Friday, 27July2012: Egmont to Princess Louisa Inlet

Weather:  Partly cloudy and nice.  Winds:  0 building to 20 up-channel.  Seas:  <1ft.

Awesome sailing day!  One of the best we've had period!

Departed Egmont around 0900 with no wind motoring.  Rounding the corner out of Sechelt Inlet, we entered Prince of Wales Reach at slack tide and the winds started to pick up.  We raised the spinnaker and killed the engine, making 4kts.  The wind continued to build and by noon, we were making 8-9kts and the spinnaker was seeing 10kts with gusts to 12kts apparent.  Since the spinnaker was supposed to be a .75oz, light wind spinnaker, I had no idea how much it could take, so I blanketed it with the genoa and brought it down.  On the genoa only, we were still making 6kts!  Raised the screacher for a double, wing-on-wing headsail run and we were back up to 8-9kts!

Blasting up this fiord was truly special.  We were keeping pace with the powerboats around us and making smooth gybes as the fiord turned a corner.  We were vikings!  Track Charleson was I!

The miles were clicking by fast.  The question became:  When was slack water at Malibu Rapids, the narrow entrance into Princess Louisa Inlet and renown for its dangerous currents?  Kelly hit the books and found a reference, a time adjustment from another location.  It appeared slack was around 1430.  A quick time/distance/velocity calculation...we might arrive perfectly.  Luck, something about being lucky rather than good....

Rounding the corner exiting Princess Royal Reach into the Queens Reach, we had to actually slow down as we would arrive too early.  So, the screacher was furled and Strider slowed to 5kts on the genoa alone, making Malibu Rapids easily.

Transit was uneventful, following the securite protocol, once again, emphasizing the 25ft beam.  Once vessel on the other side responded and let us know transit was less than 5min.  Actually, it probably was only a couple minutes.

Remember in the movie, "The Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy steps out of the black and white house into the color land of Oz?  Passing through the rapids and into Princess Louisa was something like that.  From wind, chop, grey, wide water to calm, flat, clear water with tree covered cliffs and waterfalls all around.

Entering Princess Louisa Inlet

About 5 miles long and .5 miles wide, mostly a preserve bought by The Princess Louisa Society (we are now members) and a BC Provincial Park.  After the sailing blast, it was peaceful!  Not wanting to make any noise, we tried to sail, but the winds only teased us.  We motored.  About 15min into the inlet, Kelly spotted a motorized dinghy heading towards us.  "Is that RT?  Looks like their dinghy and there is a black dog on the bow."  Sure enough!

He had arrived about 45min ahead of us, having spent the night in Deserted Bay, at the juncture of Princess Royal Reach and Queens Reach.  He had not gone into Pender Harbour, but had arrived at the turn into Sechelt Inlet and thought it was too early to stop and pressed on.  He had left us a cell phone message, but we had not looked while there was coverage.  After all, who'd of thought?  Anyway, happy reunion!

RT secured the dink and climbed aboard.  He had a Macdonald Island mooring buoy so we took a tour of the inlet, motoring up to Chatterbox Falls, through the anchored boats at the foot of the falls and viewing all the boats (and their generators) on the dock.

 Several Waterfalls on the Cliff Face Converge to Form Chatterbox Falls

We continued the tour, getting up close to the cliffs and falls and found a small, quiet, private nook with a couple anchor bolts in the cliff and surrounded by at least 3 waterfalls.  This is the spot!  There was a discussion regarding moving there today, but we thought the mooring buoy would be nice for the night and we could see a different section of the inlet.  Also, there was a floating dock at there making for an easy trip for a walk about.

There were several boats from Gig Harbor and RT knew a couple who came by during their evening dinghy "chardonnay cruise."  Lovely idea that!

Thursday, 26July2012: Secret Cove to Egmont/Bathgate

Weather:  Sunny and warm.  Winds:  Initially S, light to calm.  Seas:  Flat.

A relaxed start, not too early, not too late!  Woke to a sunny day and unlike Captain's Mast, no raccoon tracks on the boat!  The plan was to head north, go through Agamemnon Channel and rendevous at Egmont.

In an effort to sail, headed out into Malaspina Strait, keeping the wind on a broad reach.  Missed the turn point into Agamemnon Channel while down below pumping the holding tank (legal in open Canadian waters).  Subsequently, ended up way behind Captain's Mast.  Not normally significant, but this is an area of limited communications, it became significant.

As noted, the plan was to rendevous at Egmont.  Last we had seen of C-Mast was off Francis Peninsula, looking like RT was headed into Pender Harbour.  A bit unusual, but thought maybe he was just checking it out as the trip to Egmont was not a long one.

We entered Agamemnon Channel with the current and were spell bound by the cliffs on each side.  Tried to sail, but the winds proved finicky, so we motored in vicinity of a couple other sailboats and made our way to Egmont, arriving around 1100.

