Sandys counterclockwise circumnavigation Vancouver Island

Sandy is now docked at Zeballos. I hope he enjoys the fish plant. That's the only business in town since the logging industry took a hit.

It'll be easy downwind from now; one trip from Nootka down to Hot Springs Cove and then it gets even easier (we hope.) Congratulations, Sandy.

Boris
 
He didn't spend long in Zabellos and now headed for Tahsis. That tracking device is a really nice feature.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Well, I have Internet....sort of...so I can respond. In fact, I think I'll do 2 replies: this one to vent a pet peeve; and then a second one to reply to your comments and to update everyone as to what's happening.

My vent....

I had no idea how poor connectivity would be on this trip....even on the east side of the island. Forget cell. Yeah, you get it occasionally, but I hardly expect it to see it ever (east side was better in this respect).. Internet is my real complaint. Many marinas advertise that they have Internet, but much of the time it's useless. The most common problem is that sure they have Internet, but you only can connect if you are at the dock near the office or where ever the router must be. Also other boat's antennas interfere; on the east side where the BIG yachts are, it's worse since those boats typically have satellite dishes of their own, or their own Starlink. All that electromagnetism buries the signal from the router. There are also incompatibilities. You see a network on your device, but because of some router misconfiguration, it rejects your connection attempt. Other situations are like a Winter Harbor where the marina just converted to Starlink (I've heard that several times on this trip), but at Winter Harbor, they must have made a deal since you have to sign up with Starlink to get the service. They charged $15/day! Outrageous (but I paid). Here I am in Tahsis where they seem to have everything. I was so happy....finally I could watch Youtube videos of parts of the network news programs I like (I'm a bit of a political junkie). And sure enough when I sat at their outdoor bar, it was great.....but at my boat NONEXISTENT.

My conclusion is don't think you're going to have Internet even when they say you will. If you really want to stay in communication this Inreach satellite system is the cat's meow. It works every where; it works all the time. You can only send text (160 characters at a time). No photos or anything like that. I have loved the Inreach I have. I "talk" everyday to the people I care about (Harvey, you know who you are :-).
 
Now for my "real" reply.....

Daybreak, you ask about bugs. I hate them too. But they aren't that bad. I used to be a backpacker. Bugs in the mountains are FAR worse than anything I've seen on this trip. There always a few mosquitos, especially at that magic evening time, but usually a few kills in the cabin handles the problem (altho I do tend to have a few bites around my elbows and places like that). There is one real problem....horse flies. Actually, I don't think they are actually horse flies because they are too small (maybe twice the size of a common house fly), and too easy to kill. In the mountains we called flies like these deer flies. Occasionally they can be pretty bad and they will take a chunk out of you if you are talking to someone or whatever and don't pay attention. They are not every where, and they seemed worse on the east side. If you're moving they aren't a problem.

Journey on....thanks for the encouragement. I must say I feel I've earned it. Coming down this west side ain't for the faint of heart. You have to minimize bad decisions and keep blostering your courage and commitment (especially being alone). It would be pretty easy to give up on the goal if you let yourself.

Journey on and Hardee, yep, I didn't stay at Zeballos long (less than 18 hours). I didn't like the place. It had a negative vibe for me. It's a dying place IMHO...and it feels like it. I am preferring Tahsis much more.

Yep, I do feel that I am on the downhill leg. I still have Estevan Point to do, but it's not very many miles. I think I have a wind window on Monday. So I have laundry, etc, etc to do here tomorrow (Saturday); then I will leave Sunday and stay near the my departure point. Early morning departures are mandatory (usually 6am). Looks like the wind is back starting Tuesday..... and I agree, once I'm in Tofino, I will feel I'm essentially home. If I have to stay a few days for weather, Tofino ain't a bad place to hang out. From there, if conditions are good, I might even do a 100 mile leg all the way to Victoria. From there it's duck soup....I'll be in my home turf <grin>!
 
