CAPE CAUTION BC.

[Big dave]

Well for the past 10 summers we have been exploring the Broughtons, and even though we are far from seeing all of the Broughtons we have decided to move on a little further north this summer. We want to get into Rivers Inlet and on up to Shearwater if things work out.
We hope to leave Sullivan Bay on or around 07/23.
Should I ride the ebb out and up the coast or wait for the flood, or does it even matter with a C-Dory as long as the wind is calm. I have been told if West Sea Otter is reporting seas of 1 meter or less it is a good time to go.
If possible I would like to run 12~15 knots, if that would work what kind of time am I looking at from Sullivan to Duncanby Landing . If anyone else is going to be going that way around that time I wouldn't mind buddy boating.
Thanks for any input or help.
Big Dave.
Raven Dancer.

[Larry H]

Dave,

Its best to cross the Queen Charlotte Sound on the flood tide. The ebb from Smith Sound and Rivers Inlet flows west into Queen Charlotte sound and if that ebb collides with the incoming westerly swell and wind waves it can produce nasty vertical waves.

That same westerly wind can cause steep waves in Queen Charlotte Strait when it blows against a strong ebb.

I would start from Sullivan Bay near high tide if the wind forecast is ok.

With the speed of a C-Dory, going with the current is not very important as far a making time thru the water. Its better to have the current and wind going in the same direction to smooth out the steepness of the waves so the speed can be used.