This would be the first multi-day charter for us in the Coastal waters of the Southern Gulf Islands - a dream about to come true! We had arrived by Ferry the night before to stay at the local motel. After a morning coffee and baked treat, we did some provisioning and headed over to the marina.
Here is the GPS Track we would take over the next few days...
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| GPS Track for 3 Days Cruising the Southern Gulf Islands |
Day 1 - Port Sydney to Port Browning
We went through a briefing and checkout of the boat with Cooper Boating. Once loaded up we headed out towards Moresby Passage and Swanson Channel. Immediately on leaving we were greeted by phalanx of 2 Canadian Navy patrol boats - did they know something that we didn't?
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| Our Boat FASCINATION - a 28 Foot Catalina Mk II |
The sails were soon up and we did some great sailing all the way around to South Pender Island and the beginning of Plumper Sound before the wind died and we ended up motoring all the way up to Port Browning.
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| Who Is at The Helm and Looking Like They Know What They Are Doing? |
And another...
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| Great Work on the Helm! |
Port Browning was a great anchorage - calm, boats and fantastic scenery. Margot went ashore by dinghy to check shops at the Driftwood Mall before it closed. Once back, I gave the Kids each a dinghy lesson - it was their first time each.
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| Dinghy Lesson #2 |
It was fun to make dinner on the bbq - salmon and sausages.
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| Dinner Duties |
There was a really beautiful bag pipe performance given by someone - all the boats clapped in appreciation at the close.
What a fantastic place to be...
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| Whew!!! |
This day could not have been better.
Day 2 - Port Browning to Ganges
The day began with a great sail just outside of Port Browning but did not last long until the wind died completely. So we ended up motoring the rest of the way to Ganges via the busy Satellite Channel and around the West side of Prevost Island through Captain Passage and up into Ganges.
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| Sailing in Plumper Sound |
A couple of sailboats were following us in to Ganges - and I couldn't help noticing their very tall masts.
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| Big Sticks Following Us in to Ganges |
We had planned to anchor in Ganges but spotted a berth on the Kanaka Public Dock, so everyone agreed we should move the boat - especially after they all realized it meant shore power and showers!
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| Heading to the Dinghy Dock |
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| Shore Power, Shore Power, Shore Power... |
Ganges was a lot of fun - we discovered Mouat's and Lego here for the first time.
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| The Master Builder at Work... |
A really nice relaxing time - some shopping and dinner at The Oyster Catcher with a jazz band in the evening.
Day 3 - Ganges to Princess Bay
Todays destination was Russell Island and then an anchorage at Princess Bay on the Southwest side of Portland Island. But before that we decided to tuck into Glenthorne Passage at Prevost Island just a short hop away.
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| Inside Glenthorne Passage at Prevost Island |
Russell Island was a great day stop by heading ashore and walking the trails. On return to the boat, we discovered that a sea star had decided to hitch a ride on our anchor.
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| A Sea Star on the Hook |
Princess Bay was a great anchorage; popular and busy - but we found a spot. Margot and Alexander went ashore and hiked to Kanaka Bluff at the Northwest tip of the island overlooking Satellite Channel.
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| Princess Bay Anchorage |
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| Arbutus Tree |
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| At Kanaka Bluff Looking to Mt. Maxwell on Saltspring |
Day 4 - Princess Bay to Port Sydney
We had to get up pretty early in order to get back to Port Sydney on time - and to refuel in Tsehum Harbour before returning the boat.
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| Early Morning Departure |
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| Leaving Princess Bay |
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| Refueling at Tsehum Harbour |
The final day's weather was clear and sunny - there was fog on shore across at the US San Juan Islands.
Other than an ugly docking when the wind caught our bow at the Port Sidney marina and we ended up parking the boat in the wrong slip - the return motor was uneventful.
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