Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

[Durant F]

I was going to attempt a relatively small wiring project, but in the end, hired it out. The reason I’m posting this, is the tech complimented on both the electrical and plumbing installations numerous times over the short job stating how well the systems were designed and how easy to work on.
Good to hear.
I’ll stick to carpentry, mechanical and fibreglass work...
Always was intimidated by wiring.

 

[BandB]

I was going to attempt a relatively small wiring project, .

Problem is relatively as there's no such thing as a small wiring project. I'm with you, when it comes to wiring it's all big.

 

[Durant F]

Im a very “hands on” type and a tradesman.
But...
When it comes to wiring, I think I’m a hero getting a stereo to work ��

 

[Durant F]

Well....underway.
Nice run to Heriot Bay this afternoon. Only 16miles so a good late day start for the season.
Seas were calm, tides cooperative and after several years stopping here, the warm welcome was awfully nice too.
Just had a nice bbq chicken dinner, relaxing with a wine now and soon will be “hit the bunk”
It’s been busy for several weeks getting to this point!

 

[dhays]

Well....underway.

Nice run to Heriot Bay this afternoon. Only 16miles so a good late day start for the season.

Seas were calm, tides cooperative and after several years stopping here, the warm welcome was awfully nice too.

Just had a nice bbq chicken dinner, relaxing with a wine now and soon will be “hit the bunk”

It’s been busy for several weeks getting to this point!

I am excited the follow along again this year. Since I am not very familiar with the BC waters, would you mind giving just a tad more information as to where you are? I was able to find Herriot Bay on the East side of Quadra Island, so I guess that is where you are. I assume you went around Cape Mudge? I’ve never been there but have heard that depending on wind and tide it can be rough at times.

 

[Durant F]

No worries...sure
I launched at Discovery Marina in Campbell River, which is on the S end of Johnstone Strait.
The wind was blowing against the tide and it looked bad on the straight if you were headed N, luckily, I was in no hurry so waited until the tide changed so wind and tide were both going my way. Very calm and a 2-3knot boost this afternoon.
Yes, the cape can be extremely rough if a SE is blowing. Lots of fetch up the straightb of Georgia! It seem it’s either a SE or a NW here. Today was a NW so all good.
Heriot Bay Inn is a funky older marina and Inn with a ratty bar but really decent restaurant! One of my favourite stops! Rates go way down Oct 1st. Great grocery and liquor store just up the hill behind the Inn.
Not certain where I’m headed after this...
May do a few quiet days in the Octopus Islands or may get ambitious and stage to head N and time all the rapids to the Broughtons.
I’ll try to give better area info as I go.
Have fun!
Oh ya...the Strait right at Cape Mudge will kick your butt when the tide is running.
LOTS of swirlies!
Ad a SE wind n waves...Not good

 

[dhays]

Thanks Durant! I keep taking notes about potential trips in the future. The Octopus Islands were where I was hoping to go this year, but the wife had other ideas....

 

[Durant F]

Octopus Islands are secure and pretty. Good crabbing too.
Dave, my name is Frank....Durant is the last name. Same as the old cars.

 

[Conrad]

Welcome back to the hood Frank! Sorry we missed each other - just back at the dock this afternoon.
Lots of Humpbacks in Sutil Channel the last while so you may run into them. Monitor channel 7alpha for the whalewatching info.
If you get up to the Broughtons you may find the Port Harvey Marina closed. George passed away suddenly about a month ago and I'm not sure what Gail plans to do. They were always my first stop after the run up Johnstone.
Enjoy your cruising!

 

[Durant F]

Hi Conrad
I looked for your NT at CR...
Thanks for the tip on channel 7
Appreciate it.
I’ll be headed to the Broughtons, not sure yet if sooner or later or both ��

 

[Durant F]

Quiet and sunny day at the marina. Doing last minute provisions and will fuel and water up tomorrow morning before leaving.
Settled on heading up to the Broughtons via Octopus islands. To get to Octopus from here you have to time Beasley rapids. I hope to hit them running about 2.5 in my direction which will pretty well get me to anchorage before it’s running too bad in opposite direction.
From there, early the next morning, ’ll time “hole in the wall” N to get a push up before it turns just in time for the yuks etc. Will be first time through hole in the wall and it seems to change quickly and run fast but is a great way up.
If all goes well, I’ll be anchored just beyond whirlpool rapids that evening...6 sets of rapids later in one day.....as of this moment, that’s the plan.

