International Dinghy Sailing Adventures

The BC coastline is ideal for cruising of all kinds, especially for small boat camping explorations. The Gulf Islands are rich in abundant marine and bird life, warm water and spectacular scenery to make this area a paradise. Those who enjoy dinghy sailing, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, beach combing, natural history and nature photography will enjoy our Gulf Islands adventure. This area is characterized by its dry summer weather, colorful Arbutus trees, ancient Douglas Firs, sandstone rock formations, and warm water in summer months.

A  collaboration between Barefoot Wooden Boats and Silva Bay Kayak Adventures a subsidiary of Baja Kayak Adventure Tours Ltd., both based out of Gabriola Island, makes these exciting sailing adventures possible. Showcasing these beautifully hand crafted wood boats, the amazing local coastline and the knowledge and experience of our guides is sure to please sailing and ‘summer-fun’ enthusiasts. Participants are encouraged to partake in all aspects of our tours, including route plans, navigation as well as meal planning and preparation. We strive for the same great adventure trips and participative philosophy while maintaining our emphasis on safety, quality opportunities, and client service as in our BC and Baja kayak tours.

Barefoot Wooden Boats is rapidly becoming a hallmark of the Gabriola Island maritime scene. After graduating form the renowned Silva Bay Shipyard School, Canada’s only full-time traditional wooden boat school, the Barefoot Wooden Boat directors rapidly established a reputation for excellent craftsmanship and their care for the traditions, values and culture of classic wooden boats. They actively promote the resurgence of traditional boat building and strive to showcase the classic sailing opportunities of this region. (See BOATS below for a description of available boats).

PHILOSOPHY
We wish to attract healthy, independent, fun-loving maritime adventurers. We describe ourselves as 'outfitters', and are not a fully catered operation. Our primary role is to outfit your trip, reduce risk, facilitate navigation and support the group experience. Our guides have considerable experience exploring this part of the British Columbia coastline and have a strong interest in local natural history and the ecology of the surrounding marine environment.

A variety of classic wooden boats are available, so opportunities are provided to sail in each. We have two 15’ Mower Dories, fast and exciting double-ended Dinghies which take a crew 2-3. The three 12’ Pogi Class with standing lug rigs are a safe, stable but yet fast sailing dinghy that are also a dream to row.  There are options to charter a variety of other dinghies from Barefoot Wooden Boat and others from the Silva Bay Shipyard School here on Gabriola should we need additional crafts for our fleet.
Some basic sailing experience is suggested, but we require that you are able to swim. We supply one 20 L. dry bag and all cooking equipment. You provide your own personal camping items (we can rent you a tent, depending on availability). Our safety equipment includes; navigation gear, flares, an expedition first aid kit, and a VHF marine radios.

The weather, tides and group interests dictate daily activity and route options. Effort is also made to provide opportunities to sail in each of the different boats.

DATE: July 21-26 and August 18-23, 2008

COST RANGE: $850.00 CDN / Person US at current exchange

GULF ISLAND SAILING TOUR ITINERARY
The specific route plan can be adapted along the way according to your interests and abilities. Typically each day will involve sailing for 3 – 6 hours leaving lots of time for beach combing, swimming, exploring local communities, practicing seamanship and navigation or just relaxing on the beach. There are a wide variety of beaches available for us to stop at and explore. Our groups are able camp at several Provincial Parks, local campsites and seaside resorts. There are options to spend a night or two at an idyllic gulf island cottage or one of the coastal B&Bs located throughout the gulf islands (at additional cost).  All of the islands we will be exploring have beautiful and unique features such as spectacular cliffs, sandstone rock formations, trail walks, Douglas fir and Garry-Oak ecosystems, and a wide variety of bird and marine life.

Day 0:
You will need to arrive on Gabriola Island one day prior to the start of your trip.  We call this Day 0, as it is required, but not counted as a day on the water.  We will meet on the lawn at the Silva Bay Inn, which overlooks beautiful Silva Bay, to meet the group, do our shopping for the meals, discuss our route and go over any other last minute details.  You are responsible for your own meals on Day 0, but usually the groups like to have dinner together next door at the Silva Bay Bar and Grill.

DAY 1 to 6:
Day 1: Launch from Silva Bay. We'll sail/row through Gabriola Passage on the morning ebb tide and travel along the shore of Valdes Island to one of our favorite camping areas, Blackberry Point. Several possibilities for a shore-stop exist, including “Hole-in-the-Wall” or Pirates Cove before continuing along to Blackberry Point. The cliffs along the shore of Valdes are spectacular with amazing honeycomb sandstone formations, displaying an infinite variety of patterns and images. In the summer months, afternoons are usually spent poking along these ledges and diving off of the Sandstone cliffs into the ocean.

Day 2: With fair winds and tides, we sail down Trincomali Channel, skirting Polier Pass and negotiating the narrow entrance into beautiful Connover Cove in the Secretary Islands.

