Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

[Conrad]

Eric, another pleasant way to do the Nanaimo-CR run is to overnight in the Musket Island/Hardy Island marine park on the way up, sea conditions allowing. The run north from the anchorage is full of sights and opportunities - the fabulous Lund being one of them, or Desolation Sound. You might even eventually get to CR!

 

[Durant F]

Currently underway from Pender Harbour up to Powel River. It started off a dull morning that was a bit mystical, but has started to brighten up. There is a white tower just after Scotch Fir Point that looks like you will be there shortly, Yet an hour later you are still not abeam of it. Those who have passed by here will know what I mean. It seems to just go away...

 

[Conrad]

Currently underway from Pender Harbour up to Powel River. It started off a dull morning that was a bit mystical, but has started to brighten up. There is a white tower just after Scotch Fir Point that looks like you will be there shortly, Yet an hour later you are still not abeam of it. Those who have passed by here will know what I mean. It seems to just go away...

Ah, the Stillwater Power Plant Surge Tower. At one time it was dark green and barely visible.

 

[Durant F]

Had a couple if nice visits in Powel River last night and headed out before daybreak this morning towards Desolation Sound. The Strait was nearly flat calm. Beautiful day on the water even though it was overcast. Went into Prideax Haven and peaked into Melanie Cove. Not a soul around... Currently anchored in the little pass behind Otter Island. Great day on the water and nice evening..

 

[Durant F]

Awesome calm night. Underway towards Octopus Islands via Whiterock Pass and Beasley narrows. Had to have a last peak at Desolation before heading out...
Probably last time here for this year.

 

[Nomad Willy]

While anchoring have you found areas w poor or questionable holding?
Any other comments re your anchoring experiences lately?

How long do you intend to keep cruising?
Seems you picked a good year for it.
Izzat enough questions?

 

[Durant F]

No issues anchoring so far.
Had 2 “sleep with one eye open” nights with heavy gusting winds but things held.
I like my anchor, have used them on various boats and follow normal good procedures. Hate talking anchors as you know.... politics and religion.
Plus... there’s already several threads on anchoring.
How long out? No set date but I’m back north, entering the Broughtons today and this will be my last tour up here before haul out.
2-4 weeks yet? What else do you do in Covid lock down?
Easy to social distance on a boat...
I am missing “home”, my wood stove, family and friends...
Yesterday was awesome. Left Octopus and had sun and scenery all the way to Whirlpool Rapids. I’ll post a few pictures

 

[Durant F]

Left at daybreak...
Through upper hole in the wall to the Strait, then up Nodales Channel, turned to pass Shoal Bay, through Green Point rapids on to Whirlpool rapids and tied to the old Tug last night.
It really is more beautiful during winter...

 

[Durant F]

Up early and underway as soon as it was barely light. The tug the tied their boom to shore late the night before was still unlit. The forecast was good for Johnstone Strait and with cold temps and stronger winds forecast, I thought I’d run right to Port McNeil and await better weather for my last tour through the Broughtons this season. As usual, the wind picked up as the morning moved on but went well beyond the forecast strength. Emma B did well but we were often surfing with the following sea. Not the leisurely cruise up the strait I envisioned.
I like Port McNeil. Very boat friendly, awesome off season rates and everything is an easy walk from the marina. Got a few boat chores done today I’d been putting off and they were so easy I wondered why I’d procrastinated.. Got looking at the chart and figured I’d try a new place and head up Grappler Sound around Watson Island for something new. Have never been before so figured next weeks sun should be a good time to explore

 

[Durant F]

Weather looks ok to head out tomorrow.
I plan on working up to the area around Watson Island as Ive never been in there before, then poking back down through the Broughtons and onward to Cambell River to prep for haulout.
Good news and bad news.
-The good news is it will be sunny and the scenery should be spectacular with snow capped mountains!
-bad news it will be thee coldest temperatures seen in quite a while!
Between the bus heater underway and the Webasto at anchor I will be ok.
Looking forward to the sights!

PS...temps are Celsius

 

[IRENE]

Great stuff! Going to get cold down here too.

 

[NComfort]

There is excellent prawning just outside of Turnbull Cove. MacKenzie Sound is beautiful as well. Mount Stephens should be spectacular as you head around Watson Point. Enjoy.

 

[Durant F]

I’ve never been in there. Did Sullivan bay and Drury Inlet before but figured I should try something new before haul out. Look forward to it and hopefully the sun is out for some good pictures. Thanks

 

[Durant F]

Left Port McNeil about 10:30 for a somewhat rolling 3 hour run to Joe Cove on Eden island. One of my favourite spots to tuck into and tonight is a first... one bar of cell ! Typically a dead zone.
Had a white capping beam sea coming across but it was just below the “clear off the counters” threshold.
Beautiful sunshine, no whale sightings.
Actually, not another boat out!
Nice quiet evening.
Not too cold tonight yet.
That will change tomorrow onward...
Tipped the solar panel and actually hit 8amps a few times. Nice to keep the batteries up until the sunset.
Last scenery picture is looking out Joe Cove

 

[Durant F]

Still night, beautiful...if frosty morning in Joe Cove.
Got underway after a couple of coffees and took Old Pass through and up past Broughton and North Broughton Islands on the way to Watson Island area. Was a beautiful calm day!

 

[Durant F]

Pretty amazing up around Watson Island.
Turnbull Cove was 3/4 froze over so had a peaceful night anchored in Clayton Bay
Beautiful day!

 

[Durant F]

Awoke to a bit of snow which was nice. I’d been missing snow on the pines back home. Passed the float homes in Sullivan Bay on the way around towards Bond Inlet and beyond. Was a beautiful morning

 

[Wayfarer]

I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at scenery like that. I'd sure like to try, though.

 

[porman]

You're killing me here. Hoping for the border to be open this Summer, but I don't have much faith in that.

 

[Durant F]

One benefit of aging is you get to appreciate magic moments more...
Just out from Bond Inlet I came upon this pod of Orcas feeding.
Younger days I would have slowed down to look..
Now, realizing this doesn’t happen every day, I went into neutral to float along with them for over half an hour. I’d only pop into gear enough to steer a bit.
Was incredible to watch. Big male, couple of females and I’m pretty sure 2 young as well.
Makes the bad days so worth it!

 

[Durant F]

After pulling myself away from the Orcas, next bend was at Thompson Sound and the wind was just whistling down! Simply beautiful but was quite the ride until I made the turn.

 

[Conrad]

You're having way too much fun Frank!
I saw a couple of Alaskan Transients (they had Alaska plates...) heading north last week and was wondering if they were the same ones you saw but no, there were only two of them.
Looking forward to catching up in a few days; there is a table in the Riptide with our names on it!

 

[Durant F]

Haven’t saw another cruiser for quite a while now...
See ya sooner than ya think ?

 

[Durant F]

Dah....
Just realized what you meant by transients...
Needed more coffee... ��
Yep, there were at least 5 in the pod I was with...
Not sure if they were resident or not...

 

[Durant F]

Underway towards Lagoon Cove on Tribune Channel, that stretch from Kwatsi Bay, past Bond and Thompson down to Knight Inlet is always beautiful but even more so late season. After the highervseas at the Trafford Point turn by Thompson, I was expecting some seas on Knight Inlet and there were. It’s only 2 miles across to Chatham Channel but it’s a long 2 miles in a quartering sea. Waves never look as big in pictures do they...

 

[Durant F]

With the coldest nights of the year forecast, I was happy to be at Lagoon Cove Marina, plugged in, electric heaters going. It was beautiful clear blue sky’s and yes... COLD! Got down to -11 Celsius one night.

 

[Durant F]

Had a very good window for an entire passage on Johnstone Strait in 2 days but couldn’t time Chatham Channel to be out early so I kept a day early to anchor near Port Harvey. Always smile at the ride through Chatham Channel booting along with the tide. Passed by a Tug, “Inlet Ranger” towing a boom right before the narrows. Good chat on the VHF going by. Once out, I anchored in my favourite spot. It’s a snug, albeit tight spot that saves going all the way into Port Harvey, so quicker out in the morning and offers a view of the Strait as well. Acthad one bar of cell this time so kept watch on the weather. Me and Johnstone Strait don’t always get along...
Awoke to snow at the little anchorage. Quite pretty! Reminded me of up river back home...

 

[Durant F]

I was patient waiting for this window and if all worked out.... would head right down the Strait to the Okisollo channel, time the rapids and anchor in Octopus Islands before dark.
I’ve come to not trust forecasts for the Strait, but ended up with a very nice run down!
Being passed by a very large “NOAA” boat as well as a large Coast Guard cutter reminded me Johnstone Strait is a major connector.
I was blessed as the Strait was calm the entire trip!
Anchored out at the Okisollo entrance between Cinque Islands to wait for things to settle in the rapids...
Love Octopus islands!
Was surprised to find a “cruiser” anchored in there!
Guess I’m not the only crazy person out here...
Chart screen shot shows where I anchored on Johnstone Strait (red) at the entrance to Okisollo Channel (Green) which leads to Hole in the wall rapids.

 

[Durant F]

Went through upper hole in the wall rapids a bit early without issue and was anchor down in my favourite spot in Octopus islands before dark.
The folks aboard the sailboat are “liveaboards” and it was an extremely well set up vessel. I stopped to chat going by in the morning stating “I thought I was the only foolish guy this late”. They love it too!

 

[Durant F]

Quiet night and an awesome sleep! Nice to catch up...
Was a beautiful morning
Headed out mid day and pushed through Beazley a bit early “against”...
Was running about 2.5... wouldn’t have wanted too much more...
Once through, had a nice quiet run up to my little anchorage beside Bold Island.
Have anchored there several times before. Sometimes simply to wait to time Beazley, other times overnight to wait for the Strait of Georgia to settle down before heading to Heriot Bay. Today was simply to overnight as it was getting late and it’s a snug spot with cell (bonus). Had a nice quiet night before heading out in the morning.

Pics
Morning at Octopus
Heading out
Anchorage
View from Bold anchorage