Arima trip to the Broughtons (Picture Heavy)

[sikoruk]

Hello all,

We can't do much boating at the moment so I thought I'd finally get my trip report from our trip from Anacortes to the Broughtons last summer on our SR19HT posted so we can all get out on the water vicariously.

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Sunday July 21st, 2019 - 1.6 engine hours.

The Broughtons trip begins! Drove to Anacortes and put in at Cap Sante Marina via sling. We travelled to Blind Bay, Shaw Island. Anchored close to Blind Island and then fished for crab overnight unsuccessfully.







Monday July 22nd, 2019 - 6.4 engine hours
Blind Bay to Long Bay, Jeddidiah State Park. Stopped in Sidney, BC to clear customs using the old phone on the dock. No problems with customs other than we had to promise to let no part of the apples we brought ever leave the boat. Cores had to come home with us. Got fishing licenses, some ice cream, and some amazing huge blueberries while in Sidney. Transited Dodd narrows with a tug towing a barge going the other way. Stopped in Nanaimo for fuel (109.340 liters @ $170.25can) and to check the weather. Crossed the Strait of Georgia to Jeddidiah. Big water! A bit rough but not too bad. Launched the dinghy after anchoring and motored to Boom Bay and then hiked to the home site. Saw many feral sheep!  Absolutely gorgeous place. Must visit again and more fully explore.






Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 - 5.9 engine hours
Long Bay to Princess Louisa Inlet. Passed a tug towing a huge amount of logs near Nelson Rock. Fished in Green Bay on Agememon Channel. Betsy caught a small quillback rockfish. First fish of the trip! Stopped in Egmont for gas (71.15 liters @1.53can per liter) and then went to the Back Eddy Resort for lunch. Travelled up Jervis Inlet. Gorgeous! Fairly windy during the Princess Royal reach. Following sea. Ran Malibu rapids about an hour before I thought slack would be but it was no problem. Only boat going through at the time. Passed the camp which had lots of activity. Princess Louisa Inlet is amazing. Steep cliffs dropping down into a deep fjord. Went all the way to the end and anchored near chatterbox falls with a stern tie around a log at low tide.. Went for a hike and checked out the falls. They had a shelter with a fire pit which had cedar shingles and the smell of smoke and warm cedar brought back childhood memories. Woke in the middle of the night to a thunderstorm and lightning at high tide and had to keep checking our stern tie by flashlight. Exciting! GPS had trouble keeping signal due to the steep cliffs so the anchor drag alarm kept going off so not much sleep that night.










Wednesday July 24th, 2109 - 7.4 engine hours
Princess Louisa Inlet to Von Donlop Inlet. The Princess Royal reach was once again very windy and this time we were bucking into it. Stopped south of Powell river and fished. 1 undersized lingcod and a small quillback.  Got gas in Powell River (141.255 liters @ $1.51can) Tried salmon fishing outside of Von Donlop inlet unsuccessfully. Anchored in Mud Bay portion of Von Donlop inlet with three other boats.




Thursday July 25th, 2019 - 8 engine hours
Started the day fishing in the rain outside of Von Donlop inlet. Caught 3 rockfish, kept 1 also caught an undersized lingcod. Caught 18 spot prawns at 300 feet and were skunked on the crab pot at 85 feet. 1 hour soak on both. Travelled to Lagoon Cove through Yaculta and Dent rapids which were easy except for the waves of the big boats heading both directions. Lots of resorts near the rapids. Very cool area. Would like to explore it again sometime and stay for a tidal exchange. Also traversed Greene Point and Whirlpool rapids which were inconsequential even though they had started to flood. Saw 2 minke whales before we entered the rapids. The trick is to pay attention to the whale watching boats! Whales spouted several times before we were forced to move on to get through the rapids near slack. Stopped at Lagoon Cove for gas (163.6 liters @ $1.73can tax included). Tried to anchor in Cracroft Inlet but it seemed too windy. Moved to Cutter Cove and had a huge anchorage all to ourselves! Beautiful! Dinner of rockfish and spot prawn. Yum!



