A Blustery Overnighter

Wanting to try out some of my modifications and get an overnighter in before the extended trip to Desolation Sound later this summer I headed out on a solo overnighter July 10th.  Destination the head of Port Graves Bay on Gambier Island where I planned spend the night either tie up to the wharf a Camp Artaban or at anchor in the shallower head of the bay.

Five minutes to the ramp and half hour to rig then in the water.  There was a high wind warning by I chose to go anyways because our corner of Howe Sound is generally sheltered when compared to the southern Howe Sound or the Georgia Strait itself.  Wrong.  The trip over started fully reefed southerlies and just got windier.  Eventually I doused the sail and used the Honda.  Waves to coming from the Halkett Bay quarter and up to one meter.  

With some relief I made it to the relatively shelved waters of Port Graves Bay around 1300 hrs.   The public dock at Camp Artaban looks small and tricky to approach with the wind at our stern so I moved to the head of the bay and dropped the six poound Northill anchor that dug in nicely.   Lots of anchor rode  paid out and Fib was swinging smartly in the sun and wind gusts.

Thinking Plumper Cove Marine Park on Keats Island may be a more comfy tie up for the night I decided to ride out the winds at anchor until early evening when same winds were forecast to drop off then make my way to Keats.

Spent the remainder of the afternoon tidying, reading, and snacking while being blown around through about a 45 degreed arc and whitecaps.  At one point a power boat came by to ask if I was ok.  Fib felt very secure.

Around 1730 hrs I topped up the fuel in the Honda, checked the sail reefing and furling, stowed loose items and weighed anchor.  I probably should have been less impatient and left later because I ended up motoring directly into the same winds that blew me into the bay and making minimal headway.  Seas were still very wavy when I eventually exited the bay and at one point considered running back into Centre Bay for shelter.  As forecast the winds did eventually drop and I was able to motor and sail  to Plumper Cove where I tied up to the dock for the night.  

The next day I enjoyed a couple of hours of spirited sailing before back to the ramp at Gibsons Marina and home.

Fully reefed and ripping along

Rocking and rolling at anchor

So excited that I put hat on backwards

Plumper Cove dock for the night

Successful trial of the new tiller tamer

New inflatable air mattress was a huge hit 

Fuel much easier to store and dispense with these one
litre bottles rather than the four litre jerry can 

Anchor rode is stowed in the small compartment in the starboard stern
and passes through a small hole in the cover.  Very tidy.

My house is near  the top of that community

Useful little power supply unit for phone, headlamp, etc.

My clever little travel snack kit