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| Rivers Inlet in 22' Bayliner Trophy
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May 4, 2005
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D
ear Editor:
Hi: 4 of us are planning to drive up the Vancouver Island Highway to Port Hardy in June and then proceed to take my 22' Bayliner Trophy across Queen Charlotte Sound to Rivers Inlet for 3 days of fishing. Are we okay to do this? The boat goes 38 kmph. Any suggestions of timing and best course to take?
Thanks in advance.
Don
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Responses
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Hi Don,
Bob Hale is visiting facilities on Vancouver Island this week, and will be back in the office next Monday. I've been on board their 37-foot Tollycraft, and we made it across from Port McNeil to Duncanby in less than a day going a leisurely 8 knots. Our conditions were perfect though. Weather can make all the difference. Check before you go! Bob will send you a more detailed reply when he returns.
Stacia Green
Managing Editor
Hi, Don,
As Stacia said, weather (meaning wind) is critically important. If it's blowing, you simply can't cross. At least I wouldn't.
Be sure to look at the tides, too. From Jun 21-27 you have a significant ebb tide that bottoms out from a little after sunrise earlier in June to around noon a few days later (check the tables). A big ebb can create big seas, even in the absence of wind. So the problem is, you want to go in the morning before the westerly sea breeze fills in, but you don't want to go on an ebb. Nice decision. All I can say is, look at conditions and make the best choice you can.
Your speed should help, but don't plan on zooming across unless you get lucky. If you're in big swells you may not be able to hold your speed. Also, there's a lot of lumber, logs, trees and other stuff floating around out there and you don't want to hit it. We've had to slow down and pick our way through frequently.
I'm not trying to scare you off, but you should be aware of the challenges.
As to best route, from Port McNeill we've been crossing Queen Charlotte Strait to the Jeanette Islands, then working up the mainland side to round Cape Caution. If conditions turn nasty there are some hiding places along the way. From Port Hardy, either the Pine Island route or the "middle route" behind the Storm Islands works fine.
I trust you have proper paper charts in addition to any electronic charts, that you have GPS and (I urge) radar. I trust your compass has been adjusted by a professional adjuster. If you get caught in fog or thick weather you'll need these things. And I trust you have a good VHF radio and antenna.
If the weather is lousy and you can't cross with safety, consider Plan B. There's a lot of fish around Port Hardy, with good lodging and trailer storage. If for any reason you can't get to Rivers Inlet, Plan B wouldn't be too bad.
--Bob Hale
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