Day 13-14

Day 13, June 24.

Miles today: 25

Miles to go to Port Hardy: 0!

We left Port McNeil at 09:00. I was concerned about how we would be able
to get out of our dock spot; Tatoosh has bad prop-walk to starboard when
in reverse and we needed to back out to leave here. This was compounded
by the fact that we had limited clearance on the way out between boats
(about 2’ each side if that)

In any event, it was uneventful; we sprung off the bow, allowing aft end
to swing out into the channel and we calmly backed out with any shouting
or hitting of other boats!!

The water was completely flat until about 5 miles outside of Port Hardy
bay; since we were going in it was hardly worth the effort to raise
sails for 40 minutes of sailing.

On the way in, we saw a grey whale leisurely making his way back out to
sea. Other than some porpoise today, this was the only marine wild life
we have seen. Near the marina there are eagles galore, flying around and
eating whatever it is they eat at low tide on the shore. At one point we
could see 6 eagles in the air here.

We had to stand station for 15 minutes while the marina made some space
for us; another tight spot between 2 other boats..made worse since it
was on our port side ( This is not our favourable side to dock to since
prop walk drags our aft to starboard..hence making a port-side docking
difficult because when you go into reverse to slow down , the back of
the boat will start moving away from the dock. On a starboard side
docking, the opposite happens and when going into reverse, the back end
will move towards the dock, making the docking easier.)

On the dock was Stewart; already here and waiting for us. He beat us by
mere hours. So, despite the scheduling set back of the engine work in
Browns Bay, we arrived in Port Hardy at the same time as stewart; and
now Leg #1 is officially over, with total miles travelled of 286.

Later when talking to Robin who reminded me of the need to keep the
satellite phone charged; I remembered that I didn’t have the charger!.
After calls back and forth, it was found in the box of stuff that was to
come out by car; I forgot to tell Robin to include the charger with the
care-package for Stewart to take.

Before we organized to have Robin send the charger by FedEx, Ralph
recalled seeing a shop that sold electronics and sat. phones. We decided
to walk up and see if they were open tomorrow (Sunday). To my surprise
they were still open AND turns out they had a proper charger for the sat
phone. So, we now have a charger for the sat. phone and are good to go.

Appears that the wind with be stronger tomorrow so we will likely stay
here until Monday. This will give us a chance to do some boat clean-up,
chores and food purchasing, etc.

Day 14: miles 0

We are waiting for a weather window and will not leave until tomorrow at
the earliest. Boat has been cleaned up; fenders pumped up, small
electrical problem with autopilot is fixed and there is nothing left to
do but final shopping and watch the eagles battle with the local crows.

Over and out from Port Hardy.