Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

[Nomad Willy]

Yup ... if you’re good to go you’ll probably go.

[Okydowky]

I’m jealous Frank, tonight is crisp and calm here in CR. It will will be a beautiful morning to throw the lines off the timber’s. Pretty special out on the water this year, with everything going on. An eerie silence every where we went, I am jealous....
We have been here for the past 2 weeks doing a few costly upgrades. And just itching to get out of the shed. Unfortunately we wont be ready till early 2021...

[Durant F]

Up at 6 yesterday so I’d be waiting at the fuel dock by 7 when they opened. Great service and the lowest fuel prices around as well.
With full fuel and water tanks I was underway by 7:20 to catch the tide. Should note that late in the year water becomes an issue as several marinas turn it off due to freezing.
Johnstone Strait gave me a 4-5 knot push out towards the Strait of Georgia underway to Desolation Sound. The forecast was right and seas were nearly flat.
Was a good run over and felt great to be underway!

Was making up to 11.5 knots at a 6.5 throttle setting

The bell bouy at the bottom of Cortez always reminds me of “Jaws”

[Durant F]

Desolation Sound just doesn’t get old...
Sun or rain... always magestic

[Tolly Roger]

WOW
Beautiful!

[Durant F]

A few more from yesterday
It’s beautiful overcast!
I did a Melanie Cove tour and that’s where the jellyfish were congregated.
Earlier today I was into the end of Roscoe Bay exploring as the tide was up and it too had millions of jellyfish only all about 1/3 the size.

[Wayfarer]

That is some world class scenery, right there.

[Nomad Willy]

We had more jellyfish than that at Patterson Inlet and I was afraid I’d bring them up on the anchor line. But (thankfully) they were a no show ... on the rode.

[Durant F]

Willy, Willy, Wiily....
Yes, often way way more. Like in this picture.
Sorry yesterday’s picture dissapointed you 🤣😂

[Durant F]

Every once in a while you take a picture that’s worthy of putting on a wall.
This one from Saturday will be printed and hung at home.

[Nomad Willy]

I often wonder if putting the subject right smack dab .. as my mother would say .. in the middle of a composition is good.
But you seem to have an intuitive instinct.

Most days there’s not much interesting on TF. There’s always the “Whats the best radar” or equivalent. Like if they don’t choose brand X it would die in a week. Duhh

But I ALWAYS click on your posts.

[Island Cessna]

Originally Posted by Durant F

Every once in a while you take a picture that’s worthy of putting on a wall.

This one from Saturday will be printed and hung at home.

Beautiful, serene.
Are we looking out the gap between William and Copplestone islands?
Thanks for allowing us to vicariously extend our cruising each fall!
Bill

[Durant F]

Yes...that’s exactly where the picture was taken. I love anchoring there if the forecast is good. Easy to move back into Melanie Cove if the forecast changes.

[koliver]

Originally Posted by Nomad Willy

We had more jellyfish than that at Patterson Inlet and I was afraid I’d bring them up on the anchor line. But (thankfully) they were a no show ... on the rode.

Eric:

Those small white JF are never an issue. Many times, however, when hauling the prawn traps, I get the red JF sticky on the prawn line. Sometimes so much that my hands get tingly from the sting. The white ones only get a little sticky and hand washing (that would occur sooner or later) is hurried up.

Frank:

Thanks for being a dependable photographer on your annual winter cruise. We all enjoy! Keep it up.

[porman]

A few years ago we spent several days anchored in Grebe Cove on Bonwick Island and we watched thousands of small JF go in and out with the tide. I was afraid they would get sucked up my generator, but they didn't. They looked like raindrops on the water, very pretty. Watching your travels almost makes me miss our Camano. Great boat.

[Durant F]

Took a scoot to Squirrel Cove and checked out Roscoe Bay on the way over as the tide was up. Little waterfall is pretty.
Spent one night at anchor in the back of Squirrel Cove and another at the dock as I’d arranged for a close by RMT to pick me up in the morning for a treatment. I’d pulled my back lifting my Honda 2000 out of the aft locker. Not that heavy, done it a hundred times before, but just how I twisted as I lifted. Will be more careful here on in..
From there to Octopus islands around the back way through White rock pass.
Had Beasley rapids timed perfectly. Barely a ripple...
After going through Beazley, a small bird landed for about a 10 minute break, singing away the entire time.
Entering Waiatt Bay to Octopus Islands I was thankful I’d brought my Nikon along for the odd zoom shot. All the pictures I post are taken on my iPhone.
You’ll see the difference from full zoom on the iPhone compared to full zoom on my Nikon. Can’t compare.
It was a very peacenight... not a ripple, not another soul around.

[Wayfarer]

[Durant F]

Up early and left in the dark to get the final push on the ebb through upper hole in the wall rapids and down Okisollo Channel to Johnstone Strait. The Strait was close to flat calm and although the tide was to turn, I enjoyed an extra knot or so for a few hours. Had some visitors which is always nice. No set plan was in place other than head towards the Broughtons but with the extra push I figured I may try running straight up in one day. Things started getting bumpy at current pass- Helmchen Island but once past, seemed to settle a bit so I continued on. By Port Neville the wind was coming up but didn’t pull in as the thought of being stuck there for several days wasn’t appealing to me. The last several miles were a handful before turning off onto Havannah Channels calm waters. It felt like walking into your home from outside on a windy day....the difference was that dramatic. Timing was excellent on Chatham Channel and enjoyed an extra 2-3 knot push through the narrows. It had been a very long day and the last few hours not easy so it felt great to tie off at Lagoon Cove Marina and mix a celebratory rum. This was my first time doing it in one day.

[Durant F]

Left Lagoon cove underway to Port McNeil. Stopped in to check out Potts Cove as a secure anchorage if ever needed in this area. Was very snug and secure. Turns out there’s history here with a small collection of float houses and in the past it was a busy spot. Carried on and found a little anchorage just before Whiterock Pass so I’d have a quick exit onto Blackfish Sound early in the morning. Enjoyed dinner, cleaned up and after looking at tides and forecast, decided on a “dark run” in that evening as the weather was to change late afternoon the next day. The 3 hour run on instruments went well other than one minor log bump. A near full moon lit things up slightly and it was enjoyable out there. Made Port McNeil just before midnight and tied at the fuel dock to be their first customer in the morning. It was a beautiful dawn at the marina. Fueled up, a grocery run unpacked and I was off again to beat the weather. Blackfish Sound seldom disappoints and saw multiple humpbacks in 3 different . Always such a treat. After my last “too close encounter” I stayed well away. With the strong winds forecast I went back to drop the hook in snug Potts Lagoon.

[Durant F]

I’d been down Clio Channel a few days earlier and found it odd that 20-25 seagulls were following Emma B
Now, returning, it makes sense as I see hundreds getting scraps off this fish boat!
Here I thought they just liked the New Camono 😄🤣😂