Pruth Bay, Calvert Island
15 April 2016 | Calvert Island, BC, Canada
Leaving Port Hardy we picked the best day in an unfavourable forecast to head around Cape Caution, the notorious stretch of exposed water in Queen Charlotte Sound. After a boisterous start things settled down and, besides having a good 20 to 25 knot breeze with us, we also had the current in our favour. Timing was of the essence though as we needed to round Caution before the change in tide otherwize the seas would have been facing the dangerous situation with strong wind opposing strong current. It's odd really - logic tells me that a 30 knot wind with no current should create the same sea conditions as a 25 knot wind with a 5 knot opposing current. Nothing could be further from the truth. The latter conditions are incredibly rough with steep breaking waves and, although unlikely to be life threatening, it would be extremely testing.
Regardless we made it in time and anchored early afternoon in Millbrook Cove, Smith Sound. Steve, our friend on Rhapsody was planning to accompany us being also very keen to sail rather than motor. However, he made the right decision to wait it out in Port Hardy as I doubt he would have made it around Caution before the change in tide due to Rhapsody being 33 feet long and therefore having a slower hull speed. As it was he caught up to us two days later in Fury Cove, unfortunately having to motor most of the way. Nice to finally share an anchorage with someone again.
We both sailed over to Pruth Bay on Calvert Island to wait out yet another gale and had the opportunity to walk on some sandy beaches (it's been awhile), see some vegetation other than conifers and to catch some very, very tasty Dunginess crabs. I think that I am forced to admit that they are probably better than mud crabs. They taste just as good but I think the yield of flesh is better.