Desolation Sound and Princess Louisa Inlet 2011

"Tub Toy" a 1977 Willard 30/4 FS

Last year we explored the B.C. coast up to Princess Louisa Inlet in our 1970 Albin 25.  We decided to move up to a little larger boat to accomodate our family and enjoy a little more space aboard.  So, we went in with our cruising friends, Joe and Molly and bought a 1977 Willard 30/4.  Another classic style boat with great fuel economy and headroom for me to really stand up inside.  All four of us spent about 6 weeks cleaning and fixing things so we could take our planned trip to Desolation Sound this year.  We are selling our Albin when we return, as there was not enough time to to get ready for this trip and sell the Albin too.

July 22nd, 2011

Joe and I installed the rebuilt flybridge helm pump on 7-22-11, the day before we were to leave.  We backed the boat out of our slip in La Conner, and stood the mast up for the night in preparation of an early departure the next day. 

July 23rd
Well..........early did not quite work out as we found out that our house batteries were not up for the trip.  We carry an Engel 12 volt freezer aboard and the batteries were drawn down enough that we could not start in the morning without charging them for awhile.  While waiting for a charge we called around and found new batteries in Anacortes that would be delivered to the fuel dock and our boat.  We eventually got it started and motored the 1 1/2 hours to Anacortes to get fuel, pump out and new batteries.

We went to Anacortes Marina to meet up with the folks from Les Schwab and get the batteries installed.  Les Schwab delivered the 2-group 27's and the 2 group 31's to us at the fuel dock and hauled the old ones away.  We met one of the other 3 boats that we would be travelling with to Desolation Sound, at the feul dock.  Ken and Jackie arrived with their new to them, 1969 36 foot Grand Banks Woodie named, Sandpiper.  Beautiful boat and they were excited to get started on our trip.  We met Ken and Jackie last year in Nanaimo as we were dock walking and looking at boats.  We had wonderful conversations and told them they should join us this year as we made the trip to Desolation Sound.  We kept in contact all winter and now we were beginning our trip.  Next stop-Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island.

Calm seas and flat water saw us all the way to Stuart Island, our jumping off point before entering Canada.  The plan was to meet the other two boats there and then all caravan north.  John and Penny, aboard Second Wind, had travelled with us last year when we went to Princess Louisa, and their friends Comador and Lee Ann were in Roche Harbor area doing Coast Guard Auxillary duties as part of the First Nations yearly canoe paddle in events.  John and Penny own a 32 foor Bayliner and Comador and Lee Ann own a 24 foot Bayliner.  Our Willard and K & J's Grand Banks anchored and reafted together for the evening to have dinner.  A wonderfully peaceful night followed as we prepared to meet up with everyone the next day.

Toasting the first night with an 06' Abeja Merlot

July 24th
A morning phone call to John  and Penny found them exhausted and thinking they would cross to Bedwell Harbor to clear customs and spend the night there.  We decided we would cross to clear customs and head up to Montague Harbor for the night.  Customs................we do not mind going through Canada Customs, they are nice, helpful and thorough.  This time we were taxed for the extra wine we brought aboard for our expected length of stay.  $144.46 to be exact.  That was OK, since we have yet to find quality wines in Canad we enjoy drinking.  Soon we were on our way north again heading to Montague Harbor.  Radio contact with John & Penny had them clearing customs soon and deciding to join us in Montague.

Heading up Plumper Sound on the way to Montague Harbor.



Sunny skies and smooth water get us to Montague by 2:30.  Montague is always a popular plae and we were fortunate to find two empty buoys for us.  A couple of hours later Second Wind and Flyer join us.  Second WInd gets a buoy and Flyer makes it to a space on the dock for the evening.  We row over to Second Wind and have dinner with John & Penny.  The evening settles in with a nice sunset.

Sunset in Montague Harbor

7-25
I get up early and row to shore for an early stroll. The idea of starting the outboard at 6 in the morning just seems wrong. Montague Harbor is flat and quiet this morning.  I row back to the boat and start the coffee. We carry a stovetop Bialletti Espresso maker for all our trips. Full bodied, rich coffee is one of our vices.

Morning in Montague

Nothing quite like a harbor at rest in the morning.  Breakfast of sausage and eggs and we are ready to start the day. Katie goes with Ken and Jackie for a walk on the white shell beach while I try to help Comadore solve a engine starting problem and no GPS signal on board Flyer.  The engine seemd flooded and we eventually got it going.  The GPS, well that was another story. No signal so no chartplotter working.  Flyer is now on paper charts until we get to Nanaimo and get some electrical help.  Everyone returns and we are ready to move on to Thetis Island Marina where we plan to lay over for a day.  10:30 and we are underway.  Well, almost everyone.  Flyers engine shuts down and they loose all electrical power.  Thetis is not too far away and John and Penny decide they can tow Flyer there.  Everyone aboard Second Wind and Flyer are well practiced in towing boats in their duties and Coast Guard Auxillary members.  Nice people to have a long on our trip.  Let the towing begin............................

Second Wind towing Flyer :-(

We all settle in to a short run to Thetis and arrange for a mechanic to meet us there.  The trip proves uneventful for us and pretty boring and helpless for Comador and Lee Ann.  1:00 and we arrive at Thetis.  Adam, at the dock, is a great person  we met last year and we are happy he is there to help get the engine problem diagnosed.  It looks like it is an ignition switch issue and a loose wire located in a remote area behind the engine.  The group heads up to the Pub for the great burgers, yam fries and a cold Sleemans Honey Brown Ale to wash it down.  Our convoy of boats manages to fill up one finger of the Marina.

The "Fleet" at rest in Thetis Island Marina

Conversations center around getting Flyers problems solved and as a group we decide the smart thing to do is to run up to Nanaimo instead of laying over and get more access to parts, help and facilities.  Evening settles in and after the big burgers we decide to snack through dinner tonight.  Next morning....on to Nanaimo.

More to come as we head north...........