Day 3 - False Bay (Lasqueti) to Comox Harbour

Inspired by watching several other boats pull up their anchor and sail (not motor) out of False Bay, we decided to do the same. Shortly after breakfast we were back into the Georgia Strait. But this time, we hoisted a third sail, our baby jib. It came with the boat, but we hadn’t used it yet or even had the opportunity to figure it all out. That is, until today.

We altered our bearings to see how different angles of wind would change the shape of the sails. We tacked, and discovered how the boat and all of its running rigging came around with our third sail in play. As fun and informative as this was for a few hours, we realized we had not gotten any closer (like, at all) to our destination of Tribune Bay on Hornby Island. So, down came the two jibs while the main sail remained hoisted, and we motored until we reached our sandy beach lunch anchorage.

Not quite finished with the innovation yet, Marla from Cooper Boating and Adam decided to haul out our spinnaker (also yet to be christened) from the depths of the anchor locker. The previous owners had barely used it either, so it is in excellent condition. Unfortunately, much to Cap’n Adam’s chagrin, this sail has some hot pink accents on it. It will make Thunderpussy look fabulous!!!

With spinnaker all ready to go, we left our lunch spot and headed through Lambert Channel between Hornby and Denman Islands. The wind had died by this point, so our spinnaker sits waiting for its maiden unfurling.

We found a spot to anchor for the night in Comox Harbour. To our surprised delight, we realized the plenitude of boats on the hook had amassed for the 53^rd Annual Comox Nautical Days! Canons going off, Elvis impersonators, and a firework finale completed this lovely day for us.

Day 2 – Secret Cove (Sunshine Coast) to False Bay (Lasqueti Island)

We awoke to foggy but clearing skies. After stopping briefly for a few provisions, we headed out into the chuck by mid-morning. Another great day for sailing, we hoisted both the jib and the mainsail. Shannon and I practiced our navigation by charting our course and using our hand-held compass to establish fixes of our location, advising the boys when to change course and what our new bearings should be.

Our first destination was Bull Passage between Texada and Lasqueti Islands. The steep cliffs of this throughway eventually brought us to Jedediah Island, where we threw down the anchor, had lunch, then dingied to shore and explored the volcanic rock and warm lagoon.

After swimming and solar bag showers for some off of the stern, up came the anchor and we continued our journey west along the north coast of Lasqueti. The wind was directly in our face, which is not good for sailing unless we were willing to tack (zig-zag) to our destination. Which we were not.

Harden the sails for a close reach. Ease the sails for a broad reach. A beam reach would be ideal. But you can’t sail if the boat is in irons.

About supper time we entered False Bay of Lasqueti Island. Joining the company of about a dozen other boats, we dropped the anchor, poured ourselves some drinks, and enjoyed the sunset.