Friday July 26th, 2019 - 3.8 engine hours
Cutter Cove to Kwatsi Bay. Tried to head up Knight Inlet but were beating against a stiff headwind with whitecaps. Bailed out into Sargeaunt Passage and headed toward Kwatsi Bay. Saw a pod of porpoises on our way. Before heading into Kwatsi bay we checked out Watson Cove which was beautiful but a little deep for us to anchor. Fished off of rocks near Gormely Point caught 3 rockfish and 1 lingcod. Kept 1 rockfish and the Lingcod. Headed into Kwatsi bay which may be the most beautiful place so far! Multiple waterfalls all around. Dinghied into the Kwatsi Bay marina and said hello. The Marina is for sale! Oh what a dream... went for a short hike up to a small waterfall which was gorgeous. Saw some porpoises in the bay on our way back to the boat. The word of the day was rain rain rain! Everything is wet but we are snug in the Arima. Had a dinner of Lingcod yum! Gonna get up early and try Knight inlet again during a good weather window.





Saturday July 27th, 2019 - 9.5 engine hours
Kwatsi Bay to Mound Island. Got up early and headed up Knight Inlet to Glencove to see if we could see bears. Weather was much improved over the previous day and it was an easy motor. In Glencove we saw a mama black bear and her cub foraging on the rocks. We then saw 3 grizzly bears in the tall grass at the head of the bay. While we were there three float planes came in to service the Knight Inlet Lodge and also an additional tour company motored in. We met the tribal guardians of the site and they talked with us and gave us a pamphlet about the people/bear management rules. We then motored back down Knight Inlet and checked out Hoeya Sound which was beautiful. Saw some otters sleeping and playing. Attempted to fish for halibut unsuccessfully. Headed back to Lagoon Cove for more fuel (142.3 liters) and then checked out the Karlukwe village site. Headed down Clio passage to Blackfish Sound. Saw a crab boat that was a boat built around another boat! Saw humpback whales in Blackfish Sound and then did some salmon fishing. Landed a wild coho that we let go (turns out we could have kept it, hoping letting the first one go is good juju). Hooked into a big chinook but lost it when a knot broke. Reports of high NW winds tonight so we tucked into the very head of the Mound Island Anchorage for the night. Watching eagles fish from the boat while eating the rest of yesterday's lingcod (fried no less!). An A++++ day!





Sunday July 28th, 2019 - 3.7 hours
Mound Island to Crease Island. Slept in this morning. When we headed out it was flat calm and folks were fishing so we tried it for about an hour but the tides were wrong and so we packed it in and headed to explore Telegraph Cove which has a very tight marina. Is very touristy but also very charming. Has a great small whale museum. Took showers which was wonderful and then headed to Port McNeil for fuel (64.00 liters) and to resupply. Grabbed some groceries and some more fishing tackle to replace what was lost and then attempted to head to Nimmo Bay. Tried to head around the north end of Malcolm island but it was big seas after we passed the light house. Ran down to the south end of the island and tried to head across the Queen Charlotte strait. It started out ok but quickly became too big for us and so we turned to run to the shelter of the islands to the south. Had some white knuckle moments surfing and climbing some pretty big waves but eventually made it behind Wedge Island and out of the weather. Tucked into the Crease Island anchorage for the night happy to be safe and sound.






