Travels with Kerri On and crew
- Thread starter ghone
- Start date
Hi everyone:
Just want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. I'm especially grateful to those who invited us into their homes. You were all very gracious hosts/hostesses.
It has been quite an adventure and we learned a great deal about living in such confined quarters. Even though we had some challenges, I believe we have an even better relationship than before the trip.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Friday Harbour next month.
We plan to do lots of local cruising this spring, summer and fall and will stick around for the birth of my second grand child in November and spend Christmas with my family this year.
Cheers,
Carolyn :rose2
Just want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. I'm especially grateful to those who invited us into their homes. You were all very gracious hosts/hostesses.
It has been quite an adventure and we learned a great deal about living in such confined quarters. Even though we had some challenges, I believe we have an even better relationship than before the trip.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Friday Harbour next month.
We plan to do lots of local cruising this spring, summer and fall and will stick around for the birth of my second grand child in November and spend Christmas with my family this year.
Cheers,
Carolyn :rose2
We're moving again. After a great Friday Harbor gathering with freinds, we traveled with Barry and Patti ( c cakes) and Neil (rose budd) up to Stuart Island for an overnight. We checked back into Canada at Sidney. Then over to the Spit at Sidney for a night. We hauled out and went back to Nanaimo where we did Dr's. Checkups, dentists, bankers, lawyers, in laws and friend visits. We took off south out of Nanaimo and have visited, Silva Bay, on Gabriola, Pirates Cove, on De Coucey, Princess Cove on Wallace and pulled into Ganges on Saltspring this afternoon. Kerri On and crew are all running great. We have been disapppointed with the condition of Silva Bay resort and Ganges marina. Both were to have been upgraded, but not so. Prices have been upped however. $1.50ft at SB and $1.35ft at Ganges. Power and showers not included in price. Both lovely places once off marina property. SB with it's quiet country roads, deer and song birds and Ganges with it's great arts and food establishments. Weather had been fine mostly light winds and sunshine. We anchored overnight in SB (which is almost impossible due to permanently moored private boats). The place is chock a block. We found a spot surrounded by others on moorings and were able to let go 38ft of rode in 23 ft of water. The only reason this worked is I run a 22 lb Bruce copy on 44 ft of 1/4 high test. The wind came up at midnight. ( of course) and we didn't budge. Radio was saying 20 knots gust to 25. Felt about right. In the morning with wind the same winds blowing and higher predicted we went into the marina for a slip. Met up with old freind Fred on his offshore sailboat and new freinds Rodger and Alison preparing a Northwest Passage this season. We had a fine time over happy hour. Rodger and Alison had their wood Australian crayfish boat with them that they came from Australia aboard via Japan and the Aleutians. Neat people
You can read up on them at www.sturdyworkboats.com or google. Rodger Grayson He is a big fan of taking wood workboats to sea. You don't need a Selene or Nordhavn.
We plan on being in the Gulf Islands till late June if any of you are about.
more soon. Carolyn and George
You can read up on them at www.sturdyworkboats.com or google. Rodger Grayson He is a big fan of taking wood workboats to sea. You don't need a Selene or Nordhavn.
We plan on being in the Gulf Islands till late June if any of you are about.
more soon. Carolyn and George
El and Bill
New member
Great to hear your news, and know all is well with you. Thanks for keeping us all informed on your travels and doings.
El and Bill
New member
Great to hear your news, and know all is well with you. Thanks for keeping us all informed on your travels and doings.
