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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! If you are a U.S. citizen, traveling from the United States to Canada, you will need a U.S. passport to get back into the United States. Due to massive delays in the passport handling system, this restriction is being waived at this time (Fall, 2007), but once those delays are eliminated, expect this rule to be in force - and don't EVER argue with U.S. Customs.
LOCATION | EVENTS | LAUNCHING | REGISTER | WEATHER | DIRECTIONS | LODGING |
Aerial view of Ladysmith and Oyster Bay. Red circled area is boat launch ramp. Copyright Marinas.Com
LOCATION: The town of Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada is located on Vancouver Island exactly on the 49th parallel and served by TransCanada Highway #1. It is 15 miles south of Nanaimo and 55 miles north of Victoria. The steam meet will be held at the marina of the Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS). There is good steaming within the 3 mile long, well sheltered Oyster Bay. The community is preparing a "red carpet" treatment for the Northwest Steam Society, and the picturesque setting is ideal for interesting steaming activity. You can learn more about Ladysmith by visiting their website. Simply "click on" the Ladysmith, British columbia banner at the top of this page.
Two weekends after the Meet, Victoria has its annual Classic Wooden Boat Festival. Steamboats are always welcome - wooden or not. We can make arrangements to keep your steamboat on its trailer at Ladysmith until you return later to take it to Victoria.
Vancouver Island is a prime tourist destination. You may wish to combine our Annual Meet with a vacation on this beautiful island. You've already paid a ferry company to get there - why not stay for two weeks more and get some steaming in at Victoria! 
EVENTS:
Aug. 15th, Friday:
* Friday Social, clam chowder, Eagles Hall - $ 7 US
Aug. 16th, Saturday:
* Saturday Dinner, smorgasbord, Eagles Hall - $ 20 US
Aug. 17th, Sunday:
* More steaming all day.
Aug. 18th, Monday
* Steam on nearby Shawnigan or Couwichan Lakes
Harry and Jim Blackstaffe will have their steam traction engine and other steam equip-ment on display at the foreshore of the marina. They've also invited local steam car owners. In addition the Blackstaff brothers will open their residence for viewing of their "Steam Treasures".
There will be a steamboat parade along Transfer Beach near the Marina; circumnaviga-tion of Dunsmuir Island at high tide; an excursion to Evening Cove (5-1/2 miles round trip) to raft together for wine and cheese; and a trip to Page Point Resort for coffee and cake. And a harbor tour tour aboard restored classic boats of the Ladysmith Maritime Society as well as a guided tour of Ladysmith for the ladies.
We have invited the Steam Tug Master from Vancouver to attend - if their crew shortage problem can be solved.
LAUNCHING/MOORAGE
Moorage: Moorage is free to steamers. Electricity and water is available at the dock.
Launching: Launching facilities are free and about a 8 minute walk from the LMS marina.
Boat Trailer Parking: There will be adequate trailer parking adjacent to the boat launch.
REGISTER: The Registration Form HERE. Select "print-to-fit" on your printer preferences.
WEATHER: Average high temperature for this time of year is 19oC and the average low is 9oC. You can find the latest 14 day forecast HERE.
TIDES: Tides at Ladysmith can vary as much as 11+ feet, so knowing local tides is recommended. Tides (in feet) for Ladysmith are HERE
DIRECTIONS: There are three ways to get there:
1. Take the B.C. Ferry from Tsawassen, Canada to Duke Point south of Nanaimo. Driving
time to Ladysmith is about 20 minutes. B.C. Ferries website.
2. Take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, Washington to Sidney, British Columbia. Driving time to Ladysmith is 1 hour 40 minutes. Wash. State Ferries website.
3. Take the M.S. Coho from Port Angles, Waashington to Victoria, British Columbia. Driving time to Ladysmith is 1 hour 20 minutes. Blackball Transport website.
Advance reservations may be made with all ferry providers. Reservations are recommended as the ferries are quite busy in the summer.
LODGING: Vancouver Island is prime tourist country in the summer, so make your booking as early as possible. We will try to get a special rate at all of the lodging sites, so always mentioned the Northwest Steam Society when booking. Prices are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change.
Holiday House Motel (closest to the LMS Marina and with an ocean view)
25 rooms $ 75.00
TransCanada Hwy #1 in Ladysmith
Telephone: 1-888-310-2299
Website: http://www.ladysmithoceanview.com/
Ladysmith Inn
20 rooms $ 50.00 to $ 65.00
640 - 1st Avenue, Ladysmith, B.C. Canada
Telephone: 250-245-8033
Website http://www.ladysmithinn.com/
Page Point Inn
9 rooms and 2 cabins $ 85.00 to $ 125.00. Cabins are ideal for a larger family.
Located across Ladysmith Harbor - has own full service marina
4760 Brenton Road, Ladysmith, B.C. Canada
Telephone: 250-245-2312
Website: http://www.pagepointinn.com/
Fuller Lake Motel
35 rooms, some with mini-kitchens $ 70.00 to $ 90.00
9300 Smiley Road, Chemainus, B.C. - 5 miles south of Ladysmith on TransCanada Hwy #1
Telephone: 1-888-246-3255
Website http://chemainus-fullerlakemotel.com/
Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn
42 rooms $ 100.00 and up
6474 TransCanada Hwy #1, Duncan, B.C.
16 miles south of Ladysmith across from the Forest Discovery Center
Telephone 1-800-927-6199
Website http://www.bctravel.com/bestwestern/cowichanvalleyinn.html
LADYSMITH BED & BREAKFAST
Sandpiper Bed & Breakfast
248 Bayview Avenue, Ladysmith, B.C.
Telephone 250-245-5794
Website: http://www.sandpiperbb.com/
Ladysmith Bed & Breakfast
920 Colonia Drive, Ladysmith, B.C.
Telephone 1-866-568-4060
Website http://www.ladysmithbandb.com/
Hawley Place Bed & Breakfast
Telephone 1-877-244-4431
Website http://www.hawleyplacebandb.com/
Fernwood Bed & Breakfast
Telephone 250-245-5200
Website http://www.fernwoodbb.com/
Estuary Estate Bed & Breakfast
302 Roland Road, Ladysmith, B.C. - right above the beach!
Telephone 250-245-0665
Website http://www3.telus.net/estuaryestate/
RVs & CAMPERS: Parking for Recreational Vehicles will be provided along a quiet road above the LMS Marina, partly on grass, partly on gravel. This will be a dry-camping area and is just a five minute walk from the Marina. Cars will be able to park at this same location. For a small donation a courtesy van will be available to transport folks to and from their hotel or the downtown area on 1st Avenue.
SPONSORS: A number of organizations and businesses are helping to make this a successful Meet. As I am notified, they will be listed below:
* Ladysmith Maritime Society
CONTACT: For additional information:
Wolfgang Schlager
Telephone: 360-647-5112
Email: nw-steamboats@comcast.net
The latest Steam Gage includes additional information - plan on attending!
Latest page update: December 1, 2007
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