Broughton Archipelago Interlude

On the Move Cruise North

July 23, 2011

We departed Port McNeill and headed for the Broughton’s, destination unknown. 

After several hours regretting our choice of directions around Malcom Island, we motored up Fife Sound and ended up in Shawl Bay, a delightful destination. We were sandwiched in at the dock, but met several other boats we had seen in previous years.  After appetizers on the dock, we returned to the boat for a baked chicken dinner.

July 24, 2011

Shawl Bay serves pancakes on the dock every morning and under overcast but dry skies we enjoyed both the pancakes and the camaraderie on the dock.  After breakfast we cast off the lines at 1030 and by 1250 we were anchored in Turnbull Cove under now sunny skies.  The cove is very quiet and none of the 7 boats made any noise.  Patrick put out the prawn pots, but only got about one dozen before taking the pots in for the evening.

July 25, 2011

We departed Turnbull Cove at 0930 and headed for Drury Inlet and Jennis Bay, hoping for dock space for the Cajun Feed the next night.  We could see Sea Jay on AIS and found out Jim Matheson had managed to finagle reservations for both of us.  We had timed our arrival at Stuart Narrows for slack water and after idling around outside of Jennis Bay waiting for dock space to open up finally rafted alongside Sea Jay under sunny skies.

The prawn pots were placed and then we participated in potluck appetizers on the dock followed by singing with Allyson Major Allo, who runs Jennis Bay but is leaving the end of the week for a new life in Wyoming.

July 26, 2011

We had moderate success with the prawn pots and awaited the arrival of four more Roche Harbor Yacht Club vessels, “Crescendo”, “Seventh Wave”, “Reflections” and “Mirage”.  We decided we could be the “On The Move Cruise North” similar to the informal club cruise taking place this next week in the San Juan Islands.

Tuesday was “Cajun Night”, with gumbo, dirty rice, and dessert supplied by Jennis Bay and all the side dishes supplied by the visiting vessels.  This is a popular event and there were seven boats anchored in the bay as well as the double and triple rafted boats at the dock.  The evening concluded with movies on “Reflections”, watching an episode of “Pillars of the Earth”.

An evening check of the prawn pots added several dozen more to the larder.  Patrick also placed two crab pots out in the evening.

July 27, 2011

The morning check of the pots brought more prawns and 8 nice Dungeness crabs, which were shared with Mathesons.  We decided to stay in Drury Inlet and the whole RHYC flotilla headed to Sutherland Bay where all 6 boats rafted together with stern ties to shore.  Crab and prawn pots were placed and an evening check of the prawn pots yielded 3 dozen more nice spot prawns.

Dinner was potluck in the sun on the flybridge of “Seventh Wave”, Ray and Sue Biggs.  Linda Collier on “Reflections” produced a delicious paella which we all shared.  Popcorn and another episode of “Pillars of the Earth” rounded out the evening.

July 28, 2011

The rain returned overnight, but it is calm.  The prawn pots continued to produce small quantities, with another three dozen today.  With the rain continuing and slack water at Stuart Narrows very early in the morning we all decided to go to Claydon Bay, outside the narrows before moving to our respective destinations.  By 1830 we were again anchored, rafted together and stern tied to trees on the shore.  The bay was full of commercial crab pots, but our pots came up empty.  Dinner was spaghetti, salad and freshly baked garlic bread on “Mirage”.  Stewarts and Driscolls cooked the meal and the brad was baked on “Reflections.  We watched episode five of “Pillars of the Earth” on “Sea Jay”, with “Spirit” supplying the popcorn.

July 29, 2011

The sun returned this morning as we said our goodbyes and left the other RHYC vessels to head back to Port McNeill for supplies before heading south.  By 1300 we were tied to the dock, having now travelled 550 nautical miles since leaving Ketchikan.

More pictures when we have a faster internet connection.