Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

Back to the boat today. SO nice to have inside storage!! It’s exactly how you left it. No fade, no mould, just a bit of dust.
Nice to provision in the building too. No multiple trips down the dock.
If all goes well... splash tomorrow

Welcome back to the sea sailor.

Welcome back, and safe travels!

Thx lads
Splashed late yesterday.
The HD fired instantly which is always reassuring.
Fueled up this morning at Discovery Fuels here in Campbell River and used their facility to do my oil change. Rather than the normal multi trips with a canister, they have a long vacuum hose which goes directly to their waste oil drum. Too easy! And their fuel prices are about the best in the region as well.
So.. provisioned, watered, fueled and clean oil... ready to head out tomorrow.
Seems everything works ...always a concern after a lengthy lay up.

Very cool thread which I just spent a very enjoyable hour reading! Thanks for sharing.

We did Desolation / the Broughtons last May when it is similarly off season with few boats and nice quiet anchorages.

We also did Desolation in September 2018 and, likewise, as you say, the crowds were gone...

So many things you mention ring memorable bells...Bill Proctor, Max in Kwatsi,
Lagoon cove, seal carving from Lund, etc etc.

If you have not tried it, check out Roscoe Bay as an alternative to Prideaux. I suspect you know it but, if not, it is also a very sweet spot.

If you are in the Princess Louisa area next week keep an eye out for us....there is a rum with your name on it, if we run into you and you are so inclined.

Safe travels.

Cheers,

Chris

Thx
I’m familiar with Roscoe Bay as well.
Back end is certainly private once the tide goes down.
I may be your way late next week. Headed to friends in Sechelt but with stops along the way. Will keep in touch. Enjoy yourselves!!

Short “1st run” to Heriot Bay today. Everything is working well. Enjoyed a beer on the dock fabricating an adjustable solar panel mount. Far more efficient if tilted to the sun! Nice afternoon!

Hey Frank - I saw Emma B tied to K dock yesterday and was hoping to stop by but alas you were gone by the time I was free. When are you back at the dock?

Not sure Conrad....
No set plans. Headed to PR to get a new dingy I’d ordered and then probably S before heading back N later.
Where were you? I looked for the big blue tug??

Hey Frank; we arrived back at the dock Thursday after a great cruise. I'll be at the dock until the 8th and then gone until the end of the month. And then will be onboard for the foreseeable future other than occasional cruises.

Humpbacks this year have been amazing!

Glad you had a good cruise!!
Saw 3 humpbacks already underway from Heriot Bay to PR
Enjoy this sunny day!

Note on Cambell River
Awesome indoor storage!
Many “boat places” for supply’s or Mechanics etc
Super competitive food prices
Great stores right at marina
Best fuel prices of the entire area
While at fuel dock... use their “Sifon pump” to do your own oil change (luxury)
Can’t think of a better place to start out from!!!

Ran down to Powell River to get my new dingy. Rock Cods sharp fin barbs and inflatable floors don’t get along well. Too many patch’s!!
New dingy is an aluminum floor which will make a much better little fishing boat.
Lads at Marine Traders just 1/2 block up from Westview harbour are great to deal with.
After a few good walks, under way now to Desolation Sound under full
Sun and a warm gentle breeze.
Life’s good.

I try and do all my business with Marine Traders. Great chandlery. Sorry I missed you. On vacation out of country.

Durant F said:

Ran down to Powell River to get my new dingy. Rock Cods sharp fin barbs and inflatable floors don’t get along well. Too many patch’s!!
New dingy is an aluminum floor which will make a much better little fishing boat.
Lads at Marine Traders just 1/2 block up from Westview harbour are great to deal with.
After a few good walks, under way now to Desolation Sound under full
Sun and a warm gentle breeze.
Life’s good.

Click to expand...

I haven’t posted much as so far it’s been pretty much the same old same old.
Currently underway to the Gulf Islands and should make Nanaimo tomorrow.
The herd is thinning
Had this to myself last night.

On the boat improvement end, had a little one quart accumulator tank installed and what a difference! Pump runs so much less even with that small size!

Frank,
Why do you say “(JD powered)”?
Is that unusual?

1st and only...

Ok...
A few of the last week or so for popcorn...

2 new stops.
One was tiny “Squitty Bay” on the SE end of Lasqueti Island.
This is a very tight harbour with a tricky entrance.
The second ‘new to me’ stop was Newcastle Island across from Nanaimo.
Nice docks and a park setting with great walking trails.
Neither of these had power or water.

Sidney marina is such a great stop.
Right up the ramp and just a very short walk is both a nice grocery store and liquor store (hereafter called the essentials) Stock up on groceries first, then take your cart into the liquor store, then down to the marina. They pick them up from there. How great is that!
Main Street has everything one could need and is really clean and well maintained!
Pic is Main Street...

Frank I almost went into Squitty Bay in a 40 knot gale but passed it up seeing about 40 sailboat masts. Went to Boho Bay instead.

Durant F said:

2 new stops.
One was tiny “Squitty Bay” on the SE end of Lasqueti Island.
This is a very tight harbour with a tricky entrance.
The second ‘new to me’ stop was Newcastle Island across from Nanaimo.
Nice docks and a park setting with great walking trails.
Neither of these had power or water.

Click to expand...

You will soon qualify as a "local" in so many places. I have been going past Squitty for over 40 years and have never stopped in. Have to correct that.
While you were enjoying sunshine in Prideaux, we were getting drenched in the Gulf Is.
Keep the pix coming.

If you enjoy Greek food, Maria’s Souvlaki is tough to beat. Family place.

Where do you plan to be this weekend? We have a 3-day FRI/SAT/SUN and it would be great to shake your hand and say hello in-person!

Willy...don’t know how they could squeeze 40 boats in there! Man it’s tight!
5 deep raft ups maybe
Thanks Koliver, yep, meeting lots of folks!
Irene... Friday Harbor tonight
Bellingham tomorrow to Friday
Saturday Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring
Maybe Sunday too
Then Montague
On to Nanaimo...
Love meeting folks

Thanks. Since my last post, we have been looking at the wind predictions for this weekend...but I think the chances of intercepting you on your itinerary are low.

We were planning to anchor at Sucia, but it won’t be very relaxing if the predictions ring true.

Will look at the models again tomorrow night.

Yes...looking like it’s going to get a bit nasty...
I’ll be playing it day to day..

Have fun Frank. Beautiful scenery up there.

Durant F said:

Willy...don’t know how they could squeeze 40 boats in there! Man it’s tight!
5 deep raft ups maybe
Thanks Koliver, yep, meeting lots of folks!
Irene... Friday Harbor tonight
Bellingham tomorrow to Friday
Saturday Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring
Maybe Sunday too
Then Montague
On to Nanaimo...
Love meeting folks

Click to expand...

Eric was likely passing Squitty during our YC annual mess of sail with kids cruise. Good group to leave as they tend to take over whatever snug they are in.

Frank, with Fulford on your agenda, check out Russel Island at the mouth. Marine park so go ashore and explore.

We were on our way to Alaska w the little Albin. Was a rough ride out there that day. Saw all the masts and decided I wanted none or it. I knew it was a very small chuck.