The 23PH is waiting in Pender Harbour about 70 miles N of Vancouver for me after towing her west in April. My flight is booked for Set. 20th so I'm going over my "list" of to-do's. I hope to put 2 of the largest fuel cans possible in the aft cockpit storage (vented and drains overboard. It is about 14in (max) wide x 14in (max) high x 19in long. seems impossible to get 2 5 or 6 gallon cans to fit. I know 2- 3gallon cans will...but where I'll be going there are not a lot of fuel stops. Has anyone came across a 4 gallon? the extra few gallons along would be great and I don't want to tie tanks off to the lifelines...
Looking forward to getting back to the "simple life" aboard
Here's a pic of the locker and an old pic from the Abacos. Next pic will have mountains behind her ;D
standing by. looking forward to hearing all about this!
Frank, you are going to have FUN!
I only wish that I could be up there also. But issues of taking care of my aging Mom are going to keep us here most of the time. We instead are going to take a couple of weeks down on Lake Powell with the C-Dory.
Looking forward to the reports.
will be using an engel refridge-cooler while away. Noticed that one end has 'wrap around' cooling coils and the other just the sides. Thinking that I'll put a 1-1/2 inch foam 'wall' about 8 inchs in as a divider in hopes that the 'wrap around' end...now only 8 inchs into the cooler...will freeze and the rest not...if I get the setting "just right". Will be a cheap experiment that may render a nice little freezer section for chicken breasts, small steaks etc while in the Broughtons where provisions are next to non existent in the fall.
Has anyone tried this before?
What an awesome trip!
I never "segregated" any of my Engels, but my MT27 was deep enough that with my 1/2" closed cell foam "blanket" under the lid, I could set it just over '1' to slightly higher and stuff right next to the plates will freeze while bottles of beer in the bottom hover above freezing.
Packing today....my carry on will be the few cloths I take...my checked bag will be full of boat items. Had to take a few things out to make 50lbs.
Drive to Ottawa tomorrow and get a room as the flight is at 6am! Land in Vancouver at (am (3hr time change) Spend a few days sorting out things, getting a diesel heater put in and hope to launch on the 26th if all goes well.
Looking forward to this cruise. Will be nice to gunk hole around in a small-shallow draft boat.
I've done a couple of mods but will wait until they are complete when I'm out there to post pictures.
I've said before and I'm sure Tim will back me up....if the PNW is anywhere within your trailering range....go for it. Simply beautiful!
We hauled the boat from storage to my friends house. So nice to do things in a driveway with tools and not the back 40 of a storage yard......rum is closer too. :)
Takes a day just to go through and see what ya have and what,s needed. I'm sure we are all the same and forget what's aboard.
Lots of projects the next few days....fun stuff. Still hoping for a Saturday launch.
....."hoping"..........
Looking forward to hearing the lies stories! ;D
Well....capt K.....the lie is I launched and everything went perfect yesterday!!
Reality is.....stepped the mast...put it in....although new batteries...just made that clicking sound as if a dead battery. Tried a ton of ideas....no go.
Hauled out...took down the mast...parked boat/trailer....drove back to friends house and drank rum.
I had this notion that the key felt funny. No biggie as it only allows you to press the start button (old style diesel panel....push button start...pull out knob to kil)
Returned slightly hung over....pulled apart dash....found loose wire....put boat in before stepping mast....It Started!!!!
Pulled out....stepped mast...launched again....went to a friends dock to rig. Finished rigging about 10.30am....left from Pender Harbour and made Powell river at dusk.
Got a spanking from about 4-6pm but then it laid down nicely. Wind-waves right on the nose!! Had to motor the whole way.
Funny how many little things ya need. Have my shopping list for tomorrow. 12volt plug to charge the IPad...splitter for the lighter socket to run 2 devices...tranny fluid...stern light bulb....ya know...1st run stuff.
Down day tomorrow here doing final prep. Desolation sound the next!!!
Really love it out here.
I should really note the kindness of friends!!! John and Marian...fellow boaters that got me into this PNW cruising on their boat about 8 yrs ago...have been unbelievable helpful and kind!!! I stayed at their home as I did oil change, cleaned, added things and all the normal pre cruise stuff with the boat in their driveway!! I flew in...so John has been trailering the boat from storage to his house to the ramp. I couldn't imagine nicer friends!!! Kinda like southern hospitality but in the PNW. Super folks!!!
PS.....the engine is a 12hp westerbeke twin. Like others....westerbeke "marinizes" engines built by others. This lil 12hp is based on a Mitsubishi engine.
At Powell River
A problem with the 23PH is a passenger can't see out while seated. If sitting on the table, there is no back support. So...I came up with this...
An easily stowed table leg that attaches quickly with a simple table bracket to support the weight of a passenger. Then...a folding boat seat. I put a plywood base on for an even surface and glued that none skid stuff to it.
Both pieces stow well and go up easily. Remove the forward seat cushion for foot support and there's another seat with full view.
Such the clever guy, keep the photos coming
Left Powell River in fog today. Cleared up by the time I passed Lund (Lund hotel in pic)
Kept on going up through desolation sound to anchor in Melanie cove.
Fog rolled in this morning. Waited until 11.30 to head out. Had tons of jelly fish around as I wayed anchor. Easy day.....cruised to Cortez Bay.
Hard not to feel blessed....the scenery is so nice out here.
Quiet night.
Van Morrison on....wine in hand....life is good
Quote from: Frank on October 01, 2015, 09:23:30 PM
Van Morrison on....wine in hand....life is good
Ah...Van..."
