Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

It’s amazing what a difference 30 minutes can make!
From near zero visibility the sun poked through a bit at 1:20
Then, by 1:50, clear sky’s and those elusive mountains that I knew were out front finally showed up!
So nice to see clear sky’s and sun!

1st pic is 1:20
By 1:50 it was clear and I was off for a dingy ride.

Still not a soul around.....
Beautiful as the sun went down.

Almost every summer I go where you have been in Desolation Sound on this trip. I never get to see the local scenery without lots and lots of boats around. Especially in Prideaux/Melanie/Laura, where I often take a rough count of the number of boats, just because I can reliably get a count that exceeds 100 boats in the busy season.
Your photos, showing the actual scenery rather than the popularity of the anchorage, are a real breath of fresh air.
Sundown looking South of West through Eveleigh passage is very nice, and a sight I have never seen.
Thanks again for the photos!

Thanks Keith.
When I was first invited out here 10yrs ago for “boys week” crewing on a friends trawler, it was late Octerber-early November. I assumed it was always like this and is how I know the PNW to be. Was actually kind of shocking the first time I saw pictures in cruising guides with so many boats! My last stay here a few weeks ago there was a sailboat (‘a’ sailboat) came in and anchored. I selfishly felt intruded upon. There are downsides to cruising late, but to me, the upsides far out weigh them.

Seems a repeat of yesterday.
My intention (plans are bad on boats) was to head over to Heriot Bay today, then Campbell River tomorrow. At noon..The fog was still thick!
Yes, I can easily do it on instruments but was truly hoping to savour the mountain views one last time on the way out before heading home.
Well, much like yesterday again, at 12:30 the fog started to lift. Still too thick to see the mountains out front but the bay behind looks great in the mist.

Well.....wish’s answered!
Fog lifted...simply beautiful out there!
Anchor up and I’m underway.....
Won’t make it as far as intended, but will be an awesome day anyway!!

Yesterday turned into a magical day. Had hoped to savour the mountain views of Desolation Sound one more time on the way out and the big guy delivered!
Just putted through several islands, went a bit out of the way to see the seal colony again, then putted down to and through the pass at Otter Island, all the while soaking in both the sunshine and views from the flybridge. I was enjoying it so much that speed seemed irrelevant....after looked down, was only going 4.5 knots. When the sun set, things cooled quickly so I took the lower helm for the remainder of the way to Cortes Bay. Arriving before dark, it was anchor down, well set in mud, a shower with the now very hot water from the days run followed by a steak bbq. Just one of those awesome days that make the bad ones worthwhile!

Cortes Bay is a quiet little place in the off season. The Seattle Yacht Club has a club house and multiple docks on one end and the Vancouver Yacht Club the same on the opposite end so I would imagine that “in season” it must be busy!
Both clubs posted “no docking” and as quiet as it is right now, it’s hard to envision activity.
I love the sign at the entrance....most likely a local not fond of the busy, in season traffic.

The entrance
Sign
Seattle club docks

Was up before dawn today...sipping too many coffees, savouring the day awakening from the helm seat. This will be me last day “cruising” as such. Tomorrow is over to Campbell River and the work starts in prep to haul out. Nice to have quiet time to reflect... it’s been a great season for me. I do love it out here....



Dawns first light..

Durant F said:

Cortes Bay is a quiet little place in the off season. The Seattle Yacht Club has a club house and multiple docks on one end and the Vancouver Yacht Club the same on the opposite end so I would imagine that “in season” it must be busy!
Both clubs posted “no docking” and as quiet as it is right now, it’s hard to envision activity.
I love the sign at the entrance....most likely a local not fond of the busy, in season traffic.

The entrance
Sign
Seattle club docks

Click to expand...

That sign has been there a long time; first saw it 10 years ago and who knows how long it had been there then.

We poked our nose into Cortes Bay in September just for a quick look around. Immediately after entering, a fellow on a float home on the left and hailed us, a very friendly fellow. He apologized for not having any room to dock at his home! There were a number of different vessels already tied up so I guess he rents out or provides dock space for free?

It is a nice spot to visit.

