We caught the ebb tide which helped us travel more smoothly. The wind was with us so the ride was not as rough as we thought we would have.
On the way we spot our first whale, a good size humpback!
And also a pod of about 50 porpoise! What a sight!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Port McNeill, BC 05/27/2013 & 05/28/2013
We left Mound Island heading for Port McNeill to provision before moving to the top of Vancouver Island and heading north.
We caught the ebb tide which helped us travel more smoothly. The wind was with us so the ride was not as rough as we thought we would have.
On the way we spot our first whale, a good size humpback!
And also a pod of about 50 porpoise! What a sight!
We caught the ebb tide which helped us travel more smoothly. The wind was with us so the ride was not as rough as we thought we would have.
On the way we spot our first whale, a good size humpback!
And also a pod of about 50 porpoise! What a sight!
Mound Island, BC 05/25 & 05/26/2013
We stuck our toes into the Broughtons for a couple of days. This is a nice anchorage to rest after a long two days motoring.
Crossing Johnstone Straits was no fun! There were an excessive amount of logs, trees, and whirpools, when combined together cause what Bruce is calling "Show Stopper" events. This is when damage to Second Chance would cause the need for major repairs or loss of the boat and we would be unable to continue our journey.
Arriving in our achorage at the end of the day we all agreed it was well worth it, and the decision to take a much needed "rest" day was surely welcomed!
Once we arrived at Mound Island, Marty (Martin & Jelly's son) from M/V Java and Bruce went in Marty's fishing boat, which Java has been towing, to fish for cod to use as bait for our crap traps. The boys had a great time fishing - they were able to catch 3 cod in just a matter of a few minutes!!
So then it was onto getting the crab pots out and ready to set!
After a few hours of soaking the boys went out to check the pots and came back with lots of crab! Then the debate on the best way to prepare the crab began. Should we cook them whole immediately or crack them and put them on ice and cook them just prior to eating them? We decided the crab should be cleaned, cracked, and cooked first so young Marty gave the lesson in how to crack crab efficiently. LOL!
By the time the day was done we had a big bowl of crab and a few snappers and cod for dinner! What a feast!
On our down day we had time to relax and enjoy the sunshine and company.
The guys spent several hours fishing and exploring and the gals spent the day relaxing and enjoying the sun out on the decks of the boats. We had rafted the boats together so we had a wonderful time visiting from boat to boat!
And of course, more crabbing!!
Crossing Johnstone Straits was no fun! There were an excessive amount of logs, trees, and whirpools, when combined together cause what Bruce is calling "Show Stopper" events. This is when damage to Second Chance would cause the need for major repairs or loss of the boat and we would be unable to continue our journey.
Arriving in our achorage at the end of the day we all agreed it was well worth it, and the decision to take a much needed "rest" day was surely welcomed!
Once we arrived at Mound Island, Marty (Martin & Jelly's son) from M/V Java and Bruce went in Marty's fishing boat, which Java has been towing, to fish for cod to use as bait for our crap traps. The boys had a great time fishing - they were able to catch 3 cod in just a matter of a few minutes!!
So then it was onto getting the crab pots out and ready to set!
After a few hours of soaking the boys went out to check the pots and came back with lots of crab! Then the debate on the best way to prepare the crab began. Should we cook them whole immediately or crack them and put them on ice and cook them just prior to eating them? We decided the crab should be cleaned, cracked, and cooked first so young Marty gave the lesson in how to crack crab efficiently. LOL!
By the time the day was done we had a big bowl of crab and a few snappers and cod for dinner! What a feast!
On our down day we had time to relax and enjoy the sunshine and company.
The guys spent several hours fishing and exploring and the gals spent the day relaxing and enjoying the sun out on the decks of the boats. We had rafted the boats together so we had a wonderful time visiting from boat to boat!
And of course, more crabbing!!
Otter Cove, BC 05/24/2013
We waited on the tides to cross Seymour Narrows on the 18:07 slack so we were able to spend a leisurely morning around the dock visiting during breakfast.
Pulled away from the dock around 12:30pm and hit the Narrows right at slack which was at about pm. 6:07 PM. We ran into several commercial vessels in the Narrows which made for a few anxious moments for the Captain but he handled it all well! We had a cruise ship going south through the Narrows while we were heading north and two separate tugs pulling barges through the Narrows behind us, along with Ron & Lynn's sailboat "Contessa" and Martin & Jelly's converted fish boat "Java".
On the journey north off the island there are two spots that made us extra nervous, here, and then the crossing around Cape Caution (must be named that for a reason). The currents in Seymour can reach 14 knots causing whir pools like a toilet flushing and sending your boat off towards the shore before you even know what happened.
Cape Caution is an open stretch of water at the north end of Vancouver Island we need to cross to reach the west coast of British Columbia and the "inner passage" in order to proceed north to Alaska
About an hour and a half later we anchored in Otter Cove and held a "Captain's Meeting" on M/V Java planning the next days travel.
And finished the day with a wonderful sunset over "Contessa"!