Day 3 - 4: Typically includes continuing further south to Montague Marine Park with camping at the Provincial Campsite. Local bus transportation is available to the Hummingbird Neighborhood Pub on Galiano Island for a meal and refreshments on land. Galiano Island has a number of excellent hikes. Usually from Montague we hike to the top of Galiano Mountain to appreciate the Garry Oak meadows high above the southern entrance to Active Pass.
Other options on the following days may lead us to Prevost Island, or Ruckle Park just south of Ganges Harbor on Saltspring Island.

Day 5 - 6: Depending on the ability and enthusiasm of the group we can drop a few buoys and have a mini-race on day 5 or 6. Routes for retuning north to Gabriola are dependent on the weather and interests of the group. A sail through Porlier pass can be exhilarating, but always requires careful planning to hit the slack and change to flood out into the Gulf of Georgia. From there camping at the sandy, and scenic Coon Bay is a favorite. Again depending on conditions, the group can continue along the east coast of Valdes with stops for camping, beachcombing or picnics at several locations on this more exposed outer coast. Alternatively, more time can be spent on the inside waters, with camping possible in Telegraph Harbor, and dinner at the pub where the boast of ‘the best fish and chips in the Gulf Islands’- did I say that they have Canadian pale ale! With the right conditions, the fleet might continue directly northwest back to Silva Bay, although most groups will plan for a final day exploring the Flat-top Islands south of Silva Bay. Upon returning to Silva Bay, dinner at the pub or restaurant is a popular final event.

We aim to be back on Gabriola by lunch on the final day, but due to the nature of wilderness travel we cannot guarantee that you'll be able to meet travel arrangements home on the same day, leaving the day after is suggested and much more relaxing.

MEALS
To keep our rates low we like to involve everyone in a part of meal preparation. Each is responsible for the purchase and preparation of 2-3 assigned group meals. On day 0 after meeting the group, anyone who has not already purchased their meals, can join us at the Silva Bay Grocery Store.  There are several other local grocery and health-food stores on Gabriola Island. Water, coffee, teas, a shared cooler and a spice kit are provided for the group.  We are happy to suggest meal options for you and always address individual allergy and food concerns.  Although the stores on Gabriola carry a wide variety of special and imported items, if you are planning any meals that require special or hard to find items we suggest you purchase these before arriving on island.  Please feel free to contact us for any meal suggestions, preparation plans, or information on specialty items for your meals.

GETTING THERE
Gabriola Island is just a 20 minute ferry ride from Nanaimo Harbor on Vancouver island. There are also daily scheduled seaplane flights from Vancouver on Tofino Air at 250-247-9992.

PAYMENT
A $100 non-refundable deposit reserves you a spot. Balance of payment is due 14 days before trip departure. We are set up to process credit cards, but we will accept cheques as well.  If you cancel, you get your balance back unless it is 14 or fewer days before trip start, in which case we'll refund you 50% or keep the balance as a future credit for you towards another International Dinghy Sailing Adventure tour or one of our Silva Bay or Baja Kayak Adventures.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...
In the event of an emergency, there are emergency medical facilities in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Ganges, and Duncan. Gabriola has a medical clinic, but no operating facilities. Our tour area is well serviced by the Canadian Coast Guard and local coast guard auxiliaries. Medical insurance is mandatory. If you have not had a tetanus shot in the past ten years, it is strongly recommended

SOME ACCOMMODATION CHOICES
There are a number of B & B's, cabins for rent, a few resorts and a nice campground on Gabriola Island.

We recommend:
Silva Bay Inn - Ocean Front Inn overlooking beautiful Silva Bay. Kayak and Boater friendly, Grocery Store, Spa, Kayak Tours, Art Galleries, and Gift shops. www.silvabayinn.ca (250) 247 - 9351

or

Pages Marina and Campground - located on Silva Bay. With a full dock and marina, well maintained cabins, and a nice campground. (250) 247 - 8931

You can find a list of other accommodations and booking info at the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce website. www.gabriolaisland.org

BOATS:
Pogi Class – a small fun dinghy with a standing lug rig that is exciting to sail and a pleasure to row.  This safe a durable dinghy carries 802 feet of sail and is perfect for Gulf Islands camping sailing.
2 –3 crew.

Mower Dory – This Beautiful Mahogany and Yellow Cedar Dinghy is a blast to sail. It’s a fast and exciting boat, while still being very stable in a strong wind.
3 – 4 crew.

Should we need, there are other Dinghies available to us:

“Ratty” – a Tad Roberts design with a Cat Lug standing lug rig. The hull has flatter sections that allows for a very stable feel without compromising speed.  Ratty also carries a small inboard motor for emergencies.  Check out WoodenBoat Magazine issue #175 for more information on this design. 
4–5 crew.

“Bird” – a small Punt design dinghy perfect as a play boat and for beginners and kids to learn on. 
1-2 crew.

CONTACT
To book a trip or for more information on this or any of our other adventure tours please feel free to contact us.

Baja Kayak Adventures
By email at: info@bajakayakadventures.com
By phone at: (250) 247 - 8939

For more information on the dinghies, the builders, dinghy day rentals or the Silva Bay Shipyard School contact:

Barefoot Wooden Boats
info@barefootwoodenboats.com
(250) 247 – 9646

Silva Bay Shipyard School
info@boatschool.com
(250) 247 - 8809

TOUR AVAILIBILITY
Availability Request Form