Pic is the marina today and across the bay, which is now relatively smoke free.

 

[IRENE]

 

[Durant F]

Made the Broughtons...
7 sets of rapids total...
Dave, here’s a bit of info.
From Heriot Bay Inn to Octopus Islands you have to time Beazly Pass.
It’s well noted in the tides and currents booklet or better yet on the iSailor app of the same name ($12yr)
Beazley can run strong and best not done with much more than a 2 knots current the first time. Stay Center or a bit left of Center. At slack it is too easy.
Once through, you will pass Surge Narrows which is easy and onward to Octopus group.

Pic is entrance to Beazly and then Surge Narrows

 

[Durant F]

From this end, the entrance to Octopus Islands is through well charted rocks. Once in, there is large Waiatt bay to port. Good holding in mostly mud, good crabbing too. To starboard are the islands with their narrow channels and little anchorages in small bays. Very protected and the islands are great for short hikes. Speaking of hikes, there is a trail on the NW end of Waiatt Bay, right where the small creek runs into the bay. You will note the water runs out exposing a midden. Take this trail up and over to the end of “small inlet” in behind for a bit of exercise.

Pic going in
Waiatt Bay
In Octopus islands


More later

 

[Billyfeet]

Beautiful places you are sharing with us! Keep 'em coming!

 

[koliver]

From this end, the entrance to Octopus Islands is through well charted rocks. Once in, there is large Waiatt bay to port. Good holding in mostly mud, good crabbing too. To starboard are the islands with their narrow channels and little anchorages in small bays. Very protected and the islands are great for short hikes. Speaking of hikes, there is a trail on the NW end of Waiatt Bay, right where the small creek runs into the bay. You will note the water runs out exposing a midden. Take this trail up and over to the end of “small inlet” in behind for a bit of exercise.

Pic going in
Waiatt Bay
In Octopus islands


More later

Frank:

If you have the time, walk 1/2 mile past the end of Small inlet then go to the left, up the hill for another 1/2 mile or so to Newton Lake.

 

[dhays]

Frank, those are great photos. I really want to get to that area in the future. Keep them coming.

 

[Durant F]

Thx guys
So... I’ve never staged to head N from the Octopus Islands before and in looking at the tides, saw that if you headed through Hole in the wall about an hour before the end of the flood, you would be able to make the Yuks at the beginning of the ebb and that would have tide carrying you all the way N.
I’d never been through Hole In the Wall before and on the chart, it is a bit intimidating. Very narrow for several hundred yards, the current changes and gains speed rapidly. So, I did what and concerned lad does, I emailed a friend. He assured me I would be fine an hour before slack with the current running over 3 knots.
To hit it right meant an early start to the day and I was at the entrance at 6:50am. Sure enough, it was no problem and the current helped push me up the channel and unto Calm Channel just in time for slack, then the ebb that would carry me N.
One rapid down, 5 more to go...
The yuks were just beginning to ebb and very easy, Gillards, a short distance later, was no problem as well and I said hello to the resident sea lions as I passed.

Pics are
Approaching Hole in the wall
Turning into calm channel
Looking ahead to the beginning of the Yuk’s
The resident sea lions at Gillards

 

[Durant F]

Thx guys
So... I’ve never staged to head N from the Octopus Islands before and in looking at the tides, saw that if you headed through Hole in the wall about an hour before the end of the flood, you would be able to make the Yuks at the beginning of the ebb and that would have tide carrying you all the way N.
I’d never been through Hole In the Wall before and on the chart, it is a bit intimidating. Very narrow for several hundred yards, the current changes and gains speed rapidly. So, I did what and concerned lad does, I emailed a friend. He assured me I would be fine an hour before slack with the current running over 3 knots.
To hit it right meant an early start to the day and I was at the entrance at 6:50am. Sure enough, it was no problem and the current helped push me up the channel and unto Calm Channel just in time for slack, then the ebb that would carry me N.
One rapid down, 5 more to go...
The yuks were just beginning to ebb and very easy, Gillards, a short distance later, was no problem as well and I said hello to the resident sea lions as I passed.
Should note I cruise at about 6.5 knots

