Spirit at the Namu dock

Port McNeal to Namu 5/7,8/2011

We sneaked out of Port McNMeal at 11AM to head for Bull Harbor but when we got to open water it was a go decision to cross Cape Caution and anchor in Fury Cove. We were in 5 to 10 foot swells but at 8 to 12 second intervals so it was not to bad steaming at 13 knots. Spirit arrived about 3 hours after we did. Silver Star was also anchored in Fury Cove on their way to Alaska and we spent a quiet night on the hook having Traeger smoked Ling Cod with the Gills on SEa Jay for dinner.

Next morning we decoded to go to Namu and had a good time exploring the old fish cannery and they make a nice fire in the party barge for us. As you can see from the attached photo hanging on the party barge wall, they have a young new female marina manager who was quite pleasant to chat with

Next morning May 9 we headed for Shearwater for supplies before forging on to Prince Rupert with planned stops at Bottle Neck, Kuetz Bay and Lowe Inlet. Shear Water is getting ready for the season repairing the docks which broke apart in a 110 mph wind storm this winter.

Port Harvey to Port McNeal May 5, 2011

After a quiet night at Port Harvey we shoved off at 08:30 and weaved our way up Johnstone Straights through hundreds of nasty logs. Patrick and Miriam Gill arrived at about 3:30 and we had a nice dinner at the local fine dining establishment. We are hoping to cross Cape Caution by Monday and will go to Bull Harbor today to stage for the crossing

Port Harvey to Port McNeal May 5 2011

Campbell River to Port Harvey May 5 2011

One of the smoothest trip we have ever had going through Seymour Narrows and up Johnstone Straights.

We Arrived at Port Harvey at 5:30 and received a warm welcome from George and Gail but the restaurant was not open and they have no power on the dock but is was nice to visit with them and see their progress on the marina with expanded docks.

Our trip from Port Harvey to Port Mcneal was smooth until we got here and then it started to blow gusting to 30. We may be here a couple of days waiting for a good crossing of Cape Caution.

Campbell to Port Harvey May 5 2011

Campbell River to Port Harvey May 5 2011

One of the smoothest trip we have ever had going through Seymour Narrows and up Johnstone Straights.

We Arrived at Port Harvey at 5:30 and received a warm welcome from George and Gail but the restaurant was not open and they have no power yet on the dock... but is was nice to visit with them and see their progress on the marina with expanded docks and plans for a 40 KW generator sometime in June to provide power on the docks.

Our trip from Port Harvey to Port Mcneal was smooth until we got here and then it started to blow gusting to 30 in the Straights. We may be here a couple of days waiting for a good crossing of Cape Caution.

Campbell River May 4 & 5

Had a nice slow trip from Nanaimo to Campbell River at our new cruise speed of 10.5 knots.... slowing to 8 knots reduces fuel consumption by 50% increasing to 12.5 kits increases another 50% so 8 kits is over one mile per gallon but so far we just can't do it. Probably after our first fill up in Port McNeal we will slow to 8 kits.

Had a new SeaJay sign placed on the new gas tank on the stern of SeaJay. This was done by a wonderful lady Marita Brostrom who with her husband Gunnar owns de Quality Signs in Campbell River. I would highly recommend her for any sign work you need High Quality at a reasonable price. Today we are waiting for a 1pm slack on Seymore Narrows and head for Port Harvey which is about 60 miles up Johnstone Straights.

Everett to Roche Harbor then on to Nanaimo BC

Everett to Roche Harbor & on to Nanaimo BC on Vancouver Island

First day was an easy trip from Everett to Roche Harbor with sunshine and calm waters.

Tomorrow we will clear customs at Bedwell Harbor and head for Nanaimo.

Went through Bedwell this morning and got a 1.5 hour customs search again. They dumped all contents from our drawers and made a big mess. Don’t understand what is causing this treatment.

Had another easy trip on to Nanaimo and had a nice dinner with the Gill’s at the dinghy Dock pub.