ISPA Coastal Skipper Advanced Sail Course to Desolation Sound

7 Day GPS Track to Desolation Sound

7 days from Nanaimo via the Sunshine Coast (Pender Harbour) to Prideaux Haven, Squirrel Cove via Teakerne Arm, Gorge Harbour, Lund and Secret Cove via Ballet Bay returning to Nanaimo - 265 nm.

Monday, 13 October 2014 - Day 1 - Nanaimo to Pender Harbour - 30.4 nm

After a morning of checks, briefing and preparations - we finally got underway at 1:30 pm for my first crossing of the Strait of Georgia. Herbie took us out of the berth.

Interior Salon of Belle Serena

There was a good bit of wind in the forecast and we had to decide if we were going North  to Desolation Sound, or South to the Gulf Islands. Many of us had never been to Desolation Sound so that was the decision.

Donna and Andy Leading Us on the Crossing

Wind was up from the Southeast at about 15 to 25 Knots. The goal was to get to Pender Harbour for anchor on the first night. A strenuous but entirely do-able crossing.

Once North of the Thormanby's we were sheltered enough to have an easy run in. Somehow I was elected  to navigate and I thought to anchor in Gerrans Bay or Whiskey Slough. It was fun to be back again given that I was just landside with the kids in August.

Anchored in Gerrans Bay or Whiskey Slough

I picked out a spot and we dropped 5:1 rode. An enervating and a successful crossing to the mainland side of the Strait. Pender Harbour arrival was 6:10 pm.

Dinner, a beer and some wine made it a very civilized end to an amazing day of sailing.  

Tuesday, 14 October 2014 - Day 2 - Pender Harbour to Prideaux Haven - 60.8 nm

Not a great sleep as usual, thought that we should settle on role's for the day. I volunteered to be Skipper. We wanted to get as far North as possible, hopefully to Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound. It would bring us in about 6 or 7pm. Roles were for Helm, Nav and Skipper, Dale thought he had the day off and was surprised when he had to handle the sheets.

Leaving Gerrans Bay

All downwind sailing - several gybes that took us back and forth across Malaspina Strait. We had good boat speed, about 7 to 12 Knots and made good progress with 15 to 25 Kts from the Southeast.

Looking South in Malaspina Strait

Low clouds and overcast weather was the order of the day, some sun but no rain..

Towards Texada Island

Once around the corner into Desolation Sound the wind died down as we had more protection. I decided that Melanie Cove would be our anchorage for the night and it was close to 7:00 pm before the hook was down.

Did some Nav on the day and also into Melanie Cove.  It was slow and easy through the entrance and into the Cove. We were the only ones there.

It was a long day on the job but very rewarding. Dinner, a beer and updating of the GPS track and time for bed. 

Wednesday, 15 October 2014 - Day 3 - Prideaux Haven to Squirrel Cove (via Teakerne Arm) - 29.3 nm

A gloomy, overcast and rainy day - just like Captain Vancouver would have known.

Melanie Cove Towards Mike's Place

Melanie Cove Towards Eveleigh Anchorage

Leaving Melanie Cove

Winds were too light, we motored all day. First stop was Teakerne Arm via a short tour part way up Waddington Channel for a look see. At Teakerne Arm we stern tied at the edge of a very steep drop off before taking the trail up to Cassel Lake. A great trail with lots of old rusty logging equipment still to be seen.

Belle Serena Stern Tied

Deserted Logging Equipment

Cassel Lake

Looking Out to Teakerne Arm

Once back to the boat, I was on Helm and drove us up into the notch below the falls as close as possible.

Leaving the Falls

Next destination was Squirrel Cove on the other side of Lewis Channel. We stern tied close to shore in the Cove - not many boats, another quiet stay.

Squirrel Cove - Not Many Boats

Thursday, 16 October 2014 - Day 4 - Squirrel Cove to Gorge Harbour - 27.6 nm

Left at 9:00 am

Got some provisioning done at the Squirrel Cove store

Village of Squirrel Cove

Squirrel Cove Government Dock

Another overcast day. We spent a good part of the day doing docking drills at the Squirrel Cove Government Dock then outside the Cove a bunch of Crew Overboards. Once on our way we encountered soem good wind below Twin Islands and North of Hernando Island and Spilsbury Point.

After giving wide birth around Sutil Point we were headed North to Gorge Harbour. We were planning on eating at the marina but on arrival found it was closed. Moored at the marina anyway meant for a quiet night arriving at 6:30 pm.

Entering Gorge Harbour

Friday, 17 October 2014 - Day 5 - Gorge Harbour to Lund - 25.8 nm

Today I fell down the companionway steps and suffered an agonizing lower back injury - muscle spasms galore.

Left at 8:00 am.

I was on Skipper duty and we were headed to Lund and possibly onwards. Winds were 20 to 25 Kts from the Southeast. My passage plan was way out. I had 13 nm to Lund but we ended up doing 26 nm.

After getting underway we encountered a lot of leeway. Belle Serena is a shallow draft boat so there was a lot of slippage.

Sailing Around Sutil Point

Got to Lund moored on the dock at 1:30 pm. Went to Nancy's for something to eat - very good but back was sore. Weather was not looking good to carry on so we ended up staying overnight with a schedule early start next day.

Had a weather and engine lecture. Also went to the Boardwalk Restaurant for a great evening meal. Slept very poorly due to back pain.

Saturday, 18 October 2014 - Day 6 - Lund to Secret Cove (via Ballet Bay) - 61.0 nm

Woke up and left very early at 5:00 am for a few hours of night sailing down the Malaspina Strait towards Ballet Bay. Did all of the Nav things - running fixes, list of lights, etc. Motored most of the way and then sailed a few hours into the anchorage at Ballet Bay at 2:00 pm.

Towards Hardy Island

Ballet Bay

Took a lunch break, made salmon salad wraps, did some double anchoring w. trip line and then we left Ballet Bay at 6:00pm for a night sail to Secret Cove.

Had a few disagreements with the depth sounder enroute - it disputed the fact that we had some very deep water under us a few times.

Arrived to anchor in Secret Cove at 10:00pm and tucked in for the night.

It was a very grueling and tiring day what with the injured and spasming back issues. Lack of sleep didn't help. But lots of great night sailing and navigating to get here.

Sunday, 19 October 2014 - Day 7 - Secret Cove to Nanaimo - 28.5 nm

Leaving Secret Cove

Slept in somewhat and finally left Secret Cove at 10:20 am for the crossing back to Nanaimo. Nice sailing with wind from the Southeast at 15 Knots.

Towards North Thormanby Island

On the crossing about halfway - we encountered a small pod of Orca, probably Transients - what a thrill!

A Pod of Orca

Took one tack East of Nanoose Bay and then  I motored us into the Fuel Dock before Paul took us into the berth at Stones.

It was a great course with fantastic scenery and destinations.

A quick pack and cleanup and then Paul dropped me off at Buccaneer Inn. Rest, recuperation and a shower. Movement and sleep were difficult. Traveling back to Toronto on Monday would be a challenge.