Friday, 27December2013: Victoria to Butchart Cove

Weather:  Overcast, showers initially.  Winds:  Calm becoming SW10-15.  Waves:  <1ft.

Boring motor in the cold rain turned into a great sail!  Departed 0800 to arrive 1400.

Had spread the amas the night before and raised the screacher in anticipation of light winds.  Uneventful motor out of Victoria, turning the corner and heading east in the rain and no winds.  Went to the north side of Trial Islands.  Raised the main in anticipation of winds at Mouat Reef and turned north through Mayor Channel.  Winds began to improve as we entered the Haro via Baynes Channel.  We were sailing under main and screacher in SE 5-10 by the time we reached the former leper colony of D'Arcy Island.  Gybed up Sidney Channel making 8kts.  Once past James Island, winds shifted to SW 10-15 and we were cruising at 11kts with excursions to 13kts VMG* in an apparent wind beam reach!  With little waves and predictable wind gusts, it was a very comfortable sail!

Courtesy of S/V Sarita

Because the winds would become squirrelly and the currents potentially strong, the screacher was furled and the engine started prior to entering the tight passage between Goudge and Fernie Islands in the Canoe Cove archipelago.  Passage was uneventful despite a 2kt current in the face.

Winds were variable in Swartz Bay and we motor-sailed.  Winds picked up at the west end of Satellite Channel and we beat WNW under screacher and main to the south end of Saltspring Island where the wind died once more.  Furled the screacher and motored south.  Winds picked up once more at Patricia Bay and we beat south.  Winds died at Senanus Island, the sails were furled, dinghy moved to the net and we motored the rest of the way into Butchart Cove.  Mooring in Butchart was easy as we were the only ones there until Sarita came in.

Sarita and Strider in Butchart Cove

Courtesy of S/V Sarita

'twas a good day!  50% of the trip was sailing and the sail through and out of Sidney Channel was thrilling!  As with most sailing in the PNW, was kept busy by the changing conditions.


*VMG:  Velocity Made Good.  This is the actual speed in direction desired, not necessarily the direction the boat is heading.  For instance, a sailboat cannot sail into the wind.  If the desired destination is in the direction of the wind, the sailboat has has to tack back and forth to go in this direction.  On a tack the boat will be going at what ever the boat speed the wind and sail settings can push it.  But the velocity towards the destination, or VMG, is less because the boat is not headed directly towards the destination, but an angle off the direction.