Springtime sail

Anchored in Pirates Cove

Spring has definitely returned to southwestern British Columbia!

We got away for a 4-night/5-day cruise to and from the Gulf Islands over the Easter weekend. Mostly sunny weather. We started out with 2 nights on a mooring buoy in Montague Harbour, 1 night anchored in Clam Bay, and finally 1 night anchored in Pirates Cove. (It has been years since we last anchored in Pirates Cove, as it is usually overcrowded and notorious for anchor dragging. But is was nearly empty and calm this Easter.)

Finished off with a good sail fully across Georgia Strait after transiting Gabriola Passage.

 
At end of the sailing, off Stanley Park, starting the engine we found no water pumping out. We quickly dropped anchor and David troubleshooted things, including pulling the raw water pump impeller (which was OK). Putting it all back together, all was working fine. We think the bouncy sail produced an air lock in the raw water circuit, something we've never seen on Pelagia. We arrived back at home berth, perhaps 2 hours late.

A very nice weekend (despite the drama at the end).

Easter 2025 cruise: motor (blue) and sail (green)

 

 

Another short cruise: Gulf Islands

Pelagia anchored in Princess Cove (Wallace Island)

A last-minute decision -- made 10am in Squamish -- we had a short weather window (4-5 days), so we headed out on Pelagia. Made it across Georgia Strait (motoring, no wind) to Dogfish Bay (Kendrick Island) just as it was getting dark. It was quite cool outside (approx. 7 deg C), but our hydronic heating kept us warm (turned off while sleeping!).

Next morning, we motored in the sun through Gabriola Passage then down to Wallace Island, anchoring alone (free swinging) in Princess Bay (a major benefit of cruising in the Fall... Mid-May through mid-September, Princess Cove would be packed with stern-tied boats, and free-swinging "discouraged").

Went for the usual hike to Chivers Point (approximately 2 hrs return). Later in the afternoon, we fired-up our Dickinson heater (first time since the williwaws in Anna Inlet, in 2022) -- this kept the main cabin even toastier than the hydronic furnace (both systems provide hot water for showers, etc). Not needed under the covers in our v-berth.

Wallace Island had some particularly large mushrooms!

On the dinghy heading back to Pelagia

 

We had hoped to meet up with friends Wayne and Lee on SV Chanter, but with such short notice, they were already booked. Maybe next time.

Weather forecast was for really nasty winds (and rain) and combined with timing of slack current in the passes, we decided to cross back across Georgia Strait a day earlier. Rather than going back to our berth at the Vancouver Rowing Club, however, we decided to spend a night at the VRC outstation dock at Snug Cove (Bowen Island). The trip across was mostly a motor, but we did get a nice gentle sail for 5nm.

Next morning, we headed back to our VRC berth and then drove home to Squamish. The bad weather started that night (winds up to 40kn, plus rain).

A nice trip, but far too short!

Our route (approximately 88 nm)