We made a short foray ashore for showers and internet sessions then returned to the boat to prepare the boat for departure at 11.30 AM in order to transit the Gabriola Passage at 12.10 PM, the predicted time of current reversal.
Gabriola Passage is described in the guide as "narrow, intricate and has numerous dangers in its east approach. This combined with the velocity of the tidal streams does not recommend it for general navigation. It should only be navigated at slack water, by those familiar with local conditions." However, we were to confirm that with good visibility, little wind, and passage at slack water transiting Gabriola Passage presents no serious difficulties.
We weighed anchor at 11.30 AM and motored out of Silva Bay around Shipyard Rock then turned south leaving Saturnina Island to port. We entered the passage at 12.15 PM as part of a two-way procession of boats that were making the crossing at slack water. Of course this made our navigation much easier. We were through the narrows in about ten minutes, saw Degnen Bay to our starboard, rounded the light at Dibuxante Point then turned south in the Plyades Channel down the west side of Valdes Island. Everybody was motoring because the air was very light. The calm water made for easy motoring with the autopilot doing the steering while we enjoyed the sights and had lunch in the cockpit.
We left De Courcy, Ruxton, and Plyades islands to starboard then headed SSW through the Trincomali Channel, rounded the Ragged Islets beacon, and entered North Bay in very gentle conditions. We dropped anchor and 20 meters of chain in less than 10 meters of water.
The bay was very busy. There was a lot of youth activity in the SW corner of the bay with speedboat dragging squealing children on an air mattress, dingy sailing, swimming, etc. Later we heard a sea plane start its engine. I went topside and saw what looked like the same plane that had given us a hard time the previous day gun its engine and take off. The activity and housing does not bother us because we are happy enough with a tranquil and safe anchorage with spectacular scenery all around us.
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