After leaving Silva Bay, we spent a nite at Pirates Cove on De Courcey, anchored and with a stern tie. Lovely spot for a quiet walk. The next day, we went thru Herring Bay on Ruxton and went south at hull speed in flat water to Wallace Island in Princess Cove. Really a pretty spot. On down to Ganges on Saltspring mostly at hull speed, looking for Orcas. No luck. Spent 3 nights in Ganges. One at Ganges marina, then over to the Port Authority Kanaka dock. Cheaper and nicer. Ganges is fun with it's shops and art and coffee bars. Good food, nice people. Over to Montague on Galiano, we stayed at the marina and caught the bus to the pub. Zany driver still, but newer bus, no pole to dance on. ( owners won't allow it). He did a good show without a pole. Hitch hiked into town , Sturdies Bay for a loook at the great artwork in the Galiano Inn and peruse the shops Had to walk a half mile or so each way before a freindly islander stopped at the putting out of a thumb Went over to the park the next day for a walk, then anchored on the south shore for the night. We had some folks on a sailboat come visit, liking our boat. They told us to go to Poets Cove for mid week 2 for one rates. So we cruised on down got 2 nights power included for $46. Pretty spendy if a single night but ok for 2. Great place. Nice coffee bar, pool restaurant Right beside the Beaumont marine park. Pretty spot. I had not been in before as it has had a reputation for being pricey Not bad prices in cafe or restaurant just normal $12 -15 things The Aurora restaurant upstairs is more posh and $100-150 a couple. All day for 2 days and nights it blew 15 knots plus so was nice to be tied up. Took off this morning ahead of predicted strong winds for Haro Strait, and moved to Portland Island near Sidney. Need to see freinds Friday in Canoe Cove. Crossed at hull speed, looking for critters. Spotted seals, pigeon guillemots and some dolphins. No Orca. Anchored deep in Royal Cove to be out of ferry wakes. Nice marine park, good protection. More soon. Carolyn and George
After leaving Portland Island, we made the short run to Van Isle marina near Sidney. The approach is a maze of rock, so keep the speed down. About 1/4 mile from the entrance to the marina, two boats one a 38 ft Bayliner, and a 60 ft Searay sport, crossed our bow on plane and if I hadn't slowed to idle would have been far too close ahead. Merrily waving at us as the went past at 25 plus. We just muttered....,,$$$&&?? We plunged thru the 4 ft wake ok cleaning off the bow roller. Got in fine and enjoyed Sidney with a nice walk and grocery run with a taxi back to the boat. Nice facilities at the marina. Next day off to Canoe Cove, funky older place with a nice pub up the hill. Fun to thread the rock piles thru to get here. Past the old property of Muriel Blanchett of Curve of Time. Classic BC cruising story. Also past the island where the late great Bill Garden yacht designer lived. Up to Brentwood Bay to Anglers Anchorage to see cruising freinds and dinner with my sister and family coming in off the grueling West Coast Trail. We wanted to get into Tod Inlet to see the Butchart Gardens so took a mooring and spent 5 plus hours in the gardens. What a vision from over a hundred years ago to beautify an abandoned quarry. Well worth the visit. Next day promised wind late in the morning so we scooted. Picked up some fuel at the nice new Mill Bay docks and ran north in growing seas and breezes to Cowichan Bay. Uneventful run, took a spot at the Fishermans dock amid a lot of crab and prawn boats. What different boats from the old trollers. All have big engines with Arneson drives. They throw rooster tails like unlimited hydros! A working harbour for sure. The fleet unloads in the afternoon and was leaving the dock at 0530. Not quietly! Wow. I got up to watch. Not one left by 0600. Cowichan Bay is a really fun stop. Very rural and old fashioned. And proud of it. They are a community dedicated to sustainability and quality of life. Refreshing. After Cowichan Bay we ran Sansum Narrows in some current and waved at a cd22 Rambling Rose from Oregon. They were busy with fishing gear so didn't chat. Pulled in to Maple Bay and went in to Birds Eye cove and beyond up into the tidal flats. I had alway wanted to go past the marina up into the drying flats. Previous boats were not ok to do that. With Kerri On we took a tour up near high tide and saw 5-7 ft of water and had a good look around. We dropped the hook well away from the underwater power cable sign once back in deep water. Very quiet nite. After breaky went in to the 4 hour courtesy float for coffee and a snack. Much money has been spent to tidy this marina. It's nice. After a nice wander, we got going for Chemainus. A short run north. Carolyn ran most of the way at 12 knots. A good speed in the 1 ft chop. She's getting lots more comfy running at higher speeds. Chemainus is much improved also. Nice docks. Very fun town. Famous for the murals on buildings in town. The townfolk decided 30 years ago as logging was dwindling to become known for something else. They now are world famous for their art and murals. Off to Ladysmith today. There is a nice spot off the first nations village I like to anchor at. Nice sand beach. Having ourselves a fine tour! George and Carolyn