Pulled away from the dock around 12:30pm and hit the Narrows right at slack which was at about pm. 6:07 PM. We ran into several commercial vessels in the Narrows which made for a few anxious moments for the Captain but he handled it all well! We had a cruise ship going south through the Narrows while we were heading north and two separate tugs pulling barges through the Narrows behind us, along with Ron & Lynn's sailboat "Contessa" and Martin & Jelly's converted fish boat "Java".
On the journey north off the island there are two spots that made us extra nervous, here, and then the crossing around Cape Caution (must be named that for a reason). The currents in Seymour can reach 14 knots causing whir pools like a toilet flushing and sending your boat off towards the shore before you even know what happened.
Cape Caution is an open stretch of water at the north end of Vancouver Island we need to cross to reach the west coast of British Columbia and the "inner passage" in order to proceed north to Alaska
Friday, May 24, 2013
Leaving Nanaimo, BC, Canada
In Nanaimo we met up with Ron and Lynn Campsal who are friends of ours from the West Coast Work Boat Association that we both belong to and their yacht club friends Martin & Jelly. Martin and his wife will be traveling with us all the way to Prince Rupert. Their son Marty is joining us in Comox and will be traveling with them as well.
It took us a while to get our chores done and finally be able to leave Nanaimo and really begin our trip!
First we had to haul out the boat and change zincs. We tried to do this in Port Townsend before leaving but the haul out schedule was full. So we scheduled our haul out first thing on Thursday morning for 7am and we were back in the water by 7:55 am PT. When we got to the lift there was a fish boat that had to have an emergency repair so we had to wait a short while for our turn. Thankfully not very long. We also took on some fuel at the Gas n Go so now we're full of diesel.
On Wednesday evening we ran into a problem with our on demand hot water tank. We could not get the pilot light to stay on. And there is no way that we are going to go 4 months without hot water!!
Of course when we took the unit apart to try and fix it the orifice that is so very important and very tiny - bounced off the counter and fell in between the hull and the wall that is in the bathroom and right down into the bilge! OMG! So now we have two problems!
So we called around in Nanaimo and found a parts shop that when we explained what our issue was, and that we were trying to catch up with our friends who had already left Nanaimo, he agreed he would "look" at it. So we dismantled the hot water unit and walked 30 minutes to the parts shop for what we thought was going to be a repair. What it really turned out to be was the gentlemen looked at the unit and said - "I can't get you in my schedule to repair this unit until next week on Tuesday or Wednesday!!" Well this just wasn't going to work! At that rate we will be traveling to AK on our own! So we purchased the orifice to replace the one that we lost in the bilge and hoped to find a repair place along the way.
In calling around Vancouver, Nanaimo, Campbell River and talking with many Bosch water heater repair shops, we decided that we would press on to meet up with the rest of our traveling companions in Comox and hopefully get the unit up to Campbell River on Friday morning for another repair shop to take a look. When we got to Comox and met up with the others, we found out that Martin's son Marty knows people! and is a very handy guy to have with us! And a nice guy besides!!
So Friday morning the guys put their heads together and I believe they have fixed the unit! Thank goodness for hot water!
We fueled up and finally got out of Nanaimo around 11:30 am and finally made it to Comox on Vancouver Island at 6:00 pm PT. A very long day of travel.
We tied up at the Comox Harbor Authority commercial fishing dock. This is a very nice marina and we will have to come back here again and spend more time. Very clean and the people here treated us very well. And since I always enjoying seeing the various fish boats this was great for me!
Our friends Ron and Lynn Campsal stopped on their way up at one of the islands and picked up about 40 oysters so we were able to have fresh barbecued oysters for dinner. Even Bruce ate some! Yum!
This morning we got up to take a walk through the lovely town. Look how wonderful the marina is with the sun shining on the harbor - what a great start to our journey!!
Today, Friday, we will be going through Seymor Narrows at slack time, which is later this evening around 6 pm PT so we are leaving Comox around 12 noon. The goal this evening is to reach Otter Bay by 9:00 PM and set the hook. Should be the last "long" day of travel for awhile.
It took us a while to get our chores done and finally be able to leave Nanaimo and really begin our trip!
First we had to haul out the boat and change zincs. We tried to do this in Port Townsend before leaving but the haul out schedule was full. So we scheduled our haul out first thing on Thursday morning for 7am and we were back in the water by 7:55 am PT. When we got to the lift there was a fish boat that had to have an emergency repair so we had to wait a short while for our turn. Thankfully not very long. We also took on some fuel at the Gas n Go so now we're full of diesel.
On Wednesday evening we ran into a problem with our on demand hot water tank. We could not get the pilot light to stay on. And there is no way that we are going to go 4 months without hot water!!
Of course when we took the unit apart to try and fix it the orifice that is so very important and very tiny - bounced off the counter and fell in between the hull and the wall that is in the bathroom and right down into the bilge! OMG! So now we have two problems!
