North to Alaska with Bob & Tracie

Posting 11 - Sunday, August 2, 2009 ...

After leaving Shear Water we made our way down Fitzhugh Sound to Pruth. The only issue for the day was when we hit Hakai Pass. The incoming tide and wind pattern created a huge chop. We found relief once we got inside Calvert Island. Entering Pruth we anchored right in front of the Hakai Beach resort, which is a beautiful fishing resort. We went on shore and took a short path to the other side of the island and stepping out of the woods we were greeted with a beautiful white sandy beach with waves breaking at the surf line. It was a nice warm day and it almost felt like we were back in sunny San Diego..

We had an early morning departure from Pruth hoping to get calm seas and an ebb tide. However upon arrival at Penrose Island and the entrance to Furry Cove we were greeted by mainland (British Columbia) fog. Just before entering the cove we came upon two humpback whales that were frolicking in the sound. They were slapping the water with their tales and singing for several hours. Inside the cove we found a lovely safe haven for several boats traveling north and south. There ended up being about 20 boats in the cove. All the boats were concerned about the barometer dropping. Sandy and I were able to take the kayaks out and we had a great ride. The weather was warm and the water was like glass. Bob and Ken tried there luck at fishing…………it was the poor weather that kept the fish from biting this time.

We departed Furry Cove at 6:30 am hoping to make a smooth crossing of Cape Caution only to be engulfed by dense fog. Visibility zero. Thankful for radar we managed to miss several fishing/cruising boats on their way north. The seas were 4 meters and rolling. Perfect weather for seasickness but thankfully our boat stayed clean. The fog lifted near the Walker Island Group and the water calmed down significantly and we made it to Port Hardy by 2:30 pm.

Ken and Sandy treated Bob and I to a dinner at the Port Hardy Pub as they were “taking off” the next morning. They left on their Rivera 47 early the next morning and made it into Montigue that evening only after experiencing engine problems and minus 600 gallons of fuel. At 60gal/hr and 22 knots that is quite a days run.

Bob and I left Port Hardy around noon and made the 20-mile trip to Port Mc Neill where we got into the last slip available in the Marina. While underway, we were able to call and make reservations for the following day at Telegraph Cove. Port Hardy is a small town with a great atmosphere.

Telegraph Cove is a quaint town of cottages rented by the tourists who come for the whale watching tours, the kayak tours the fishing, hiking, and biking. Small fishing boats mostly use the marina so it was important that we made reservations. We got in around noon and ate lunch at a nice place with out door seating. It was a warm day and it was fun to watch the fishing boats come in with there catch of the day.

Telegraph Cove Marina:
We left at 8:00 and were hit with another wall of fog. Visibility minus zero. We also got hit with a huge current that kept pushing us right and it was hard to believe the GPS because as we turned left it showed us going right. We finally ignored the GPS and used the compass to get us back out into safe waters. It was a very stressful day until 11:00 am when the fog finally started to lift. Johnstone Straight started getting windy (20 knots) and choppy but we were off the water by two before it got really bad. We slipped into Douglas Bay in Forward Harbor and anchored for the night.

Johnstone Strait boat traffic:

Forward Harbor/Douglas Bay:
Taking advantage of an early morning flood we timed Whirlpool Rapids for slack and made Greenpoint Rapids with a 3knot push. Realizing the weather was deteriorating fast we called ahead to Blind Channel Resort for space availability. Cordero Islands and Cordero Lodge were packed but we managed to get one of the last spots at Blind. Many boats heading north had decided to stay another day waiting for the weather to improve. Tonight winds are predicted to be 35knots+. The moorage at Blind is very rolly due to the fast flood tide and high winds. We hope to connect with Mike Fournier and Janice tomorrow and decide which route we take back to Silva Bay. How great it will be to get back home.

On The Way to Greenpoint Rapids:
The trip is almost over, leaving Blaine Marina on May 13th we plan to arrive back home the first week of September. We plan to make the annual Silva Bay Pig Roast, hope to see you there.

Bob & Tracie
Moonraker