Dawn brought more fog but light winds and a lazy swell. With the tide low, we snuck out of Sea Otter Cove with a few feet (or inches for Epoch, which draws six feet) under the keels.
The trip down the coast to Quatsino Sound was easy and uneventful. In July and early August, we saw a lot more traffic out here—mostly small sport fishing boats. This trip, the radar screens have been far emptier. Navigating in the fog is a lot easier when you don’t have to dodge any targets!
Rhapsody (Ranger 29CB) needed fuel, but the fuel dock in Winter Harbour wouldn’t be open until 2:00 p.m., so they joined the Safe Harbour/Airship raft.
We spent the afternoon relaxing, exploring by dinghy, and fishing.
Just before 2:00 p.m., we piled aboard Rhapsody and motored to the fuel dock. Even late in the season, the store at The Outpost was reasonably well stocked. Everyone found a few must-haves.
We gathered on Billywig for happy hour and the briefing for tomorrow. The forecast looks really good for rounding Brooks Peninsula, one of the most challenging sections of a trip around Vancouver Island. We’re all hoping for a smooth ride!
Today’s route: 25.2 nautical miles, 3 hours 28 minutes underway
Flotilla total: 334.7 nautical miles, 46 hours 24 minutes underway