Born to Cruise, No Plan B"... :)
Ain't Van great!!
Listening to Robbie Robetson now
Spent 3 days around Cortez Isl....2 at Gorge Harbor.
Sailed to Heriot Bay on Quadra Isl this morning....sunny and calm
there are 2 bald eagles on the top right side of the rock....just left of the bush
Sure is pretty leaving Gorge Harbor...
A friend just emailed this picture of the little ship leaving Gorge Harbor a few days ago.
Still sunny today
Anchored in Melanie cove again....one of my favorites
A walk in the woods feels like a rain forest at times
The leaves sure are bigger than home...
Are you going to head up Homfray Channel? The Homfray Lodge is a nice place to pull in.
Or maybe Pendrell Sound? Beautiful spots.
speaking of beauty.....
this was this afternoon
the little ship is anchored to do a little fishing.
1 ling cod and 2 rock cod.
guess whats for dinner tonight :-)
Time marchs on.....
Doug is flying in
I worked with him back in 1976. We were both getting our 1st homes, serious relationships...you know...that stage of life. Then we started sailing on a friends boat about 1977. It was in 1980, we both bought our 1st sailboats...I had a blue 17ft Siren....he bought an orange one. With the little cabin...we thought we had yachts! We'd go out on Lake Huron in stuff we shouldn't have. Ignorance truly is bliss. We even played industrial hockey on the same team for years. Funny...you make friends all your life....but the ones that go back to those formative years are special. There always seems a bond there.
Just looked at a map. I had no idea you had such a beautiful, "norwegian" area!
Does it rain 330 days a year?
Not quite :-)
I just looked it up and Cortez Island that I was just at has 186 days of rain and averages 54 inchs.
pulled into Lund yesterday only to meet up with 2 other crews out cruising. A few too many rum's later we called it a night :-)
Sailed to Powell River today and stocked up a bit as my buddy shows here tomorrow.
We've had sun for over a week but just as he shows....so does the remnants of Hurricane Ono with rain and 25-35knt winds! Oh well....adjust cruise accordingly...
Thought I'd post a simple but effective mod to get a window fan for keeping the moisture off while running. Not pretty...but I had the fan (gosh these are quiet and easy on batteries) and scrap aluminium to bend up a bracket. It had to be removable to be able to replace batteries... Simple defroster :-)
Nice fan Frank. I just purchased a similar one but it wires into the 12volt, but draws very little (3.4w). Yours though has the advantage of being portable if you wanted to use it somewhere else. I have gone to dry cell battery operation on most of the devices on my sailboats, but the C-Dory does such a great job of keeping my two G27 Deep Cells charged I feel I don't need to on it.
No doubt.
I put 2 new G27's in this year before heading out. Ya have to love cooler climates... With the engel on enough to freeze (set at 2) and LED lighting...after 2 days at anchor I'm still showing 12.6 !!
That wouldn't happen in the Bahamas with the Engel working harder.
I had that lil fan for years and figured it was a cheap/easy way to make a defroster for the windshield. Couldn't see any way of running wire without it being exposed.
PS...these lil fans really are super quiet and extremely long lasting on battery power.....extremely long lasting!!
I hate wiring and am terrible at anything that is electronic. Much happier with wrenches or saw in hand.
So...I'm kinda proud that I installed the autopilot myself! It is basically a power boat wheel unit (not belt driven like sailboat wheel units)
You loose a bit of room as the wheel moves aft...but SO nice singlehanding!
Installed an hour meter while at it.
The little dash is now FULL!!! :-)
Nice setup! 8)
very beautiful area! thank you for the updates. I really enjoy them.
After good sun for this time of year....the rain and wind showed thanks to the tail end of hurricane Olo or Oho.....should have been OH NO
Has the lil 23 surfing with the right waves into the 7's....then 8's. Max showing on gps after anchoring was 8.6. Was fun......but a downwind handfull. I was happy to settle and have a rum.
Dragged anchor that night..... 1st time in years. Why does it always happen in pitch black? :)
Great day today
More sun tomorrow
After 2 gusty nights anchored at Melanie cove, we spent last night on the dock at Gorge....crossed today and tied up at Heriot bay.
Gives "vinyl siding" a whole new meaning ! :)
Are you at Heriot Bay Inn? If a North Westerly is blowing, around the corner at "Taku" is better. Lots to see on Quadra.
I really liked Gorge, the food was excellent at the restaurant, and we took a walk over to Manson's Landing.
Yep....we're at the Inn/marina. Had lunch there but cooked fish on the boat. The "funkie local" live aboards are in at the docks for the winter. Neat group.
I've been at Gorge several times, Cortez bay twice but never Mansions landing. Will put it on the list. Lund tomorrow....
Doug flew out this morning.
As I'm sitting here reflecting on the past week and our conversations, it is clear that "good old friends" truly are special. Although we have kept in touch, we haven't seen each other in several years...but we picked back up as if we had gotten together a few days earlier. True friendships are like that.
He loved the west coast and the mini cruise we took.
It was sad to see him go.
If you have any "good old friends".....give them a call. You'll both feel better you did.
PS...he brought along a few pictures of back 35 years ago when we both sailed 17ft Siren's. Geez....I was lean, toned and tanned. Aging isn't for the weak :-)
Looks like a real nice place & peaceful place.
Quote from: Frank on October 16, 2015, 01:05:02 PM
Doug flew out this morning.
As I'm sitting here reflecting on the past week and our conversations, it is clear that "good old friends" truly are special. ...
He loved the west coast and the mini cruise we took.
It was sad to see him go.