Monday July 29th, 2019 - 8.5 engine hours
Crease Island to Nimmo Bay. Another amazing day. Started early and had a pink in the boat by 6am. Caught and released another pink and a couple rockfish. Then took the scenic route to Nimmo Bay. Stopped in Carrie Bay to cook a hot breakfast. Checked out Health Bay by water the checked out Waddington Bay. Took the west route around Davies Island. At the intersection of the waterways we were treated to a half hour show of two humpback whales feeding along with a lot of diving birds, eagles, seagulls, and a few porpoises. It was enthralling. Just west of the Burwood group we saw upwards of 50 white sided dolphins feeding and jumping in the air. Checked into Stopford Bay. Would definitely want to anchor there sometime. There is a trail to hike deep in the bay. Poked our nose into the tidal rapids in Greenway Sound but they were pretty tame while we were there. A logging crew is staying in two RVs on a barge in the Sound. Stopped in to Sullivan Bay to get fuel (109 liters @ $1.75can). Neat little community but a little on the rich snooty side maybe. Explored the Embry basin which has a cool overflow basin that would be interesting to explore. Then tucked into Turnbull cove which had 13 boats in it and room for plenty more. Looks to be a trail to a very large lake that would be worth checking out. Lastly poked into Burley Bay before heading into Nimmo Bay for the night. Outside of little Nimmo was the 150' yacht Evviva. The Nimmo resort looked charming but we are told it is very expensive. Nimmo Bay was a beautiful anchorage which we shared with three ranger tugs. Crashed their party! Shortly after we anchored a black bear ambled among the shoreline for an hour or more. Also shared the bay with grey loons, an eagle and an osprey fighting and some gulls. Threw the crab pot in to hopefully get something overnight.








Tuesday July 30th, 2019 - 6.3 engine hours
Nimmo Bay to Potts Lagoon NE. It rained all night and most of the day. Checked out Little Nimmo Bay resort. One of the 4 helicopters was taking off as we went by. Visited Claydon bay on the way by. Headed through Stuart Narrows in Drury Inlet during a strong ebb tide and got pushed around a fair bit. Had planned to visit Actaeon Sound but the rain and mist dissuaded us from exploring much. Did a drive by of Jennis Bay Marina. Will need to visit Actaeon Sound in the future. Stopped in again at Sullivan Bay Marina for gas (61 liters also added a quart of oil to the motor). Dipped further into Greenway Sound. Passed through Raleigh Sound again but no sign of dolphins. Also went passed the whale spot from yesterday but it was quiet. Headed into Joe Cove to spend the night but it was early so we continued on. Went out into the Queen Charlotte Strait to get a weather report. Then headed back in to visit Pierre's at Echo Bay for fuel. Unfortunately they sold their very last gas to the boat in line before us. Took a hike to meet Billy Proctor and see his museum of found things. Talked fishing a bit. Saw whales sporting on our way into Echo Bay. Passed through Beware passage and made anchor for the night in the NE Potts Lagoon. Rain subsided by the time we anchored.








Wednesday July 31, 2019 - 6.2 engine hours
Potts Lagoon NE to Waiatt Bay. Started out the morning getting gas and water at Lagoon Cove (92.7 liters). Spoke with a man named Kai-O-Te (sp? Coyote) who was guiding for Sea Wolf Grizzly Tours. Invited us to visit Alert Bay if we are ever back in the area. Headed out to Blackfish Sound to salmon fish and after a couple hours pulled in a nice white Springer (Chinook). Decided to take advantage of what looked like good weather ahead of a high wind warning to head down Johnstone Channel. Originally aimed for Port Neville but the weather was holding so then aimed for Kanish Bay. Finally decided to push through the upper Oskillo Rapids and spend the night in Waiatt Bay. Lots of wood in Johnstone strait. Passed two tugs towing barges. Waited for slack near the Okis islands and rockfished. Betsy caught 9 rockfish and 1 lingcod. Justin caught 4 rockfish and 1 lingcod. All fished released. Pushed all the way into Waiatt Bay to anchor. Had Chinook for dinner. Yum!



Thursday August 1st, 2019 - 2.3 engine hours
Waiatt Bay to Drew Harbour - up at 4am to run Beasley passage at dawn. Through the passage by 5:24am. Weather report calling for high winds on the Strait of Georgia so we ducked into Drew Harbour for the day/night in anticipation of better weather tomorrow. It started raining around 11am and rain is called for continuously until midday tomorrow. Anchor locker drained into the cabin midday. A quiet day spent watching movies.



