New Boaters have discovered the Northwest

During the last couple of years, we have noticed a marked increase in the number of boaters cruising the Pacific Northwest, including new boaters who are experiencing the area for the first time.  These new boaters include not only locals, but those who live elsewhere.  We have met boaters from Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Germany and Sweden, who come to cruise our beautiful waters during the summer months – a combination of boats that have arrived on their own bottoms and boats that are now based in Washington State and British Columbia.  Likewise, the last couple of years have seen efforts by many marinas to rebuild or refurbish their docks and facilities. 

New Construction is taking place at Fairwinds Marina on Vancouver Island

New marina owners are also stepping forward to purchase older facilities with plans to rebuild or improve marina sites; Silva Bay Marina, mentioned in a previous blog post, serves as an example.  Rosario Resort, in the San Juan's, reconfigured and built all new docks just last season, expanding their capacity for transient boaters.  During our recent stop at Fairwinds Marina at Schooner Cove on Vancouver Island, we found on-going construction activity; the old upland building has been gutted and is being redone, and decking boards are being replaced on many sections of the marina docks.  We have received reports that the new owners of Lagoon Cove are continuing to make improvements, as are other marinas in the Broughtons. 

Dent Island remains a renowned destination for the discriminating cruiser 

Publisher of the Waggoner Cruising Guide, Mark Bunzel, recently visited Dent Island where a nice, but older lodge has been completely replaced with a new high-end lodge for discriminating cruisers.  Neighboring Morgan’s Landing, renamed Fisherman’s Landing & Marina by the new owner, offers extended new docks with plans for more high-end upland facilities.  Private marinas and port authorities alike are making efforts to include attractions and activities that bring boaters to their communities. 

The new Water Park at Comox is a fun family affair

During our stay in Comox, we noted that the new pavilion and new water park for children have drawn families to the town’s waterfront.  Even the local mall has received a face-lift.  Town amenities help draw visiting boaters: community events, farmers’ markets, access to good cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries are all favorite places to meet and enjoy the day. 

Lovely pavilions for gatherings at Comox waterfront

We found a wonderful Indian cuisine restaurant in Comox, called the Spice Hut, and a good bakery (Church Street Bakery) for morning coffee, sweets, and artisan breads.  With the influx of new boaters, we have also observed that not everyone is familiar with all the “rules of the road.”  For example, who has the right-of-way when you see a red light on another boat’s port bow?  Or on which side of the red channel marker should you pass?  In some areas of the world, the “red, right returning” rule is just the opposite, so boaters from those areas need to mentally switch gears.   

Wait for the green light before transiting through the cable-ferry route in Baynes Sound

 On our way to Comox from Nanaimo, we noticed that a boater was unaware that you need to wait when a red light (along the shore at the terminal) is shown at the cable-ferry crossing in Baynes Sound.  The Pacific Northwest presents other challenges like large tidal changes, strong currents and rapids, and expansive cruising areas with varying weather patterns.  Even seasoned boaters make mistakes, like using channel 16 for "radio checks" instead of channel 83A in Canadian waters and 22A in US waters.  While in the Gulf Islands, after hearing a dozen calls for radio checks on channel 16, my husband who is always ready with a humorous quip, suggested replying, “yes, it’s that black box displaying the number 16, that should show 83, at the other end of your microphone cord.”  On our best behavior, we didn’t fill the airwaves with such a reply, but it was a humorous reminder to ourselves that radio checks should be done on channel 83A or 22A and not the emergency/hailing channel 16.  Using the “low power” setting on the radio when announcing a passage, hailing someone, or calling a marina is also often overlooked by many boaters and can interfere with other calls and Coast Guard emergency communications.  We found that patience and helpful tips go along way when communicating with other boaters.  Boating is one of those activities where you never stop learning or honing one’s skills.  Boaters new to our area, likewise, have provided their own insights and experiences.  In Germany, for example, you are required to have a special license to operate a boat; the exam, both the written exam and the on-the-water exam, are very extensive and onerous.  It seems that one thing is for certain, the Pacific Northwest has been discovered by boaters the world over.