Must have been a wonderful--and as you wrote, bittersweet--experience.
Grog to you, Frank.
Doug flew out in the morning and my cruising buddies showed up on their trawler for "boys week" that evening. My liver is looking forward to a break next week. :o
Stopped to catch dinner. No ling cod but a couple of red snapper and rock cod
Heading up to the you yucalta Rapids this morning. Hazey but still nice
Haze turned to fog. About 500 yards visibility. Radar is nice
Beautiful photos, Frank. The fog gives it the feel of a mystical place...
Jim..... I often think that out here. Very mystical feeling at times.
You live a charmed life Frank. Although your attitude and perspective may be what makes the difference. Naw..you live a charmed life with the right attitude.
Hey, what was the verdict on the Engel experiment with the styro?
The engel "kinda" worked. It was hard to get....then maintain the right setting. Too high...everything started to freeze...too low...unthaw.Then throw in cool nights and warm days....lots of adjustments. I was eventually able to keep meat frozen behind the foam and items in front cold....but it takes constant effort.
With the cooler fall temperatures....it sure is easy on the batteries as it comes on so seldom. With all LED lights and the engel on....2 days at anchor and still will show 12.5V. Nice not to worry....
Couple of neat pics from this morning.....
A Garden 23 cat tied at Squirrel Cove ....quite the beam!
An eagle hitching a ride on a floating root. Never saw that before..
Made Blind channel and went for an hour hike to see 2 old growth cedars.
Jim nailed it.....mystical....
Few random pics from yesterday
A few more...
If you look just to the right of the water falling.....you will see that it is running over a "midden"
In the past, natives had sites where the clam digging was productive. Through the many years....the build up of clam shells after they ate the clams created higher ground..."middens"
Some exceed 20ft deep. This one was about 6ft deep. You have to wonder how many clams were ate to create these mounds.
Quote from: Frank on October 19, 2015, 06:33:37 PM
Made Blind channel and went for an hour hike to see 2 old growth cedars.
Jim nailed it.....mystical....
Thanks, Frank.
I had no idea that even old growth cedar trees could get so large.
yep....they were HUGE. I sent a picture home to a woodsman buddy and said "your saw is awsome...but I think you need a bigger one....much bigger" ;D
There are trees up at the head of Jervis Inlet that are supposedly much bigger than these. I haven't seen them, but that trip is on next years list.
These were cadar. I posted pictures of last years trip with big firs. The firs weren't as big at the base (about 8ft wide) but were taller....probably about 150+ ft before a branch. Thats a LOT of 'clear' lumber!!
pic is from last year. I reach close to 6ft...these fir are about 8ft wide. Those cedars are much wider!!
Quote from: Frank on October 19, 2015, 06:33:37 PM
Made Blind channel and went for an hour hike to see 2 old growth cedars.
There was a time when the whole forest looked like this.
Imagine that.
Purty and a lotta beam, yep, and a big ol' barn door hanging off her rear, too. :)
(http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4528.0;attach=5900;image)
Those 'big tree' pics - whoa! Seriously impressive. I would have loved to have seen a forest of those...
But this, *this* pic makes me think...
(http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4528.0;attach=5912;image)
"OK, where's the Marine sniper? I know he's in there somewhere.." ;D
........
Neat shell midden. I have seen those down here and in Fl, never thought about the fact that they would likely have them in the PNW, but it does make sense.
Awesome pics, Frankie me boy! :)
heres the bow on view of the cat
and a few pics...
these are all taken with my IPad (thanks Craig)
havin fun trying different shots....
I'm no judge of photos....
and this has nothing to do with sailing...
but this shot seems majical to me
If you like Google earth...
This pic was taken from:
50-08.542 N
124-56.990 W
The sun was out this afternoon
Nice dingy ride
Apparently I've anchored near a bald eagles favorite tree
He's been on a dead tree limb for about 1 1/2 hrs now and
Seems to have no intention of moving.
They are beautiful
Now....if IPads had 30x zoom. :)
I do believe that this photo might have been taken right near that anchorage Frank ;)
(http://www.pbase.com/morningdove/image/107610194/large.jpg)
Cool!!!
I see some Monty's....a sun cat, potter's and one I'm not sure of??
Would be an awesome small boat paradise in the summer!!
Up early this morning to make the tide. After basking in sunshine ashore yesterday, was greeted by cold and rain this morning.
I love the little pilot house during these times. Espar on...tea in hand....very comfortable.
Sitting in the cockpit tiller in hand simply wouldn't be fun.....
Picture is leaving VonDonop inlet onto SULTI channel. Calm Channel ahead
Anchored in Sqerriel cove last night. Pretty cove and not another boat!
Fore cast is for 30+ wind gusts tonight from the SE so rather than sleep with one eye open...I wimped out and took the short passage over the Refuge Cove. This is a super funky "hippy" type place. Busy for 2 mths during summer but super quiet the rst of the year. The store wasn't open but ya gotta love the "look". Tied up safely...let it blow :D
Last year we saw a few of these coming into Refuge as we were heading out;
(http://www.pbase.com/morningdove/image/161728434/large.jpg)
That is way too cool Tim!!!!
I've seen a ton of humpbacks, seals, otters, porpoises, seal lions, dolphins...but never yet an Orca, Late in the season I guess...
Great shot!!!
It blew hard early and rained buckets!! You don't realize how much till Ya bail out the dingy!!
Underway to Lund. After too many miles of no wind or wind on the nose...it was nice to sail!!
Felt kinda decadent....sails up, making 4.2 to 4.7....sitting inside, hand on the wheel and arm out the window like driving a Ford 150 :D
Nice to see a "bit" of sun as well. I really do love it out here!!
