After a peaceful night at Blind Channel Resort, we awoke to a foggy morning, but by the time we motored away from the docks the skies cleared and the sea state in Johnstone strait was flat.My strategy for our passage was to avoid having to time our arrival at the several inside tidal rapids at or near slack tide. To continue our passage down Johnstone Strait to Okisollo Channel, easily timing our passage through Upper Rapids and then just six miles further through Surge Narrows and into Hoskyn Channel to Heriot Bay.
We planed our arrival at Upper Rapids a little early so we could explore picturesque Owen Bay and the public dock there.
After we went through Upper Rapids and were heading for Surge Narrows we saw quite a few boats heading north to enjoy the last days of summer no doubt. By the time we got to Hoskyn Channel it was raining and a southeast wind was building. When we got to Dunsterville Island we ran into the full force of a 35 + knot southeaster with the full 150 mile fetch of the Strait of Georgia.
It was ugly going through the gap between Dunsterville Island and Hoskyn Rock. The seas were heaping up 12 to maybe 15 feet and breaking very close together. The 45 foot SV/Solele who had left Blind Channel after we did, and had been running along with us hailed Teal on VHF radio inquiring if we really wanted to make this passage and was concerned about my outboard motor not being able to stay in the water.At that point we were only 3 miles from Taku Resort in Drew Harbour and I assured him that it was not going to be a problem getting to shelter. After clearing the reef at Breton Islands we were able to fall off to a better course that quartered the seas. He went on to the docks at Heriot Bay as we made our way into Drew Harbour and the docks at Taku Resort. Once tied down to the dock at Taku Resort and getting out of our soaked clothes we headed for the laundry room in a driving rain to wash out the salt and dry things out. Once that accomplished we returned to the boat for a comfortable evening while waiting out the storm.
The next Morning the storm had passed, the sun was shinning and the Straight of Georgia was flat. Before we left we walked up the hill to the store at Heriot Bay, that we like so much, to fill in some gaps in our provisions....and still hoping to find that great red potato salad they had a few years ago. No luck again this time.
Once underway for Powell River We enjoyed fair weather and smooth seas until we reached Westview Harbour at Powell River where it was raining and a southeast wind was building.
The Powell River Mill is a prominent landmark along the "Sunshine Coast".
By the time we arrived at Westview Harbour it was raining and southeast winds were building. The wharfinger (canadian word for harbor master) put us at the end of dock five. Usually we have to raft up to other boats at Westview.Overnight the winds had built to 50 + knots at Grief Point, and by the end of the next day the place was full of boats escaping the weather. They were rafted to each other and jammed in so tight you couldn't see much water between the docks.
We whiled away the next two days taking bus rides in and about the community and visiting with fellow boaters waiting for better weather to continue their cruises.
After three days at Powell River waiting for the wind to flop around from the northwest we joined the exodus of boats heading south. The sun was shining, the wind was light and the seas were smooth.
The 25 mile run to Pender Harbor was pleasant,
and our arrival there was early enough to be assured of a good anchoring spot in Garden Bay.
Later the Catalina 42 "Journey", a boat I have crossed Tracks with numerous times during the past five years, also made the run from Powell River.Tomorrow (August 31) we will head for Howe Sound. Stay tuned,
George and JoAnne
