[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

You guys are the best! I feel so much more confident now and know what challenges to expect. Thank you!!!

[Maureen Benzon]

Replies above are exactly right. Getting up and down the rocky path will be tricky on your own, especially if it has been raining.

It’s an extra kilometer, but they will come and fetch you at the terminal if requested. Phone Sandy at Pacifica Paddle Sports. For a nominal fee (I don’t remember what, but less than ferry fee) you can launch from their dock directly into Canoe Bay and miss the very busy ferry routes. They will keep your wheels and day clothes for you. If you drive to their dock, parking is included in the launch fee.

Getting onto the ferry is easy. Park and prepare your kayak. Pay bicycle rate and walk through the ticket office. Wait to load with the bikes. The advantage is that you are first on and first off.

It’s a lovely little adventure. Have fun.

 

[Clark Perry-Bater]

To add a bit to Kevin’s information, I would estimate the distance you have to wheel your kayak from the ferry to the beach is about 0.5 km. A good chunk of that is on the ferry parking lot, uphill, and once you’re outside the perimeter fence, it’s downhill to the beach. With a fully- loaded kayak it can be be quite a slog! I have found the launch much easier with 2 people, because depending on the tide level, the ramp down to the government dock can be quite steep, and if you launch from the beach, it’s a bit of a scramble to get your kayak over rocks and stuff down to the beach – difficult for a solo paddler.

[Cynthia Materi]

Thanks so much to everyone!  Such great ideas and wonderful offers.  Now I have to get to work.

[Kevin Amos]

Here is where you launch from. There is a difficult 3 ft drop to the beach or you can try using the dock. To get there you walk along the pedestrian painted path in the terminal. There will be an employee parking gate with a buzzer to request to exit. With good wheels you should have no problem.

 

Barnacle Rd
Swartz Bay, BC
https://goo.gl/maps/xvPLJirrWRufcaDc7

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Folks,

I have never done wheel-on/paddle-off on a ferry but would like to give it a try this summer. There is some info about it on BCMT but I would like to get more insight from folks who have done it. My questions are: where exactly is the exit gate towards the launch spot at Swartz Bay terminal if you are walking off with a kayak there? How tough is it to hike with a wheeled boat from the ferry to the launch (I will be solo) at Swartz Bay? I am going to practice my boat wheeling skills prior to this but any tips, tricks, and insights are most welcome.

[Theresa Davies]

The weather looks gorgeous next week- I’d like to camp and kayak for a few days. Let me know if you’re interested.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Hi Cynthia, I bought mine directly from Kokatat last fall, I was replacing two sets and bought a couple of spares, so it was worth the shipping. If you are doing it yourself, I have Kokatat’s neck kit that makes it very easy and you are welcome to borrow. I used jars for the wrists.

[Steve Best]

I had the gaskets and dry socks on one of my drysuits replaced a year ago by Comox Kite Repairs https://comoxkiterepair.ca/

Very happy with the repairs. A gasket on my other drysuit just failed and I sent it off two days ago to CKR for repairs. Use a medium prepaid Canada Post box.

[Calvin Sam]

Nimbus Seafarer Ocean Touring Kayak for Sale
Designed for the larger longer legged paddler. Handles well in rough weather and surf.
L: 16’8” Beam: 24” Vol: 414 L Weight: 50 lbs Age: 1988 stored inside and in very good condition
Top Kevlar, bottom fiberglass. c/w red nylon skirt & black cockpit cover. Price: $ 1,150.00

Paddles also for sale
New Wave – Mistral 1-piece 90” / 228 cm (Blue/White) Fibreglass. – make me an offer
Nimbus – Wave Walker > Split 91.5” / 230 cm (Black/Yellow) Fibreglass.  –  $150.
Nimbus – Niska > Split 95.5” / 240 cm (Black) Carbon Fibre. –  $250.

Reply via email calvin.sam@me.com or text me at 604.561.7629

[Clark Perry-Bater]

Hi Cynthia, I’ve bought gaskets at MEC a few times. I just checked, and they still have them on their website https://www.mec.ca/en/product/1906-320/Latex-Neck-Gasket?org_text=gasket. You can call to see if they have any in stock.
I’ve replaced the gaskets on my dry suit a few times. As long as you have some Aqua-Seal glue and  don’t mind making a mess, I found the process not too difficult. I used a large balloon to keep the neck open when I replaced that gasket. I might’ve used a lightbulb or something similar in the wrist and ankle gaskets. If you want any other info or help with it, give me a call – 604-434-2294

[Kelly Robertson]

My experience is with diving drysuits.  Brooks is a local manufacturer and they used to service other brands, but I don’t know if they still do.  I would also assume that most dive shops would offer the service.  The manufacturer of your drysuit may also have recommended service providers.  The last option is to do it yourself, but it involves nasty chemicals.

[Former Member]

Nikki Rekman in Chilliwack did a good job of installing gaskets in my suit a few years ago.   Not sure if she still is providing this service.

Her email address is info@rekman.ca

[Former Member]

I recently had a wrist gasket replaced at Coast Outdoors in North Van.

[Cynthia Materi]

Does anyone know where I can get new gaskets put on my dry suit?  Would really appreciate any help.
many thanks, Cynthia

[Author]

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