Circumnavigating Vancouver Island - Part 4 (Final)

Hi! We are Howard and Linda (and our lovely pooch Murphy) and we sail on the sailing vessel "Silhouette", a Catalina 36 MkII. 
This post is a capsule view of our cruise this past summer around Vancouver Island and a way of creating a blog for the posting of future voyages.  The plan was to travel around Vancouver with the company of four other Nanaimo yachts (and one from Washington state).
Parts 1 - 3 of this voyage are detailed on previous blog pages....

July 31-Aug.5th:
Up at 05:15 for an early departure from Barkley Sound; the weather called for showers and winds of NW 10 - 15 knots backing to 15-20 from the west once in Juan de Fuca.  Since it was a long day for the dogs, the plan was to play it by ear to either go as far as Sooke or, if possible make a quick trip into the entrance of Port Renfrew for a quick 'pee-stop' ashore and continue to Sooke or further. We followed D.L. out from the anchorage and motored  under sail for several hours with the winds lighter than forecasted.

The winds began to pick up in Juan de Fuca and soon we were sailing along nicely in about 18 knots and a following sea.  We made a quick and a bit dramatic stop ashore for the dogs - it was a further row ashore than I expected, with Linda doing donuts waiting for me... then continued along Juan de Fuca - some interesting caves along shore, less big vessel traffic than expected, which was a blessing.

We were making such good time that as we approached Sooke, we got on the radio with Harv & Barb and decided to continue on to Becher Bay for the nights anchorage.  Just shortly after I noticed a high temp alarm on the engine panel and immediately shut down and continued under sail while I went down below to investigate.  It appeared that my raw water pump was no longer functioning.  We continued on under sail until near the docks at Becher Bay where Dance Lightly came along-side and motored us to the docks to determine the problem.  After removing the pump I was disappointed to find it was not the pump which was at fault, but instead a broken cam-shaft end! - which drives the pump.  Obviously major engine work would be required.  Becher Bay was not a pleasant stop for us, I'm afraid.

The next day, August 1st (BCday long weekend), we decided to continue on to Victoria for more options for repairs.  D.L. came alongside and escorted us out into the strait where we picked up wind and sailed inside Race Rocks

 and on to Ogden Point, the entrance to Victoria harbour, where they once again came alongside and took us into port. I made a 'Securite' call on the VHF and soon we had a Harbour Patrol escort!...

It was a long weekend and technically there were no free berths, but because of our mechanical condition they made a spot for the two of us and we spent the day and night together.  While at the dock we received a call from friends Roger & Karen (SV ShangriLa II);  Roger, who is a mechanic and owner of his own repair shop, suggested a work-around to get me home and then possibly repair myself (with his assistance) at a time frame more convenient to us.  So with this information  I was able to arrange a mechanic to come and effect the necessary repairs, which involved bypassing the engine-driven pump with an electric wash-down pump.  Gartside Marine sent a mechanic on August 2nd.  Meanwhile, D.L. bid adieu and continued on with their travels back to Nanaimo and left us, with our thanks for their assistance and friendship over the last weeks.

The temporary repairs complete we left Victoria harbour on August 3rd and motored to Ganges on Saltspring Island via a very brief tour through Tsehum harbour, Sidney (too many moored boats and no room to anchor), so we anchored outside Ganges in our favourite spot just north of Goat Island.  

While motoring over to Ganges town who did we see at anchor but 'BlueAnTeak'!  They weren't on board but we did meet up with Allan and Anna ashore and made a plan to go with them the next day to a local vineyard where we would picnic and listen to the live music. 

So the next day, with picnics packed we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of food, wine and music and were even able to hitch a ride back to town!  Saying goodbye to BlueAnTeak it was a final day to DeCourcey Island and anchoring on the south side.  The water was so warm we swam off the boat and had a walk on the trails ashore and a quiet last night aboard.

August 6th we made our very familiar trip home through Dodd Narrows to Nanaimo Yacht club and the end of a fantastic 6.5 weeks aboard on 'Silhouette' and circumnavigation of Vancouver Island.