Chapter 16 Port McNiell to Pruth Bay (Cape Caution)

We left Port McNeill bright and early at 6:30.  It was going to be a long day and I knew it.  I had the route planned and laid into my nav computer and the Raymarine  MFD.  This was the day we were going around Cape Caution. The weather forecast wasn't the best. South winds 15-20kts with 1-2 meter (3-6ft) seas.  When we left it was glass and as we made our way through the islands the following seas were getting bigger.  We had alternate anchorages if we needed to get off the water.

As we passed Storm Island, we made the decision to go.  It wasn't bad so far.  The push from the wind and ebb tide we were making 10.5-11kts! It was cloudy and raining.  We rounded Cape Caution and couldn't even see it!  But the wave height increased to 4 seconds with a solid 6 feet wind waves and now it was to the stbd beam.  Now the rollers from the Pacific also started showing their nasty self on the stern.  we don't have auto pilot, so it was me fighting the wheel all day long.  Make note to self to get auto pilot.

We made Calvert Island and Fitz Hugh Sound!  The rollers disappeared, but the wind was strong from the south at 35kts and was blowing all the way up the sound.  Our planned stop was Fury Cove.  But with a south wind, the cove was not safe.  The next stop was safety Cove, but anchoring started at 100 ft!  Nope.  7 more miles we found Pruth Bay and a calm anchorage.  A 97 mile run!

There is a sea research center here and we walked to the other side of the island and found nice sandy beaches as it was open to the pacific.  What a wonderful place.  We will be beck here.



Our first sight of an Alaskan Ferry

This guy was fishing in very bad seas!  Really?  That is die hard fishing

A ship from the past?  Is it the ghost of the Titanic coming out of the fog?  Nope it is Mickey Mouse aka Disney Cruise Ship

That is a root ball behind me on the walk to the beaches on Calvert Island

mmmmm



Awesome sandy beaches on the west side of Calvert Island a short walk from Pruth bay

My Bestest Friend

The research center at Hakai Beach Institute

Big Red Jelly

This was just outside Port McNeill.  Too foggy to get a picture of Cape Caution...