Pics are
Approaching Hole in the wall
Turning into calm channel
Looking ahead to the beginning of the Yuk’s
Looking at Gillards pass
The resident sea lions at Gillards on Jimmy Judd island

 

[Durant F]

After Gillards, witch was just beginning to run, it was a short distance to Dent rapids. If you hit the Yucalta Rapids just at the beginning and maintain your normal 6 knot throttle speed, you end up going through all 3 with minimal current and swirlies. All three can really toss you about but today’s timing was excellent. Note that N bound, after Dent, is a sunken island that when things are running, creates one heck of a whirlpool!


Pics is approaching Dent
Another boat passing through
A few miles up, Shoal Bay...a great stop on the way home, when not trying to do 6 in one day ��
I recommend Shoal Bay to anyone passing through. Great folks and an awesome view up Philips Arm!

 

[Durant F]

Next up was Green Point rapids
To do these all at once, Green Point is the one you hit running close to full on.
I’d never tell anyone to do it.....but...
A few years ago, I was idling, killing time, drifting, waiting for things to slow down. A tug boat pulling a barge went past me and I thought “no way!”
Sure enough, he went in. So, I radioed and he said it’s no problem headed N if you stay wide to the starboard side. So, following about a quarter mile behind, in I went. Sure enough, it was no problem staying way to the right. Lots of twirlies once past but the fast part was easy!
I did hit it on this trip N right about max...
Chart plotter shows me going 11.3 with the throttle around the 5.5 knot range
Fun stuff..

PS...if you look at the time, it’s 10:23am
I started at Hole in the Wall at 6:50 and was only traveling at around 6.5 knots

Entering
Plotter

 

[Durant F]

After Green Point rapids, the next up is Whirlpool. At my speed, they arrived just before the turn and were basically at slack going through. It was busy with several boats as I guess others on the N side had waited for it to slow down enough for them to pass.
Once through, just to starboard is Forward Harbour and once in, Douglas Bay to port is where I usually drop the hook. It was early enough to enjoy the rest of that sunny day in a pretty spot. Hopped in the dingy for a bit of fishing and caught/released a kelp greenling and rock cod for fun before returning to Emma B for happy hour and dinner. Just a great day all around! A total of 6 sets of rapids, now staged for an easy passage to the Broughtons the next day, a beautiful, relaxing afternoon and a fe fish for fun. Cruising doesn’t get much better.

Looking back at Whirlpool rapids
Anchored in Douglas Bay

 

[Durant F]

Johnstone Strait can be brutal and has kicked my butt a few times in the past. Typically the wind comes up more as the day unfolds so I thought I’d beat the odds and leave very early.
I managed to be on the Strait, from Douglas Bay, before 8am and luckily the only bouncy section was by York’s Isle where Wellbore Channel’s tidal current met the Strait. After that, it was an easy passage up to Lagoon Cove. Even the tidal stream at Chatham Channel was favourable and I passed through the narrow range at max push. Once in at Lagoon Cove it was time to relax and enjoy. A nice young couple took it over last year and are doing their best to keep up the pot luck-happy hour tradition with huge bowls of prawns to enjoy. Nice way to meet the other cruisers! Emma B and I had made it up in great time.....all with the help of tidal currents.