At Egmont, found a spot to anchor, just east of the marina and settled down to wait for C-Mast.  The day grew hot and we waited.  No RT.  WTF?  Maybe he had a boat problem and went into a marina in Pender Harbour.  No cell service here.  Went ashore and tried the pay phone.  No luck his cell.  Called Merry Margret, had she heard from him?  No answer.  Went back to Strider and waited.

Late afternoon, still no RT.  Went back ashore and repeated the above.  Got a hold of MM and she had not heard from RT.  There was concern, "He never deviates from the plan."  Since she was arriving in Princess Louisa Inlet in two days, reassured her we, at least, would be there.

Spoke to some of the locals who stated there were no good anchorages there and they recommended the municipal pier.  Municipal pier?  The guide book makes no mention....  They pointed it out, the long one with no one on it.  We moved.  I think it was 50cents/foot.  Cheap.  Local harbor master came down to ensure we had paid.  Spoke to a couple with two kids from California owning their grandmother's cabin on the east side of marina.  The gentleman had been coming here for the summer since he was a kid.  Got a couple fishing tips from him along with a hint of a double waterfall in the area....

Had a pleasant evening after it cooled off and quit worrying about RT.

Wednesday, 25July2012: Nanaimo to Secret Cove

Weather:  Scattered clouds and mild.  Winds:  NW 10-15kts.  Seas:  2-3ft.


Mostly great day of sailing!

Departed Nanaimo via the south route around Protection Island, motoring out of the moorage and then setting sail right away.  In hindsight, should have motored north to Departure Bay as this would have set us up better for the crossing.  As it was, full main and screacher initially.

As we rounded Protection Island and heading NNE, the wind was more upon our nose and the screacher was furled and the genoa brought out.  About half way to Snake Island, killed a bunch of snakes in the cockpit by reefing the main and genoa and tacking WNW to get around the north side of Snake.

Once we tacked back NNE, we had a clear shot across The Strait of Georgia, making 8kts!  2-3ft waves can make for an uncomfortable ride, but reefing had smoothed it out.  Hand steered initially, toying with the windward waves, avoiding the biggest and enjoying the sailing.  Further across, the winds moderated a little and Lasqueti and Texada Islands reduced the fetch and shook out the genoa reef.

Approaching Thormanby Island, the winds decreased further.  In an effort to continue sailing, we tacked WNW and then back to NNE around the north side of Thormanby.  Winds died on the north end of Thormanby and we motored the rest of the way.  In hindsight, to arrive sooner, should have just continued around the south end of Thormanby and then motored through Welcome Passage into Secret Cove.  I guess all is a compromise.  Arrival in Secret was uneventful with a helpful staff.  Sunny and hot in the cove.  Maybe the extra time on the water was good!

Tuesday, 24July2012: Princess Cove to Nanaimo

Weather:  Overcast and cool initially.  Winds:  0.  Seas:  Flat.

Departed Princess Cove at dawn, the sun still way below the horizon, but just enough light to make our way out of the cove.  Motored through the quiet waters to arrive at near slack for Dodd Narrows, the shortest way to Nanaimo.

Dodd Narrows is just what the name implies, a narrow passage between islands.  The significance, besides being narrow, is the tidal currents must get through this passage, making upwards of 10kts and then being dangerous.  The 6 minute slack is the safest, but slack also attracts traffic, including barges.  The books state the narrows has at least a 150ft width, but it seems narrower, particularly with a 25ft wide boat.

It appeared we were the first boat northbound and Captain's Mast was the only one visible behind.  Several 'Securitie" calls were made announcing our arrival.  Several yachts made their way south before our arrival.  We made our way through with a slight southbound current and found several yachts on the north side waiting for our passage.  Nice of them!

Captain's Mast was about 30min behind and RT reported about a 3kts current in his face as he went through.

Once into the industrial Northumberland Channel (paper mill to the west, log booms to the east), the waters were calm.  Observed a small tug attempt to pull a log boom out of the bunch (east to west) only to hit full reverse as a small motor yacht heading north to south, did not yield.  Technically, the M/Y probably had right of way, coming from the tug's right and the tug did not have a restricted in maneuvering marker out.

I pulled up and let the tug out and a radio call was recieved, "Trimaran in Northumberland Channel, thank you."  I responded with, "No problem."  I figured he had the right of way 3 ways.  First, coming from the right.  Second, while not having hoisted a restricted in maneuvering marker, it was.  Lastly, the law of gross tonnage was on the tug's side.

The wind started to pick up as we approached the north end of Northumberland and we managed to sail a bit.  We made our way to the mooring buoys at Newcastle Island Marine Park, snagged one and settled in for a day of sightseeing/provisioning.  Took the dinghy to the island and hopped the water taxi to downtown.  Strolled along the waterfront, got ice cream and attempted to send a post card to Sam, but it never arrived.  Made our way to the local, and conveniently located supermarket and stocked up - this was our last chance prior to heading into the desolate north.  OK, not really.  Not really the last chance and not really desolate, but it felt like it at the time.

Dinner at the Dinghy Dock.  OK pub grub.  The deck is the attraction.

Monday, 23July2012: Sydney to Princess Cove, Wallace Island

Weather:  Sunny and warm.  Winds:  Light and variable.  Seas:  <1ft.

