat and crew are prepared.

Ken

 

[Chris M]

Thanks for all the advice, guys! It does sound like this would be a better trip to do in the summer, when the days are longer, the weather is calmer, and I've got a bit more experience with the boat under my belt.

With it being at least a three-day trip, not a two-day one (at best!) it does sound like a land route is the better option.

Thanks!

 

[Chris M]

So, just to give you guys the final upshot, we were able to find a hostel in Victoria only about a half-hour (direct!) bus ride from the campus, and if we share two rooms between the four of us, it'll come out to about the same cost each as my fuel and moorage would have! Plus, they have free breakfasts and dinners, plus a free alcoholic drink each evening if you want one, which is pretty sweet.

I expect it won't be quite as fun as staying on the boat, but it'll probably be a bit more comfortable, definitely be warmer and safer, and with not having to buy ourselves food for breakfasts or dinners, it'll actually end up a bit cheaper, which is even better.

So it's worked out for us in the end. Thanks again for the advice, guys!

 

[READY]

Reality is it will almost certainly be more fun and less stress for you. You can focus on the training and enjoy the evening cocktail! Very wise decision.

 

[whistlerxc]

By starting out figuring that it would be an "8 hour trip from Campbell River to Victoria" gave me pause as to your experience level as it is much, much longer than that at trawler speeds. January can be a tough month for a longer trip, so you made the right decision. Our boat is at the Fisherman's Wharf in CR- hope to meet you sometime. BTW- North Island College offers a full range of marine safety training- including Marine First Aid. Looks like you are all set up for Victoria, but it is possible you could have received the same training in Campbell River or Courtenay!

 

[twistedtree]

I realize you won't be making this trip, but thought I'd throw out a few comments for others considering it.

To me, Campbell River to Victoria is a two day trip. Campbell River to Nanaimo is a long day, even in the summer. In the winter you will likely lose daylight at one end of the day or the other, if not both. It also assumes that the currents in Campbell River let you depart in the morning.

Then Nanaimo to Victoria is another day, though likely shorter. But you will again be constrained by currents and when they will allow you to take one of the passes into the Gulf Islands. If timing doesn't cooperate then you are out in the Strait of Georgia and more subject to weather.

Which brings us to weather. You will be subject to the Strait of Georgie from Campbell River to Nanaimo. The further to the Strait of Georgia for whatever portion of the Gulf Islands you need to transit outside. Then the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the south end of the Gulf Islands until you turn into Victoria. All of these areas can be pretty nasty and cause you to take a weather day.

So to me this is a two day voyage, and I'd block out a week to get there and a week to return to allow for weather delays. And even then, I'd have a backup plan in case the weather pins you down for more than a week.

 

[whistlerxc]

Navionics calculates 22 hours at average speed of 6.2 knots from CR to Victoria. For me, 6.2 knots average speed is about right as it includes warm up and down, docking or anchor raising and lowering, etc. At my rate of travel then for a winter trip to Victoria from Campbell River, even in summer, would require 2 nights at least at my recreational pace of travel. In order to make it in 2 days, requiring 11 hour days, under winter conditions seems like a tough way to go. Obviously one could increase the average speed up quite a bit, but I think 2 days to Victoria in winter is still quite a push.

 

[SteveK]

Navionics calculates 22 hours at average speed of 6.2 knots from CR to Victoria.
This is correct for no wind, no current as Navionics does not adjust for those.
FYI, while the thread title says Victoria, the end location is not Victoria but Campbell River to the Goldstream Boathouses. This is a shorter distance and in more protected waters. But still very long days travel to do it in 2 days.

 

[whistlerxc]

It would be a fun trip though- in summer.

 

[Chris M]

By starting out figuring that it would be an "8 hour trip from Campbell River to Victoria" gave me pause as to your experience level as it is much, much longer than that at trawler speeds. January can be a tough month for a longer trip, so you made the right decision. Our boat is at the Fisherman's Wharf in CR- hope to meet you sometime. BTW- North Island College offers a full range of marine safety training- including Marine First Aid. Looks like you are all set up for Victoria, but it is possible you could have received the same training in Campbell River or Courtenay!

Ha, cool! I'm intending to berth her at the Discovery Harbour Marina; perhaps we'll run into each other! It looks like they're quite close to each other.

That's good to know that the North Island College has it too. There's a few of us taking this course, as I mentioned, so I wanted to take it with the rest of them; but if another one comes up, we'll have to see if the NIC up here in Courtenay offers it too. I can host a couple people here at least (if they don't mind the couch).

We'd done Sechelt to Lund in about nine hours or so, so eight or so hours didn't seem wildly out whack; but yeah, I'm used to the speed riverboats do, not trawlers. I'm going to have to adjust my expectations!

 

[whistlerxc]

Yes, I hope to meet you when you get settled into your berth. Looking back at my comment, I apologize as it may have come across as a bit snarky. Also another poster reminded me that your destination is NOT Victoria harbour but rather Goldstream, which cuts off a number of miles from my figures. But it is still is a long way at 6.2-7 knots an hour in winter, and certainly nowhere near "hours". Glad that you decided to take the land route. Cheers

 

[Chris M]

With a little bit of luck (and cooperative weather) I'll be moving in in two weeks; keep your fingers crossed!

No worries about coming across as snarky; I don't pick up on it half the time anyways, and most of the rest of the time it doesn't bother me much anyways lol

 

[Lockstar]

has anyone mentioned this? At 6 1/2 kn, I would be spending a lot of time looking behind me, to keep out of the way of ships which might be traveling twice as fast.

 

[salish]

So I'm in a class right now, and a handful of us are going to take an in-person course at Camosun College in Victoria, BC this January. Marine Safety, ironically. And it ends up that there's just not that much for motels etc near that campus, but there's only four of us, and there's a marina not too far away, so I thought, what if I sailed "My Way" down and we stayed in her for the week instead? It would certainly be a lot cheaper, even allowing for fuel and moorage costs, and it'll be fun, too.

It looks like it's about an eight-hour trip, at an average of 6.5 knots (she cruises at 7, but I like to build some buffer into my calculations), to pilot her from Campbell River, where she ought to be living by then, down to the Goldstream Boathouse Marina, down near the southern end of Finlayson Arm, at the southwest end of the Saanich Inlet. Which ought to be a comfortable two-day cruise. I figure, giving the shortened days, I'll head out with the sun at about 8am, head south along Vancouver Island's east coast for four or five hours, find somewhere to stop for the night (unless I feel like going on a bit further, of course), and then finish the trip off the next morning.

It sounds like one of my classmates who has some boating experience (or at least certifications) will be coming along with me, which is good, because I didn't particularly fancy going down all by myself---not least because I don't think I could manage the mooring lines alone!

But given the time of year, am I being ridiculously stupid? Or should it be okay, assuming I'm careful, and I stay put during any stormy weather? I will of course leave my flight course plans with a good friend, and stay in regular contact, so if something does go awry she'll be able to let people know pretty quickly.

She's a 37' long 1977 C&L Grand Mariner trawler. I grew up on boats, but on rivers and lakes, not the ocean, and not in the dead of winter.

So just how completely suicidal and stupid am I being? I'll have my certifications by then, and I'll be a bit more familiar with her; but still... Winter?? And it won't be a route I've done before. How hosed am I?

We travel the route that you are contemplating regularly. CR to Comox, to Deep Bay, to Schooner Cove, to Nanaimo. After Nanaimo you are in protected water of the Gulf Islands. Parksville Qualicim Beach can be challenging if you have wind against tidal current.

 

[grahamdouglass]

The weather below Campbell River. I’m surprised nobody mentioned just how treacherous the waters below Campbell River can be. Specifically below Cape Mudge. In 2011, in July, I made the mistake of not consulting the weather the morning of our departure. The wind was from the South east and you guessed it, the current was flowing south. The classic wind over current. The waves were steep, high and very gnarly, the direction of the waves did not seem to have a constant direction. Confused seas is an understatement. It took me 1/2 hour ? to get in to the area below Cape Mudge and 3 hours to get back to Campbell River. We waited in Campbell River for three days to get favourable weather. Currents south of Campbell river can exceed 6 knots and Southeast storms can exceed 35 knots. Consult the weather and you will have a pleasant journey.

 

[slowgoesit]

Just for info, the OP decided not to make the trip last month, and over 12 posts ago . . .

 

[Portage_Bay]

has anyone mentioned this? At 6 1/2 kn, I would be spending a lot of time looking behind me, to keep out of the way of ships which might be traveling twice as fast.

That's easy to manage. Stay out of the shipping lanes. When crossing the lanes or sharing a narrow passage with the big ships watch your AIS, big ships are required to carry AIS. Learn what channels the big ships are on and monitor those channels. Hint, they don't use VHF 16 much. VHF 13 is bridge to bridge and if in a vessel traffic service that channel as well.

 

[johnrkay]

The only other piece of advice I'd offer is to watch the wind forecast around Qualicum. The Qualicum winds can be challenging if they're gusting hard out of the south.