7/24 Big Bay, Stuart Island (the Canadian Stuart Island)
Knowing that we were headed to Big Bay, which requires traveling either the Yuculta or Arran Rapids, we headed out early in order to catch slack tide at Yuculta. We arrived an hour early and decided to tuck in in front of Church House on Calm Channel and drop anchor for a quick lunch. We arrived with the last of the northbound current and started Yuculta Rapids with a favorable 1 knot current. In the time it took us to get into to Big Bay (about 20 min) we saw the current switch from 1 knot favorable to slack and build back up to 3.5 knots against us. While Pete is usually implacable, he was showing increased signs of anxiety as we traversed places with names like “Eddy Bay” and “Whirlpool Point”. Once inside of Big Bay the currents eased and we found safe harbor with some old friends. Big Bay was beautiful as always and the hospitality of our friends had us wishing we could stay longer. They are the sole reason we brave the rapids!