North to Alaska: New Mexico Armada

Three boats set sail with the tide (Shonto, Erebus, Desert Wind). Puget sound's large tidal swings and currents are strong in the narrow passages between islands … eddies can spin a small boat around … this would require planning and timing. We sailed through the San Juan Islands; the wind favored sailing at the start, but dwindled to motoring into Bedwell on South Pender Island, BC, Canada to clear customs. It was late in the day; further destinations would be after dark arrivals; we would not be able to see the logs and dead heads … we anchored for the night. Erebus and Desert Wind rafted up so that I could get one of those good gin and tonics from William (stirred, no ice, no shaking). Stan barbequed steak … it was the end of a good day.

Our New Mexico Armada started out like the proverbial herding cats …. we have gotten better at this along the way. Up this morning at 5:30 am to time the Dodd Narrows and ride the rapids into Nanaimo. Winds were weak through the day and required motoring up to Dodd Narrows. When the tide rises and falls there is a high speed flush through the small gaps between islands. We had been motoring at 5 knots; about one knot was the favorable current. Erebus lead the way … due to Williams experience or the fact that his boat leaked anyway, so what did it matter. Erebus shot through the narrows at about twelve and a half knots, followed by Desert Wind and Shonto. We were ejected from the narrows into the bay near Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.

Nanaimo has grown since I last visited. High rises and luxury apartments on the coast. Cathy and Alan joined us for dinner at the Dingy Bar, just a water taxi ride across the bay to Protection Island; they live on Vancouver Island and have a getaway power boat in the marina. Dan Miron was the one man band tonight, including a groupy in spandex. We had one of the ugly male waiters … (the things we have to put up with for equal rights … harrumph) … men home from the sea like views that are easy on the eye. The waitress that Stan remembered from two years ago had put on weight but was still very easy on the eye (I don’t think any of us look the same … only in the mirror of our minds). Tight tops, short shorts and boots, those were the days …. now-a-days we are geezers, but we are not dead yet.

The water taxi was full so Stan and I hitched a ride back in Cathy and Alan’s dingy. Alan got us an invitation aboard HMCS Oriole. This is the Pacific Fleet sailing training vessel; Marconi rigged ketch, 31.1 meters LOA. A beautiful yacht built in 1921; crew is five plus 16 trainees. Alex (in training for captain some day if he stays out of trouble) gave us the full tour from the engine room, berths, ward room, kitchen and liquor locker (this is a Canadian military vessel, of course). Trainees are aboard for about five weeks and are mixed gender; the male trainees said that was good to very good, depending …. Sailed at over 17 knots in the 360 Island race and ripped every sail; no winches, cut the spinnaker loose for Davey Jones to keep from foundering; that is racing.

Slept in this morning. The focus was on hauling Erebus out to fix the leak in the bottom. The boat yard said Erebus could be pulled out 30 days; between that and the flat tire on the travel lift, it looked like even that was questionable; William prepared to set sail. Stan installed a new head on Desert Wind this morning; hopefully the leaks are behind us. Boats = maintenance = $$$$. Coffee and a scone at the Java Hut overlooking the marina with Stan, Rich, Sue and Lucita. Bird bombings garner a free replacement cup; good luck for the rest of the voyage!

We fueled up and headed out the passage to Departure Bay ... there were a few channel markers and there were rocks ... Shonto found a rock, a very hard one ... raised Shonto about five inches out of the water and laid her over ... checked for leaks and we sailed on.

Into the Strait of Georgia and a turn north, destination Hornby Island. The wind was fresh and we set our sails. By the time we had reached the turn to the west, the wind died away and we were motoring. The sky has cleared and it is around seventy degrees out; I keep out of the sun. We dug into Mia’s cookies to fortify us.

Entering Tribune Bay, the water was a mirror for the island and sky. Anchored in 30 feet and with Erebus raftedup. Shonto anchored closer to shore to enable Lucita to go for a walk. Margaritas on deck; taquitos and guacamole for dinner … it doesn’t get much better than this … of course we all envied Rich and Sue on Shonto … that’s better.

Weighed Anchor at 0800 … tee shirt weather on Tribune Bay. Headed south west around the island skirting the rocks. Speaking of rocks, Shonto is taking on water now … slowly …. another adjustment. Two boats leak from the bottom … Desert Wind still leaks from the top. We are heading to Campbell River.