Nice shot of the Orca! I almost had to change underware a few years ago in the Sea of Cortez, when I BIG male came up just beside our boat,underway, took a look at me, maybe a second , and then dove again. No time to search for the camera unfortunately. Felt weird to have eye contact with 'a big Guy Line that....
It blew again last night into late morning.
Will putt around n read today until the SE lays down before heading S to meet visitors
Tide up in Lund....the old hotel in background
Geez the 23 looks small. :)
Other small boats here. A C&C 25, a ? And a Hughes 26
Just back from a nice walkabout. Had to post this picture!
Where else would you see, on basically the 1st of November (call me a liar for 10.5hrs), leaves turning...yep multiple different flowers in blossom AND a palm tree?
Quite the combination
Underway about 2 miles out of Lund ....just now I had a visitor about 75yrds off stbd
Humpbacks can approach 80,000 lbs!!
Way cool !!!!
Forecast was for diminishing winds...
About 7 miles to go and it's pouring rain and wind is up. Bumpy and wet ride...naturally "into it" :( speed is down to 2.7 or so.
Coast guard just came on 16 with a gale warning.....good news is I should be in more of a lee from Grief Point shortly.
Will be a long slow few miles.... Thank goodness for pilothouses in these conditions
Uhg! Headed to Saltry?
West view....
Much calmer now in the lee.....still raining buckets
You say " Thank goodness" for pilot houses, I say that while I am not entirely sure what it is, I believe that there is a name for the trait that causes a man to set out in a boat with a pilot house in the PNY...
.... Not sure but I think that they call that "wisdom". :)
Or.....lack of it for being here this time of year in the 1st place :o
(I'm sure CJ would agree ;) Temps are mid 40's often, near freezing at night)
Got THAT right.. Right now (1750), here at my house, it's 79, doors open, nice breeze, I'm in shorts, a Tee shirt, and barefoot.
;D ;D
Hope it NEVER gets cooler, but of course it will. BUT- Cold just never sticks around long here.
Temps a bit lower....but still loving it. A friend has been down....returning home Saturday.
Once they leave.....will be heading far further N.....and adventure this time of year (or any really)
A few pics from the last week...
Seal colony
Zillions of jelly fish
Gotta love the back drops...
It may be cool.....and frost the odd night....
BUT....
You have these anchorages all to yourself!
And....thie fishing is good!
Sorry Tim. :)
PS....love a pilot house ......really love the espar!
SO SWEET!!! 8)
More beautiful photos, Frank! :)
I had been wondering whether you still had the little boat with the pilot house that I had admired in photos from the Bahamas awhile back. Nice to see that you still own it, and are making such good use of it. Seems like the ultimate trailer sailer for the sort of trip you have taken. Your boats are sometimes like characters in a novel that disappear from the plot of life for awhile, and then reappear again farther on...
Last Monday, I was over at a local friend's house to move a boat that I had picked up a couple months ago. It was time for him to get out the snowplow and change the hydraulic fluid in preparation for the coming winter.
At one point, he looked around at his yard and the trees whose leaves have turned from the bright colors to now brown and branches getting bare. and said "I can't believe how fast this year went by".
His sailboat, the Snapdragon 26 twin keel (that he bought from me last year) sat nearby. I thought back in August about how I had hoped to put the new-to-me Alberg in for the end of the season, but the time flew past...again...
Anyway, I told my friend about how, despite being loosely based in Ontario, have expanded your sailing season by heading South to cruise in winter, and to where you are now... I've found that the 4-month season here is adequate, if I make good use of it, but if I let much or all of it slip by there is no making it up...except to head South. I think about doing this a lot this time of year, but don't seem to be able to get going. I'm glad to see that some of us make it there...
I think we all know that feeling all too well.....
"where did summer go"...."where did time go".....
When you think of it, the only true commodity....not money, not assets...
is "TIME"
The next realization....is "choice"
Choice of how we spend it.....
It's kinda like a new girlfriend...you could ALWAYS make time...by choice :-)
As a sailor staring at 75, I certainly identify.
Priorities get in the way of life.
Early start in fog/haze yesterday
But ...the fog lifted to a beautiful day!
Hunkered down with a full on gale today!
Underway again tomorrow
Looks like the Gale warning will be up until mid-day tomorrow. :-\
In Lund right now.....sipping coffee at "Nancy's Bakery"
Heading for Powell tomorrow as company flys out early Saturday.
Then....prep for the Broughton's
Should lay down enough by noon tomorrow
Sentry Shoal bouy shows over 9ft waves earlier this morning!
Would have been 11ft+ by Cortez with the SE
Yep, may be on your nose a bit but definitely settling down "Wind veering to southwest 15 to 20 late overnight then backing to southeast 10 to 15 Friday evening."
amazing what a diff 12 hours makes
crazy evening...underway in near flat calm now....
According to forecasts, we'll be having some of that system here by Monday-
a part of the report-
"Upper level system will drop down the US west coast and into the SW US on Sunday and really begin to intensify. This intense deep longwave trough will force strong surface pressure falls over NW TX Sunday night into Monday with an impressive mid-November cyclone developing over the central and southern plains. Strong low level jet of 40-60kts develops over coastal TX Monday transporting significant deep layer moisture northward."
Doesn't sound like sailing weather!!!
Well CJ....hang on :)
It was laying the boat over on it's side "tied to a dock" from about noon yesterday until about midnight. The gusts exceeded 45 knots.
Glad I wasn't caught out!!
