September 2013

In September we made a trip over to England and had a fantastic time walking in the Cotswolds and visiting London.   It was chronicled here:  (click)   Cotswold Walk  

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.

Circumnavigation of Vancouver Island 2013 - Part 3

July 25 - 30:
After a great evening with Allan & Anna on BlueAnTeak we prepared to get underway about 9am with the fog breaking up - but not before retrieving the crab trap.  Two nice sized keepers! (must have liked the dinner leftovers)

After motoring out Matilda Inlet and across to Calmus Passage (in the fog...) Linda boiled the crab, while I decided to drag a bucktail fly behind the boat while maintaining my 5 knot speed.  I didn't have the line dragging more than about 3 or 4 minutes when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a streak near the stern and then zz-innng! the rod did a huge bend and line began to fly out...  well, it was 'put the boat to idle, but keeping in gear and autopilot on to maintain steerage, ( remember, fog...) while Linda and I fought the fish, both taking turns on the reel and on the net, it's not easy netting a very feisty coho with the high freeboard of a sailboat.  We really should have lost it as we 'batted it' a few times, but we did indeed net it, finally!

The seafood bounty has really been an embarrassment of riches so far this year, it's amazing!  Approaching Tofino can be challenging with the ubiquitous crab trab floats and shallow sand bars, it pays to keep a keen eye.

We continued on past the town of Tofino and up Lemmens Inlet to an anchorage in the northwest corner known as God's Pocket, where it was another feast.  The next day saw us return to Tofino and anchor off the town (there was no room on the docks and they really aren't very accommodating to cruising boats as there are usually commercial fishboast and charter vessels tied two abreast).  We did spend time ashore and enjoyed all the acoutrements of a bustling tourist town at the height of the season.

I would really be remiss if I didn't talk about the anchorage off the town of Tofino - it's terrible!!  As I said the docks aren't really very welcoming to cruisers especially when compared to Ucluelet; the only place to anchor near the main part of town is across from the main docks and east of Arnet Is. and, as we found out, the current can really run here!! - plus, there is a constant flow of fast moving traffic which throws wakes on top of those currents.  So make sure your anchor gear is sturdy and your comfort level sufficient... Although the sunsets from this anchorage can be beautiful. 

 Dance Lightly and BlueAnTeak were anchored nearby and Propinquity managed to find a spot rafted at the town docks, where Mary rejoined her hubby for the remainder of the trip around to Nanaimo.  In any event we had another great potluck dinner on Silhouette!  

On the following day we left Tofino on Silhouette with Dance Lightly about an hour after 'BlueAnTeak' bound for Ucluelet, (Propinquity stayed for and extra day, exploring and anchoring up one of the inlets).  The forecast had called for a possible gale force, but it appeared to be much less, and in fact 'BnT' reported winds more in the area of 8 knots.
BnT had called on the radio and warned us of the hundreds of crab trap floats  dispersed for miles down the coast and in the waves and swell they were hard to see!  Once again the seas were relatively calm other than the large swells and with only about 5-8 knots of wind it was a motor sailing passage.  It's amazing that so far this trip the higher winds usually encountered on the west coast of Vancouver Island have not been present making sailing sketchy at best.  On the other hand the thick fog usually present this time of year has been absent allowing us to experience mostly sunny and warm weather!  So, no complaints here!

Ucluelet is much better suited for cruising boats as far as moorage and facilities.  We were greeted warmly by the harbour master on docking and told of where to find everything. Dance Lightly rafted alongside and BnT anchored out (Anna's son has come on board to visit and explore the Broken Is. group with them.) 

         

Rafted in Ucluelet Hbr.

The annual "Ukee Days" were in full swing and we enjoyed a few moments of the logger sports and an ice cream cone!  Barb & Harv (from D.L.) and us from Silhouette; had dinner that evening aboard the Canadian Princess Restaurant.

  At this point I will just quote the story from Barb & Harv's blog -
(http://retirementbh2013.blogspot.ca/2013/07/summer-of-gales.html ):
  

 "Story...Saturday night Silhouette and Dance Lightly decided to go out for dinner to the Canadian Princess...but we were a bit worried about Murphy, you see when left alone Murphy decides to serenade everyone around... 

A decision was made...Skye and Murphy are getting along very well and seem to like each others company so we put the two dogs on Dance Lightly and zipped up the enclosure.! Linda let the boats around know that we were leaving and Murphy might sing a few tunes....we walked away...no noise...Skye you are doing a great job of babysitting!!!!l

Well.....we came back two hours later and saw a note pinned on Silhouette saying that Murphy was on  their boat...'Dream Weaver' from Washington.  It seems Murphy did not make a sound but was Houdini...the people from Dream Weaver were coming back from walking their dog to find Murphy running on the dock....not sure how he got out... put him back onto the boat but noticed a few minutes later he was back out again!!! This time they saw that he was crawling out from underneath the canvas...Harvey had not snapped down the enclosure...this still was a major undertaking because the enclosure is so tight with all the zippers down up!!! So, the kind people took Murphy on board their boat while they played cards and we came back from dinner. We asked how Skye was and they said she just laid there taking in all the excitement....way to go Skye...some babysitter you are!!!! "

So, the fun and excitement never ends, along with the stories...  :)

The following day, July 28, Silhouette along with D.L. left Ucluelet and did a little fishin' outside the harbour and saw a grey whale, then proceeded up Barkley Sound to Cataract Cove in Pipestem Inlet and after anchoring took the dinghies up the river and explored 'Lucky Creek', the waterfall and the swimming pools as noted in the guidebook.

Well, to be honest, the girls swam in the pools; Harvey and I stayed back to watch the dogs and clothes - contrary to popular belief it had nothing to do with the ice-cold water!!

The next several days were enjoyed in the Broken Island group and exploring. Tuesday, July 30th, D.L. and Silhouette visited Bamfield and the beaches

 and then spent the night in Dodger Channel - a good jumping off point before making the passage down Juan de Fuca Strait.  While in dodger Chnl anchorage, Howard had the idea of having a bonfire on the sandy beach (as it will be our last chance before hitting "civilization".  So we gathered firewood, invited Barb & Harv on D.L. and another couple on a sailboat (Jerry & Kathy on 'New Sensations') that was anchored alongside.

Well, got the fire started!

View from the beach.

Food and beverages!

Somebody was eating beach scraps!!

After the bonfire it was early to bed - because we had another "break of dawn departure" to transit the sometimes-daunting Strait of Juan de Fuca.