23ft in the PNW

[Frank]

Once "in".....the channels are fairly protected. It is windy today, yet this is what greated me "inside"

Tide up at Lagoon Cove...sun is shining.....fuelled up, shower next.....soon "rum time"

Happy to be here

[Tim]

Excellent!  ;) I guess there are times dragging a dinghy/drogue comes in handy. 

[Frank]

Too funny   ;)

I was actually going to use the power "boom hoist" to lift it and lower onto it's cradle on the expansive foredeck, but the batteries seemed somewhat low so I towed it instead :-)  :-)

It always amazes me how well it tags along in the bigger stuff.

Feeling GREAT!!!  Boat fueled and cleaned up, water tank filled, shave n showered, 1st rum in hand!!  Life's good!!

Bonus....I think he felt sorry for me on this lil boat. Charged for fuel, but not dockage...showed me to the showers, then gave me a bag of frozen prawn's for when I leave.

Gotta meet them for happy hour at 5pm here...should be fun.

AND....next 7 day forecast is SUN 6 of 7 !!!!

It's been an adventure getting here...but loving it!

Note: total diesel from Gorge (S Cortez) to here, including heat in evenings and morning was 5.6 gallons!!

[CaptMac]

Loving your adventure, thanks for your posts

[Frank]

Misc. ramblings and observations....

Although cold...I think it's far prettier here now with the snow capped mountains. Only the really high ones have "a bit" earlier on...

Love my 2.5hp Yamaha dingy engine. I have a Honda 2 down S.
It starts WAY easier, is far quieter, has nuetral and just plain is better all rd!!
I hope the Honda keeps going ($$)...but won't be sad when it dies! The lil Yamaha is truly far superior!!

I've used one of those pee jugs from west marine for 10yrs or so. Great when fishing in the dingy and underway at the helm on the 23. Was $6.99 back then...probably $50 now   :D

There must be less salt here than Florida or Bahamas. When you take spray from a wave...it doesn't dry as "caked and crusty" as down S. Thinking 2 things. 1st...there are SO many fresh water feeder streams n rivers. Fresh water stays on top. Then...there is so much rain here. Way easier on your SS

Dingy's do better too. Again...I think far less sun to fade n deteriorate them, then rain keeping them rinsed cleaner. This is year 3 on mine and it looks new! Down south it looks a bit tired after the 1st season.

I love my IPad for pics, charts, "tides and currents", weather, emails, banking and "boat porn".   Thanks Craig!!

I'm using the ice box inside for handy stuff, a small cooler outside for potatoes, onions, carrots etc (no ice needed) and pop, meats etc in an Engel sitting on the cockpit floor. It takes SO little power this time of year!!! Barely runs at these temps...and yes, with adjusting...the devider does freeze one side and not the other

A really good sleeping bag is worth the few extra $$. Very cosy at sub freezing temps!

Trip would be drudgery solo without autohelm...

I'm doing better than expected with food and diesel. BUT...nearly out of RUM!!
Crisis to be dealt with shortly I hope...

After trying a friends binoculars...I realized how bad mine were last winter.
Ordered the same...a few extra $$ but worth it. Funny what is important out here...   They are Luepold 8-30's  (no..not 7-50's...but to my eyes..great)

For the 1st time I'm wearing a lined vest. Really helps. Underway (heat off) I wear a down jacket as well. No chills. Temps are now just above freezing during day...just below at night.

This is a great boat to singlehand up here. Docking is super easy (reverse prop walk, put on brakes, pulls to port), sail handling or hauling anchor (22lb claw, about 30ft chain)

I love the Espar....super easy on diesel when on....and heats up extremely fast in the morning!

Rarely see another boat. Some days none, others 1 or 2 "crew boats" scoot by. Thats it!  Really are "on your own". NO other cruisers.

Have seen water as low as 4.7 C (about 39F)
Life jackets make finding a body easier. Survival suits...this remote...prolong the inevitable

Did I mention I love it up here?    ;D

[Frank]

Left Lagoon Cove before sun up to head to Bond Sound before settling for the night at Kwatsi bay

Yep...that is frost on the dock!

