We had an elaborate plan all worked out for today, with several backup plans built in, and we scrapped all of it as soon as we got up to Chatham Point light, where the promised 25kt winds and 3ft moderate wind waves did not materialize at all. Instead, we opted to continue on and get as much of Johnstone Strait behind us as we could today, which turned out to be ALL OF IT. We cruised 63 nautical miles today from Small Inlet (which feels like yesterday!) all the way to Mound Island.
Conditions in Johnstone at first were maybe 1-2ft chop, with a short section of some splashy 3ft chop, and then it just settled right down.
This poor boat went aground at Earl Ledge just west of where we were when we heard the Mayday call, and the Coast Guard response, and by the time we got there the boat was listing and a Coast Guard tender was nearby to help. The boat wasn’t sure at first if they were taking on water or not (I think they were not), but what a bummer!
Here’s Earl Ledge on the chart (the boat aground was between Hardwicke Island and the red marker. Oops:
At one point we had a few Pacific white-sided dolphins surfing along with us, but it was brief, unlike on our way home last summer, where we had two full day of dolphins!
We slowly crept up on the group of boats participating in the Van Isle 360 (international yacht race around Vancouver Island). It’s looking a little busy up ahead, I’d say:
Most of the boats were headed away from us as we neared our turn toward Mound Island, so that worked out okay. (And look how calm it is! These poor sailboats had only a knot or two of wind at this point.)
There were no other boats anchored at Mound Island when we arrived (right after 4pm). Kevin and I took the dinghy over to the midden and for a quick walk in the forest to check out the land indentations where some First Nations big houses used to be. This is such a beautiful area!
This rock barrier just out from shore is a nice trick for trapping salmon in the shallow water as the tide goes out:
DeAnne and Dave hosted happy hour on their Nordic Tug 44 Turnagain…another really fun evening after a long but successful day of cruising.
Kevin took the Mavic mini up for a few shots of the anchorage:
