We're two and a half weeks into our six week circumnavigation of Vancouver Island. We're currently in Port McNeil about 50 miles from the north end of the island and we haven't seen the sun in about a week. Every day the "ma-raine" weather forecast includes the words "gale warning". Tonight's forecast for the northwest coast of the island includes storm warnings--winds to 50 knots. So we're patiently waiting for the summertime high to show up so we can round Cape Scott at the tip of the island. Still having fun but it's getting a bit dreary! Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
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Gary - at least you don't have to wash your boat.
Free salt removal - rain Wishing I was there and not behind this desk.. Jim S/V Java
Free salt removal - rain Wishing I was there and not behind this desk.. Jim S/V Java
Watch That Nawhiti Bar
Gary, Good to read your trip report. Not about the crappy weather though. I was on Tula around the Nanaimo-Secret Cove-Deep Bay Area last week and we had tons of wind all week. Did not get much rain, guess it must have been up your end of the island. Almost too much wind(30 knots, 5 foot seas and against a fierce tide) one day heading south in Malaspina Strait to round the end of Texada. Poor Tula's 50 horse Perkins chugged on for several hours and we finally made it into Deep Bay on Jedediah Is. Fortunately, the crew stopped puking. Wished I had a huge V8. Watch that Nawhiti Bar. You have to time it right. Keep up those reports. Peter S/V Tula
Gary, Good to read your trip report. Not about the crappy weather though. I was on Tula around the Nanaimo-Secret Cove-Deep Bay Area last week and we had tons of wind all week. Did not get much rain, guess it must have been up your end of the island. Almost too much wind(30 knots, 5 foot seas and against a fierce tide) one day heading south in Malaspina Strait to round the end of Texada. Poor Tula's 50 horse Perkins chugged on for several hours and we finally made it into Deep Bay on Jedediah Is. Fortunately, the crew stopped puking. Wished I had a huge V8. Watch that Nawhiti Bar. You have to time it right. Keep up those reports. Peter S/V Tula
Do you want the good news or the bad news first
When we are having a "bad" summer like we are having now, it is "normal" for summer to begin either July 14th or 15th, I forget which. This means you have one week of bad weather left, even though today, the 7th is nice.
When we are having a "bad" summer like we are having now, it is "normal" for summer to begin either July 14th or 15th, I forget which. This means you have one week of bad weather left, even though today, the 7th is nice.
North West
I traveled to the shores of Oregon last year and was impressed with it's vast beauty but hated the weather on the coast. The weather just a few miles inland was beautiful. Your weather is more temperate and winters there are more pleasant whereas the North East can be absolutely Anarctic. However on your coast one needs to start a bonfire to stay warm in the summer. I imagine the sailing can be quite frigid. In summer the N.E. gets quite warm both on the coast and inland. The difference is minimal from inland to coast. I wish you well with your weather, next year, come see New England!
I traveled to the shores of Oregon last year and was impressed with it's vast beauty but hated the weather on the coast. The weather just a few miles inland was beautiful. Your weather is more temperate and winters there are more pleasant whereas the North East can be absolutely Anarctic. However on your coast one needs to start a bonfire to stay warm in the summer. I imagine the sailing can be quite frigid. In summer the N.E. gets quite warm both on the coast and inland. The difference is minimal from inland to coast. I wish you well with your weather, next year, come see New England!
Gary, Back home Report
Gary, Just got back from 5 days around San Juans (Sucia, then to Lopez) Mild, calm, & enough sun to get a tan. Here's a pic from Sucia Hunker down for a couple more days up there & High pressure will build in. Trust me...
Gary, Just got back from 5 days around San Juans (Sucia, then to Lopez) Mild, calm, & enough sun to get a tan. Here's a pic from Sucia Hunker down for a couple more days up there & High pressure will build in. Trust me...
Wrong Way Wyngarden
Gary, We returned Tuesday from a 6 day trip to Saturna for the July 1st lamb BBQ then throught Boat Pass to Cabbage Island. Next leg was past your Orcas Island to Roche Harbor for the 4th.(It was a zoo!!) Almost constant sun and good breeze for enjoyable sailing. When we left Roche via Mosquito Pass we caught a good stiff wind that took us straight into Oak Bay at a constant 6 knots. Two hour trip verus 2:45 normally. It only got up to 20 knots of wind and about 5 foot seas in the centre of Haro Strait. I was unlucky enough to be out in 45 knot winds in the strait on May 21st. so can understand what you are experiencing at 50 knots. On your way back down the inside stop by Minstrel Island at Knight Inlet for fuel etc. Funny little place I have been into several times years ago. BTW. Did you obtain the required weather permit when you entered Canadian waters? If not that is probably why the bad weather is following you. It's raining here in Victoria today.
Gary, We returned Tuesday from a 6 day trip to Saturna for the July 1st lamb BBQ then throught Boat Pass to Cabbage Island. Next leg was past your Orcas Island to Roche Harbor for the 4th.(It was a zoo!!) Almost constant sun and good breeze for enjoyable sailing. When we left Roche via Mosquito Pass we caught a good stiff wind that took us straight into Oak Bay at a constant 6 knots. Two hour trip verus 2:45 normally. It only got up to 20 knots of wind and about 5 foot seas in the centre of Haro Strait. I was unlucky enough to be out in 45 knot winds in the strait on May 21st. so can understand what you are experiencing at 50 knots. On your way back down the inside stop by Minstrel Island at Knight Inlet for fuel etc. Funny little place I have been into several times years ago. BTW. Did you obtain the required weather permit when you entered Canadian waters? If not that is probably why the bad weather is following you. It's raining here in Victoria today.
rsn48 and "Queen of Oak Bay"
rsn48 - Just read the story about the docking of the 475-ft "Queen of Oak Bay" in your marina! Hopefully your boat dodged the "bullet". The picture of the ferry in the marina looked really terrible! And all for the want of a little cotter pin.
rsn48 - Just read the story about the docking of the 475-ft "Queen of Oak Bay" in your marina! Hopefully your boat dodged the "bullet". The picture of the ferry in the marina looked really terrible! And all for the want of a little cotter pin.
Weather
We are definitely having unseasonable weather this year. We've had winds and rain like November this past week, only with warmer temperatures! However, anyone sailing the west coast (read wet coast) or north end of the island has to be prepared for a bit of the wet stuff. As soon as a high frontal system sets in the Pacific, the weather should improve. Hopefully by Tuesday, when we head north. Have fun.
We are definitely having unseasonable weather this year. We've had winds and rain like November this past week, only with warmer temperatures! However, anyone sailing the west coast (read wet coast) or north end of the island has to be prepared for a bit of the wet stuff. As soon as a high frontal system sets in the Pacific, the weather should improve. Hopefully by Tuesday, when we head north. Have fun.
Heading Your Way
Gary, We are off on a ten day trip starting the 30th of July and heading to Bamfield and back. It will be the first time off the west coast of the Island. I believe you have gone up that way before verus your route now. Any advise? Cliff Carter PlusOne C-30
Gary, We are off on a ten day trip starting the 30th of July and heading to Bamfield and back. It will be the first time off the west coast of the Island. I believe you have gone up that way before verus your route now. Any advise? Cliff Carter PlusOne C-30
Better than working
Well... yyou may be getting wet and wind blown, but I would rather be with you on your boat than sitting here in my office reading about it. Have a great trip.
Well... yyou may be getting wet and wind blown, but I would rather be with you on your boat than sitting here in my office reading about it. Have a great trip.
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