Princess Louisa to Jericho Beach (return trip)

We completed the return trip home with only our starboard side engine and the pull of the wind in our sails.  We left Princess Louisa Inlet in the early morning so that we could ride the lowering tide out, and made it all the way to Green Bay on Nelson Island after about a 10 hour day.  

Putting the anchor down was not a problem; however the next morning when we tried to leave, Cap’n Adam was once again forced to dig deep.   Here we were in a small bay, in a catamaran with only 1 functional motor, and an increasing wind blowing us in exactly the wrong direction.  Add to that our batteries were run down and weren’t able to start our functioning motor until the solar panels charged them back up, we had a generator that refused to start, and we realized that our batteries may be too spent to raise the anchor.  Plus, it was now low tide and rocks were poking out of the water that weren’t there when we put the anchor down.

Thankfully it was a sunny day and we got the starboard side engine started after some time to solar charge.  Shannon and Shawn stayed at the bow and slowly, incrementally raised the anchor as battery power and boat alignment allowed.  Cap’n Adam directed everyone’s activities, negotiated boat alignment as best he could, and monitored battery function.  My duty was to hop into the dinghy and help direct the catamaran as needed by ramming into the hull.  My job was definitely the most fun.

Once the anchor was off the bottom, Cap’n Adam had no choice but to give’r and without incident we cruised right out of the bay as if we planned it that way.  I followed behind in the dingy for a while, but once we were all clear I joined the crew onboard and settled in for the day’s journey to Pender Harbour.

At Pender Harbour, we were really hoping to get onto the dock so we could plug into shore power.  Shawn and I were sent ahead in the dinghy to do reconnaissance.  Amazingly there was a spot on the end of the dock with enough room for us, so I stayed on dock to catch the line while Shawn headed back to help direct the boat with ramming power.  Once again, looking like we actually had things under control, we were able to dock and enjoy the rest of the day playing in the sun and water.

The next morning we dropped Shannon and Shawn off at the bus (Thanks for coming, guys!), stocked up on a few more provisions, got the boat cleaned up, and headed back out.  Knowing that our friends Mike & Jeanette were kayaking over to Thormanby Island, we decided to make that our destination for the night.  We visited them at Buccaneer Bay Provincial Marine Park.

From there we headed to Plumper Cove, and the next day we headed back to Vancity.  On a beam reach we hoisted the mainsail up for the first time this trip, and with the power of the jib we got into Vancouver in good time.  She’s anchored down at Jericho Beach, and a mechanic is coming Monday morning to see what needs to be done.

Day 1 - Jericho Beach to Plumper Cove

Day 1 of this year’s “2012 British Columbia Summer Boating Adventure to Princess Louisa Inlet!” was the Friday evening after a busy work week for the entire crew.  While Shannon & Shawn spent their 9-5 daytime hours at their respective places of employment, Cap’n Adam & First-Mate Erin did all their own food prep & shopping, work-related conference calling, dog-sitter arranging and drop-offing, apartment cleaning, and laundry.

Once everyone’s work and preparations were complete, we met at Jericho Beach where Thunderpussy had been anchored for a week since fireworks.  We fired up the motors, lifted the anchor, ate some late dinner, and headed out west toward the mouth of Howe Sound.

This year we are headed all the way up to Princess Louisa Inlet, at the farthest tip of Jervis Inlet.  When talking to more seasoned British Columbia boaters, this is one of THE spots for people who are able to get there.  The magnificence of the snow-capped fjords and the beauty of the landscape and waterfalls at the end of the inlet are legendary to those care enough to give us their opinions.  But inlets seem to be a test of my courage – because the farther you travel into an inlet, the farther you have to travel to exit back out of it.  And Princess Louisa Inlet is deep, deep into the mainland of British Columbia.  This is going to be quite an adventure!

Passing south of Bowen Island we said goodbye to the sun for the day.  In the dark we rounded a cluster of small islands (including Worlcombe Island, Popham Island, Little Popham Island, Pasley Island, Mickey Island, Silver Island, Hermit Island, & Ragged Island) before reaching Keats Island and dropping the hook at Plumper Cove.  And then we enjoyed some well deserved Rum Shots and comfy, comfy boat beds!