“Camping on the Water” by N&J

Vancouver, BC (Sep 15/24) – After what seemed like forever preparing the new boat for travel; lots of cleaning, outfitting the galley (kitchen), installing new gear, repairing, and getting to know the new boat, etc …finally Spirit Bear was ready to set sail.

Spirit Bear at dock in False Creek

It was a clear sunny day in mid-September, light winds & fair seas, typical fall weather on the coast of Vancouver. Much excitement and pent up anticipation of their first overnight excursion made for a fun adventure.

The maiden voyage would be a simple three day cruise to a nearby cove on the southeast tip of Gambier Island …Halkett Bay Provincial Marine Park. The trip from False Creek in Vancouver takes about 3-4 hours either by sail or motoring, Spirit Bear goes around 6-7 knots/per hour, max hull speed is 8.9 knots (for those who are landlubbers: a ‘nautical mile’ is 10% longer than a ‘mile’). The crew settling in pretty quickly to the rhythm of the ocean. Rounding the bend off Lighthouse Park their destination getting closer…

Arriving at the cove a number of boats already having the same weekend plans were spread about. Each boat having ample room to anchor with plenty of ‘swing room’ (boats on anchor will tend to spin independently around on their tethers pushed by the prevailing winds; thus when anchoring swing room relative to other boats needs to be accounted for to prevent from bumping into each other). N&J chose a spot in the centre of the bay in about 70 feet of water between a couple other large sailboats. The anchoring process went smoothly and needless to say the ‘sailors on board’ were impressed with their first attempt.

Once settled the dinghy was dropped from the davit at the rear of the boat, N donned her PFD (personal flotation device) and took a spin around the bay to survey. Greeting the other boaters and scouting the best swim spots.

Meanwhile Jesse (the cat) found his way up to the cockpit to check out the new surroundings, suddenly realizing there was water ALL AROUND his floating home, but he soon was enamoured by the preponderance of birds & sealife in the air and water around him.

Lazy days spent observing the forest surrounding the bay, the comings & goings of other boaters, kayaking the pristine blue waters & enjoying the pure stillness & quiet. The odd rogue wave from the passing BC Ferry enroute between Horseshoe Bay & Langdale slightly jostling the occupants…

Never growing tired of the view, the sealife, and water lapping along side…

Living on board made easy by LED lighting, fridge/freezer to keep the food cold, a stove/oven for cooking, BBQ on the stern, water pumps to deliver fresh water to the sinks, shower & heads, holding tank to catch all that water, diesel heater for cold nights, satellite radio for music, and solar panels to keep the ship’s batteries fulfilled ‘quietly’.

Evenings spent passing time watching the sun fall behind the mountain while enjoying bbq dinners in the cockpit. The nights sleeping were perfect for the most part you never felt you were floating on the water. The clearness of the skies showcasing the magnificent bright ‘holes to heaven’.

Perfect morning with skies blue and a slight wind coming from the south all systems ready the crew ready to depart back to the mainland…

Anchors Aweigh !!!

The return trip home was equally enjoyable …a magical feeling as you glide back into the harbour with the lights of Vancouver & Burrard Bridge twinkling. It is a good feeling… 🙂

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