Sandy, Good to hear you are going to stick around there for Sat. I will be off line until early Sunday if then. Fluid plans. Also, look up the Port Albernie Yacht Club outpost. I believe it is on Fleming Island. I know it is close to Robbers Passage. A good place to spend some dock time, and well protected. It is across Trevor Channel from Bamfield. on the NE side of the islands there.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Sandy, stop by Nootka, now shown on charts as Yuquot, even if just for a few hours. It was the only Northwest port for years. The Spanish started it, Capt Cook visited it and it was a main trading point. It's got a long pebbly beach and everything is down by the pier. There's also Bligh Island where Capt Cook repaired his ships. That's a good harbour in which to wait.

Just a suggestion, you're the captain.

Boris
 
Sandy, I got back pretty late., but all safe and sound. I have been contemplating your question. Will have to give it a nights rest and do some more mulling tomorrow. I will be up and off again early Sunday. See you on the dock there tonight and will check track tomorrow PM.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Sandy, when we went from Hot Springs we took the back channels to Tofino; a great cruise. Plenty of places Watch the markers. Though this comment may be a day late.

When we made it up then down to Ucluelet, we explored Barkley Sound and found it fascinating, especially amongst the islands. We stayed at the municipal marina at Ucluelet. But even more interesting was the Port Albernie Yacht Club outpost, on Fleming Island, mentioned by hardee. There we found several boats/people who were circumnavigating Vancouver Island.

If I'm right next stop is Victoria, so take your time and see the sights.

Congratulations on making it this far in fine shape. We used Port Albernie as our starting point so didn't get to do the ride througe San Juad de Fuce Straights to Victoria. Again, congratulations and don't screw it up now.

Boris
 
journey on":124m80mb said:
Sandy, when we went from Hot Springs we took the back channels to Tofino; a great cruise.
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Yes, but if you go around the front of Flores Island you will see loads of humpbacks (that's why it is called Cow Bay). There are also seamounts offshore that just show some kelp. Fishing a buzz bomb guarantees 20 coho an hour (assuming the area is still open). Decisions, decisions. On the backside of Flores, be sure to stop at the Ahousat General Store. I wonder if the old-timer is still running it?

Reading this thread makes me anxious, especially now that the Black Ball Port Angeles to Victoria is back in operation. If I catch the first morning ferry, I can have lunch in Nanaimo and launch in Tofino in the afternoon. I could be back before my wife misses me.
 
The end may not be exactly in sight, but you can see the glow around the corner. Take your time, your are only going around once.

Sure sorry the hot pools aren't open. I would have based my whole trip on a couple of hour long soaks there.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I have just the iffy-ish of cell connections. It comes and goes from 1 bar to no service. But I think I can just get this post off before I move on.

journey on":1yetcoxc said:
Sandy, when we went from Hot Springs we took the back channels to Tofino; a great cruise.
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That's pretty much what I plan to do. I'm quite enjoying hanging around these little coves (no other boats so far) now that I don't feel the pressure of those future roundings weighing on my shoulders. Today, I will navigate thru Sulphur Passage and end up in West Whitepine Cove (if I ever getting my ass in gear.....I'm the type who loves to hangout in the mornings).

journey on":1yetcoxc said:
If I'm right next stop is Victoria, so take your time and see the sights.
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More or less right. I will cruise Clayoquot Sound for the next few days (sunny weather predicted) ending up in Tofino. Looks like the winds outside will abate this weekend, so I might make a dash then, or if necessary just wait in Tofino. I mistakenly said last time that I might do the 100 miles from Tofino to Victoria; that was wrong. What I wanted to say is that I may do a 100 mile dash from Barkley Sound to Victoria. So once I leave Tofino, I will stop in Barkley Sound. I'm pretty sure I will do the dash after that unless I'm forced to seek shelter. In any case, I doubt I will be sightseeing much....after 7 weeks basically spending nearly every minute on this boat, with constant packing up most mornings, setting up the settee bed every night, etc, etc, I am really looking forward to getting home. This horse smells the barn!!

journey on":1yetcoxc said:
Congratulations on making it this far in fine shape.
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Thanks. It certainly takes determination. I don't know about "fine shape", I have had some break downs, but nothing serious or truly dangerous. The secret, as you all know, is having the time to wait.