In Powell River now.....easy ride today.
Hard to believe how crazy it was yesterday.....
If you continue this subliminal persuasion I fear that I will go ahead and enter my contiplated retirement, buy a boat,and live the life! If the "Warden" is lucky she can join me! Is 63 too old?
Heck NO!!!!!!!!
Perfect age!!!
Most cruisers ya meet are 60's
CJ was cruising Bahamas in his 70's!!
GITTERDUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm as ready as I will be.
Provisions on, oil/filter changed, water tank filled and extra fuel.
My last visitor left at 9am today and now I finally have time to head up north...way north.
Funny.....I find myself slightly apprehensive about this. I've gone to the Broughton's and Queen Charlotte Sound once before, but it was on an 18,000lb boat carrying 200 gallons of fuel and 100 gallons of water. That boat cruised easily at twice the speed of my 23, could speed up to make "slack" at the rapids and only had a "gallon per hour" burn pulled back to 6.5 knots. With 200 gallons aboard, range or running the heater wasn't an issue.
Once I leave Heriot Bay N, it becomes extremely isolated...you truly are "on your own". Both Eco Bay marina and Kwatsi Bay marinas no longer have fuel or provisions....if anyone will even be there. Lagoon Cove "may" have fuel, but the owner died a few years ago and his wife doesn't stay over winter. Port McNeil....further up the coast is a good fuel/provision stop but the fuel to get there and back from where I want to cruise is a good burn in of itself.
The 23 cruises nicely at an average of 4.5 knots. The fuel tank is only 7 gallons! While I can increase RPM to make 5.5 knots....fuel burn goes up dramatically, negatively effecting both range and the ability to have heat. I am carrying 2 extra 2 gallon cans and one 4 gallon. Any more than that, weight becomes an issue. It will be interesting....
Captain Vancouver, after rounding the Horn to get here in search of the "north west passage" called Johnstone Straight and the areas tidal rapids "the most vile body of water in the world"
One of my cruising guides warns that of the entire "inside passage" from WA to Alaska, this stretch is the most difficult, requiring the most advanced seamanship.
I will have to time 6 different tidal rapids both up and back. There will be 2 narrow passages with "range markers". Throw in cold temperatures, freezing nights, lack of fuel stops or provisioning , a slow boat and truly being "on your own" with literally no other boat traffic and I guess my "butterfly's" are justified.
The good news is I hope to return to the untouched beauty of Bond Sound with the unreal Eagle, Seal and bird population. I hope to go up Knight Inlet to Glendale Cove to watch the Grizzly Bears....passing the resident Dolphins on the way. A 2 day stop at Joe Cove to relax and fish on Eden Island is also in the plan, as is crossing Back Fish Sound (old local name for Orca's) with the many Sea Lions and Humpback whales (too late in season for Orcas...but I'm hoping) I also hope to stop at Echo Bay to see Bill Proctor.....an area environmentalist legend.
I met him as he turned 80 while I was there last year and I truly hope he is still alive and well. An "old school" fisherman, he has gained the respect of a multitude of biologists with his "self taught-hands on" knowledge of everything in nature. A simple, understated very wise old salt....google him if you're bored. He lives a quiet life in the Broughtons that have always been his home.
Yep....I have butterfly's tonight....probably a combination of excitement and a grain (or 2) of apprehension.
As plans go.....I'll be heading straight into a NW 25-35knot sea to start. Fun eh :-)
Tonight and Sunday
Gale warning in effect.
Wind northwest 5 to 15 knots increasing to northwest 15 to 20 early this evening and to northwest 20 to 25 after midnight. Wind increasing to northwest 25 to 35 late Sunday morning.
Understand totally- single hand can be troubling.. Hope every thing works well for you .
Made it....
the saying goes:
The difference between adventure and ordeal is attitude"
After 7+ hrs in a washing machine, I'm having my 1st stiff rum to adjust my "attitude"
Long story short...it is amazing what a small boat can do..
Norman...I burn about 1,1 liters/hour throttled back to 4.5 knots.
So....with a total of about 56 liters....200 miles +/-
I hope to sail when I can, motorsail if possible in light winds (throttle back more) AND...most importantly, play the tides.
And, yes its a twin, no...the oil filter isn't the biggest grief...the impeller is!!
The oil filter has to be off to even get at it. Don't want to cross threads...I'll post a pic undet Beta/Westerbeke later
Quote from: Frank on November 15, 2015, 08:28:13 PM
Made it....
the saying goes:
The difference between adventure and ordeal is attitude"
;D ;D Been using that for YEARS. Originally saw the quote by Bob Bitchin of the original Lats and Atts long ago, but so very true
The northern adventure begins....
Left early this morning in fog
Still pretty out there to my eyes..
The sun tried a few times
Heh...at least the Gales are over :D
With logging such a main industry, there is always lots of floating logs and big branchs. Seems the further N ya get...the more they are.
Gets tricky in a chop as you always have to be on the lookout.
Makes running after dark unsafe
Pics are a small example of today...literally 100's
I timed the Yukata rapids for the last of the Ebb (my direction) for a bit of a push. It was shortly before slack but still got a ride!
Throttled back to 1500rpm (about a 2.7 knot speed) so I had steerage and rode though.
An hour earlier would be serious trouble.
Safely tied up in Big Bay, ready for timing the Gillard and Dent rapids tomorrow.
The Gillards are about a mile directly behind the boat..that channel between the islands.
At peak....it can run over 10 and throw your boat around
Dent rapids can be crazy! There is a sunken island just after them that at full flood creats a huge whirlpool. People have died in that one...
