Re: [Paddlewise] Discovery Passage Ferry

>For those who haven't experienced BC Ferries "Discovery Passage" ferry, do
>try it. They're very kayak friendly. They have a large rolling boat rack
so
>you can leave the wheelies at home and pack more single malt. They have a
>special dock that sets up on the end of the rack so that they can "wet
>launch" or retrieve you at sea (this is by special arrangement and the
>captain's permission). The ferry has hot, coin operated showered, and
cold,
>cash-operated beer.

I totally agree.  We paddled Bella Bella last year, met about a dozen other
kayakers who happened to be on the same ferry,
and the staff even prepared a delicious eat-all-you-want salmon barbeque
for the passengers on the rear deck of the ferry!  They showed movies to
help pass the time (it's around a 10 hour ride, if I remember correctly),
and provided games, etc.  Plus, we took the night ferry back from Bella
Bella (a nice way to save time, incidentally -- we just rolled out our pads
& sleeping bags and slept like babies all night), and the ferry captain was
willing to do a "wet pickup" at around 9:30 pm.   I still can hardly
believe they stopped to pick up a bunch of grubby kayakers bobbing in the
water in near total darkness (except for our headlamps and the rear ferry
lights).  In the US, I'm sure they'd be so paranoid about potential
lawsuits that they'd never consider it.  The ferry handlers told us they
actually enjoyed (!) picking up/dropping off kayakers to break the monotony
(tho they aren't always willing, depending on the weather and their
schedule).

Evan


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