I am considering trailering my boat to Prince Rupert and then sailing Spoth Eastern Alaska. Does anyone out there have any experience doing this trip.
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Yes and No
Sailing part - Yes; Driving part - no. When I was in Prince Rupert there was an Idaho couple with a Chrysler sailboat that trailered it up. The sad part is it is an older boat and the running lights were small and probably didn't meet current light output requirements. Also the lenses were faded. They got an early morning start in the dark and were T-boned by a high-speed aluminum sport fishing boat. The sport fishing boat had a couple customers and the skipper may not have been doing a good job looking out for traffic so who knows why the accident occurred. Bigger lights on the Chrysler would have at least made them more visible. Trailering the boat up vs. sailing up would definitely be a better way to go - that's what I'd do. By water it's a l-o-o-o-n-g way to go and there are very few sources for fuel. Towing is a long way too but I think there would be fewer problems. Oh, and there was also a kyaker going solo that launched in Belingham or Anacortes and had paddled that far - he was headed for Prince William Sound. Whew! Don't know if this helps - or did you have any specific questions?
Sailing part - Yes; Driving part - no. When I was in Prince Rupert there was an Idaho couple with a Chrysler sailboat that trailered it up. The sad part is it is an older boat and the running lights were small and probably didn't meet current light output requirements. Also the lenses were faded. They got an early morning start in the dark and were T-boned by a high-speed aluminum sport fishing boat. The sport fishing boat had a couple customers and the skipper may not have been doing a good job looking out for traffic so who knows why the accident occurred. Bigger lights on the Chrysler would have at least made them more visible. Trailering the boat up vs. sailing up would definitely be a better way to go - that's what I'd do. By water it's a l-o-o-o-n-g way to go and there are very few sources for fuel. Towing is a long way too but I think there would be fewer problems. Oh, and there was also a kyaker going solo that launched in Belingham or Anacortes and had paddled that far - he was headed for Prince William Sound. Whew! Don't know if this helps - or did you have any specific questions?
A shorter Route
A better alternative might be to take a ferry to Vancouver Island and drive to the North end and take the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. The cost may be a bit more but when you consider the wear and tear on the vehicle and the fact that it is an 18-20 hour drive from Vancouver to Prince Rupert it might be worth it. The bonus is that you would have an opportunity to drop it in and sail some of the great areas like the Gulf Islands, Princess Louisa or Desolation sound on the way up or back. The Island highway is 4 lanes up to Campbell River and 2 beyond so in terms of time it might be faster and definitely a lot more scenic. You would have to check on vehicle size and trailer as they have a replacement vessel on the route as the last one went down after hitting an Island in a winter storm. You can be certain that after the last mishap all of the safety regs and issues have been gone over in detail.
A better alternative might be to take a ferry to Vancouver Island and drive to the North end and take the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. The cost may be a bit more but when you consider the wear and tear on the vehicle and the fact that it is an 18-20 hour drive from Vancouver to Prince Rupert it might be worth it. The bonus is that you would have an opportunity to drop it in and sail some of the great areas like the Gulf Islands, Princess Louisa or Desolation sound on the way up or back. The Island highway is 4 lanes up to Campbell River and 2 beyond so in terms of time it might be faster and definitely a lot more scenic. You would have to check on vehicle size and trailer as they have a replacement vessel on the route as the last one went down after hitting an Island in a winter storm. You can be certain that after the last mishap all of the safety regs and issues have been gone over in detail.
The shorter route
Gary, A little more info for you. Assuming you have to drive from Longview to Vancouver I will do the comparison from that point on. From Vancouver take the Tswassen ferry to Duke point (2 hours) and drive to Port Hardy 241 miles (4 1/2 hours). Take the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert ( overnight route where you relax and sleep) and arrive ready to go. The alternative is 2 long days on not great roads and very busy in the summertime 18-20 hours pulling a trailer (934 miles) and arrive a day later and tired. You would definitely need reservations in the summer on both routes and you can book on line at www.bcferries.com
Gary, A little more info for you. Assuming you have to drive from Longview to Vancouver I will do the comparison from that point on. From Vancouver take the Tswassen ferry to Duke point (2 hours) and drive to Port Hardy 241 miles (4 1/2 hours). Take the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert ( overnight route where you relax and sleep) and arrive ready to go. The alternative is 2 long days on not great roads and very busy in the summertime 18-20 hours pulling a trailer (934 miles) and arrive a day later and tired. You would definitely need reservations in the summer on both routes and you can book on line at www.bcferries.com
White Rock by Blain?
Don, Are you right next to Blain? Been in there many times a nice harbor too. Big Bill McQuistin is from White Rock, he had a dive shop in Hawaii in the 70's, know him? Lottal nice anchorages up thataway, but I prefer the warm water and plamtrees Rambi Isle in Fiji is the most sceinc, undistrubed, palms, fish, coral, and coconut crabs...;--) Lady Musgrave Island in Northern Auz is a beautiful lagoon that is easy to enter and anchor, lots of fish too, but when ever I was in the water I saw reef sharks, pretty common down thar.
Don, Are you right next to Blain? Been in there many times a nice harbor too. Big Bill McQuistin is from White Rock, he had a dive shop in Hawaii in the 70's, know him? Lottal nice anchorages up thataway, but I prefer the warm water and plamtrees Rambi Isle in Fiji is the most sceinc, undistrubed, palms, fish, coral, and coconut crabs...;--) Lady Musgrave Island in Northern Auz is a beautiful lagoon that is easy to enter and anchor, lots of fish too, but when ever I was in the water I saw reef sharks, pretty common down thar.
Right on the border
Cap'n Ron , We live in White Rock and keep the boat in Blaine as it is only 12 minute from home ( with a Nexus border pass). It is a great harbor and lots of good people. We have an active sailing club - International Yacht Club with many members from both sides of the border. The best part is that I can leave work on a Friday at 4PM, go straight to the boat and be motoring out of the marina by 4:30. At this time of year we can make several anchorages well before dark.
Cap'n Ron , We live in White Rock and keep the boat in Blaine as it is only 12 minute from home ( with a Nexus border pass). It is a great harbor and lots of good people. We have an active sailing club - International Yacht Club with many members from both sides of the border. The best part is that I can leave work on a Friday at 4PM, go straight to the boat and be motoring out of the marina by 4:30. At this time of year we can make several anchorages well before dark.
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