After a week in Nanaimo doing chores, doctors and dentists and seeing family, we loaded groceries and fuel and wandered the harbour a bit as after several days of calm, the normal 15-20 nw is back. After lunch went over to Newcastle park to wait on a window to cross Georgia Strait to Squitty Bay on Lasqueti. It looked to be a several day wait with strong wind warnings. By mid afternoon, I had checked all the wind locations for the strait and they all showed less than 10 knots, so the breeze in town was likely local. Carolyn was down for a nap, so I let her know we were bugging out for a look. She slapped on her Bose headset and eye shades and I got underway. The breeze in Namaimo at 15 was just local, by the time I was a few miles out it was less than 10 with ripples. A quick run up 20 miles to Lasquiti and found a crowded dock but a place to raft up. After dinner the strong winds did show but we were snug. Sometimes you need to read between the lines of the weather report and go see. A quick boat helps. We are touring the Sunshine Coast/ Desolation Sound for the summer. Life is great! George and Carolyn.
BoaterHomer
New member
On Facebook, you can hit a button that says "like". That way you can let the poster know that you've read their post, and enjoyed their comments even if you didn't really have anything to contribute. If C-Brats had that, you'd see a lot of likes from me!
I know what you mean about reading between the lines on the weather. I think sometimes they overstate the weather to err on the side of caution (which is probably a good thing!)
We are waiting on weather too...there's currently a small craft advisory and 6 foot seas in Lynn Canal. But happily, we are hunkered-down in Haines, AK, a place that we are really enjoying and even if the weather were perfect, we'd still want to stay and explore for just a bit longer. Tomorrow, for July 4th, we will be participating in my favorite event all day long...eating! All you can eat breakfast at the American Legion, then some sort of fund-raiser BBQ in the park for lunch and then a Salmon bake at the Tlingit Center. There is a pie eating contest somewhere in there too, but I may just have an ice cream cone instead.
I love everything about our SE Alaska trip ... in fact, its just about perfect ... except maybe the "cooler than desirable" weather. This Florida girl is just not used to 4th of July's being in the 50's during the day and 40's at night.
I remember the warm (or at least warmer) waters of Desolation Sound and swimming there this time last year. Hope you are two have a wonderful time and keep posting updates! We both really enjoy following along.
Mary&Casey
I know what you mean about reading between the lines on the weather. I think sometimes they overstate the weather to err on the side of caution (which is probably a good thing!)
We are waiting on weather too...there's currently a small craft advisory and 6 foot seas in Lynn Canal. But happily, we are hunkered-down in Haines, AK, a place that we are really enjoying and even if the weather were perfect, we'd still want to stay and explore for just a bit longer. Tomorrow, for July 4th, we will be participating in my favorite event all day long...eating! All you can eat breakfast at the American Legion, then some sort of fund-raiser BBQ in the park for lunch and then a Salmon bake at the Tlingit Center. There is a pie eating contest somewhere in there too, but I may just have an ice cream cone instead.
I love everything about our SE Alaska trip ... in fact, its just about perfect ... except maybe the "cooler than desirable" weather. This Florida girl is just not used to 4th of July's being in the 50's during the day and 40's at night.
I remember the warm (or at least warmer) waters of Desolation Sound and swimming there this time last year. Hope you are two have a wonderful time and keep posting updates! We both really enjoy following along.
