The first set of rapids were relatively easy, like a mis-timed run on Cattle Pass. I anchored at Dent Island between Dent Lodge and Morgan's Landing. In the morning things got a bit interesting. One of the 100 ft power boats that had passed me in the rapids didn't check his charts while leaving. There is a section of that little nook that is 0 3 on the charts, i.e. less than 1 meter. They hit solid, and unfortunately right across from my little boat.
Not much I could do. They had a full crew and one out on a dinghy. So I just sat there with my cup of tea, watching. They worked it for a while and all that happened was their managing to turn sideways, placing their stern right in line with my boat. Not Happy.
I wasn't sure what to do. Finally I decided to pull myself forward via my anchor rope. It worked....well, it made me feel better. Next time I will anchor in Mermaid.
Dent Rapids were an easy run and I sailed into Shoal Bay.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Anchor Fishing
From Cortes I sailed to Church House. At first I was going to explore ashore. That changed rapidly when I saw my first bear of this trip. I decided that a book and a glass of wine was much more fun than a couple of old houses and a collapsed church.
The next day I was going to run my first rapid. Normally it only takes me about 15 mins to get my main up and pull my anchor up. Since I wanted to hit the rapids right at slack before ebb I planned on an hour to get into position. I started pulling up the anchor and after a bit it just wouldn't come. I tried winching it up and it wasn't going up. I could see the damn thing. I was so frustrated.
I finally decided that the only way it was coming up was if I dove in and attached a separate line to the anchor. That water is COLD. I only had to go down 10 ft but I was shaking by the time I managed to climb back onto the boat (go, test of my ability to get back on the boat without a ladder!). Another 15 mins of winching and finally I was loose.
This is what caught me. An old fishing net.
By the time I was loose and free the tide was running a bit more than I wanted so moved anchorages and chilled for another night
The next day I was going to run my first rapid. Normally it only takes me about 15 mins to get my main up and pull my anchor up. Since I wanted to hit the rapids right at slack before ebb I planned on an hour to get into position. I started pulling up the anchor and after a bit it just wouldn't come. I tried winching it up and it wasn't going up. I could see the damn thing. I was so frustrated.
I finally decided that the only way it was coming up was if I dove in and attached a separate line to the anchor. That water is COLD. I only had to go down 10 ft but I was shaking by the time I managed to climb back onto the boat (go, test of my ability to get back on the boat without a ladder!). Another 15 mins of winching and finally I was loose.
This is what caught me. An old fishing net.
By the time I was loose and free the tide was running a bit more than I wanted so moved anchorages and chilled for another night
The Gorge
The longest paddle I have done so far is from Hanson's Landing to the Gorge and back. I was seriously sore the next day but it was so worth it. Here are a few pics from the trip.
The entrance to The Gorge was created by some creative blasting. The tide really rips through it. Yet again a case of having to be up for the tides.
The entrance to The Gorge was created by some creative blasting. The tide really rips through it. Yet again a case of having to be up for the tides.
Hanson's Landing, Cortes Island
The sail from Savory Island was slow, so very slow. I only made 8 miles in close to 15 hours. Blahh. At one point I saw a thunderstorm forming off to the west and all I could think was that I would get some wind if it managed to get to me. Sadly it was not to be. I finally made it to Smelt Bay around midnight. Decided to crash out for a few hours. Popped up in the morning and moved the last little bit to Hanson's Landing.
What a great place to anchor. Close to civilization (a grocery and a coffee shop), a freshwater lake to swim in, and the Gorge is only a short paddle away. All of that was nothing compared to the joy that Niaomio and Eric gave me.
They invited me over for a drink. The usual sailing stories came out and fun was had. One of the stories was about their outrigger canoe and a baby seal. Oh man, those pictures were so cute! Their friend had managed to get a series of the little guy yawning. Major envy. The next morning I had decided to paddle to Gorge. I made a slight detour past their boat, and lo and behold...
I want one.
What a great place to anchor. Close to civilization (a grocery and a coffee shop), a freshwater lake to swim in, and the Gorge is only a short paddle away. All of that was nothing compared to the joy that Niaomio and Eric gave me.
They invited me over for a drink. The usual sailing stories came out and fun was had. One of the stories was about their outrigger canoe and a baby seal. Oh man, those pictures were so cute! Their friend had managed to get a series of the little guy yawning. Major envy. The next morning I had decided to paddle to Gorge. I made a slight detour past their boat, and lo and behold...
Friday, August 10, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Phosphorescence
One of the joys of sailing late at night (usually due to lack of wind during the day) is the phosphorescence. As a little kid I loved going down to the beach at night and watching the waves glow and stomping on the sand to watch stars shoot out from my feet.
On the boat it is a different view. I have stars in my wake. Some times more than others but they are still there. When I end up rowing is the best though. It looks like I am stirring some magic potion. Back and forth, glowing all around. It is a simple pleasure but it makes me smile every time it happens.
On the boat it is a different view. I have stars in my wake. Some times more than others but they are still there. When I end up rowing is the best though. It looks like I am stirring some magic potion. Back and forth, glowing all around. It is a simple pleasure but it makes me smile every time it happens.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Charts
So I ended up meeting another sailor on my trip. I know that is not a surprise. But the surprise was that he had a number of duplicates of charts. So off to his boat to sort through. A number of the charts in his collection were from the 50-60s. The were beautiful. I ended up receiving over 15 different charts that I didn't already have a major bonus.
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