“Falling” around South Van Isle - Part 3

Free to sail Canada, but hoping to settle somewhere before Erika’s Monday morning meeting, we chose to run up a series of narrow channels to Ladysmith, B.C.   Ladysmith, about 30 nm from Van Isle Marina, would take us about 5-6 hours.  We departed about noon, winding Jomo through the small archipelago just south of Shute passage.  At one point between Fernie and Goudge Islands the depth instantly dropped from 20 ft to 11 ft and narrowed to about a boat length.  Of course, a trawler wanted to transit the same water near the same time.  Slow is pro. ;)  Entering Colburne passage, you will always be giving way to one or more of the BC ferries that frequent Swartz Bay.        ​

Leaving the busy ferry routes off our stern, we entered Satellite channel, over one mile wide and much less traffic, especially this time of year.  The wind was light so we continued to motor-sail our way North, along the west side of Salt Spring Island and into the steep and narrow fjords of Burial Inlet and Sansum Narrows.  Although the currents can run near four knots, we encountered a favorable 1-2 that day.  If you haven’t experienced these waters, I would highly recommend it.  We would return the same way a few days later and enjoy this area under full sail.  ​

Speaking of sailing, as we left the narrows and entered the wider Stuart Channel, the wind finally filled in, but from the North, our current heading.  No worries, we were making good time. Up went the sails and the back and forth commenced, across the channel, from Penelakut Island to Chemainus, up to Thetis and finally laying the inlet to Ladysmith.  We doused our sails, fired up the diesel and motored past town, eventually securing Jomo along the Ladysmith Yacht Club guest dock, our temporary home for the next couple of days.