21 Jul 18

After a quiet night in the marina, we stocked up on supplies (what little was available from the store), had a shower and tried (again, without success) to connect to the internet and cell services. Well, we are out here in the boonies to get away from it all, after all. After an excellent hamburger from the outside restaurant barbecue, we were off again at 12:30, headed for Forward Harbor. The wind was foul all the way, but not more than 20 knots We motored up Mayne Channel, turned left into Cordero Channel again and immediately went through Greens Point Rapids at high water slack. The ebb was a bit slow in getting going, so we did not get much assistance from the current. Along the way, I attempted to pump out boat holding tanks, which are about 1/2 full, but neither one of the macerator pumps would work. They sound seized up, but probably from lack of use rather than anything that has come through the tank. At 14:45, we were well up into Wellbore Channel and went through Whirlpool Rapids at peak flow; maximum current with us was about 3.5 knots, but not very much turbulence, so it was no big deal. Just after the rapids, we turned into Forward Harbour and anchored in Douglas Bay at 15:20, with 17 other boats. I spent about 1.5 hours trying to get the macerator pumps working, but to no avail. The water temperature is 53 F, so it got cold just after sunset. We had an early night.

50-28.965’N, 125-45.227’W; Log 14.4, Sum (2018) = 342.4 N-m

22 Jul 18

Blissful, pleasant quiet night in Douglas Bay. I heard some of the other boats starting to get underway just after 05:00, but soon went back to sleep. When we got up at 09:00, we were the only two boats left in the anchorage. We had already decided to spend a lay day here, so we decided to relocate the anchor to shallower water and a slightly more sheltered location closer to the shore. After that, all fleet auxiliaries were deployed; i.e., we rigged up both dinghies for sailing and put both kayaks in the water. The Admirals kayaked and John and I sailed all the way to the head of Forward Harbour, where there apparently (according to the guide book) used to be a marina, but there is no sign of it now. We all got back to the boat in time for a quick swim - well, John and I had a quick dip, anyway - and then it was time for happy hour. After a light meal, we knocked off early as we are up early tomorrow to catch the tide and arrive at Port Neville before the wind gets up too much in Johnstone Straight.