Circumnavigating Vancouver Island

[Michael Davis]

wonder if they charge you there to use that spot?

I talked to the skipper and he told me the cost was $85 cdn plus tax so about $75 US taxes in. Still about 1/3 to 1/4 a quick lift and a power wash and cheaper than a diver. There are two grids here, the other one is draft restricted but he needs 6’1” And says it should take me on the right tide.

 

[Michael Davis]

We left Comox at 09:30 this morning hoping that the wind wouldn’t fade as early as forecast. We managed to motor sail for the first 20 miles. Beautiful warm sunshine over the strait but the mountains all around were cloud capped.
By the time we got to Mitlenatch Island it was flat calm. This is where the flood coming in Jaun de Fuca meets the flood coming south from Cape Scott. Ideally you get here at high slack water running the flood north then catching to ebb further north.

 

[Michael Davis]

Mitlenatch Island location.

Taku resort where we meet up with my High School friend

Nice new docks after the big storm two years ago.

Not many boats anchored by Rebeca Spit

 

[Hello Below]

Nice new docks after the big storm two years


Not many boats anchored by Rebeca Spit

Nice to see that Taku is repaired and reopened. Great grocery store up the street. It has been a mess for sometime. Thanks for the intel on Drew Hbr. We hope to make our way up there in less than a week. Away from shore, it is deep but well protected from NW winds.

 

[Michael Davis]

We have had no cell coverage for the past week so a bit of catching up to do.
Our next run was up Hoskyn Channel to Surge Narrows and Octopus Islands.
Entering Beasley Passage and Surge Narrows Entrance to Octopus Islands

Octopus Islands. Waiatte Bay Anchorage

“Magic Carpet” is a Cape George 36 that Maya and Aladino have spent the last five years rebuilding. Their utube channel is an education on how to do it right. Also in the bay were James and Allison on their Catalina 30 just back from Alaska.

 

[Michael Davis]

After a couple of days we left Octopus Islands and timed the upper and lower Okisollo rapids to the top of Discovery Passage then right on Nodales Channel to Cordova Channel and on to Bickley Bay. Waggoner says Bickley is open and has poor holding but we spent two days here with winds gusting 35 knots and had no trouble.
Sailing in Nodales. Bickley Bay

Looking back at Green Point Rapids. This is the fourth of five tidal rapids between Georgia Strait and Queen Charlotte Strait.

 

[Michael Davis]

After transiting Whirlpool Rapids we ducked into Forward Harbour for the night.

 

[Michael Davis]

From Forward Harbour we motored to Johnstone Strait and up to Port Neville.
As of July 5

 

[Hello Below]

From Forward Harbour we motored to Johnstone Strait and up to Port Neville.
As of July 5

Made the trek from Waiatt Bay to Port Neville (44 Nm) just so we could say hello to you Michael. Now I can finally put a face to your many informative posts. We didn’t run away from you for any reason other than to hopefully get out away from the wind we battled all day.
Nice pics. Thanks.

 

[Michael Davis]

get out away from the wind

A sailor getting away from the wind???
it’s died down now

 

[Michael Davis]

Port Neville to Lagoon Cove. Motored from Port Neville, bucked the tide and a 15/ 17 kt headwind for 8 miles then into Port Harvey, through Chatham Channel to Lagoon Cove. Shrimp are still good and plentiful.
Windy and cold this morning but sunny and hot now.Time for a cold one!

 

[Hello Below]

Don’t eat all the shrimp Michael. Hopefully we will be at the pot luck Wednesday.

 

[jssailem]

Don’t eat all the shrimp Michael. Hopefully we will be at the pot luck Wednesday.

Ahhh Michael catching them. Michael eating them.

Isn’t there a command “Thou shall eat what thy catches. Waste none!”

 

[Michael Davis]

Ahhh Michael catching them. Michael eating them.

The marina catches,cleans and cooks. I just do the eating!

 

[Michael Davis]

After a couple of days at Lagoon Cove we decided to head for Port McNeil as we are having some temperature issues with the engine. I changed the raw water impeller and the old one was missing a couple of vanes so I think I should re and re the heat exchanger and there is a Napa store just a few steps from the marina there. Tonight we are in Pearse ISLAND marine Park. On to McNeil in the morning.

 

[jssailem]

Sounds normal for a BC Cruising adventure.
I untied the lines. Had a slight misstep as I tried to leave the Marina. But I resolved th issue and had a great cruise to Anacortes. Even got to sail for an hour when the wind decided to get off my nose.

I really missed this adventuring.

 

[shemandr]

I've finally tracked this trip port by port and post to post. Thank you Michael for posting the maps with your track and arrows. That makes following your path very easy for someone like me who hasn't been anywhere near that area.
One of my questions is what is a WG and why does it open and close?

 

[duck21]

As a non-Pacific North Westerner I was wondering the same thing...apparently it's a Canadian Forces Maritime Test range, named "Whiskey Golf". I found this site with more info:

The Mysterious Area Whiskey Golf

.

I've finally tracked this trip port by port and post to post. Thank you Michael for posting the maps with your track and arrows. That makes following your path very easy for someone like me who hasn't been anywhere near that area.
One of my questions is what is a WG and why does it open and close?

 

[Michael Davis]

WG is a combined U.S. and Canadian Forces exercise area. Mostly a torpedo range. They don’t like civilian boats out there when they are playing.

 

[shemandr]

Thanks!
We have to dodge submarines coming and going from Groton CT. But so they haven't fired on us! Well, the USCG escorts the Subs out of the harbor and shoos away traffic. They are armed and are good at giving the stink eye.