Breezeblocks

July 29, 2020. Clam Bay to Kendrick Island. 10.6 NM

 

I didn’t really know what I was going to do today when I woke up. It was dead calm in the Clam Bay anchorage, and I took advantage of the quiet to sleep in a bit, and relax. I wasn’t feeling too motivated to go anywhere, but after a while of reading, I turned on some music, and got enough energy to clean up the kitchen, and do the dishes.

That invigorated me a bit more, and I started researching slack currents to see about getting out of Trincomali channel. To get to Nanaimo from the northern Gulf Islands, you have to escape through one of three passes: either Dodd Narrows, Galiano Passage, or Porlier Pass. Dodd Narrows is the shortest route, and the one I’ve used most often, but it tends to be a bit of a zoo in the summer, with boats lined up to go through the deep, narrow pass at slack water. Also, I didn’t really have time to get to Dodd by slack current, which is really the only time to make it.

Both Porlier Pass and Galiano Pass were slack at about 1330, though, and I had time to make it to either one of those. Porlier Pass is right across from Clam Bay, so would have meant a later departure. I was ready to go by 1030, though, so I elected to head up Trincomali Channel and cut out to the Strait of Georgia through Galiano Pass.

I raised the mainsail in the anchorage, which made it a bit exciting to get off the anchor, as the wind came up just as I was raising the hook, and the boat tried to sail a bit on it’s own, even though the sheet was slacked. For a minute, I was heading towards a bit power boat, until I got back from the bow and took over steering.

I motorsailed slowly out of the anchorage, and with a wind of 7 to 8 knots, I pulled out the genoa, turned off the engine, and sailed slowly up the channel, past the frieghters at anchor. I had extra time, so I used up about an hour sailing along, doing some chores on the boat. Eventually the wind fell to less than 2 knots, so I furled the genoa and started the engine. As I motored along, the apparent wind fell to 0 knots, so I dropped the main into the sail bag, and kept on up the channel.

Behemoths in Trincomali Channel

I was at Galiano Pass before slack, but the current was only about 1 knot, in my favor, so I elected to go through. It is quite narrow, and there were a couple of other boats in there, but it is shorter and much less busy than Dodd Narrows. I could hear all the traffic at Dodd on the VHF, and I was glad I wasn’t going through there.

Immediately after Galiano Pass is the anchorage at Kendrick Island. I was here last summer with Sara, and it was a great stop then. Today, it has lived up to my memory. It is a warm day, and has been a very still afternoon. I think the wind would whistle through here if there was any, but right now, it is idea. There are a few boats in here, but they are all up by the dock and mooring balls which is an outstation for one of the yacht clubs (Nanaimo, I think). I’ve anchored out deeper in the bay, and there is no one near me.

Anchored in the deep part of Kendrick Island anchorage

It was 1400 by the time I got the anchor down, so I had a late lunch, then relaxed for a couple of hours down below, letting the sun and the heat of the day pass by. I did some work on the windlass, which is starting to make some grinding noises. I tried to grease and lube it as best I could without taking it apart, but it will need a more thorough job when I get back on the dock. I managed to get grease all over the deck and windlass, after a mishap with a grease gun, but fortunately, I have lots of rags on board, so I eventually got it all cleaned up. Around 1700, I went out on the paddleboard, and set out around Kendrick Island.

Half way around, I pulled up on the limestone rock, and made a couple of phone calls, since there was cell reception on the outside of the island that I don’t have on the boat. I walked all along the outer shore of Kendrick Island, which is smooth limestone, worn down to pavement smoothness by the waves of the Strait of Georgia. Not far off shore is a rock that the seals use as a rookery. As I walked along, I could hear them snuffing, grunting, and mewling the whole way. They weren’t bothered by my presence.

 

Sandstone worn smooth makes for easy walking

Eventually, I got back to the paddleboard, and finished paddling around Kendrick Island in perfectly smooth water. Dinner was a ceasar salad and an orange. I was still pretty full from lunch, so didn’t feel like anything heavier.

Tomorrow should be another nice day. I’ll likely head in to Nanaimo, and start to clean up the boat after a long trip. It will be a special feeling to cross my out track and close the loop.

Soundtrack: Breezeblocks by alt-J.  Kind of what anchorages are.

Seal rookery off Kendrick Island