The local YC has reciprocal moorage, or at least they have in the past. Something to keep in mind; check with them to see.
PNW Rendezvous Summer 2024
- Thread starter hjohnson
- Start date
Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Yes, the cost of moorage for a 50 footer would buy a round of drinks for everyone attending the rendezvous, well almost.
Of course you would be welcome, even without the attire, but that would certainly guarantee you would be held in good standing!
Your options for anchoring might be a bit better if you could arrive a day earlier, ie. Thursday, as that area gets busier over every weekend.
Loren's comment about reciprocal moorage might work, as the Maple Bay Yacht club is only a short distance (about a 10 minute walk) up the bay. However, they do not take reservations for reciprocal, only first come first served, so it's a bit risky, but again better if you arrived Thursday.
Frank
FYI: the local yacht club that has a reciprocal dock appears to have raised their minimum insurance requirement again.
Now it's three million dollars. That would add a premium cost increase onto our policy.
A few years ago it was odd to see it listed as a million when no one else demanded such a document.
mbyc.bc.ca
(I imagine that this keeps the Riff-Raff out... ! Message received.)
Oh Well. The Maple Bay Marina where the rendezvous will be held now shows pix of new / replacement docks.
We look forward to another fun experience, but it's a shame that the local yacht club became so snooty, tho.
Now it's three million dollars. That would add a premium cost increase onto our policy.
A few years ago it was odd to see it listed as a million when no one else demanded such a document.
Visitors – Maple Bay Yacht Club
mbyc.bc.ca
Oh Well. The Maple Bay Marina where the rendezvous will be held now shows pix of new / replacement docks.
We look forward to another fun experience, but it's a shame that the local yacht club became so snooty, tho.
Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Loren,
The government recently raised the maximum for liability claims to about $2,250,000, and then adding court costs and legal fees, the cost of a claim could approach $3 million. So you'll find many marinas raising their requirement to cover that. I renewed my coverage to that earlier this year, after checking with my long term agent. So I don't think the local club is being "snooty" or limiting boaters, they're just being cautious consistent with the recent changes.
Frank
The government recently raised the maximum for liability claims to about $2,250,000, and then adding court costs and legal fees, the cost of a claim could approach $3 million. So you'll find many marinas raising their requirement to cover that. I renewed my coverage to that earlier this year, after checking with my long term agent. So I don't think the local club is being "snooty" or limiting boaters, they're just being cautious consistent with the recent changes.
Frank
phildogginit
Member II
is the date/location confirmed for this year's PNW rendezvous? Maple bay July 26-28?
It’s confirmed. Hope to see you there, and probably best to let them know that you’re part of the ericson group when making the reservation
phildogginit
Member II
yes, we will try to make it there. thank you
mjknowle
S/V Sagres
Hi folks! Just heard from the marina, and they'd like us all to register by Friday, July 12, so we have guaranteed berth space and all that. Here's what to do:
Official check-in starts at 1pm on Friday, July 26 and they'd like us checked out by noon on Sunday July 28 -- unless you want to extend your moorage either earlier or later, which you're welcome to do.
If you have any activities you want to do/things to share, please let us know so we can get the schedule together--we're open to ideas! Looking forward to seeing you all there.
- By phone: call 250-246-8482 (direct, that's a Vancouver Island area code) or 866-746-8482 (toll-free)
- Online: https://maplebaymarina.com/visitor-vessel-registration-form/
Official check-in starts at 1pm on Friday, July 26 and they'd like us checked out by noon on Sunday July 28 -- unless you want to extend your moorage either earlier or later, which you're welcome to do.
If you have any activities you want to do/things to share, please let us know so we can get the schedule together--we're open to ideas! Looking forward to seeing you all there.
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We’ve made a reservation for the weekend. Looking forward to it!
What are the current tips and best-practices for clearing in and out of Canada?
I haven't been up there on the boat since before COVID and I suspect everything I did then is now obsolete. IIRC I was able to check into Canada by phone and was given my clearance number and instructions to write it on a piece of paper and tape it to a window on the dock-side of the boat. And I was able to check back into the US by phone as well.
I have a current passport, a "Real-ID" drivers license, a DTOPS sticker and a NEXUS (trusted traveler) card. Anything else I need to make things easy for myself?