Durant F said:

Was up before dawn today...sipping too many coffees, savouring the day awakening from the helm seat. This will be me last day “cruising” as such. Tomorrow is over to Campbell River and the work starts in prep to haul out. Nice to have quiet time to reflect... it’s been a great season for me. I do love it out here....



Dawns first light..

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Hey Frank; must be a bittersweet time for you. Sorry I won't be on board Blue Sky when you're back in the hood. (Stuck in Calgary until the end of the month.)

Otherwise of course I'd be happy to again relieve you of your left over food/condiments!

Too bad.... I was looking forward to gamming over a rum!
Take care

Conrad
There was no one around when I entered. The next morning a fellow was putting around as I left and we exchanged waves.
I love the concept of a float home with your vessel tied right there!

“Red Sky in Morning.....”
Headed to Campbell River later this morning and a check of the weather confirmed the sky was right.
Gale warning later today.
Glad I’ll be safely tied up by then.....

Durant F said:

Too bad.... I was looking forward to gamming over a rum!
Take care

Click to expand...

As was I! Next year for sure, as I'll be full time in CR.

Made it back to Campbell River easily and upon docking, got waved over by a friend that owns a Bayliner, but just purchased Hull #3, a 1990 old Camano!
We had a celebratory drink aboard and toasted a great design.
It was impressive how well a 28ur old boat had stood up!

Conrad
They put me on H dock.
I’m literally right across from you.
Your good Tug is still floating ?

Well....
I must admit to having “engine room envy”
After spending the afternoon crawling around below, I’m not moving too fast this evening.
Now, to be fair, I’m a tad overweight, in my 60s, and after a lifetime in construction, arthritis has set in to my knees and shoulders.
I simply can’t crawl around tight places like I used to...
Now Johns 43 has an “engine room”! You could take a stool down, sit there and go over things. It is truly spacious!
Yet, as I sit here licking my wounds from today, medicating (rum), I admit to “engine room envy”

Frank,
There's no "engine room" on my boat. It's compartment.

Out for a morning stroll on the docks and found another Camano.
Maranda certainly has a commercial grade windlass.
Gumption is my friends hull #3. Looking great at 28!
You can see the different windows etc compared to mine

Well....I had “big boat engine room envy” day yesterday.
Funny the difference a day makes....
Today was a final really good exterior clean before hauling out Friday morning.
Although it was shiny and looked “good from far”, there was certainly a build up of environmental “black”. I’m sure somewhat due to the fires again...
So, today as I hand scrubbed with multiple cleaners to get it looking good again, I wished for an 18 footer’s cabin and decks to clean.
Just the interior left to prep tomorrow so will be an easy day.

Taking a break from interior cleaning and looking at my log.
This 3 month season ended up at 1180 nautical miles and 211 engine hours.
The miles encompassed twice around the Broughtons, 3 times around Desolation Sound, a trip to Vancouver and once up past the Skooks into and around Sechelt Inlet. Overall the weather was really amazing with relatively few “bad days”.
Feeling very fortunate to have seen and experienced where our little trawler took us. Hope everyone else enjoyed their vessel as well.

Durant F said:

Conrad
They put me on H dock.
I’m literally right across from you.
Your good Tug is still floating ?

Click to expand...

Hey there Frank - thanks for the photo confirming that Blue Sky is still afloat!

We'll catch up in the new year - when will you be floating Emma B next?

No set date but my intention is early August/19
Hope to see you then. Better yet, at an anchorage somewhere!

Durant F said:

No set date but my intention is early August/19
Hope to see you then. Better yet, at an anchorage somewhere!

Click to expand...

We have a plan for a plan!

Well....it’s the night before haul out and storage. Last night “floating” out here until next year. Things are about as ready as they are going to be...
the bbq is on, red wine poured, I’m trying to enjoy the remainder of the evening...
Tomorrow this time will be a hotel room... not moving....

Thanks for the thread Frank!
Threads like these are the best of TF.

Frank, thanks for the journey and the great photos!

Hi Frank,

Again - thanks very much for taking us along. You have gotten me through the fall with your adventure. I can almost see vacation on the calendar.

Hope all goes well putting the boat away.

Are you headed to The Bahamas after the holidays?