August 2nd, 2109 - 7.9 engine hours
Drew Harbour to Panther Cove. Rained (and leaked) most of the night. Day broke with partly cloudy skies and a bit of blue poking through. Went to Herriot Bay Inn And Marina for gas (129.6 liters) and then headed out into the Straight of Georgia. First part was a bit rolley but light winds and not too bad. Saw 6 humpback whales blowing and eventually they showed their tales as they dove. Wind picked up a bit so we tucked in behind Mitlenatch Island. Eventually went around and moved through the rollers and wind to the west coast of Texada island. Passed through the channel between Texada and Jervis Island. When we got out of the channel the rollers picked up significantly as did the wind. Ended up running towards Nanoose Harbour in a bit of a white knuckle ride though not as bad as Queen Charlotte Strait. We tucked in behind the Winchelsea Islands and then decided to proceed on to Nanaimo but did so at about 10 knots to avoid the pounding and make the trip feel safer. Missed Departure Bay and kept on going towards Dodd Narrows. Turned around and got gas and had fish and chips in Nanaimo (128.518 liters). Decided to run Dodd Narrow today instead of hanging out in the chaos of Nanaimo. Headed through about an hour before slack and proceeded South to Panther Cove on Wallace Island. Beautiful sunset as we were gently rocked by the waves from the SE.





August 3rd, 2019 - 1.5 engine hours
Panther Cove to Anacortes. Nice easy run back into Anacortes. Boundary Strait was fairly calm and so the run was uneventful. It was pretty busy in the San Juans. Customs came and visited the boat and then we were slung back on to the trailer. Great end to a great trip.



1013 nautical miles 340 gallons of gas.  Amazing experience. Memories forever!



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Our plan was to pull the boat to Port Hardy this summer and do the next leg all the way to Alaska for our 25th anniversary. Not sure that will happen this year, but if not, hopefully we can pull it off in 2021.

-Justin

[Yachter Yat]

   sikoruk:  Never, ever, in all my time on this Forum have I ever seen such a beautiful Arima excursion.  Not to mention how beautifully, and eloquently you presented it.  My hat is off to you Sir.  Thank you, thank you , for taking us along.   


Yat

[GregE]

OUTstanding!!  We've talked about doing something like this but ........  We need to talk.

Not familiar with Broughtons-  is that all the way thru the inland passage?
Yep.  Went back and read your pre planning thread  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broughton_Archipelago

http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=17399.msg210836;topicseen#msg210836

How close did the trip align with the plan?

[Markshoreline]

Great trip, beautiful scenery and good times.  You just can't beat that.  How many nights were you out and how much did you stay on the boat vs. in on land accommodations?

Also, I'm pretty sure you'd have got better fuel economy if your max speed hadn't been 1006 kts!   

[mijo]

Its amazing how calm the waters are for rock cod and ling cod fishing up in your part of the country. 

What a great looking trip.

[croaker stroker]

Beautiful photos!    OhMyTodd will be all over this.   

[beancounter]

Beautiful trip.

[GregE]

Couple follow on questions-  more to follow.....

You have a small kicker on the fore deck-  did you carry a dingy? 

How much line did you have to off shore tie?

Any accommodations along the way for showers?

What's the cost to sling?  How about secure parking for rig and trailer?

[Wiley]

Couple follow on questions-  more to follow.....

You have a small kicker on the fore deck-  did you carry a dingy? 

How much line did you have to off shore tie?

Any accommodations along the way for showers?

What's the cost to sling?  How about secure parking for rig and trailer?

I'm thinking somebody's getting ideas here !!!

[ohmytodd]

Beautiful photos!    OhMyTodd will be all over this.   

You rang???

[croaker stroker]

   

[sikoruk]

Thanks all was a great trip and happy to share!

Answers to questions:

We were fairly close to plan. Missed out on exploring past Jennis Bay Marina around Bond Peninsula due to weather. Haven't gone back and compared my expected days to actual days in awhile but generally we spent most nights where I hoped we would.