I haven't been up there on the boat since before COVID and I suspect everything I did then is now obsolete. IIRC I was able to check into Canada by phone and was given my clearance number and instructions to write it on a piece of paper and tape it to a window on the dock-side of the boat. And I was able to check back into the US by phone as well.
I have a current passport, a "Real-ID" drivers license, a DTOPS sticker and a NEXUS (trusted traveler) card. Anything else I need to make things easy for myself?
Looking at the Customs page for DTOPS info, they want to have you obtain your sticker in advance, but will also sell it to you when you check in (like in the past). I suspect that if you have a current passport, you are good to go.
That said, if you are set up to use a phone check-in procedure that's would be a time saver.
That said, if you are set up to use a phone check-in procedure that's would be a time saver.
Thx, and... yeah. Last time (Genoa Bay) I went Port Townsend to Sidney, and checked in by phone to the Sidney station. Easy-Peasy, although some of the questions they asked on the phone were.... amusing.
Second Star
Member III
Second Star is booked for the RV. See you all there.
The Kirby's
1984 28+
CFSA
Victoria BC
The Kirby's
1984 28+
CFSA
Victoria BC
mjknowle
S/V Sagres
If everyone aboard is a NEXUS holder, you'll want to use the Nexus Marine clearance phone number and plan to stop at a Nexus port. The info you'll need to provide is here. You call the NEXUS number, wait on hold, and answer their questions. You'll want to have your boat registration information handy as they'll likely ask, particularly if it's your first time entering Canada. They'll ask you what your ETA is at whatever entry point you choose to use; when you get there, you get to hang out for your ETA + 30 minutes. If nobody shows up, write down your clearance number and go on your merry way; if someone from CBSA shows up and inspects you, do what they ask.
If you're not a NEXUS holder, you need to clear at one of the TRS/M entry points, which is a rather shorter list. That's here. You can also cross in person at Victoria, Sidney, or Nanaimo. For boats arriving from the San Juans, your best bet usually is to drop in at Bedwell Harbour on South Pender. Everyone will need passports/valid travel documents. Bedwell is supposed to be staffed during summer, but the last time I went through in person (returning from the 2023 EY Rendezvous at Deer Harbor!), they just had a bank of phones at the head of the dock that connected you with the TRS/M folks, after a nearly hour-long wait on hold. Bring reading material.
In either case, only the master of the boat making the call/clearing is permitted to disembark until cleared, once you have your lines tied up. This is a good time for everyone else to enjoy happy hour aboard.
Note that most pit fruits, a lot of fresh meats/poultry (might be a longer list by the time July rolls around if H5N1 gets even more prevalent), and firearms are generally inadmissible into Canada. Check CBSA's list if you're unsure as this stuff changes all the time; you'll probably get asked about the contents of your fridge.
For returning to the US, we've found that the CBP ROAM app works super well, although I've ended up losing my stored information on it between last summer and when we last had to clear, a few weeks ago, which is a pain. Your best bet is to download the app, create your login.gov account unless you have one already, and enter all your information in while you're at home on good internet. When you're going to cross and have an ETA (but not before!), press the 'Report arrival' button, put all your information in, and follow the instructions. You'll either get to do a video conference with an agent, or get cleared right through. I've always been cleared right through--if you have a foreign boat, they'll assign you a cruising permit number your first time through, which you should keep in your ship's log as well as on the app for future use.
Cell coverage is usually good in open water (Haro/Juan de Fuca/Rosario) but can be iffy once you're into Trincomali Channel and in Gulf Islands anchorages, so plan accordingly. Coverage at Maple Bay and most points along the mainland should be good. You may want to check your cell plan's roaming provisions to avoid unpleasant costs/surprises, particularly if you're not with a major carrier/recent plan.
Navigational warning: If you clear at Bedwell Harbour and then leave up the inside of North Pender Island, which you will likely be wanting to do: please be aware of the seasonal whale exclusion zone up the SW side of North Pender Island, as it might or might not show up on your charts. More info here. Stay to centre channel between N Pender and Moresby Island, or you'll likely get a strongly worded call on VHF16 from the Victoria Coast Guard telling you to alter course (at best).
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Tooluser
Flǎneur
… Plus the guilt of knowing you disturbed a whale breeding area, and potentially a $1 million fine!