We keep our 1974 Catalina 27 in Vancouver, BC. Entering my second year with her (been sailing 16' from Jericho for years), my goal this summer is to sail across the Georgia Straight into the gulf islands. I've studied the charts and plotted waypoint routes on MacENC through Dodd Narrows and Gabriola, Porlier and Active passes. Have compared course headings for these routes against wind directions. Have saved tide tables for these passes and plotted flood and ebb tide arrows onto my charts. Have sat at the front of BC ferries w my laptop running MacENC w my GPS puck and compared route to visual bearings. Have plotted major hazards on my charts (Including Thrasher rock, etc) as well safe anchorages. Have obtained my Marine Radio Operator's Card and programmed my MMSI number.
And I'm still nervous!!
Would greatly appreciate hearing from skippers of similar sized boats about their experience with these passages. Time, sea state, preferred passes and routes to take, etc.
Am sure I just need to get out there and do it with a hardy crew, which I have. But hearing. The advice of more experienced skippers who've experienced it first hand would be reassuring.
Thanks in advance.
And I'm still nervous!!
Would greatly appreciate hearing from skippers of similar sized boats about their experience with these passages. Time, sea state, preferred passes and routes to take, etc.
Am sure I just need to get out there and do it with a hardy crew, which I have. But hearing. The advice of more experienced skippers who've experienced it first hand would be reassuring.
Thanks in advance.