Around Vancouver Island

Around the Island From Seattle north to Desolation Sound, the trip was to remember places we had been before and a chance to relax from the last two years of refitting Windarra. We were so busy refitting the boat that this was the first time in a while, other than spring break in April to get to know the boat as a sailboat and not just another boat project. From Desolation Sound around the island to Barkley Sound, it was new territory and new places to see. West side of Vancouver Island We had our second full day of passage on the westcoast today. Both events have tested our resolve and our boat. On Tuesday we left Bull Harbor on the early low slack. Nahwitti Bar was barely rippled as we rounded the bar and motor sailed in 4 to 5 knot northerlies all the time hoping the Cape Scott legend would sleep today. As we started around the point the northerly quickly turned a 180 and blew twenty-five knots right in our face. The seas become confused so we unfurled the staysail and in true Jablonski fashion motor sailed our butts out of there. After two hours we cleared the point but Rich and Jesse were barely functional and Elaine managed the helm for the next 30 miles. For this she was rewarded with the "tough old bastard" award. Sarah also felt no mal de mer and kept her mother company. After better than 60 nm we arrived in Winter Harbor in mid afternoon and tied to the government docks. (good water no power). The boats that left the same day as us holed up in Sea Otter Cove. Since the following day we had moderate northerlies theirs was the correct decision. After a day of hanging out we set out to cross Cape Cook today. We left the harbor at 08:30 and immediately found ourselves in 15 to 20 knot northerlies building up a fetch in spite of a complementary current. With all due respect to Cape Cook we put the wind on our aft starboard quarter and set our course to a waypoint well to the west. The winds built to 25 so we reefed the main and danced at 6 to 7 knots as the seas continued to build. The marine weather report forecasted a strong southerly as the day progressed so we concentrated on making the point and not be treated to another day like Tuesday. We did well throughout the day and the winds remained from the north and rarely fell below 15. Later when we were well past the cape we noticed some other boats were all making for shore and as we glanced to the north we saw signs of dark weather boiling on the horizon. We made course for Kyuquot Sound. We arrived in Harken Cove at 19:30 after covering over 70 nautical miles and almost all of that sailing. We learned a lot today (and Tuesday) about the boat in heavy weather and are pleased.

Bedwell Harbor – entry to Canada Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Chameleon Harbor Winter Harbor Santa Gertrudis Cove Hot Springs Cove – West Side of Vancouver Island

Passages