Weather: Sunny and mild. Winds: NW 10. Seas: <1ft.
Mid-morning departure, motoring out of the marina, squeezing between a couple boats moored behind us. Fortunately, it was calm and departure was easy. Exiting Victoria Harbor, we could sail!
One of the problems going to Canada is clearing customs on the way back (same for going into Canada...where to clear?). Entry into the US is at 3 locations, Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor or Anacortes: All are out of the way for a Victoria to Skyline run. The Anacortes entry is on the east side of town, where the primary marinas are located and way out of the way for us. Friday Harbor is also out of the way, less than Anacortes, but getting there means going through Cattle Pass, a pass where there be dragons if the transit timing is not at slack tide.
So, the only real option is Roche Harbor and our route home was determined by this. So, east along the Brotchie Ridge, to the south of Trial Island, to the east of Brodie Rock and Chain Islets in the Hacate and Plumper Passages, then NE into the Haro Strait via Baynes Channel. All under sail except for a brief period in vicinity of the west end of Baynes Channel when we needed to motor.
In the Haro, sailed NNE, making 6kts to Mosquito Pass and then had to motor into the customs dock. Briefly considered folding, but realized there probably was not much traffic so stayed spread. With no one at the customs dock, clearance in was easy. Friendly and chatty ICBP official was nice!
Motored most of the way towards home via Spieden Channel, across San Juan Channel to North Passage, through Pole Pass, Harney Channel and into Rosario via Thatcher Pass. There was wind in Rosario and we sailed home at 6.5kts!
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