 

[Durant F]

From Lagoon Cove I crossed Knight Inlet and went up Tribune Channel on route to Kwatsi Bay. Knight Inlet is a very pretty Channel to travel, even on a dull day. At one westward turn you see Thompson Sound ahead which is amazing later on when the peaks become snow capped! Before pulling into Kwatsi Bay, I took the time to go up Bond Sound. An amazing place anytime with its abundant bird life and potential for grizzly sightings, at the right time when salmon are running, I’ve counted 57 bald eagles in the trees.
Never ruined by logging, Bond Sound is now protected and thankfully never will be. From there it’s a short hop to Kwatsi Bay. Max and Anca built the rustic marina 20yrs ago and have a great reputation for their hospitality. If you’re looking for 5 star with all the amenities, this is the wrong place. If you would enjoy an amazing wilderness experience with a backdrop of surrounding steep mountains complete with several waterfalls, this is it.
Sadly, Max’s arthritis has gotten the best of him, making it every more difficult to maintain and they have decided to sell. Wonderful, knowledgeable local folks, I hate to see them go but wish them success on a good sale. I love this place!

Pics
Looking up Knight Inlet
Tribune Channel
Thompson Sound
Kwatsi marina

 

[Durant F]

Joe Cove on Eden Island is one of my favourite stops. There is a very old float, about 16’ x 40’ that was put there many years ago by loggers. It is in a totally protected mini bay off of a Joe Cove and once tied to it, gives a place to get off and move about. In the relatively short period of time I’ve been coming here, the float is visually deteriorating yearly. Long ago condemned, walking on it requires care in where you place your foot for fear of falling through. That said, I still love being tied to it in the snug little bay!
The trip from Kwatsi to Eden requires a stop in to see Billy. Just around the corner from Pierre’s Echo Bay marina is Bill Proctor’s home. His pride, the “Ocean Dawn” sits out front at his dock. I was at Billy’s 80th 4 years ago next month. Uneducated, he spent his entire life in the Broughtons fishing and logging. His intricate knowledge of nature and amazing wealth of local history is unparalleled. In his 50’s he turned environmentalist and used his vast expertise to assist both ecologists and environmentalists, solving numerous problems the educated folks couldn’t figure out. He is a humble mam yet a legend in his time. His home has a building housing a lifetime of things he collected beach combing. A museum of sorts filled with rare treasures and as Billy calls it “other junk”. When they sadly burned down the Echo Bay school due to lack of minimum enrolment, Bill took out what artifacts he could and built a mini school house to hold them. He also built an authentic old style loggers cabin out of one cedar log as was the way back then. This is a must see stop if you’re anywhere near. Pick up a local book or 2 while there as well for some history of the area. I sat with Bill out front of his museum for over an hour listening to the stories and wisdom. He even treated me to a tour of Ocean Dawn before I left for Joe Cove. A wonderful character that can never be replaced!

Pierre’s Echo Bay marina
Billy’s home
Ocean Dawn
Billy
Joe Cove float

 

[Durant F]

I’ve got to say what a treat this boat is to handle.
Very easy to solo! Of the over 1500 nautical miles I now have on, about 1300 have been singlehanded.
That said, it has been a wonderful couples boat as well.

 

[Durant F]

Headed back south....
Going to visit cruising friends out here in Pender area, then Claudia flys into Vancouver Sept 22, so thought it would be nice to start this year’s cruise with her from there.
After Joe Cove I headed out on a foggy morning into the Strait and had 3 whales visit before pulling back into Knight Inlet to head back to Lagoon Cove and close the quick circle of the Broughtons.

Pics
Fog on the Strait
Whales
This island with the cloud hanging could be Fiji with palm trees instead of pine
Back at friendly Lagoon Cove

 

[Fletcher500]

Great photos of your cruising grounds. The yellow Hull with red paint looks great. Enjoyed the story about Bill. The world needs more of his type.

 

[Durant F]

Yes.... it truly does need more of his type.
A humble, understated yet extremely knowledgeable and wise man.

 

[Durant F]

After this quick tour, headed back south. I’ll be back in early October for a much more relaxed Broughton cruise. On to Johnstone Strait which today was close to dead calm! Anchored for the evening just before Whirlpool Rapids to stage for an early morning run back down.
Was treated to a raft up beside Kaiiti, a beautiful 50ft Nordhavn. Peter and Sharmon are great hosts and we had a wonderful evening. Emma B sure felt small beside Kaiiti

Pics
Pulling onto the Strait
Looking down
Rafted up