We were off the dock at Campbell River at 7am planning for a 9:33am slack before ebb in Seymour Narrows. The weather was the same as the day before, steady rain with moderate wind from the SE. We crossed Discovery Passage to the east side to take advantage of the back eddies generated by the three knots of flood current.
On the AIS I could see two sailboats ahead of us that were waiting for passage through the narrows. As we approached, they both entered the narrows, so I was able to observe the conditions from a quarter mile away. It was an hour before slack as we entered the narrows and we motored against 2.6 kts. of current with little turbulence.
Over the next five hours our speed increased on the ebb, maxing out at 11.2 kts in Race Passage in Johnstone Strait. The rain never stopped and with the low clouds we didn’t see much of what we know is incredible mountain scenery.
Johnstone Strait is notorious for strong north-westerlies against an ebb current making for uncomfortable conditions. Fortunately, the forecast of 5-15 kt. variable winds was accurate which made for smooth sailing the entire day.
We anchored for the night in Port Harvey, not the most scenic location, but it was nice to stop and get out of our foulies and dry out. I turned on the heater and it decided not to start, unlike the night before when it worked fine. Another item for the squawk list.
The rain stopped overnight, and the next day was mostly dry, and the fog and low clouds created beautiful and interesting formations.
In Blackfish Sound Ginny spotted a humpback whale close off our starboard bow. She slowed the boat, and we watched the whale surface three times as it crossed to port about a boat length ahead.
As we approached the Broughton Islands, we were escorted by several pacific white sided dolphins racing from bow to stern and riding our wake.
At the end of the five-hour trip we anchored in well protected Waddingham bay with five other boats and enjoyed the calm afternoon and evening.
We are planning to spend a couple of weeks in the Broughton’s and then we will work our way back south to the San Juan Islands.
Sailing First Light 