Poulsbo, Getting Ready

The trip around Vancouver Island has been on the Bucket List and in the discussion and planning phase for a long time and the departure day is almost here. We are just four weeks away from casting off on "The Journey"

Working through the check list is always on the weekly to do, maintenance of equipment, updating equipment and don't forget purchasing more equipment.

The Journey will take us up the East side of Vancouver Island to places like the Jervis Inlet to Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls, Desolation Sound, Johnstone Straight and The Broughton's.

Then around the North end of the Island, Cape Scott and down the West side out in the Pacific Ocean. The four major inlets Quatsino, Kyuquot, Nootka and Barkley Sounds will be explored.
The West side comes with a caveat. There has to be a long term fair weather window and all the systems on the boat have to be operating 100% before leaving Bull Harbor on the NE corner of Vancouver Island.

The Journey will take about two and half months, July Northbound, August Southbound. All this will take place on "Tuamotu" our 2001 Island Packet 380 a 38' full keeled cutter rigged sailboat.

The total distance around the island is not overly impressive at about 750 miles. However adding  the round trip distance up from Seattle of 150 miles and 50 to 70 miles exploring each of the two island groups North bound and four inlets South bound. This gives an approximate total of  1,200 miles traveling at about 7 mph. The biggest challenges will be dealing with all the narrow channels with their flow rates of 5 mph to 10 mph during tide changes, weather and the changeability of the Pacific Ocean.

A little perspective. How long on water does it take to get around this island? The sailboat race "The Van Isle 360"  typically takes a little over 8 1/2 days. In 2014 it was kayaked in 12 days 23 hours 44 minutes. For the guys under power a 32' Power Cat completed the circumnavigation in 47 hours 5 minutes.
We on the other hand will take about 2 1/2 months, 77 days approximately, the difference? Coffee shops, bakeries, totem poles, Indian villages, kayaking and secluded inlets. The other three groups certainly set some very impressive times. This isn't our objective we will be in the sight seeing mode and when it comes to weather. When in doubt wait.


Once in the Northern part of the island daily 100% communications probably wont be possible. We will have cellular coverage most of the time on the East side. On the West side cellular coverage with the exception of a couple of small areas is non existent. Internet is something of the same story, only if we stop in a marina or walk into town. We do have a Single Side Band radio (SSB) which has limited email capability. Other than SSB at time's we will be totally off the grid.

The boat does carry emergency equipment for those unforseen and unexpected eventualities. Two emergency satellite beacon's, EPIRB's. The VHF & SSB radios. A SPOT satellite tracking device.
Life Raft, inflatable dinghy & kayaks. Additionally the usual first aid kits and person overboard equipment.

Bear with me this is my first attempt at a Blog, I underestimated how much self learning time was involved for a non Geek. It is now up and running and my assumption is with my new found knowledge it will just be "simple" maintenance going forward.

I plan to post a weekly update connectivity dependent starting on our departure date of +/- June 24th. Until then I will  slowly be developing the support features of this Blog, its a work in progress.

The picture's of the boat below are from earlier vacations




At Anchor Stuart Island, San Juans

Stern tie, Wallace Island Canadian Gulf Islands

Winslow Boat & Yoga Cat In Down Dog