Cap'n Jeff, thanks for the encouragement. It's going to be awhile before I
can get the time for such a trip. I got to wondering if my range was
enough. It's going to be close unless I add another fuel tank. I can still
plan the trip. I bought the largest cruiser I can trailer for that reason.

We, my wife and I, have been staying on the boat while at the lake for about
the last eight years. Camp grounds have long ago turned into parking lots
and this solves several problems.

I'm an inland boater (Oklahoma) so I will need to get advice from someone
who is experienced cruising the coast. I've been as far east as Lake
Champlain and west to Lake Powell.

If you don't mind answering some questions, how long did your trip take?
Is cell phone service available along the coast?
Can you use the VHF in Canada?
How do you get updated on weather?
Are there places to anchor for the night?
How's the view? I can't wait!

Where do you live?

Dave

"dw"

Is cell phone service available along the coast?

Not for much of it in B.C. - there is a distinct lack of people

Can you use the VHF in Canada?

Yes

How do you get updated on weather?

VHF Weather broadcasts in BC and Alaska, though you might be out of range of
a transmitter for 1/2 a day on parts of the trip

Are there places to anchor for the night?

Hundreds

How's the view? I can't wait!

O.k. if you like misty fjords with waterfalls and snowcapped peaks, that
sort of thing.

--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)

Ditto on everything Evan said. The only phone service I got with Verizon
was in Prince Rupert. Nothing else in all of BC and Alaska.

We went from Port Hardy, as the trip from Seattle to Port Hardy is
another adventure all in itself, with lots of big water and wild
currents. It took us six weeks to get to Sitka and back, and we didn't
loaf nearly enough. We cruise at 20 knots and it took 11 days to get to
Sitka. Make sure to allow time to wait for good weather at places like
Queen Charlotte Straight and Dixon Entrance.

There's always weather available on the VHF. Also you can get on the
radio and ask for a report from someone who is out where you're going.
The VHF almost always worked, but sometimes not in the little
steep-sided inlets. And sometimes there is no one else out there. Have a
406 EPIRB. Get some cruising guides to help you through the winter; they
have lots of good hints. Know your boat; get a GPS chartplotter (I
recommend the Garmin 182C.).

Anchoring is somewhat of a challenge with the 20+' tides. I recommend a
SPADE. Let it out and leave it alone rather than backing down on it
right away seemed to work best for us.

We're from Minnesota and trailered from here.

Capt. Jeff

On the cell service:
Good coverage on the east coast of Vancouver Island, including most of
Johnstone Strait. Practically none in the northern portion of BC.

Paul
www.jcruiser.org
"dw" wrote in message
...
Cap'n Jeff, thanks for the encouragement. It's going to be awhile before
I
can get the time for such a trip. I got to wondering if my range was
enough. It's going to be close unless I add another fuel tank. I can
still
plan the trip. I bought the largest cruiser I can trailer for that
reason.

We, my wife and I, have been staying on the boat while at the lake for
about
the last eight years. Camp grounds have long ago turned into parking lots
and this solves several problems.

I'm an inland boater (Oklahoma) so I will need to get advice from someone
who is experienced cruising the coast. I've been as far east as Lake
Champlain and west to Lake Powell.

If you don't mind answering some questions, how long did your trip take?
Is cell phone service available along the coast?
Can you use the VHF in Canada?
How do you get updated on weather?
Are there places to anchor for the night?
How's the view? I can't wait!

Where do you live?

Dave