We were out 13 nights and spent all of them on the boat, all on the hook. Didn't want to tie up at a marina because with the small confines and the lack of curtains, other folks at the dock would have gotten an eyeful!

Bet you didn't know an Arima could go 1006 knots, we put rocket fuel in the tanks! The GPS was spotty in Princess Louisa inlet and so our location bounced around a bit that night.  Made the anchor alarm go off often, coupled with the thunderstorm made for a relatively sleepless night.

The small kicker was for the dinghy. We had a Sea Eagle inflatable.  It was quite a process to get it inflated, in the water, motor on. If we'd had an easier solution we would have gone ashore more to explore.  We have since replaced it with an inflatable two person kayak that has a high pressure (think inflatable paddleboard) floor. Hoping that is a better solution.

We had 300' of floating line on a hand hose reel for the shore tie off.

We showered once in Telegraph cove during the middle of the trip. Otherwise just did sponge baths. Heated water from the front tank on the stove.

The round trip sling was $36. The parking area is unsecured but seems to have lots of traffic and is adjacent to the main road.  Didn't leave anything in the truck and trailer. Didn't have any problems.  The woman who ran the sling (who was amazing at her job!) said they don't have any problems with their parking.

We have a ton more pictures, and happy to share planning documents and any other details.  My wife provisioned us for the trip and we ate like royalty.  Getting to eat stuff we caught on the trip 8 of the 13 nights didn't hurt but with that we could have gone another week or more with what we ended the trip with in unused/backup/what if we didn't catch fish. We did stop at the grocery store in Port McNeil about 8 days in to get some fresh greens but we would have been fine if we hadn't.

[sikoruk]

Never thought we'd be bannerized. I'm honored! Thank you!

[croaker stroker]

You're famous !   

[Fisherdv]

Thanks for sharing your trip. Absolutely beautiful! 

[Markshoreline]

Yeah, that was awesome!

[salmonchaser]

Looks like a blast! Thanks for sharing.

[Tesoro]

Thanks! on my bucket short list to do a trip like that.

[Wiley]

Never thought we'd be bannerized. I'm honored! Thank you!

You earned it !!! I'm curious, did it seam like you were the smallest boat doing an adventure ? Well done by the way... so awesome.

[GregE]

When we were in the yacht club we planned to do an inland passage trip with 8-10 others generally on the same routes.  Never did it.

Maybe we ought to set up an AO group trip.  No need to raft up but knowing someone else was within radio distance could be comforting.  Canada would need to open up again......

I'll start an Info Share thread in the Group Activities

[GoodDays]

Nice Trip through my backyard !!!   My son Nick, that some of you know, works on the salmon farm in Sargeants Pass...

Greg E.. Lots of places for accommodations and showers..   Fuel is getting to be an issue some spots.  A big Arima Trip would be awesome !!!

GoodDays Greg

[sikoruk]

Tough to say if any of the other small boats we saw were local boats or boats on a trip like ours, we were always the smallest boat at each anchorage and at the marinas when we got gas.  We didn't meet anyone on the trip in a small boat doing what we were doing.

That said, we were asked a couple of times what our "other" boat was by folks that assumed the Arima was our dinghy. 

[Wiley]

That said, we were asked a couple of times what our "other" boat was by folks that assumed the Arima was our dinghy. 

Answer: ohhh it's the Mary, the Queen Mary !!!

Lol.
Thanks for sharing, very inspirational. I think GregE is planning already....

[Crackerbox]

That looks awesome!
Joe

[PNW Drifter]

Thanks so much for posting. I've been researching this trip for 4 years but have yet to get past Desolation Sound. My bookshelf has every guide book made! The tricky part is finding other people who want to go! So happy you posted photos.

Yes the Dighy situation is important and tricky on a small boat especially in an area with mostly razor sharp rocks/barnacles to pop cheap inflatables.

I used a one made kayak and now use a SportYak 2 which is like the smallest hard dinghy around. Still hunting for the perfect solution.

https://www.offcenterharbor.com/videos/sportyak-recyclable-dinghy-bic/