Advice? Haro Strait
detw...@pacbell.net
I'm looking for practical advice about crossing Haro Strait between the San Juan Islands (Washington State) and Victoria, British Columbia.
In a few weeks, we'll be chartering a 35' sailboat for a week in the San Juans. We're thinking about going to Victoria. We might leave from Roche Harbor, cross Haro Strait, and go into Victoria, hoping to spend the night in a marina near the Empress Hotel. The next day we would re-cross Haro Strait, round the southern end of San Juan Island (Cattle Point) and go to Friday Harbor. We've looked at Washburn's Tables for the predicted currents and we've studied both the US and Canadian charts, but I'm looking for your practical suggestions.
Any tricky spots to watch for? Any specific aids to navigation that are more important than others? Thanks (in advance).
- Peter
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John Matott
Just read your charts and pay special attention to the tidal currents and
the wind. If they are going in opposite directions, you might find
yourself in a bit of chop. Also, the B.C. Ferry (the high speed one) often
takes special pride in passing close to small boats at high speed. Its a
good idea to monitor Channel 13...thats a channel the big guys operate on.
Also...don't eat the fish.
Tom Friend
IF you see any orcas, keep it to yourself. If you discuss it with anyone
over VHF, you will be run down by the Whale Tour Boats trying to get a
front row seat. I'll never do that again...
The traffic seperators are the most important things to pay attention to.
Heed them well. The Clipper boats (high speed catamarans) ply the waters
between Victoria & Seattle. They may pass close, but they have almost no
wake once on plane.
Pay close attention to the instructional signs in Friday Harbor; the
customs folks get rather testy if you cannot read & follow directions.
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Tom Friend
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John T. Camm
John Matott wrote:
> Also...don't eat the fish.
Isn't that a sad comment.
John
Anne S. Paul
Peter,
I have no advice on the actual crossing, wait for some expert to come in
with that. However, in my experience with the inner harbour this summer,
you stay not at a marina, but at one of the government wharfs. There is
one further out (on the right, past the CG station, as you enter), and two
nearer the head of the harbour. We stayed at the one to the left of the
floatplane and customs dock, not right in front of the Empress. Was much
quieter, and felt more secure, not being in the midst of the party, so to
speak. Check your guidebooks on this.
ANNE
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Carl Hunt
Anne S. Paul wrote:
>
> Peter,
>
> I have no advice on the actual crossing, wait for some expert to come in
> with that. However, in my experience with the inner harbour this summer,
> you stay not at a marina, but at one of the government wharfs. There is
> one further out (on the right, past the CG station, as you enter), and two
> nearer the head of the harbour. We stayed at the one to the left of the
> floatplane and customs dock, not right in front of the Empress. Was much
> quieter, and felt more secure, not being in the midst of the party, so to
> speak. Check your guidebooks on this.
>
> ANNE
>
Pay attention to the tide tables. Tidal rips can occur at the
confluence of Haro Strait and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Try to
transit this area close to a slack tide. Also, if you have to travel up
or down Haro Strait, such as leaving from Roach Harbor, try to do it
with the tide. If you have to go against it, stay close to the shore.
Roach Harbor is a cute place and worth stopping for.
Anne provides good advise about government wharfs. In front of the
Empress is more expensive and noisy. If you don't mind spending a few
bucks (quite a few bucks), afternoon tea at the Empress is a kick.
Carl
Tim Margeson
I am not an expert, but the crossing isn't difficult. Just be sure to give the big ships their right of way and don't try the very common "I'll sneek in front of them before they get here" trick. Lot's of bent masts have resulted from this. The big ships are going faster than they look. 12 to 20 knots is common. And the distances look unusually far, but aren't - probably some type of water haze I will guess.
Check the charts, cross lanes perpendicular to minimize time within the lanes. Big ships do travel outside the lanes on occasion. Keep a watch at all times.
Also, go with the tides. If the chart says a rip occurs at 09:40, there WILL be one. It's just a matter of tide and wind that will make it ripples or tidal waves. And the rocks around Victoria are nasty with rips.
All in all, the trip is a piece of cake, but can be unpleasant due to weather kicking up the water. A few years back I had five full gales hit me in a four week period. One was force 9 (45+ knots). Then again, there are all the other times :-)
Go and have a great time. Just don't underestimate the level of discomfort bad weather can bring when sailing in more open waters. Also remember, that the crossing is only a few hours if you time it with the tides.
