Johnstone Strait is windier than forecast, so my destination
today is Blind Channel.
In order to get to Blind Channel I have to transit Gillard
Passage and Dent Rapids. Slack water is early in the morning (~6 am, turn to
ebb) and around noon (turn to flood). Since I’m heading north, the turn to ebb
is preferable since I’ll get a boost from the current the whole way to Blind
Channel.
The ebb today isn’t that swift; only 6.5 knots. And I’ve
been told the ebbs are smoother and easier to navigate than the floods. Since
I’m traveling in a small, maneuverable planing-hulled boat I decided to go
through the rapids with the current running!
I left the Stuart Island dock a little before 9:00 am, right
at the time of max ebb. I started into Gillard Pass at displacement speed, just
to see what it was like. Lots of swirls and upwellings, but few major
whirlpools, overfalls, etc. Still, I didn’t like going slowly through the
rapids. The boat responded slowly to steering corrections, and they were
constantly needed. So I sped up. Once on plane, everything was easy, much like
going through Deception Pass when the current is running. Still, I DON’T
RECOMMEND ANY BOATERS TRANSIT RAPIDS ANY TIME OTHER THAN SLACK WATER.
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| This was the only whirlpool I saw, and it was easy to steer around. |
After getting through the rapids I slowed to displacement
speed and putt-putted my way to Blind Channel. This is a beautiful area, and
the sun was shining once again.
 |
| Beautiful views everywhere... |
Blind Channel is a neat spot and a well-run marina. Trails
lead through the forest. One trail leads to a massive, 800-year-old cedar tree.
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| Here I am with the massive, 800-year-old cedar tree. |
Only one other boat was at the dock when I arrived. The
owners of that boat, Wayne and Pam, are from Squamish, and they built the
44-foot En Spiritu themselves. It’s a
beautiful boat (I wish I had taken a picture…). Tonight is the first night the
Blind Channel restaurant is open, and I enjoyed dinner with Wayne and Pam. The
food is good and the view from the restaurant is wonderful.
The weather tomorrow looks good for the trip up Johnstone
Strait. Today, I’m sure, was terrible. Winds up to 30 knots!
16.5 nm today
225.9 nm total
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