Untied the lines and heading out for the Salish Sea.
- Thread starter jssailem
- Start date
You are in Canada. Use the Canadian 2.5km "HRDPS" model... it too is on Windy. Better accounting of land effects. (There is also an experimental HRDPS 1-km model... available via SpotWx: SpotWx | Home)
FYI, that is NOT "Moneymakers Reef", which is in Ganges Harbour near 3rd Sister Island. There is also "Moneymakers Rock" further in, in front of Moby's Pub.In message #8, I shared that I had grounded on the reef outside Annette Inlet. Here is the rest of the story.
From a satellite view, Annette Inlet looks very inviting.
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It is a lovely sheltered anchorage. Terry Cox on Belle Vie and I entered the inlet the afternoon of 10 July. Terry enticed me to get my dinghy inflated with the offer of a cold beer. I did get the dinghy launched. We spent a quiet evening at anchor, sharing stories, sipping beer, and devouring some of Terry's Chicken/Rice one-pot dinner. Getting back on the dinghy, I discovered it was taking on a bit of water. When I got it back on the Hadley, I found the drain plug was missing. Searching the box of miscellaneous boat parts, I found a plug for the drain.
On the morning of the 11th, I started early, making my way to Thetis Island to rendezvous with a group of Canadian Catalina owners. The tide was out, one of those full moon tides. I shared with Terry, "Remember, there is a rock outside of the inlet." He said, "Don't hit it". Yes, that would be a good thing to avoid.
As lovely as the inlet is for passing time on the water and enjoying the peaceful anchorage, unseen danger lurks beneath the entrance's surface.
Right about here in the circled area. No float or buoy marks its existence.
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I saw this info on my chart. 6.6ft should not be a problem. I draw just under 5ft. Just need not to hit the rock.
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I thought my course was following the Green line. I had my eyes out on the water. What I saw was open water. Then I saw Kelp ahead. I turned to Port to avoid the kelp.
Upon recreation, my course must have been along the red line. The tide was out, so the 6.6 ft of clearance was not a reality.
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I came to a sudden stop. When I looked, I could see the rock about 8-10 feet off to starboard beneath the surface. The kelp was beyond the rock. I was on a ledge.
With each passing wave, the boat would lift, then set it back down on the reef. After a moment of considering the situation,
Back at the helm, the prop and rudder were in clear water, not yet affected by the reef. Waiting for the next set of waves, I put the boat in hard reverse as it rose on the wave. It took a couple of tries, but then I was free. I headed back into the Inlet. I came close to the beach and anchored in about 6ft of water. I called Terry, who was still at anchor, and told him of my issue.
- Pounding on the reef was not good.
- I could be here for a long time until help might get to me.
- I need to get to shallow water, where I can mitigate the issue if I start to sink.
- I need to assess if I am taking on water.
I spent an hour checking for water intrusion. It appeared I was not leaking. During that time, Terry reached out to Ganges Harbor, the nearest marina. They did not have a lift. The closest would be in Sydney, BC, about 12nm away. I made sure I had a working electrical bilge pump. I checked the manual bilge pump. I measured the level of fluid in the bilge (2 inches; it has never been a dry bilge). I contacted the Philbrooks Marine service in Tsehum Harbour. Discussed my boat condition and plan. They said they could help. I got Jim's cell number to call when I arrived. Terry abandoned his peaceful anchorage and thankfully buddy boated with me back to the Van Isle Marina and the potential of help.
Jim and the Philbrooks folks were a great help. They had a guy with an underwater camera who inspected my hull and keel. His observations: "You got lucky. You did hit the reef. You have some bad scrapes, but it looks like you are the winner this week. We have had 8 or 9 boats in with groundings. The guy on the other dock will be here for two or more weeks while we search for a prop.
With that good news, Terry and I continued our Canadian cruise, visiting Port Browning on North Pender and Saturna before I turned back to Anacortes, Port Ludlow, and eventually Everett.
Once in Everett, I called my friend Chris the Diver. He is busy during the season, but he was able to dive on my boat this past Sunday morning. The video he took of my keel is attached.
✂️ Keel on SV Hadley
60 seconds · Clipped by Cruise Sail · Original video "Aug 3rd 2025" by Christopher Parishyoutube.com
There is some fiberglass work to do. At this time, it looks like I may have escaped with just some nasty scratches.
Satellite "chart" of Annette Inlet with (i) CHS "NONNA10" soundings and (ii) my soundings. All a 0 tide level and all in metres. None with your rock....
Also one in Nanaimo part may north in Newcastle channel by Nanaimo Yacht Club marina.
