And now the good stuff!
Captain's Log, June 30th, 2018:
Halcyon I departed West Bay Marina on June 15th and has been slowly meandering up the inside passage. We took some time to visit the southern Gulf Islands which we had never visited before (Saturna, Galiano, and North Pender). We anchored in Otter Bay (North Pender Is) and dinghied into the marina. Maybe it was because we were early in the season, but for $10 we had access to the heated outdoor pool, gas fire pits, and WiFi. The best part was, the place was deserted; that was June 22nd.
We then spent five nights at Maple Bay Marina (near Duncan) to get a few more jobs done before proceeding further north. Eden also had some business to attend to in Victoria. We've finally finished re-painting the upper deck and it looks great (all new white Kiwi-grip).
We left Maple Bay yesterday (June 28th) but we were too late to catch slack tide at Dodd Narrows so we hunkered down in Boat Harbour for the night. Boat Harbour Marina is some swanky new (recently re-modeled) marina just south of Nanaimo. We tried to anchor just outside the marina but we were told we were on the seaplane landing strip (though we never saw one the whole time we were there). Joe, the marina manager, came out in his boat to greet us and to give us some information about the area. He also let us grab a mooring buoy for the night, free of charge, which we did.
This morning we headed north through Dodd Narrows at slack tide (around 11:20 AM). It was a massive traffic jam. About 10 boats came south through the passage while five of us waited on the south side. Another group of six or more were about to come through and I had to ask them to hold off so we could proceed - which we did. I guess the boating season is off to a busy start!
Just before we made the turn into Nanaimo, we discovered that the macerator pump was broken (for pumping the septic tank overboard), so we pulled into the pump out dock and did the dirty business there. Fortunately Nanaimo has a great marine chandlery and we were able to get a new pump at a decent price. I installed the new pump this afternoon and it's working correctly.
We had dinner at the Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island and now were relaxing for the evening. Tomorrow we're into Parksville (French Creek Marina) for the weekend. Looks like strong north westerlies forecasted through Monday, so we'll plan for a Tuesday morning departure, further north.
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Present day comment: This would prove to be "the trip where sh*t kept breaking." At the first anchorage, which was Portland Island, just north of Sidney, I found out that Halcyon's engine's start battery was dead. Fortunately a friend of ours from our home marina was planning to meet up with us, so he picked one up and brought it with him. Life saver! We had a backup plan, but it was nice to get the battery replaced ASAP.
Halcyon I at Portland Island:
Riding the pub bus at Montague Harbour (must do!):
Maple Bay Marina:
We see you! (from the Dinghy Dock Pub, Nanaimo...ish)
