Our original plan was to take vacation days and sail around the Canadian Gulf Islands for two weeks in early September. Unfortunately, Erika got sick and spent those two weeks in bed. If the first rule of boating is don’t crash into anything, the second could very well be to remain flexible or adaptable. Plan B would be marginally different, we’ll leave in October, cruise for one week, while Erika continues to work full time - flex.
Power and internet service was suddenly our top priority. I spent the next month fitting Jomo out with solar and the requisite Starlink, as well as purchasing an electric portable power supply (Jackery 1000), just in case - adapt. We cast off our dock-lines Saturday morning and made way for Westcott Bay, San Juan Island. Westcott, south of Roche Harbor, is about 32 nm or 4-5 boat hours from Port Angeles, a very manageable distance regarding weather and currents, and a good launch point to Canadian customs in Sydney. Oh, and did I mention it’s October, both Westcott and, the normally much busier neighbor, Garrison Bay, were utterly and completely empty. After a day of motoring across one strait and sailing across another, Jomo arrived at the entrance of Mosquito pass about 4:30pm, plenty of daylight to help us navigate the narrow corridor into Westcott Bay. Erika and I dropped the hook nearly the same spot we use to anchor Resa (our SY41) with it’s 8 foot draft, the deepest part of the bay. I shut off the diesel engine and flicked on the anchor light. It was official, we were finally cruising Jomo after its purchase back in May. Six months of local Wednesday Nights races, two regional regattas, and a couple overnight trips to Victoria kept us busy, but our primary goal was finally in action. Next stop, Van Isle Marina, one of the many port of entry telephone reporting sites along B.C.’s Saanich peninsula. (to be cont.)
1 Comment
Sonja Schmidt
10/20/2024 07:06:15 am
How wonderful to see you cruising again...following along! Just came back from a trip to Africa, now headed back to Hawaii...cruising of a different style. Aunt Sonja
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AuthorA UCSC graduate in Marine Biology, Keith holds a 100 ton USCG Capt. License and is an ASA/US sailing certified instructor. Archives
November 2024
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