Mary&Casey
Hi guys, we "like" your stuff too! we kind of "safety netted" our way into Secret Cove this evening. Keeping an eye on hidey holes we could backtrack to if weather deteriorated. This is a type of passage making I always advise in iffy conditions. Know ahead of time a couple of alternate safe places if it is apparent you don't want to get beat up trying to get where you are heading for. Went up in behind Lasqueti to Boho Bay last night when the wind dropped, had a great BBQ lamb dinner and sundowners on the hook. Nice anchorage in 25 feet and good holding bottom. About 11 pm 20 knots nw roared on thru the anchorage, but we're secure. All morning and into the afternoon, wind. We elected to try Little Bull Passage between Jedediah and a small group of islands, fun little squirt thru as the wind ran out as we went deeper, a big rock pile and a couple shallow spots but we rounded the bottom of Jedediah and anchored in Codfish Bay. Great protection from winds and high granite walls all around. Thinking we'd be overniting. After a nap however, the wind was way down. What we could see of Georgia Strait looked good, so off we went. We were getting low on ice and a couple essentiials. Ripples and left over chop was all there was. We got into Secret Cove and took a slip, shopped for a few grocery items we were low on and had dinner upstairs at the pub. Nice place. There are several folks at the dock waiting on weather. All 3 are sailboats!!! 15-25 is fine sailing. This area is one of my favourite cruising areas of the coast, between Smuggler Cove and Pender Harbor , Thormanby Island has a great sandy beach and is a good day stop. A bit exposed to nw overnight. Really pretty, and a nice blend of remote and developed areas. Having fun and burning gas. Carolyn and George
Hi George and Carolyn
Sounds like a great summer so far. Thanks for the good reporting, I am taking notes for a few years down the road. Glad it is going well for you. Got to spend last weekend on the water, and will get some time in this weekend, but nit today. Worked on the boat today though -- that counts :lol: Getting ready for a longer weekend soon.
I like the size of your ground tackle. Nice to have the extra authority when you need it.
Enjoy,
Harvey
SleepyC
Sounds like a great summer so far. Thanks for the good reporting, I am taking notes for a few years down the road. Glad it is going well for you. Got to spend last weekend on the water, and will get some time in this weekend, but nit today. Worked on the boat today though -- that counts :lol: Getting ready for a longer weekend soon.
I like the size of your ground tackle. Nice to have the extra authority when you need it.
Enjoy,
Harvey
SleepyC
It's been a while since an update. We have cruised extensively on the Sunshine Coast since early July. All along from Squitty Bay on Lasqueti and Jedediah group and on up into Desolation Sound. Wonderful experiences along the way. Meeting c brats along the way. Ron and Anne in Powell River ( meander cd25, and Pat and Morag (lucky) in Secret Cove and several more for brief chats in various placed. Dolphin show in Gorge Harbor on Cortez, a pod stayed in the bay several days in a feeding frenzy. Way cool. Snorkeling in Melanie Cove Prideaux Haven. Warm sunny days spent 'chillin'. Meeting cruising freinds on Dove 4 and Tango in Heriot Bay and staying 5 days at Rebecca spit. Swimming daily and enjoying freinds. Challenging days weather spotting and waiting longer than I'm used to for decent weather. Guessing good most days. Hunkered down in Westview, Beach Gardens and Secret Cove for about 7 days total as big unseasonal southeast blew thru. A few boats left Secret Cove the other morning at dawn. Weather called for se 25 and 4 ft but they left heading south. Back in an hour or two with war stories. American Tug 34 finding out he can't run with a Grand Banks 42 in weather. Got tore up. We stayed put and had happy hour with c brats Morag and Pat from Lucky in Secret Cove. Much better. Stopped again in Smuggler cove to wait out daytime breezes to cross Georgia Strait and departed in evening calm. Not calm at halfway. Balenas calling for 13 knots looked more 20 ish and 3-4 ft slop on the beam and then aft. Kinda uncomfortable for a while. Ran at 14 knots seemed best motion and the 22 miles was done in 90 minutes. Carolyn now has a new "longest roughest" passage under her belt. She isn't as excited for her as I am! She's seen rougher for shorter. We're looking into standards for passage making open spots. Ie 10 knots or less. Georgia Strait in summer that is unfortunately a rare thing. We may need a new ice box to carry more food to allow weather days. Kerri On performed as promised. Dry, strong and reliable, and stout. I told Carolyn mid way "these boats are built just for these conditions". She yelled back.. "nice but I'm not!!". I said "want Gravol?". Cruising is one helluva lot of fun. She noticed there were no other boats around anywhere except that big tug and that big red ship. "That's the coast guard honey ". Got into Nanaimo before dark and anchored and enjoyed the full moon. Overall a very nice wander about in some very pretty country. We"ll be underway soon for Sidney Gathering. Likely in company with Bill and Dorothy on Blue Skies. More as it unfolds!! Carolyn and George
Hi George and Carolyn,
One of my favorite parts of our trip up to Princes Louisa was getting off the port quarter aft beam seas at 8 feet run up from Sunset Marina. Of course it did not start out that way but it built and there were not many hidey holes on that stretch. I used to remember surfing was fun, but I was young, 10 feet tall and bullet proof then. Now it's just my boat that fits that description.
