Day 12 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Lambard Inlet to Shearwater

We left around 9:00 a.m. this morning. Shearwater is only 19nm from our anchorage here in Lambard Inlet, and there was no point arriving early just to find the docks at the marina still full from last night’s occupants, so we lounged around leisurely this morning before we pulled anchor. Shearwater is a busy place this time of the summer, so we made a point to call over a month … Read more

Day 11 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Meyers Narrows Cove to Lambard Inlet

Our departure from Meyers Narrows Cove was dictated partially by the tide. The narrows have depths in the single digits, and with the tide falling we didn’t want to take any chances. We left about 6:30 a.m., with a 5 foot tide, and had at least 12 feet under the keel the whole way through. We’ve been hearing rumors that Shearwater (the next scheduled stop where we can fill our … Read more

Day 10 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Penn Harbour to Meyers Narrows Cove

We were a little concerned about the weather this morning. Environment Canada predicted 25-30 knot northwesterlies out on Hecate Strait, and we feared this wind might make things a little bumpy, particularly as we exited Surf Inlet and turned south into Laredo Channel. This corner is somewhat exposed to wind and seas that originate in Hecate Strait but wrap through Caamaño Sound. Worse, we’d be leaving on the ebb, which … Read more

Day 9 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Patterson Inlet to Penn Harbour

The forecast called for improving weather today, at least in terms of precipitation. No rain was in the forecast, and it looked liked it might even get sunny, but the fog would need to burn off first. We had more than 50nm to travel, so we got an early start and spent much of the day navigating by instruments. Navigating by instruments is actually pretty easy, especially in the lightly … Read more

Day 8 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Captain Cove to Patterson Inlet

Today was an easy day: no weather concerns, simple navigation, and not far to go. Along the way we spotted a few dolphins. A long, narrow, easily navigated channel leads to Patterson Inlet, which indents Pitt Island. Along the way we saw this sign. We’re not sure who made it, but we’ve seen others like it at nearby anchorages. A little further in we saw this eagle, preening its feathers: … Read more

Day 7 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Prince Rupert to Captain Cove

We’d hoped for a lazy morning in Prince Rupert—time to catch up on a few more chores or go out for breakfast, perhaps—but the weather conspired against us. More accurately, the forecast conspired against us. Windy predicted southerly wind near 20 knots by mid-afternoon at the confluence of Ogden Channel, Grenville Channel, and Arthur Passage. A few years ago, we’d been in the same area with slightly more wind and … Read more

Day 6 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 | Foggy Bay to Prince Rupert

Goodbye Alaska! We’ve had a great couple months wandering around Southeast—the best weather we can remember (except for that one week of smoke), excellent bear and whale watching, and just a few boat gremlins—but in order to have a leisurely trip down the outside of Vancouver Island with decent weather, it’s time to head south. NOAA predicted 10 knot winds and Environment Canada said wind light. Windy showed single digit … Read more

Day 17 | Flotilla to Alaska | Kelp Passage to Foggy Bay

We’ve had really good weather at all the gates so far. We had to wait, but the Strait of Georgia ended up being lake-like. Johnstone Strait was placid. Cape Caution had a bit of swell: the boats definitely moved, but there was almost no wind or wind chop. For the last week, we’ve scarcely seen more than a ripple on the water. So the pressure is on: can we make … Read more