At slack...you can canoe through....for a very short time
Of note....I caught the last of the Ebb, tide up and after a very short time, watched a sailboat come through in the other direction. Thats how quick they turn.
As usual....I had wind on the nose today but today and the next 3, the tide is really in my favour!!!
The Potomac R. Looks like that after heavy rains!
Around here, fog and wind do not occur together, so fog usually means motoring. Even a light breeze seems to lift the fog off the water.
Did you have enough wind to sail after the fog lifted?
I have really enjoyed your pictures and narration of the voyage!
After 2 days of gales...I was thankful for calm :)
Later a breeze did pick up....but "on the nose"
Just checked the weather...will freeze tonight and possible snow tonight and tomorrow morning!
Winds will be from the right direction tomorrow...but very light :-(
My ole trailor sailing buddy Rick kayaks on the Potomac daily as long as it doesn't freeze.
He lives in Putnim Valley
Earlier on I had mentioned that Doug and I bought our 1st sailboats the same year (1980) and he brought out an old photo to give me.
I had a blue Siren 17....Doug liked it and bought an orange one. We took them out in just about any weather. Youth......
This must have been 1st launch of his. Picture was probably taken by his girlfriend of 8ys back then (gosh she was HOT!!! Sorry Doug)
I'm the lean tanned guy with dark hair and a beard.
That was then.......... :o
It's 9.14am here
Just passed 2nd tidal Rapids....soon the 3rd
Was treated to 9 sea lions going through Dent Rapids
No wifi for days shortly
PS....yes CJ.....it is cold ;)
But beautiful
Yep, looks like a little white stuff up on that hill. 8) :D
Pic is to the right almost at Dent
Yep....froze last night. Great sleeping bag...thank goodness
CJ would love this ;D
Sure ain't Texas. :D ;D
Looks absolutely great! Like sailing and mountain hiking all in one.
I heard there are two kinds of states in America, Texas and TAFT (this aint f**n Texas).
Amazing day!!!
Sun came out, nil for wind and very easy going!
Been running with the tides...RPM way back...5 1/2hrs now...still showing full. "heat tonight" !!
Ran The "Gillards", "Dent", "Green Point" and shortly..."Whirpool" rapids!
Have seen amazing scerery and wild life!
Sealions at Gillards, Porpoises visited later on and even a Sea Lion came by mid channel ;D
Will be entering Whirlpool Rapids shortly.....good timing...just before slack.
Anchoring in Douglas bay....just after the pass. Looking forward to a celeboratory rum....this has been one of my better days on the water.
I have been checking in here daily. Thanks so much for taking us along!
6.40am here, Sipping coffee after a very calm night anchored.
Cold morning...love the Espar!
After a very long "wet n windy" period, I just checked Port Neville weather
SUNNY AND LIGHT WINDS FOR A WEEK!!!
Feeling very blessed !! Although beautiful anytime....this will be a treat!
Pull anchor 8.30 to time tides....will have "free push" again today.
Underway.....but had an aweful scare
Went to haul anchor
side deck was fine...cabin heat I guess...
Almost fell in off fore deck!!! ICE
Scared the poop out of me...I went down on deck, but held on
Just checked....water is 4.7C here
Brought home how remote and vulnerable I am here
On the lighter side...sun just came up and it's a beautiful day
Pic is beside and in front
PS....those aren't all clouds in front ;)
Today reminded of me of the saying:
"wanna make God laugh....tell him your plans"
Incredibly beautiful start to the day! Calm and great forcast.
Port Neville was in the 5-8 MPH range, Johnstone Strait reported
5kt at 7am, 7kt at 8am, back to 5kt when I left around 9...good to go.
By the time I actually got on Johnstone Strait..timed well for the tide push N,
there was a 18kt-gusting 22 NW....against the tide. Yep....washing machine again.
So...I'm tucked into a little bay, rocking around but secure. Tomorrow is calling for a SE so will be pushing "with" the tide. Should be a fast fun ride up.
At least it's pretty :-)
todays high is 40....tonight about 28. I'll be far more careful weighing anchor tomorrow morning!
Dinner will be intesting tonight. Calling for a 180 wind shift (great for tomorrow) so I hauled anchor from the lee side of the bay to reset here. Well hooked in mud and will sleep better knowing I'm OK with the shift....but sure "rockin n rolling". A sandwhich will be safer than cooking...
Took this from here about an hour ago... (west coast time)
Kinda makes it all worthwhile.....
Gorgeous shot Frank. Hopefully things will settle down between the shift
Fantastic visiting with you on the chat tonight, as you rocked and rolled, and fixed supper.
Stay safe my friend
up early to get a start before the typical later morning Johnstone Staight winds kick in.
hugging shore to play the back eddies...
finally...wind is NOT on the nose
sails up....havin fun
well... Guess I made God laugh again with my plans. ;D
After a really good 8 mile run...the wind kicked up!
At least it was pushing! Quite the sleigh ride for the last 4 miles to the turn.
Made Havannah channal at 10am.....
I'm here!
Nice and calm inside....
Pics are just before the turn...
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
Excellent! ;) I guess there are times dragging a dinghy/drogue comes in handy.
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!!
Loving your adventure, thanks for your posts
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
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
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
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
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....
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
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.
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? ;)
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....
Never, never too many photos! ;D
Sorry missed you on chat last night Frank- out of town with no wifi
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.....
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.
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 ;)
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!