Looking forward to seeing you in Sidney. AND in getting in some boating time.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
One of my favorite parts of our trip up to Princes Louisa was getting off the port quarter aft beam seas at 8 feet run up from Sunset Marina. Of course it did not start out that way but it built and there were not many hidey holes on that stretch. I used to remember surfing was fun, but I was young, 10 feet tall and bullet proof then. Now it's just my boat that fits that description.
Looking forward to seeing you in Sidney. AND in getting in some boating time.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
We have been based in Nanaimo since the Sidney gathering awaiting some weather to fall cruise. Maybe not happening this year it has been windy and wet. We arranged earlier this year to condo sit for Bill and Dorothy (Blue Skies) until the new year. We have a grand child due in November and family wants us for Christmas so we decided to stay put for a few months. We have been aboard Kerri On full time for 11 months with just shore leave of a week or a few days here and there. We are using the shore visit to refit and add a few things we have decided we'd like. The list is surprisingly short.
1) purchase of a Dometic/ Waeco CF 50 fridge/freezer in place of an Igloo icebox. Our lifestyle doesn't need much frozen stuff but we like a lot of veggies, some meats and milk type products. I figure over the last 2 years I have spent the purchase price of the CF50 in ice purchases. Several friends here have the CF50 and it comes highly recommended. I bought one locally and paid more than I could have last year in Az or Ca. Oh well. Sigh. Buy high sell low George! It is a nice machine.
2) build camper back. I had the Bimini installed 2 years back with the idea of doing the camper back when I knew what I wanted. Having seen enough of them now on other c dory's, the boat went into the canvas shop. Pics to follow when done
3) a major clean from stem to stern. I am sure there is still dust from Yuma in there.
4) go thru each locker for things not used, a short list I believe
5). Address insulation in vee berth. I had 1/2 inch foam laying against the hull side and it performed well. What I'll do now is make it fit better and glue it in place and cover with something attractive.
5a) When our condo sit ends in the New Year we go to Kona HI for a couple months old guy surfing and r&r. Then we launch.
5b). Nothing broke or quit on us so maintenance needed is minimal. I just did brakes on the truck and will do bearing re grease and new tires on the trailer for spring. Yamaha is serviced and ready to rock.
6) Dig out maps of North America for next years cruise. Top contender is a season starting locally in April with Friday Harbour gathering to follow. Then proceeding to Roosevelt Lake in Washington, then on to Pend O'Rielle and Hungry Horse/ Flathead and then backtrack to the Canada/USA border for cruising up the Columbia, Arrow Lakes and points north to 100 mile House. This will be a a cruise that keeps us reasonably close to home port in case of family needs with grand kids.
the other contender is a run across Canada to about Ontario prior to Fall. Then south for Nashville and area, onwards to Florida with a loop back in springtime thru Carolina's and toward the Maritimes.
The other contender is a part of the BC interior lakes then south for Powell in September and then for San Padre area of Texas and points east to swing back in spring to the Maritimes
Any of these voyages merely scratch the surface of what is possible. The only limitation I see is time before winter sets in and cash flow. Our Cash flow strategy is the kind where we tend toward" damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead....we'll find the money" sort of financial planning. Life is unpredictable so go for it while you can.
