Effective Nov. 30, 2005 this server will be shut down. All information is being transfered to http://cowichanbay.net so make a note of that address. Direct URL addresses will still work but will be on the new server. Just look under the Internet heading.

 

Sailing Adventures
The "Sea Queue"

I have had a number of interesting cruises to some nice areas, some of which I present here. For a clickable image map of the whole area click here. Most images are clickable for a larger view. Sorry about the quality, as I get my darkroom working they will be replaced with suitable "non-digital" images.


 

Every time I leave dock I pass the Cherry Point Marina.  When I had the Runabout it was a long trip.  Now it is just the starting point for a good day's sailing.  Funny how things change.  Oh, BTW, any pictures with a border are clickable for full screen shot.  This is an area of shore just east of the marina.


 

Heading straight east I wind up at Deep Cove on the Saanich Peninsula.  A really nice little area.  I found the moorage north of the docks (right outside the restaurant) to be excellent.  But, there was a lot of wave action from passing boats.  Spent the evening watching folk in the restaurant eating fancy seafood along with great wines.  I had Bavarian Smokies on a bun!  But then, our first overnight meal on the boat was Liver and Onions.  Which also happens to be one of our favourite foods.


 

Years ago the Bamberton Cement Plant (just south of Mill Bay) closed up shop. A developer tried to start a luxury residential area. Total failure! Then it spent a few years as an Artists Colony. That too was shut down. Now it is just a large concrete eyesore. But, it is interesting to sail past.


 

Our favourite area (rain or shine) is Genoa Bay.  This cove is just across the bay from us, so I can be there in 20 minutes or less.  Usually a good night anchoring in the bay.

One weekend the local sailing charter group brought both of their boats to the bay for an evening sail and feed. Pulled in, dropped the anchor, warmed up the old concertina and started a round of sea shanties. Nice of them to come in and entertain us...


portland island Portland Island was donated to Princess Margaret in 1958. Originally owned by a Major General Sutton. Nicknamed "One-Arm" he bought the island with winnings from the Calcutta Derby Sweeps. He cleared the island and put up a magnificent barn and facilities for his personal race horses. Princess Margaret returned it to BC for use as a Marine Park. Today the 60 plus acres of cleared land and the buildings are derelict ruins. The fruit orchards can be found on the south end of the island. royal cove Tenting spaces are plentiful and the paths are good, but steep in some places. wear good shoes! An absolutely great place to go adventuring. There are two coves to anchor on the island. Which one to use depends on the wind direction as they are both open to the weather Royal Cove (pictured at left) is sheltered from from Sou' Easters, but gets the occasional ferry wake. At the south end Princess Bay gives shelter from Nor'Westers. Unfortunately Sou' Easters are the norm. There are shore pins on the rocks and shore ties are recommended.

Bedwell Harbour is a really nice place to spend time. There is a fantastic marine park there with fixed mooring buoys. But, watch out the way folk anchor close by. I almost got run down by a huge "stink pot" cruiser registered in Grand Prairie Alberta (would really like to know how he sailed here from there). bedwell2.jpg - 27898 Bytes


 

Anettte Inlet on Prevost Island is a small sheltered moorage area. I managed to get there in the spring when there were not too many folk about. But, my guess is that it can really plug up fast. If you are pulling a keel keep to the right (starboard) going up to the end. There is a really shallow area near the north side of the upper part.anette2.jpg - 27898 Bytes
Sunsets are absolutely awesome here!


Wallace Island has a cove that is straight out of heaven for a small boater. Conover Cove is almost too small for most pleasure cruisers, but for us small boats it is great. When anchoring you have to use a shore line or stern anchor. The phrase "not enough room to swing a cat" (or boat) definitely applies here.

 

ganges.jpg - 27898 BytesI bought our boat from a fellow at Ganges on Saltspring Island and just can't help taking her back for visits. I suspect that I will have to curtail this in the summer as it has to just be too popular. But, I can't stress enough just how "Boater Friendly" the place is. Lots of room to dock or anchor (a dingy dock is there for us at anchor). You can tie up for a few hours free of charge and visit the town. Be sure and visit the craft market on the weekends!

 

Thetis Island and Telegraph Cove used to be one of my favourite spots. But, since the invention of the Personal Water Craft, it is now on the list of my places to avoid. Too bloody much noise, full of idiots and anchored full of derelict boats. If it was not for the fact that there is a good pub and restaurant there I would never go back there. But, it is a good place to put in to re-provision. And, just like the island, I have yet to find a picture I like...

 

 

About as far north as you can go and still be in the area of the Gulf Islands I find DeCourcy Island. The island is somewhat infamous as the home of "Brother Twelve" a rather colourful cult leader in the 1920's. I spent an interesting evening at anchor here. Ours is the yellow sailboat in both these pictures.
pcove2.jpg - 45254 Bytes Be prepared to use a shore line here, and watch out for the idiots in big boats who insist on using one or two anchors. A westerly wind (the prevailing one it appears) make for a rather tense stay.


This page is still under construction, so be sure and check back here often

- back to index -