HEY!! Nuttin wrong with 74 ;D ;D
New arrival this afternoon. Had to move to let her in. About a 25fter, cabin removed and new one built for more headroom. Gotta love it!! A "hippy chic" is the captain ;) After tying up...she sailed her little pram out to visit friends on an anchored boat. Love seeing younger people "doing it"
LOL Ya CJ 74s nit bad about Half as young as you ;D *Its not drive by more like,Sail by Harassment* *ducks**runs for cover* :o
Quote from: CharlieJ on November 28, 2015, 02:04:46 PM
HEY!! Nuttin wrong with 74 ;D ;D
;D ;D ;D
Winding down......
Had plans for more "putting" around, but steady gales and the ability to get to where I haul out has cut them short. Very "small windows" on the major Straight's right now as winter's SE gales keep a coming.
A few pics of the last couple of weeks...
It ain't lookin pretty out there......
I left at dawn, well before sun up today to make Powell River before the gale started. Had planned on one more stop at Lund.....couldn't.
Had the idea of going up to Princess Louisa Inlet....EXTREMELY "mystical"...beyond words. I've not seen it with snow capped peaks before...
Can't get out of here in time...and even if I could....will be overcast for days!
Looking like "maybe" early Friday morning I can do the last 25 miles "into it" to get back to where the boat gets hauled....
Winds
Issued 04:00 PM PST 30 November 2015
Tonight and Tuesday
Gale warning in effect.
Wind southeast 15 to 25 knots increasing to southeast 30 to 40 this evening then becoming southeast 35 to 45 Tuesday afternoon. Wind diminishing to southeast 25 to 35 Tuesday evening.
Weather & Visibility
Issued 04:00 PM PST 30 November 2015
Tonight and Tuesday
Periods of rain beginning this evening.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 PM PST 30 November 2015
Wednesday
Wind southeast 15 to 25 knots increasing to southeast 25 to 35 in the afternoon.
Thursday
Wind southeast 30 to 40 knots diminishing to south 15 to 25 late in the day.
Friday
Wind south 15 to 25 knots increasing to southeast 25 to 35.
Stay connected
ATOM
List of Official Text Forecasts
Resources
Glad you made it to Powell. There is a lot more to do there, much better restaurant choices.
Yes...a week at Lund would get "long..."
I've got to know some ole lads on boats here at Powell, so a bit of a social life as well.
AND....1st thing upon arriving was taking the bus up to the mall (my knees can't do that much uphill) and buy a better electric heater! Plugged it in last night...1st "very warm" evening/night in a long time :D
Life's little luxury's.....all for $17.99
:D :D
Warm is very nice!!
On Jan 4th, 2010, I was in Punta Gorda Florida, at Laishley Marina, and it was 23 degrees. Didn't get above 30 for 10 days. A friend brought me an electric heater- zero on the shelves in stores-all sold out.
Ran that sucker 24-7 for 10 days!!!
It ain't looking pretty out there:
Issued 04:00 PM PST 01 December 2015
Tonight and Wednesday
Gale warning in effect.
Wind southeast 30 to 40 knots diminishing to southeast 15 to 25 near midnight then increasing to southeast 25 to 35 Wednesday afternoon.
Weather & Visibility
Issued 04:00 PM PST 01 December 2015
Tonight and Wednesday
Periods of rain ending near midnight. Rain beginning Wednesday afternoon.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 PM PST 01 December 2015
Thursday
Wind southeast 30 to 40 knots diminishing to southeast 15 to 25 in the afternoon.
Friday
Wind southeast 15 to 25 knots.
Saturday
Wind southeast 25 to 35 knots.
Looks very much like my last few days of this cruise will be "hunkered down" here with one long, boring, slog to windward heading S for 25miles when it settles down a bit so I can haul out. No complaints...it's been great!! Kinda of reminds me of that Gordon Lightfoot tune ...one line is "when the gales of November come early"....well...they ain't early...but they ARE here!! Another line in that tune is "when the waves turn the minutes to hours". Think I'll be feeling that when I finally head back S. "up/down/splash.....up/down/splash" (shelves clearing off in the process)
So...for all intents...fall PNW cruise of 2015 is over (except for that one slog S)
A few random thoughts.......
Launched Sept 29th.
Total miles this cruise on Emma B to date (ad 25 for final return): 718
Haul out scheduled for Dec 10th
Total time on boat: 63 days (+9 nights on friends trawler)
Total single handed: 48 (although basically singlehanded with crew)
Gales caught out in: 2
Tidal rapids run: 10 (solo) (15 counting crewing)
Narrows with range markers passed through:2
Whale sightings: 2.....one Humpback, one pod of Orcas
Porpoise sightings.......over 10
Porpoises swimming along bow wave: 5 times (once several for extended time)
Sea Lion sightings: 6 times
Seals: like squirrels back home...
Bald Eagles: frequent
Moments spent in "AHHHHH"......too frequent to count!
Fish caught: over 25 (could have caught more...but why?)
Anchorages: Melanie Cove, Prideaux Haven, Squirrel Cove, Von Donop, Douglas Bay, Behind Yorke Island, Blenkinsop Bay, Joe Cove
Marinas/docks (several not open): West View, Lund, Cortez Bay, Gorge Harbour, Heriot Bay, Squirrel Cove (docked to get fuel/supplies), Smugglers Cove, Okeover Arm, Big Bay, Lagoon Cove, Kwatsi Bay, Shawl Bay, Echo Bay
Funky people met: lots! :-)
Number of times thinking I was nuts doing this: 2
Number of times in "ahhhh": countless
Misc:
This is SO different from home or Bahamas. You can anchor in less than 25ft of water in the middle of the Sea of Abaco!! Here....often you are 50ft offshore and in 200+ft of water.The depth sounder being "off soundings" is not uncommon....often over 1000 or even 2000ft deep!