Kerri On did everything we asked of her, being a comfortable home afloat and on the road. We saw everything from gales at sea to desert windstorms and freezing conditions in winter Utah, Idaho and Alberta. We got used to being the smallest cruiser wherever we went. Also for many rv places, the first "boater home" to stay with them. Most were tickled to have us and several adopted us.
We look forward to being on the road next season. We'll keep you posted as we move along.
George and Carolyn. Kerri On.
1) purchase of a Dometic/ Waeco CF 50 fridge/freezer in place of an Igloo icebox. Our lifestyle doesn't need much frozen stuff but we like a lot of veggies, some meats and milk type products. I figure over the last 2 years I have spent the purchase price of the CF50 in ice purchases. Several friends here have the CF50 and it comes highly recommended. I bought one locally and paid more than I could have last year in Az or Ca. Oh well. Sigh. Buy high sell low George! It is a nice machine.
2) build camper back. I had the Bimini installed 2 years back with the idea of doing the camper back when I knew what I wanted. Having seen enough of them now on other c dory's, the boat went into the canvas shop. Pics to follow when done
3) a major clean from stem to stern. I am sure there is still dust from Yuma in there.
4) go thru each locker for things not used, a short list I believe
5). Address insulation in vee berth. I had 1/2 inch foam laying against the hull side and it performed well. What I'll do now is make it fit better and glue it in place and cover with something attractive.
5a) When our condo sit ends in the New Year we go to Kona HI for a couple months old guy surfing and r&r. Then we launch.
5b). Nothing broke or quit on us so maintenance needed is minimal. I just did brakes on the truck and will do bearing re grease and new tires on the trailer for spring. Yamaha is serviced and ready to rock.
6) Dig out maps of North America for next years cruise. Top contender is a season starting locally in April with Friday Harbour gathering to follow. Then proceeding to Roosevelt Lake in Washington, then on to Pend O'Rielle and Hungry Horse/ Flathead and then backtrack to the Canada/USA border for cruising up the Columbia, Arrow Lakes and points north to 100 mile House. This will be a a cruise that keeps us reasonably close to home port in case of family needs with grand kids.
the other contender is a run across Canada to about Ontario prior to Fall. Then south for Nashville and area, onwards to Florida with a loop back in springtime thru Carolina's and toward the Maritimes.
The other contender is a part of the BC interior lakes then south for Powell in September and then for San Padre area of Texas and points east to swing back in spring to the Maritimes
Any of these voyages merely scratch the surface of what is possible. The only limitation I see is time before winter sets in and cash flow. Our Cash flow strategy is the kind where we tend toward" damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead....we'll find the money" sort of financial planning. Life is unpredictable so go for it while you can.
Kerri On did everything we asked of her, being a comfortable home afloat and on the road. We saw everything from gales at sea to desert windstorms and freezing conditions in winter Utah, Idaho and Alberta. We got used to being the smallest cruiser wherever we went. Also for many rv places, the first "boater home" to stay with them. Most were tickled to have us and several adopted us.
We look forward to being on the road next season. We'll keep you posted as we move along.
George and Carolyn. Kerri On.
Hi George,
Sounds like lots of flexible planning and sure to be fun.
I have one question. During your travels and camping on the trailer how did you handle hot weather?
The few trips we have done if it is still above 85 or 90 F after 9 or 10 pm, it is just too hot for us to sleep in the boat. In those cases we get a room.
Steve
Sounds like lots of flexible planning and sure to be fun.
I have one question. During your travels and camping on the trailer how did you handle hot weather?
The few trips we have done if it is still above 85 or 90 F after 9 or 10 pm, it is just too hot for us to sleep in the boat. In those cases we get a room.
Steve
Hot weather.... I've heard of it. Not seen much so far. Maybe 85-90 a few times. No problem as I haven't experienced Eastern temps and humidity. We have a couple 12 volt fans and all windows open. Keep the partner over there. BBQ bottle for spray down. Maybe next season we'll find warmth. G