keel, sometimes between tiny islands, Pace Yourself Bute Inlet we lost a game of dodge
cozy bights, or intimate coves – and Don’t set a firm schedule! If you the debris, and took a chunk of wood
rocks abound. try to plan too far ahead, the fun will to the propeller, stalling the engine
After a few tricky attempts to drop out of your adventure as quickly but causing no damage. Three times,
tether us to shore, Jess and I figured as a NW breeze drops out of your sails. including a placid crossing of the Straits
out our systems. (After all, as climbers It’s better to have your destination in of Juan de Fuca, we found the cooling
we aren’t strangers to rigging lines.) mind (or better yet, just a direction) water intake fouled by seaweed, as
When selecting an evening anchorage and allow a loose schedule to get indicated by steam from the exhaust.
we processed these steps: there. For us, each new day involved a Each time, we simply jumped in the
1. Confirm current tide height to similar process: coffee in the morning water to clean the intrusions. With
figure out our depth allowance; sun with the guidebook, tide table and whatever may happen, the key is to
carry tools, plan contingencies, always
be alert, and be open to information
and tips.
Stern tying in Pirate’s Cove.
Don’t set a firm
schedule! It’s better to
have your destination
in mind (or better yet,
just a direction) and
allow a loose schedule
to get there.
Warm Water is Not A Lie
The most satisfying part of the
entire journey was the warm water – as
we approached the Straits of Georgia in
July our swims became more pleasant.
By the time we reached Desolation
2. Study the chart and carefully scout local chart in our laps. We’d take turns Sound, we were snorkeling over oyster
the desired area, usually with a interpreting the travel possibilities from beds in 75F. It’s simply sublime to travel
bow watch; the chart and matching the respective North to a virtual tropical paradise,
3. Drop the anchor at the desired spot guidebook references on what awaited wearing a sarong and sunshirt.
noting the depth and releasing us. The tidebook was of course the most
about 3:1 scope if high tide or 4:1 important tool in determining the day’s Just Go!
scope if low tide; leg since traveling with the right ebb If you ask me, I’ll say our region
4. Reverse on anchor towards shore or flood is half your momentum. We offers the most stunning and inspiring
to confirm positive grab; kept our plans very loose, and always cruising grounds in the world. We are
5. Launch dinghy with the stern line figured in three destination options fantastically fortunate to be able to cast
in tow; (Plan A, B, C) in case we encountered off lines, and voyage to the San Juan
6. Wrap stern line around suitable weather or full anchorages. Islands, then onward through the Gulf
tree, cable, ring, etc; Islands to Nanaimo, and further to the
7. Collect equal length of line at shore Things Will Go Wrong! deep fjords of Desolation Sound and all
and paddle back to boat to return Yes they will. During our trip, we cruising points beyond that. Our wing-
the end of the stern line to the amazed ourselves with our graceful and-wing sail through the Jervis Inlet
boat; anchoring tactics – never bumping a and anchorage by Chatterbox Falls will
8. Trim the boat position by easing on rock, dragging our anchor or otherwise be forever memorable.
the anchor rode and taking in the tangoing too close with the shore or For myself, I never felt so relaxed
stern line, if desired. other boats. But things still happened. in my life as cruising these waters. I
In the morning, we would simply Heading into our first rapid, Dodd saw mind-bending beauty, tackled an
untie the end of the stern line and hand- Narrows leading into Nanaimo, we 800-page book, learned to appreciate
winch the entire line through the shore found it raging against us despite our Canadian whisky and generally
tether and back to the boat without perfect slack tide timing. Later we were abandoned pressures and stresses like
setting foot on shore. Haul the anchor enlightened to the fact that the shiny never before. Cruising is good for you
and off we’d go! Canadian tidechart didn’t account – it’s time to take the time!
for daylight savings. (Really!?) In the 48° N
48° No r t h , Fe b r u a r y 2010 Pa g e 44
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