We were going against the current as it had turned to a flood tide about an hour after we left Shawl Bay. It slowed us down to just over 5 knots in some places but we did about 6 the majority of the time. We run the engine at about 1750 which is supposed to be the "sweet spot" to get the most milage and speed out of her using the least amount of diesel fuel. Any faster and yeah, you will go faster but the fuel consumption jumps off the charts. It's not worth it unless we are really pressed or the weather is really nasty and we need to get out of it in a hurry.
Out the Kingcome Inlet to the Sutlej Channel and then on to Wells Passage and into Labouchere Passage which is part of Queen Charlotte Strait. Let me tell you, you can't find your way up here without a chart of some kind. I'm glad we bought all the ones we did though $600.00 was tough to choke at the time. We are in them all the time even though we have an electronic chart plotter right in front of us at the wheel. They give us a better perspective of the overall view of where we are going plus if your boat blows it's power supply, you better have another way of figuring out where you are or you are up the creek and not even know it's name.
We pulled in to Blunden Harbor(50 54.412N 127 17.628W) about 1115 hours and dropped the hook. A total of 32,7 miles today. There was a crab fisherman already at anchor in the harbour collecting his catch in a smaller dingy. We could have gone further to Allison Harbour but that was another 14 or so miles and the wind was already honking at 14 knots and the waves were beginning to build. We'd only faced winds of about 10 and waves of less than 2 feet while out in the strait but they were building fast. Once the anchor was set, the winds increased to 15 to 20 knots from the West. I put up the DuoGen and she is cranking out the amps as I type this. I don't know what the waves are outside the harbour, I'm just glad we decided to stop here. There was no reason to push it to Allison Harbour. Blunden is more protected from what I have seen on the charts.
Now we wait for the next weather window to open. We need relative calm to make it past Cape Caution. It has earned its name by being a nasty place to be at the wrong time. We will be monitoring the VHF weather channels to see what is coming, but from what we have heard so far, we could be here till Wednesday before the winds let up. We have to listen for the "West Otter Buoy" to see what it is. If the waves are less than 1 meter and the winds are light, you get out there as soon as possible. It's about 20 more miles to Cape Caution so we will be pushing the engine to her max if we have to. Once past there, it is a much easier trip North. It is one of the last stepping stones on the trip.
The prop shaft didn't leak today so either I fixed it by tightening it or it just took pity on us. As long as it doesn't leak, that is all I care about.
Well, it's currently sunny and Tracy is dozing in the cockpit with Snoeshoe catching up on the sleep she lost last night by being up so early. I figure I will be taking a nap soon too as with the cockpit enclosure(thanks Bill & Susan) it's nice and warm even in the 15 to 20 knot winds that are howling outside.
Dave, as to your question about having a back up solenoid for the starter to replace the one that caused us problems a few days ago(loose wire), no, I don't have a back up for it. A whole new starter had been on my list of things to buy before we left but I just never got around to it but I will have one on board before we leave Port Townsend in August along with a good bit of other equipment. In the seminars I have attended by the likes of John & Amanda Neal, Nigel Calder as well as Jimmy Cornell, they all say not to bother with lots of back up parts as they can be ordered just about every where you travel to and UPS or FedEx will have them there in a few days. That may be fine, but you still have to get to the place to place the order. I think I will get a new one anyway.
Since I have internet, I will continue to post with what ever comes along. A big power boat has now anchored behind us. Not sure what his plans are but if he is here tomorrow, I'll dingy over and see.
Have a great weekend everyone.
1 comment:
WHERE ARE YOU??? I MISS YOUR POSTS!!
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