Pierless Blog - 2025-06-11 - Launch

 Day 1, June 11:

It has been a frustration 10 days...  One of the pre-launch projects was to install a new propeller shaft.  There were several problems with how the new shaft was manufactured and after three attempts we decided to just go with the old shaft and deal with the new one after the trip.  This change in perspective was thanks to Tracy when we told her we were likely to cancel the trip entirely.  Her wise comment was "why not just put the old one back in?  It got you here from Mexico."  Sometimes you can get too close to a problem and need a little independent perspective...

 Pre Launch

Due to tides, our launch was scheduled for 4 p.m.  No problems with the launch (leaks, engine, etc.), so we headed out of Anacortes determined to make as many miles as possible before dark.  We selected a few possibilities to choose from, depending on our speed along the way.  Our hope was to make it to Canoe Island near the east side of Shaw.  Dave has a long-time relationship with the camp there, so it would be a nice place to visit.

It was a slow start down Guemes Channel as the current was against us.  Once into Rosario Strait the current was less of a problem and we had enough wind to motor-sail.  This upped our speed above 7 knots, so Canoe Island was looking realistic like a realistic goal!

View from Canoe Isl

Entering Thatcher Pass the winds died - back to motoring.  We passed a few ferries as well as other boats.   Arriving at Canoe Island / Indian Cove around 9:00, we dropped anchor and settled in for the night.  We had light to moderate winds all night, but slept well.

-Brian

=========================================


Comments

  1. Tamara DavisJune 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM

    Hey Brother! So happy you are finally on your Canadian sailing adventure… long time coming. Wish I could have joined you for a portion of this exploration and discovery… how fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tamara DavisJune 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM

    Wondering about your time line…
    Planning a Nevitt get together noonish on July 3rd in Anacortes at Cousin Bills place… hope you can make it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are now open to everyone.

Popular posts from this blog

Pierless Blog - 2025 - Vancouver Island Circumnavigation

Image
 Pierless Adventures - Vancouver Island 2025 I bought Pierless in Mazatlan, MX.  In 2023, I sailed north from Mazatlan, leaving the boat in Ventura California.  Last year I finished the trip north, bringing Pierless home to Washington after 3,000 miles of solo sailing. This year I will enjoy taking trips that I want to do versus trips I have to do - starting with a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island during the month of June.  This is a good month for the trip as fog won't be as prevalent, days will be longer and the coastal winds have made their shift to the NW, allowing for better sailing home on the outer coast.  The plan is to circle the island counter-clockwise to make the best use of these winds.. I will have company on this trip in the person of Dave.  He will meet me in Anacortes where I keep the boat.  We plan to move north on the east coast of the island quickly.  Once in the vicinity of the Broughton Marine Provincial Park, we will slo...
Read more

Pierless Adventures - April 20 - Cabo San Lucas

Image
 We got an early start today.  I had to check in with the harbor master and with immigration.  There were boat projects to do, and a new town to explore. The marina is quite nice.  Clear restrooms and showers.  Things mostly work.  The waterfront is very busy with tourists.  Lots of gift shops and restaurants competing for our traveling dollars. I had some hardware to look for, so made a list of possible locations and put them on the map the marina folks gave us.  I would check shops to and from the harbor master office and immigration.  It warmed up early, so I had a warm walk to the harbor master.  After getting our entry and departure papers, I checked on the first hardware shop.  Mostly car parts... Immigration was next after about a mile walk back toward the harbor.  It was much like a DMV back home.  A long counter with staff and three rows of chairs that people were sitting in.  It wasn't clear how things worke...
Read more