Tuesday, May 16th, 2023- Moving from Preedy Harbor on Thetis Island to Sturt Bay on Texada Island
This was a LONG day! We were on the water from 0530 to 1900. We are used to these long days on Soulstice but it has been a while. We had decided on this trip we were not going to do any overnights. Why? We don’t have to and there are enough obstructions with large logs and commercial traffic that is not worth it either. There are plenty of anchorages and stops so no need to push it ( I will retract this kinda- lots of places to stop and anchorage but many are not ideal due to a foul bottom/obstructions). Some folks recommended going 24/7 to get up to Glacier Bay ASAP but for us, this did not seem worth it. Additionally, once you start entering the area 3/4 up along Victoria Island where the waterways all divide into multiple constricted waterways like rivers, timing is essential and passages cannot be made safely without planning accordingly.
This morning, we planned a 0530 am departure to make it to Dodds Narrows from Preedy Harbor. We got to the area right before the Narrows around 0740. We decided to wait as it was still over 4 knots going through on a flood. During our wait, 2 motor boats and another sailboat appeared. Around 0815 the sailboat decided to go through. They made it but had a very close call with the rocks on the left side. We decided no need to rush, and we would wait until closer to slack. When it was less than 2 knots we proceeded to go through. It is so narrow it turns into a whitewater situation with some minor wave trains and eddies. It was a success! The south end of the Narrows is peaceful with lovely homes on the bluff. On the north end, it turns ugly and industrial. A huge mill and multiple tankers at anchor.
Also, on this north side and in the middle of the Strait of Georgia, is a large area marked off for military exercises that we need to circumnavigate around. It is called Whiskey Gulf that is active Tuesday and Wednesday - today is Tuesday 5/16. Once we were out of the wind shadow of the land and made our way across the Strait of Georgia the South East winds, albeit light, still let us put our offshore sails up and sail across the Strait. It was a lovely sail across the entire Strait and even some sailing along the east side of Texada Island where we had planned our anchorage for the night.
We had plans for anchoring on the NorthEast corner of Texada and possibly even on the Northern most tip called Blubber Bay. Our times kept changing due to our speeds. This always happens in sailing. If you are going 3 knots and still have 30nm to go it is 10 hours :) but if you are going 5 or 6 knots … get it? A 1030pm arrival seems daunting but an 1830 arrival seems very reasonable. We sailed as much as possible to save on fuel but certainly if flogging or going so slow we were pushing the daylight arrival time, we aborted and the motor came on.
Also, the other BIG factor is current. We can tell with our instruments the difference between our speed via Soulstice and the extra help or hindrance of the current. So for instance, if we are going 4 knots but see 6 knots on the chart plotter we know we are getting 2 knots of current aiding our speed and vice versa, if we are getting 5 knots on the paddle wheel but 3 knots on the chart plotter that we have 2 knots of current against us. In big waterways, this is just more of a nuisance on your time but if the wind and current are opposing this means CHOP and more hazardous conditions. Additionally, in smaller waterways, it raises the pucker factor by 10! Nuff’ said on that as that is tomorrow’s situation to figure out.
We did get ONE fish on the hand line. We suspect it was a pink salmon. It was caught on a squid gig with 2 unbarbed prongs. No barbs here in Canada allowed. They demand a bit more skill when fishing. They also have multiple fishing zones, each with its own restrictions that are busy to follow. The fish appeared juvenile to me and we still had gifted salmon in the fridge, so I had Stephen throw it back. He hesitated but identification was still uncertain as if it was a Coho or Pink Salmon. Pink is unrestricted as long as 30cm and Coho is restricted. After throwing the guy back to enjoy some more time in the Canadian waters, Stephen decided he thought it was Pink and at least 30cm - oh boy… He did forgive me and I still felt we did the right thing. There are plenty of fish in the sea - ha! We will see what happens today and the tinier waterways ahead are supposedly Best for salmon runs and fishing.
We got to Sturt Bay on the Northeast side of Texada Island around 1830 but did several surveillance laps to sound the water. We have a fish finder now that we love to survey the bottom as well as our laser range finder that we thought was MIA but was eventually found!! So happy!!! Another safety tool so we can see the distance from shorelines, other boats, obstructions, etc… once anchored.
We were pooped just due to the long day. We still needed to have a serious discussion regarding our plans for the next day. We needed to decide to enter Discovery Passage which leads to Seymour Narrows and the Johnstone Strait or would we take the less harried Sutil Channel. Discovery passage does require thoughtful transit and certainly, the timing of Seymour Narrows and Johnstone Strait is essential.
There was a predicted NW wind event coming as well and Johnstone Strait can be downright nasty and dangerous in severe NW winds. Sutil Channel is wider with less effect by the current. We wanted to chill and decided on Sutil Channel. Tomorrow could be more chill again but we would have some rapids to transit the day after. 3 to be exact and they are no joke! This is considered the “back route” of Johnstone Strait.
We pulled out the charts, the guidebooks, and Navionics and started our homework. We looked at the time of entry for both regarding our distance from our current anchorage. We looked at the start and end of slack tides and ebbing tides ( what we want for now) distances after transit with possible “outs” or aka anchorages to safely pull off and re-evaluate rest, as well as anchorages to stay for the night at the end of the day. The one big factor that can affect your trip regardless of both is being on neap or spring tide. Mariners know this terminology for sure and perhaps many others but a neap tide is when the tidal swings are the least, occurring when the moon and sun are at right angles to each other and for this month: First Moon ( May 27, 2023) and Last Quarter (May 12, 2023) Spring Tides (larger tidal swings) are during Full (May 5) or New Moon ( May 19, 2023) and Earth, sun and Moon are nearly aligned.
The Spring Tides with larger tidal swings, aka more or less water running through a narrow constricted waterway can be even more challenging. We are 2 days away from the New Moon. This did and does cause us to pause... We will make our route today with a planned anchorage for tonight already and re-eval in the am.
The rest of the day was spent admiring big snowy peaks amongst other mountains with lots of vertical relief as well and just as admirable.
No fish pic but certainly if it is a keeper, I will get a pic:)
Discovery Passage to Seymore Narrows to Johnstone Strait most westerly route
The Sutil channel is more of a middle passage but still has 4 rapids to transit and you can see very tiny waterways.
Discovery passage is most direct route north
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