day 3 - Copeland Islands to Cortes Island (Lo50°00.0’L124°48.0’)

In our private hidden anchorage nestled in the Copeland Islands, we took our time making breakfast and enjoying our surroundings before lifting anchor. There was even some time to throw a hook off of the stern, which reeled in 2 rock cod and a baby ling cod. The rock cod became prawn bait, the lovely ling cod was unhooked and thrown back to the sea. A short but super-awesome journey up to Cortes Island was complete before lunch time. We dropped a prawn trap in about 300 feet of water outside Cortes, and a crab trap in about 50 feet of water just outside Cortes Bay. As we pulled up to the marina, 4 ships much larger than ours departed on their own journeys, freeing up some highly coveted dock space. The crew was treated to warm showers, a hike on the island, and a swim in a local fresh water lake. An evening feast of locally caught prawns with friends who live on Cortes completed our day. We slept tied to the dock, knowing that our next day's journey was going to be another long one.

Maps of our journey so far...

Day 1 - Ladner to Thormanby Island

Day 2 - Thormanby to Copeland Islands

Day 3 - Copeland Islands to Cortes Island

day 2 - Thormanby Island to Copeland Islands (Lo50°00.0’L124°48.0’)

We awoke in Buccaneer Bay to clouds. But they soon burned off as we set sail for Savary Island. With a rare SouthEast wind at our stern, we hoisted both the jib and the mainsail for the first time this trip. An average of about 5 knots over 40 nautical miles brought us to the beautiful white-sand shores of Savary Island at about dinner time. After throwing down the anchor, we made contact with friends on shore who advised us against anchoring where we were overnight. The more common NorthWest wind would be kicking up to 10-15 knots, enough to blow us onshore. So, up came the anchor and we motored a further hour or so to the serene and desolate Copeland Islands. Sunset found us alone, quiet and protected.