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Gillard Passage
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July 10, 2007
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Bob,
I am wondering what the best approach to the Gillard Passage area is? I'm in a Alberg 35 sailboat. I usually estimate for planning that she'll do 5 knots under power, although it's more like 5.5 to 6. I will be leaving Squirrel Cove and trying to make it to Forward Harbour, just past Whirlpool Rapids, or at least past Greene Point Rapids.
My problem is that Yucalta Rapids changes 1/2 hour after Dent Rapids, and following the advice in your book, I would be an hour early for the slack at Yucalta, which would give me 1/2 hour to do a hour worth of cruising: not possible. The alternative would be going through Hole In The Wall, but again a similar problem arises with Hole in the Wall and Upper Rapids. The third option would be a stay at Big Bay (I heard the is no longer a dock?) My question is basically how should I approach this matter?
Thank you,
Dylan
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Response
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Hi, Dylan,
I got this note just prior to leaving Prince Rupert for the trip home. Wireless Internet is wonderful.
First, perhaps you just misstated, but if not, you need to understand that the Yuculta Rapids change after Gillard Passage, not before. Both flood and ebb, from north to south the order of change is Whirlpool Rapids, Greene Point Rapids, Dent Rapids, Gillard Passage and Yuculta Rapids.
Your transit of all the rapids will depend on whether the current is flooding or ebbing, and how strong the current will be.
On a weak ebb, you might be able to carry all the rapids in one tide, but that would be a very small exchange during a period of neap tides (half moon). Study your tide book for Gillard Passage and compare the flow with the flow on other days, and you'll have a sense of the relative strength of the current.
On a flood, I doubt if you'll be able to make all the rapids on one tide. A very weak flood might allow it, but probably not.
The more likely approach would be to go through the Yuculta Rapids, Gillard Passage and Dent Rapids on one tide and wait for the next slack (or for the next day) south of the Greene Point Rapids. Unless you're looking at a large exchange, you can take Greene Point Rapids as much as an hour before the turn and get to Whirlpool Rapids before it's running very hard. If you get to Whirlpool Rapids on an ebb, you should be able to shoot right through.
All this sounds more complicated than it actually is. When you've worked the problem once, you'll see how the patterns fit together and you'll know if you're waiting for the next tide or for the next day. Furthermore, you'll have lots of company. Other boats will be making the same trip, and you'll be going along as a group. If you're all alone, you might want to check your calculations. That said, if your calculations say "go," then go. Don't let other skippers run your boat.
As to Hole in the Wall, I wouldn't go that way unless I already were in the Octopus Islands. The run directly up the channel from Squirrel Cove would be the better choice.
Since you don't know about the rather good docks at Big Bay, it sounds as if you don't have 2007 Waggoner. The book is filled with updates and new information every year, and you could miss something important if you travel without it. The Squirrel Cove General Store carries the Waggoner, as does the Refuge Cove store. I urge you to pick one up.
Bob Hale
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