Protected...and "shallow" bays are not common..
Beach's are rare. The coastline is typically very unforgiving,
These waters, this time of year, will challenge every aspect of your seamanship ability....every aspect! Literally! Like most things in life....the effort is worthwhile.
I worried too much about running rapids "with the current" (within reason)
Kept wanting to take pictures....every turn (guess when that urge stops....time for different cruising grounds)
Learned to cook on very "low heat" to prolong the warmth without using Espar (diesel range)
You truly are "alone" up there!!! I keep my lifejacket handy on a cockpit settee, wore it while in the dingy, but the dingy is really your "only saviour" here! If you go in...ya gotta get out... FAST...or your dead. That simple. I had mental/visual practice runs getting into the dingy from both the "sinking boat" and from "the water having fallen in".....knowing the only chance to survive in either situation was getting out of the water fast and into it !!
A great sleeping bag and down jacket are your "best friends"
Loved the IPad for everything! Weather, tides/currents, route planning, banking and boat porn. They are great!!
Funny....as much as I have truly loved this adventure, and it has been just that, I'm now ready to "go home". My couch is calling....fire stoked, birds at feeder, movie on...."warm n comfy"
Yep...I'm ready! :-)
If ya can...in any way...get out here (summer is easier)...DO IT!!!!!
Well.....long story-short...I made it back to where "Emma B" gets hauled out.
Other than loading...PNW cruise for 2015 is over. I'm pecking this out with Emma B getting laid on her side AT A DOCK!
Left well before daybreak Friday knowing the window...although not perfect, would quickly close. I'm not comfortable running before daylight here with the floating logs, but the window was very small...I was on "alert" until sun up. Got a bit of a good spanking once around Grief Point when the mid moring winds came but I was far enough along that it only "hurt" for about 1-1/2 hours. Wussed out and cut into a channel, up and around an island (out of he SE) back to where I had to enter. Turned a 25 mile trip into 35...but the extra miles were realative calm.
Glad I'm here.... Had I not left....doubt I would have made it in time to haul out and get my flight home!!
Check "current conditions" out there!!!!
Pic is leaving about 45 minutes before day break.
Grief Point09:00 PM PST 06 December 2015
This table is a summary of hourly weather conditions for the past 24 hours.
Please note that these observations might not always be representative of weather conditions over their associated marine area.
Wind
(knots)
06 December 2015
21:00 ESE 40 gust 50 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
20:00 E 47 gust 53 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
19:00 ESE 43 gust 49 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
18:00 ESE 37 gust 47 N/A N/A
Another amazing adventure in your scrap book Frank, thank you for taking the time and the pictures to allow us to share it with you.
Fair Winds!
Yep, when it's time to go, it's time time to go. Glad you have her safely put up.
I remember having to leave Refuge for Powell one "O" dark thirty for the same reason, had the first Mate on the deck with a flashlight looking for deadheads.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Thank you so much for posting your trip.
Amazing pictures, Frank. I think this trip needs to go on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing the journey!
Great thread and pics!
I too am thinking about how to get there, the Panama canal or the NW passage?
Either of those is toooooo much of an adventure for me
Like anywhere....there is a good used boat market out there....
Fly in...buy.....cruise.....sell.....return ;)
A pretty cheap way to do a long season (may-november)
if thats what you were thinking......
however.....Panama and up would be awesome :D
Quote from: Frank on December 19, 2015, 09:51:27 PM
Either of those is toooooo much of an adventure for me
I'm with you. 10-15 years ago? maybe, not now :o
I still have some years to go but as my health is not good the NW passage is not feasible but the Panama canal is.
My post was partly a joke but only partly. Everyone I read about who has passed the canal has done a beeline for the Galapagos and then Polynesia. None from this side of the Atlantic goes north from there missing sea of Cortez (except "Maxiswede" who I haven seen post for a while), PNW, Hawai... I just think that there is a lot to explore that is all but forgotten?
The PNW is truly enchanting! The further N you go...the more dramatic the scenery and whale sightings become more frequent.
There are several good books on the history of the "inside passage" area (WA to Alaska) It was booming (relatively speaking) 100+ yrs ago. Pretty isolated now. Definite "bucket list" material
Is there an inland waterway via the great lakes from the east coast to the west?
Not that I'm aware of
You would have to go a little further north; ;)
(http://figure8voyage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/NWProute.gif)
And from what I read, already iced over
Lewis and Clark didn't have much luck finding it ;-). That being said, if a person had a reasonably sized pocket cruiser with shallow/moderate draft it could be done with a little portage' action.
Getting from the Great Lakes to the Missouri River system might/might not require a short haul on a trailer (not my part of the country so I'm unfamiliar). With a little research and planning regarding river flow and water levels a run up the Missouri into Montana would be next. Then hire a truck to haul you a couple hundred miles across western Montana to Lewiston, Idaho. From there the Snake River has navigational locks at the three dams between Lewiston and it's confluence with the Columbia River at Tri-Cities. Then down the Columbia through several dams/locks, past Portland, OR, and across the Columbia Bar and into the Pacific, turn right, and in a couple o' days you're happily sailing upon the Salish Sea (PNW). Piece o' cake...
you might check out the book Water Horse by William Least Heat Moon. He made it from New York City to the pacific ocean in Washington good read and he only had to portage about 200 miles.
Love the pics! We are heading up to the PNW this summer in our 19' West Wight Potter and 2 kayaks.
you'll have a hoot!!
Enjoy yourself!