Summer Cruising: Wallace Island

For the fourth video in my Summer Cruising Series, I visit Wallace Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands.  This is another very popular destination in the Gulf Islands that offers much to see and do.  I blame the nice weather, but I was surprised at the number of boats that were there during my visit, as compared to September visits in the past.

I hope you enjoy this video, which offers a quick look at Wallace Island.  I’ve enjoyed creating these videos, and learn a bit more in the process with each one.

This video was shot with my DJI Osmo camera and DJI Phantom 3 Standard quadcopter.

Memorial Day Weekend – Hunter Bay

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Saturday, May 25
I began the weekend not intending to go boating. I don’t particularly care for boating on holiday weekends. Having the work schedule that I do, I have opportunities to get out when others can’t, so I prefer to avoid the holiday crowds when possible. But moreover, the same blessed work schedule would only allow for an overnight getaway, so I figured I would just hang around home. Perhaps do some yard work or tackle some other neglected home projects. Or maybe even chip away at my Netflix queue.

Then the phone rang.
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Sucia – Memorial Day Weekend

May 27-30
Distance: 44.1 nm
Engine Hours: 6
Moorage: State Park linear tie. $10/ night.

Departed Cap Sante Friday evening after taking care of some chores at home- a few hours after Briar Patch, Enough Time, and Ghost. A nice run except a breeze out of the southwest left the windshield salty.

Arrived in Echo Bay to find the other boats tied to the linear tie, so I slipped in and joined the fleet. I've used the linear ties in the past, and have found them to be a nice alternative. With two boats stern to stern on each side of the tie, we ran a line across and cinched the parallel lines together, bringing the boats closer together- making stepping between boats possible. Amazingly, nobody went swimming during a crossing. 

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It was a wonderful weekend, with weather that couldn't be beat. We took some great hikes on the island, cruised in the dinghies, and shared some laughs. Marina neighbors, "Windwalker" and "Diver's Inn" were also in the bay, and joined the fun.

The run home Monday was very pleasant, cruising the entire way at displacement speed of around seven knots. On nice water, this is a very comfortable way to cruise- turn up the music, have some snacks, and enjoy the scenery that otherwise goes by quickly. The next fuel-up I'll have a better idea if slowing down is truly more efficient for my boat. 

 

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Reid Harbor, Garrison Bay…

"Cruising has two pleasures. One is to go out in wider waters from a sheltered place. The other is to go into a sheltered place from wider waters."


– Howard Bloomfield

 

Sunday, July 25

Cap Sante to Reid Harbor

Distance: 28 nautical miles

Moorage: Anchored

 

Nice run to Reid Harbor, where I met up with Ghost to raft together.  It’s obvious that summer has arrived judging by the boat traffic.

 

It was a very pleasant evening, so Brett and I decided to take a dinghy cruise.  We ran out John’s Pass into Boundary Pass, where we encountered a pod of Orcas heading south.  It is quite thrilling to be close to orcas in a 9 foot boat!  Amazing experience.

 

Continue reading “Reid Harbor, Garrison Bay…”