So we called around in Nanaimo and found a parts shop that when we explained what our issue was, and that we were trying to catch up with our friends who had already left Nanaimo, he agreed he would "look" at it. So we dismantled the hot water unit and walked 30 minutes to the parts shop for what we thought was going to be a repair. What it really turned out to be was the gentlemen looked at the unit and said - "I can't get you in my schedule to repair this unit until next week on Tuesday or Wednesday!!" Well this just wasn't going to work! At that rate we will be traveling to AK on our own! So we purchased the orifice to replace the one that we lost in the bilge and hoped to find a repair place along the way.
In calling around Vancouver, Nanaimo, Campbell River and talking with many Bosch water heater repair shops, we decided that we would press on to meet up with the rest of our traveling companions in Comox and hopefully get the unit up to Campbell River on Friday morning for another repair shop to take a look. When we got to Comox and met up with the others, we found out that Martin's son Marty knows people! and is a very handy guy to have with us! And a nice guy besides!!
So Friday morning the guys put their heads together and I believe they have fixed the unit! Thank goodness for hot water!
We fueled up and finally got out of Nanaimo around 11:30 am and finally made it to Comox on Vancouver Island at 6:00 pm PT. A very long day of travel.
We tied up at the Comox Harbor Authority commercial fishing dock. This is a very nice marina and we will have to come back here again and spend more time. Very clean and the people here treated us very well. And since I always enjoying seeing the various fish boats this was great for me!
Our friends Ron and Lynn Campsal stopped on their way up at one of the islands and picked up about 40 oysters so we were able to have fresh barbecued oysters for dinner. Even Bruce ate some! Yum!
This morning we got up to take a walk through the lovely town. Look how wonderful the marina is with the sun shining on the harbor - what a great start to our journey!!
Today, Friday, we will be going through Seymor Narrows at slack time, which is later this evening around 6 pm PT so we are leaving Comox around 12 noon. The goal this evening is to reach Otter Bay by 9:00 PM and set the hook. Should be the last "long" day of travel for awhile.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
We have entered Canada and are rendezvousing with several other boats in Nanaimo, British Columbia to continue the journey north on Thursday the 23rd of May. For today, the 22nd, it will be a time to provision the fresh fruits and vegetables that we could not bring across the boarder.
We crossed the boarder on the 20th in the afternoon and spent the night in Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island. It was the first opportunity to deploy our new 55lb Rocna anchor; let's just say the crew handled it like the pro she is. In no time it was set and we rested comfortably on the back deck to take in some sun before the approaching rain storm that evening.
At the Seattle Boat Show we added some rain gear and they were put to the test Tuesday morning when lifting the anchor.
Traveling north we transitioned one of my least favorite places: Dobbs Narrows. We arrived about 45 minutes before slack tide but there we watched several sail boats transition through and they had no trouble, so we decided to head on through. It was a very calm crossing.
See our wonderful new anchor!! lol!
Once through Dodds Narrows it was another hour into Nanaimo where we are currently guests of the Nanaimo Yacht Club. We were met down at the dock by our traveling companion and good friend Ron Campsal
Until we post again.
We crossed the boarder on the 20th in the afternoon and spent the night in Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island. It was the first opportunity to deploy our new 55lb Rocna anchor; let's just say the crew handled it like the pro she is. In no time it was set and we rested comfortably on the back deck to take in some sun before the approaching rain storm that evening.
At the Seattle Boat Show we added some rain gear and they were put to the test Tuesday morning when lifting the anchor.
Once through Dodds Narrows it was another hour into Nanaimo where we are currently guests of the Nanaimo Yacht Club. We were met down at the dock by our traveling companion and good friend Ron Campsal
Sunday, May 19, 2013
And the journey begins!!
It was a two day workout loading the boat for our upcoming trip! Note to self: Do not shop at Costco their boxes are big and very hard to find storage space on the boat for! LOL!
We had planned to leave the dock on Saturday 05/18/2013 but due to weather we held off leaving until today. We finally left the dock at 11:47am PT!
Here are a few pictures of us pulling out of the bay taken by our friend Jane who was kind enough to help us get the last of our supplies onto the boat this morning and see us off.
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It turned out to be a nice day on the water. Flat crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca and we finished the day at Friday Harbor Marina on San Juan Island. We arrived at the marina at 5:45pm PT.
Once at the island we walked up to the local pub for a fabulous meal to finish the day. We'll sleep well tonight!
We had planned to leave the dock on Saturday 05/18/2013 but due to weather we held off leaving until today. We finally left the dock at 11:47am PT!
Here are a few pictures of us pulling out of the bay taken by our friend Jane who was kind enough to help us get the last of our supplies onto the boat this morning and see us off.
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It turned out to be a nice day on the water. Flat crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca and we finished the day at Friday Harbor Marina on San Juan Island. We arrived at the marina at 5:45pm PT.
Once at the island we walked up to the local pub for a fabulous meal to finish the day. We'll sleep well tonight!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Getting down to the wire. Went back to Jenkins Marine for the installation of the intermediate bearing on the shaft. A combination of nice weather and hard work got the job done timely. Now it's down to some cosmetic work and putting the cabin back together. Will we leave "on schedule"? Stay tuned to find out.
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