Fall Island Cruise 2025 - Leg 4

After a quick check-in at Van Isle Marina, Jomo slipped away from the busy Saturday-morning fuel dock. While the rest of the harbor seemed intent on heading somewhere specific, we pointed the bow north. Our cruising choices are always shaped by a mix of wind, time, and comfort—and by how far we’re willing to roam from our kids back at home. With those boundaries in mind, we set our sights on an afternoon sail to Maple Bay (a 15nm transit - see chart), with a plan to explore nearby Burgoyne Bay the following day.

Before reaching open waters (specifically, Satellite Channel) we threaded our way through a cluster of islets and rocky reefs just north of Tsehum Harbour, our departure point. With four possible routes—ranging from a comfortable three miles to a somewhat direct three-quarters—I somehow convinced Erika, again, that the shortest and most rock-strewn option was a good idea.  At its narrowest (see insets), the pass pinches down to about 40 feet, when maint. Not an issue… unless you meet traffic, which we did. Right on cue, a 60-foot motor yacht with a 20-foot beam appeared in the choke point. No problem--Jomo’s beam is 13 feet, leaving us just enough room. Don’t do the math, please. Gray Poupon, anyone? I jest.  In truth, I slowed our approach, “probably” another “suggestion” from the admiral, and yielded to the motor vessel. I’m sure I could have made it! (photo below-right showing Jomo departing Page Passage, not a picture of the slightly wider John or Shute Passages to the east).

As we entered the wide, deep Satellite Channel, bordered by southern Salt Spring Island and eastern Vancouver Island, the breeze filled in nicely from the east, giving us an easy, relaxed run for the first few miles. Near the southern tip of Salt Spring, we trimmed sails and altered course toward Musgrave Rock—a well-known hazard about three miles north. I couldn’t recall the full details, but a past PAYC sea story involving Musgrave’s shallow depths—or its equally unfriendly neighbor, Burial Islet—was enough to earn both a wide berth. Another example of how club lore quietly pays dividends.

The easterly eventually backed towards the north—less than ideal for pushing up Satellite and into the slightly sinuous Sansum Narrows—but the breeze was seasonably warm and sea-state smooth. Steering Jomo close to the wind, we trimmed the sail tight to the center, tacking our way between the steep cliffs of the fjord-like folds of B.C’s southern archipelago.        

​Passing Burgoyne Bay to starboard—tomorrow’s destination—we closed in on Maxwell Point and made one final tack to port, laying the course for the last mile into Maple Bay.  I would’ve happily stretched it out longer. The water was flat, the breeze warm enough, and Jomo was moving smartly at 6–7 knots. But, as they say, all good things… So we fired up the engine, furled the sails, and eased south toward Birds Eye Cove, where our reciprocal space at MBYC was waiting.

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