Cheers,
Tim
Anne S. Paul wrote:
> Peter,
>
> I have no advice on the actual crossing, wait for some expert to come in
> with that. However, in my experience with the inner harbour this summer,
> you stay not at a marina, but at one of the government wharfs. There is
> one further out (on the right, past the CG station, as you enter), and two
> nearer the head of the harbour. We stayed at the one to the left of the
> floatplane and customs dock, not right in front of the Empress. Was much
> quieter, and felt more secure, not being in the midst of the party, so to
> speak. Check your guidebooks on this.
>
> ANNE
>
Robert Torson
Leave Roche Harbor with the ebb and go out around Discovery Island if
the visibility is bad. You can ride the current all the way.
To Cattle Pass from Vic go with the flood.
Stay out of the traffic lanes except to cross. Otherwise its all
straight forward.
lane
Carl Hunt wrote:
>
> Anne S. Paul wrote:
> >
> > Peter,
> >
> > I have no advice on the actual crossing, wait for some expert to come in
> > with that. However, in my experience with the inner harbour this summer,
> > you stay not at a marina, but at one of the government wharfs. There is
> > one further out (on the right, past the CG station, as you enter), and two
> > nearer the head of the harbour. We stayed at the one to the left of the
> > floatplane and customs dock, not right in front of the Empress. Was much
> > quieter, and felt more secure, not being in the midst of the party, so to
> > speak. Check your guidebooks on this.
> >
> > ANNE
> >
>
> confluence of Haro Strait and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Try to
> transit this area close to a slack tide. Also, if you have to travel up
> or down Haro Strait, such as leaving from Roach Harbor, try to do it
> with the tide. If you have to go against it, stay close to the shore.
> Roach Harbor is a cute place and worth stopping for.
>
> Anne provides good advise about government wharfs. In front of the
> Empress is more expensive and noisy. If you don't mind spending a few
> bucks (quite a few bucks), afternoon tea at the Empress is a kick.
>
> Carl
Roche not Roach Harbor please!
Tom Friend
Obviously, he has been there. $1 per foot night to use the rusty cold water
showers, docks that roll like a canoe, and PAY PUMPOUTS. Good place to
avoid, unless you must be "seen". The facilities (showers, restaurants,
laundry, etc.) are much better in Friday Harbor or Cap Sante in Anacortes.
--
Greed is a disease- sailing is the cure,
Tom Friend
"Mystique", Kingston WA HC43tk
"Pointy at Both Ends" http://users.soundcom.net/friend
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<snip>
Anne S. Paul
Oops, Carl...
From what I was told this last summer (by the woman in charge at the
government wharf office near Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria) the charges
are the same no matter which of the three wharfs you use. However, some
confusion could be from the fact that while there is a per night charge,
there is a minimum charge as well, which is more that the per night
charge. Therefore, if someone stayed one night only near the Empress, and
then two nights somewhere else, and, after dividing by two, did a
comparison, the Empress night would appear to have been more expensive.
Nuff said,
ANNE
PS to the tea at the Empress... Many years ago, I did that, with my
mother. Tea was served in front of the fireplace in the large room
at the front of the hotel. Small group of us. Now, many table, many
people, higher cost. Still, tho, a very nifty building to see.
On Fri, 12 Sep 1997, Carl Hunt wrote:
> Anne S. Paul wrote:
> >
> > Peter,
> >
> > I have no advice on the actual crossing, wait for some expert to come in
> > with that. However, in my experience with the inner harbour this summer,
> > you stay not at a marina, but at one of the government wharfs. There is
> > one further out (on the right, past the CG station, as you enter), and two
> > nearer the head of the harbour. We stayed at the one to the left of the
> > floatplane and customs dock, not right in front of the Empress. Was much
> > quieter, and felt more secure, not being in the midst of the party, so to
> > speak. Check your guidebooks on this.
> >
> > ANNE
> >
>
> Pay attention to the tide tables.
> Also, if you have to travel up
> or down Haro Strait, such as leaving from Roach Harbor, try to do it
> with the tide.
> Anne provides good advise about government wharfs. In front of the
> Empress is more expensive and noisy. If you don't mind spending a few
> bucks (quite a few bucks), afternoon tea at the Empress is a kick.
>
> Carl
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