Marco Flamingo":1yetcoxc said:
Yes, but if you go around the front of Flores Island you will see loads of humpbacks
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Yeah, I should be doing more of that kind of stuff, but for me, this trip has been all about circumnavigating the island, not sight seeing. I may never get back to these bays, so it's kind of a shame that I am not exploring more, but I'm OK with that. Frankly, I did not expect that my "focus on the goal" would dominate my being as much as it has, but c'est la vie. The main thing is that I did it.
 
Sandy, your circumnavigation is a pretty big accomplishment. It is worth being focused on, as focus helps ensure safety -- a worthy goal. Sightseeing is a byproduct of the trip. Worth doing but only if the goal is maintained.

You are doing great so far, and one of the few C-Dorys to round the big island on the left.

Take care and enjoy.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Sandy,
2 things. First, let's bring this post back up to the top. Next, when you reach internet again , hurry up and get to Barkley Sound. Don't want you rushing through, so much to see. ISLANDS in the north, Indian camps, yachting outposts and even Uclulet for a day. I will admit that where you are today is great, but there's more to come.

Boris
 
Have cell for a bit. Journey on, Sorry to disappoint you, but I've had it. I only care about one thing at this point....getting home as fast as I safely can. I'm tired of a portapotti, tired of setting up and tearing down the sette to sleep every night, tired of worrying about the conditions on the ocean, tired of a quickie shower every 3 days, tired of keeping the batteries charged....you get the idea. I've spent every night and morning on the boat for 8 weeks with ZERO breaks....this 77 year old is worn out 😉😃. Great trip though. VERY glad I did it. Also I figure I can come back to west VI as far north as Tofino (where I am now) from Anacortes another time. I can sight see then when that will be the point. I hope to leave here on Sunday and get to Victoria on Monday if the weather gods cooperate. Home by Wednesday.....but that's best case.
 
Sandy, you have done a great job on this trip. You have accomplished so much so far. Doing this journey alone and to be still safely afloat and in healthy condition is much to be proud of. I have learned much with your journey in following you on Garmin Inreach and have learned much about places I would like to explore myself someday circumventing Vancouver Island. Much thanks and appreciation to you for all of your efforts. Have a great time in the rest of your travel. You are almost home. :) Stay safe! Gary
 
Sandy,

God bless you. You made the trip I wanted to and anything you want to do is OK with me. My suggestions are only suggestions and you get to plan your own trip. It's been a great one.

It's a long haul to Victoria. Make sure your gas tank is topped off.

BTW, you're listed as having a 25. Our 25 has a marine toilet and a shower. Doesn't yours?

Again, a great trip.

Boris
 
Boris, I am the previous owner of Sandy's boat (Anna Leigh). I removed the macerator, hoses, toilet, converted the waste tank to a storage area, and put in a nice porta potty (nice being subjective) which is stored in the shower area or can be moved to the cockpit also. I was on the second macerator.
 
(Sent from Tofino....a place I've learned to dislike)

Thanks David for explaining.

A story....when I looked a David's boat (I bought it in 2014), there was so much to love about it. David made many clever modifications that I still enjoy today. However, there was one thing I was not crazy about....he had removed the marine toilet and replaced it with a portapotti. I was used to sailboats, and this seemed a step backwards to me.

Well, after a year or so, I ended up totally agreeing with David's modification. Not only do marine toilets have messy breakdowns (as bugged David), but since in my local waters you have to have a holding tank pumped out, I think I would find them inconvenient. I like the fact that, if I've been gone a few days, I don't have to go to a marina for a pump out. I just go home (boat on trailer in its boathouse), and I easily remove the portapotti tank, and dump it in my septic system. And guess what....I've never had a pumping problem!!

Wish me luck, I start the last rough water legs tomorrow. Plan to get to Bamfield tomorrow, and then with luck (meaning how much planning I can do) Victoria on Monday. 150 miles total (and it's been a gale out there today)
 
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