A calm, pretty day with little wind and we departed Sydney without fanfare or drama.  Wind conditions dictated motoring most of the way.  Route was straight forward, south of the Little Group into Moresby Passage, Swanson Channel, Captains Passage and into Tricomali Passage, up the west side of Wallace Island and into Princess Cove.

On the route up and just south of Wallace Island, we spotted a trimaran ahead of us.  Looked like a Dragonfly and we had a brief encounter with Steve and Janet on their way back home!  They told us they had not made it to Desolation Sound but had found warm, swim-able water in a small bay near the entrance of Jervis Inlet and had enjoyed the splash!

Per the norm, RT motored faster and was all set up with a stern tie just south of the dock in Princess and we rafted on his starboard side.  PCove was neat!  Surrounded by 20ft cliffs, this is a long and very narrow bay with room for a lot of boats if they drop anchor in the middle of the cove and stern tie to the numerous bolts/chains on the banks.  Small dock in the middle of the west side is convenient for walking the trails on top of the cliff.

Besides being a neat place, we chose to stop a PCove because it is about a 3hr motor to Dodd Narrows on tomorrow's route to Nanaimo.  Dodd is infamous for its raging tidal currents and it is critical to pass a slack tide.

Sunday, 22July2012: Bedwell to Sydney

Weather:  Sunny and mild.  Winds:  Calm freshening to S@20.  Seas:  <2ft.

A good day with an ugly period.

Departed Bedwell around 1000, motoring initially but picking up a light wind and we beat out of the harbor.  Once outside, winds died and then became brisk and increasing to 20 by the time we arrived Sydney.  Raced RT, flying formation for a while, but the centerboard was not going down and control was sloppy.  Heaved to and deployed the centerboard and returned to the race.  Initially used the screacher, but elected the genoa as the winds increased.  Cruised in for an easy victory arriving about 20min ahead of Captain's Mast.

With the south winds, route to Port Sydney was pretty direct, south of Moresby Island, north of Reay Island, south of the Little Group

Entry into the marina was standard but got ugly getting into our slip.  Sydney marina is tight, one of the tightest I'd been in.  Not much maneuvering room.  Further, the strong winds were pushing us into the dock, but off our finger pier.  Attempted to use our standard entry, going past the slip and turning back into it to approach bow in, directly towards the dock.  Did not make the turn fast enough, did not have enough speed on and the winds weather vaned the bow away.  Then the winds pushed Strider sideways, into the moored boat next to the slip we were headed for.  Ended up hooking the other boat's bow anchor with the port back stays.

A gathered crowd assisted us into the slip.

What could we have done differently?  Turn sooner, making a more direct entry into the slip comes to mind.  Kept more speed on perhaps.  Could have used the weather vaning to hover at the end of the finger pier, drop Kelly off with the spring line and then made the entry is another thought.  Next time....

Though tight, Sydney Marina was modern, clean with good showers and laundry.  The town was nice and we restocked, did a shelf check in the BC Liquor Store and found an ice cream shop!

Friday, 20July2012: Reed Harbor to Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island, BC

Weather:  Sunny and warm.  Winds:  Variable.  Seas:  <1ft.

Another 'sail when we could, motor when we had to' day.  Had some winds leaving Reed and managed to get near the center of Boundary Pass and then motored.  As we approached South Pender, a NNE wind popped up and we beat towards the entrance of Bedwell.  At the entrance, winds died and we motored to the custom's dock.

RT had motored the entire way and handed me the phone at the custom's office for check in.  Waited on hold for about 20min then checked into Canada.  Poet's Cove Marina is co-located with the custom's dock making this area a bit of a zoo.  Which boats are in line for customs and which are attempting to get to the marina?  Patience.

After clearing, motored out of the marina and took a provincial park mooring buoy...another first for us.  Rafting is not allowed on these buoys.  Fortunately, I was able to observe RT's mooring technique and being a good mimic, getting on the buoy was painless, monkeying with the harness is another story.

All my reading of trimaran anchoring and mooring buoys indicated the 'superiority' of the wide harness technique available to multihulls.  That is, hooking the harness to the boat at the widest possible point, the outboard end of the akas.  Did so, but also looped a mooring line through the buoy attached to the vaka as a back up.  We were secure.  What I don't like about the wide harness is there is so much line and this line can dip into the water and under the boat.  Doesn't happen with sufficient wind to hold the boat off the buoy, but in calmer conditions it does.  Still working on it...I hate reinventing the wheel.

During the afternoon, a S wind picked up and I sailed the dinghy around the harbor.  Great fun, but I learned I needed to sit in the bottom of the boat, just too tippy.  Later, after the wind died down, rowed Kelly to Poet's Cove for a little retail therapy.  Along the way, a British lady from another boat popped up and asked "Is this your tender?"  Yes.  "Brilliant!  I saw you sailing it around earlier.  Brilliant!"

Lesson Learned:  Getting on a mooring buoy.

Lesson Learned:  Anchor/mooring ball harness needs work.