The plan is to log some long days and get up north as quickly as possible, with the two major considerations being Seymour Narrows (or the other tide rips) and Cape Caution, with Johnstone Strait a close third. Subject to weather we figure the minimum we can make Fitz Hugh Sound from Vancouver is 2 1/2 days.
We expect to anchor out and so invested in new ground tackle - the old Bruce being 'ok' but memories of fitful sleep during a few blows were still fresh. We ended up with a 88lb Mantus and 450' of rode (the first 250' being high strength chain). There are many debates on the Trawler forum on anchors so these comment are not to reignite that old chestnut!. We simply wanted a new generation anchor (Rocna, Mantus, Manson, etc) and elected for the Mantus as it sounded like it works a bit better than the others with reduce scope. Anchoring in 90'+ one is not going to get 7:1!
Reference we used before we left and while underway included:
- Cruising the Secret Coast, Jennifer & James Hamilton. A great resource for out-of-the-way places and Hakai (which I don't consider so out-of-the-way). Many of the spots were a bit too adventurous for us (we don't mind if there is another boat or two in the anchorage) but great all the same.
- Exploring the North Coast of British Columbia by Douglass. Our 'go-to' reference for passages and anchorages. Not as much history as we might like but invaluable.
- 2015 Waggoner Cruising Guide. http://waggonerguide.com/download-2015-waggoner-cruising-guide-0/
- Far-Away Places, 50 Anchorages on the Northwest Coast by Iain Lawrence. We found this as a cheap second-hand, and for $10 was 'ok'. A bit dated and IMHO not worth tracking down as I found Iain's writing style a bit strange.
And for further south (Broughtons and Desolation)
- Exploring the South Coast of British Columbia by Douglass. As above our 'go-to' reference for passages and anchorages.
- Crusing beyond Desolation Sound, John Chappell. An old standby we have had on the shelf for 25 years. Interesting to see how things have changed from John's descriptions of the early 80's
- Cruising Guide to British Columbia Volume 2. Wolferstan. Another old standby we have had for 25 years. Quite a bit of history, and an area's history is the same as it was 25 years ago (naturally). The photos are a hoot. Only 6 boats in Prideaux Haven? Not for a long time.....
- Full Moon, Flood Tide: Bill Proctor's Raincoast. A great companion to have whilst in the Broughtons. All the history one could want. A great guide to a vanishing way of life.