Light station at the Northwest tip of Stewart Island. On our way!
After a nervous sleep, wondering how clearing Canadian Customs for our transit to Alaska would go, we set off in time to arrive at the Port of Sidney 30 minutes prior to the arrival of the customs agents. We submitted our travel documents through an app (ArriveCAN) and pulled up to the customs dock where we were greeted by 2 friendly officers. They asked the usual questions about alcohol, firearms, food and marijuana, but didn’t seem too concerned with the answers as they made it very clear we are to not leave the boat while in Canada. Fortunately Slowboat had prepped us well and they approved our float plan, reminding us there was a $1,000,000 fine for violating Covid regulations. We were allowed to stop for fuel only, otherwise anchoring only without leaving the boat to visit our fellow travelers.
Extra fuel for the last leg of the trip.
With a big sigh of relief as everyone cleared, we turned our attention to the next “gate.” Exiting the Gulf Islands of Canada into the Strait of Georgia requires timing one of the many narrows to arrive as the current changes from one direction to another. The currents can reach speeds faster than our boat can travel! We had a pleasant downwind sail up Trincomali Channel from Prevost Island right up to Dodd narrows, the gate between Gabriola Island and Vancouver Island.
Parade of boats approaching Dodd Narrows at slack.
Waterfront property just south of Nanaimo.
Passing through without problem, we motored past Nanaimo and out into the Strait of Georgia, where the wind picked up and the seas became rougher. The ride smoothed out when we unfurled the big Code 0 in 17-20 knots of SE wind and sailed downwind to our destination of False Bay on Lasqueti Island, right in the middle of the Strait of Georgia.
Sailing downwind in "sporty" weather in the Strait of Georgia.
Surfing down the larger waves, we made better time than with the engine and soon arrived at the protected confines of our anchorage for the night at 7 pm to find all of our friends all tucked in out of the wind.
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