Sneaking up on a circumnavigation
- Thread starter mermike
- Start date
Well OK! I picked up a friend in Ucluelet Monday afternoon. After a quick shopping trip we loaded the fridge and realized it was too late to start. We headed for Howlers Pub for some fish and chips. Pretty darn good. Not quite as good as Big Daddy's Fish Fry in Tofino, which is now my #1 on this or any other planet.
Next morning we were fog bound in the marina. A couple of First Nations salmon fishermen pulled up to the dock in a boat twice as old as they were. "Got any extra to sell? We asked. They did. For the modest sum of $25 we had ourselves a nice 8-10 lb coho salmon. Dinner was covered, and then some.
Around noon the fog lifted enough to poke our noses out. We headed down the inlet into the soup. Bad move. We were surrounded by recreational fish murderers zooming by at high speed in the fog. Radar was of little help. If any of the miscreants had AIS they weren't using it. I can only hope that Darwin has his way with them.
We ran the gauntlet into clear air and headed to the Pinkerton Islands. This is a favorite spot. It's so nice to row around the islets and look at all the sea life clinging to the rocks. Such an abundant place.
Next morning the fog returned, so more coffee was ordered and reading hour was declared. Around noon we picked up and headed for Lucky Creek. We arrived just after high tide so there was a bit of current to row against. Eventually made it to the falls and clambered up the rocks for a dip in the pool above. Very refreshing.
When we returned, Tosca was right where we left her. Always appreciate it when that happens. Being the lazy sort that we are, we spent the night right there behind Refuge Island.
The marine layer was thick the next day, but not enough to hold us up. We pulled the hook and headed for Hand Island. There are a couple of really nice beaches on the island. They are also the closest ones to Secret Beach, where the sea kayakers launch from. Before long the whole beach was abuzz. There was a lovely couple in their 70's out for a week long tour. There was a young couple obviously looking for a more private location. And there were the 10 or so kayaks that were part of a guided tour. They hit the beach and scrambled for the woods, racing each other for prime tent real estate. We watched the mayhem with a little amusement, and yes, a bit of smugness, knowing that Tosca with all her comforts was just a short row away.
Next morning we were fog bound in the marina. A couple of First Nations salmon fishermen pulled up to the dock in a boat twice as old as they were. "Got any extra to sell? We asked. They did. For the modest sum of $25 we had ourselves a nice 8-10 lb coho salmon. Dinner was covered, and then some.
Around noon the fog lifted enough to poke our noses out. We headed down the inlet into the soup. Bad move. We were surrounded by recreational fish murderers zooming by at high speed in the fog. Radar was of little help. If any of the miscreants had AIS they weren't using it. I can only hope that Darwin has his way with them.
We ran the gauntlet into clear air and headed to the Pinkerton Islands. This is a favorite spot. It's so nice to row around the islets and look at all the sea life clinging to the rocks. Such an abundant place.
Next morning the fog returned, so more coffee was ordered and reading hour was declared. Around noon we picked up and headed for Lucky Creek. We arrived just after high tide so there was a bit of current to row against. Eventually made it to the falls and clambered up the rocks for a dip in the pool above. Very refreshing.
When we returned, Tosca was right where we left her. Always appreciate it when that happens. Being the lazy sort that we are, we spent the night right there behind Refuge Island.
The marine layer was thick the next day, but not enough to hold us up. We pulled the hook and headed for Hand Island. There are a couple of really nice beaches on the island. They are also the closest ones to Secret Beach, where the sea kayakers launch from. Before long the whole beach was abuzz. There was a lovely couple in their 70's out for a week long tour. There was a young couple obviously looking for a more private location. And there were the 10 or so kayaks that were part of a guided tour. They hit the beach and scrambled for the woods, racing each other for prime tent real estate. We watched the mayhem with a little amusement, and yes, a bit of smugness, knowing that Tosca with all her comforts was just a short row away.
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We left Hand Island later that afternoon. There's a little one boat cove on Nettle Island noted in the Dreamspeaker guide. It was empty so we filled it. Sank the anchor in 25' of water and stern tied to the rock at the head of the cove.
Turns out it was stocked with a few oysters. I checked Shelli, the BC Fisheries online shellfish closure map. The area was safe and I had a license. Yippee!
After a leisurely morning I returned my passenger to Ucluelet. I headed back down the Inlet so I wouldn't get fog bound again. I decided to shoot for Dodger Channel on the far side of Barkley Sound. It would give me a good starting point for heading down the Strait the next day. I had no wind and a full tank of fuel. The iron genny in service again. I have motored a lot on this trip. I haven't totaled the hours, but I'll bet it's over 50.
Dodger Channel was a nice anchorage. The head is a bit skinny, but if I left early the tide would be in my favor. I left that problem for the morning and called it a day.
Turns out it was stocked with a few oysters. I checked Shelli, the BC Fisheries online shellfish closure map. The area was safe and I had a license. Yippee!
After a leisurely morning I returned my passenger to Ucluelet. I headed back down the Inlet so I wouldn't get fog bound again. I decided to shoot for Dodger Channel on the far side of Barkley Sound. It would give me a good starting point for heading down the Strait the next day. I had no wind and a full tank of fuel. The iron genny in service again. I have motored a lot on this trip. I haven't totaled the hours, but I'll bet it's over 50.
Dodger Channel was a nice anchorage. The head is a bit skinny, but if I left early the tide would be in my favor. I left that problem for the morning and called it a day.
I left at 0530. I'm about 21 miles from anchoring in Sooke.
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The channel into Sooke Harbour requires close attention. I usually go to Becher Bay if it’s dark or foggy.
It will still be light when I get there. I've been in before.I would do the same in poor conditions.
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I hate to rush back but during the course of the trip I managed to sell my boat and make an offer on a Halberg-Rassy 39, which was accepted a couple of days ago. Lots to do over the next few weeks.
I did my best to ignore the whole thing, until I couldn't. Tosca is going to a good home but it's still a bit of heartbreak. The new boat is on the east coast. Europe in the spring. Then I'll make my way back to the PNW. I should be at the top of the waiting list for a slip by then.
I decided to push on to Becher Bay. I like that anchorage.
I am anchored in Becher Bay. There is a breeze blowing through and there's suddenly a touch of fall on the wind. The heater is on and cocktail hour is in full swing.
Shorts and T-shirts just a couple of days ago. Looks like I'll be getting home just in time.
Shorts and T-shirts just a couple of days ago. Looks like I'll be getting home just in time.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,433
Daybreak here in Oregon. The sky is red as the sun rises above the mountains.
The Juan D'Fuca looks to share mist in the first half of the morning 0.01". Wind out of the W 8-12 in the afternoon should make for a nice downwind reach homeward bound in the later part of the day.
The Juan D'Fuca looks to share mist in the first half of the morning 0.01". Wind out of the W 8-12 in the afternoon should make for a nice downwind reach homeward bound in the later part of the day.