Sunrise crossing Knight Inlet

Mountains of Thompson Inlet

[Frank]

The head of Bond Sound. Too late for the multitude of Bald Eagles...Salmon run is over. Still pretty and tons of birds and Seals

Finally, wind not on the nose!  Sailing up Tribune Channel

Tied in Kwatsi Bay. Owners gone for the season. Very pretty...Steep mountains on 3 sides (not in pic) and several skinny waterfalls

[Frank]

Bonus! Got to sail a few mile again before wind swung onto the nose!

The "big" waterfall on Tribune channel...just N of Kwatsi bay was barely running. Figure the source above is frozen   ;)

Pulled into Shawl bay. Several "float homes" in various states...but ya gotta love the artistry on both this house AND boat   ;D

Tied at Shawl Bay Marina. Will be having a rum with Lorne soon

[Frank]

Well......Lorne and I did get together....
2am and not a drop left on boat!   :o
Nice run to Echo bay
Heavy frost in morning....getting colder at night now
Went to Joe Cove on Eden Isl to recoup. Tied up to the old float. Nice day
Left before day break today to make tides....

[Frank]

Ended up a long 45 mile day today....  Not bad....9 hours exactly.
Now better set for timing rapids from here.

I gotta mention peoples generosity....maybe it's that it is so late in the year and cold. Maybe it's the small boat....
But...2 HUGE Salmon fillets (enough for 4 dinners) from one, a large bag of huge frozen prawns from another, a big tupperware container with enough seafood chowder to feed a boy scout group from yet another.... crazy amount of food given!  Great people!!!!!

Salmon steak tonight!!  (5.02 pm here)

Pic is from where I anchored looking back where I came from

[Frank]

Nights are getting colder. As soon as the sun goes down behind a mountain...temps drop off. Although daylight until 4:30ish....sun usually sneaks behing a peak by 2:30.
Planning the return trip. Cold is getting to arthritic ole joints now.
The scenery makes up for the discomfort....as does nature.
Between my 1st ever encounter with a pod of Killer Whales, to a large group of Porpoises playing in my bow wake for 45 minutes yesterday..."all good"
I took a great video of them. Will have to figure out the YouTube thing once home.

[SeaHusky]

I love your reports Frank!
I follow several cruising vlogs on youtube but most of them are focused more on alcohol than sailing and even fewer on the natural world around the boat which is my main interest. Have you considered asking santa for a GoPro?  ;)

[Frank]

Thanks...
I wonder at times if I post too many pictures...

me dumb....
whats a gopro?

EDIT.....just googled it.  I look funny enough without a camera strapped to my head   ;)

Not much happens that fast at 4.5 knots...
Could see how it would be great for a ton of things tho....

[Tim]

Never, never too many photos!  ;D

[CharlieJ]

Sorry missed you  on chat last night Frank- out of town with no wifi

[Frank]

I'm "winding down"....slowly.......
The "gettin back" mind set is taking over....

As I sit here...reflecting on all that I saw...  Ended up looking at pictures...

These are from Heriot Bay Inn/Marina.

Power/fuel/bar/restaurant/rooms and a very good grocery/liqour store "just up the hill" behind!  Very good rates as well....

It dawned on me looking at pictures.....the only holding most people back is themselves. "Choice" truly becomes the deciding factor most of the time...

These boats, as they were in front of where I usually tie up, are
about a 1962 Rhodes 29  (pretty!)
in front of it, an earlier....say 1974 bayfield 23/25
then...across...about a 1976 Nordica 20.

All less than $5000. A decent used car costs more!

great scenery IS available "on the cheap"....if ya want too.....

[jotruk]

Love the pictures and no there are not to many. I am getting to travel that area through you and from my arm chair. Great and thanks for the views.

[CharlieJ]

quote-

"It dawned on me looking at pictures.....the only holding most people back is themselves. "Choice" truly becomes the deciding factor most of the time..."


Absolutely. And I've found it costs less to go, then to stay home. And don't trot out the "I'm too old line"  Won't work with me ;)

[Frank]

CJ...you'd love Herot bay. Doug, on a ferro cement boat next to me is an ole hippy. Long grey beard and hair...he's like a kid having fun scooting around on his dingy collecting firewood for his onboard od stove. He's 74!!
There are 3 other couples in their 70's living aboard I routinely see in the area..... nope...age doesn't matter.

Thought you would like that pic of the ole Rhode's....  A stretched Meridian!! Extremely pretty boat!

[CharlieJ]

HEY!! Nuttin wrong with 74  ;D ;D